TheGrindstone: When you’re dying to get a job and you finally find one that’s perfect for you–but there’s some stiff competition–it pays to have an edge over your rival. The surprising trait that will get you hired over other equally qualified applicants?
According to CareerBuilder, it’s a sense of humor.
16 comments:
This was a really cute article. Job interviews are always nerve-racking and it's true, the best way to act is being yourself, which is HARD. What if you're trying to be funny to show you have a sense of humor and it comes out wrong? What if being yourself is great with your friends but not even good with your interviewer? Does that mean that maybe this job isn't for you?
I don't know about everyone else, but when I meet someone for the first time or I go on a job interview, I become extremely professional mostly because I am terrified. I always watch what I say because I'm afraid of saying something wrong. It always takes a little while for me to get out of my shell when I'm with new people. I know that I am not the only one out there like this! But honestly, I think it adds to someone's character if they are slightly shy! So be shy! (Not too shy though, it's nice to be social every once in a while... It can be fun too!!)
I found his closing very funny too! Just putting it out there!
I really liked the idea that a sense of humor could be the tie-breaker when employers are hiring. I can definitely see how that can be relevant to how this candidate with fit in at work and function as a part of a team. But I agree with Becki's comment that it could be really challenging to display that side of yourself during an interview. The ideas presented in the end of the article were less surprising that the first though. Clothing, community service experience, and fitness are all things that I could have guessed could help interviewers lean one way or another, although they don't seem as relevant to how a person may function as a worker.
I can see why a good sense of humor would be such a factor in the job market especially in the theatrical and entertainment industry. I worked in a lighting shop for part of this past year and humor is really important in the shop. It's really the only way to get through a day of packing cases and looming cable without totally breaking your spirit. If I couldn't handle their humor, which was pretty crude most of the time, I wouldn't have lasted very long. If you can't take what they dish out it really effects the chemistry of the shop so I can see why it would be so key in the interview.
But I also agree with Becki that showing that side of you without coming off as too immature or accidentally offending the interviewer is tough. I knew I was pretty much guaranteed the job but I was still super nervous going into interview and even on the first day. But I learned pretty quickly that the line of going too far with a joke was about a mile down the road so I could relax.
While I absolutely believe that maintaining a sense of humor is critical to having a successful career, a think a better interpersonal skill is knowing exactly what kind of humor is appropriate, and how much at any given time. This is especially important during an interview. I think the article summarizes my point very well when it states that “Employers are not only looking for people who are professionally qualified for the position, but also someone who is going to fit in at the office.”
The notion that you are "selling your personal brand" in job interviews really sounds accurate. Your clothes, level of fitness, and personality all help craft an image in your interview. It sounds like humor is another good way to differentiate yourself from other candidates in your interview. I hope I'm funny..
I think the key quality discussed in this article should be amended to "having a good sense of humor." While that quality can be subjectively judged, there are definitely set boundaries for appropriateness based on where you are and what you are doing. These boundaries are fluid; no two jobs or individuals will maintain exactly the same opinion on them. However, being able to go into a place and sense what will be acceptable is an amazing quality. To size up the people in a room well enough to know what will make them laugh, and to be in turn good at doing so, is definitely key. So, generally I agree with what the text is saying, but I think there's more depth to it than walking in and proving you're funny.
I never really thought it was too hard to see that personality is one of the key factors for job interviews. Whether or not it is actually something that an interviewer is consciously looking for, personality is definitely vital in the decision making process and often times the interviewer will look for something good in the interviewee if they have a positive attitude and good humor, and the opposite is true as well.
I have to say that I whole-heartedly agree with this article. I'm a big fan of not taking yourself so seriously, and this plays right in with that. In any working environment, you, as a new recruit, are entering a pre-established territory. Being able to gel with the group is crucial in the grand scheme of things. While the job should be the most important focus, being a decent person is necessary. As far as "selling your personal brand" goes, I never thought of that whilst in an interview, while cracking jokes is something I kept in mind. Overall, though, I was definitely surprised when reading this article, because I never realized how much employers value theses qualities in ourselves. This article definitely gives us a deeper look into the elusive minds of our employers.
I completely agree with this article. No matter what field you work in its always important to be a good person people enjoy being around, and with that comes a sense of humor. Working in the theatre I often find myself working with people who are nothing but humor. It always creates a great atmosphere and it never fails to make the work seem much less daunting. Humor brings people together like nothing else, when people are working well together thats when things get done. I'm glad that this is one of the most important parts of an interview. Often times interviews are serious and uncomfortable. That being said its nice to know it wont hurt to relax a little and say something that might make someone smile or even laugh.
I think more than a sense of humor they are looking for a person with personality. No one wants a flat person in the office when they could have a slightly less qualified person that is a toast of the party. Getting things done is a lot easier when surrounded by a comfortable atmosphere. In theatre, this is kind of crucial. You have to be able to make fun of yourself to get anywhere in the theatre world. It gets so stressful sometimes as opening night looms closer in the future. There needs to be that one crackpot in the group that lightens the mood. I wonder if the "volunteer" part is to see if you would work unpaid overtime...
I think that Frank brought up a really good point, which is that companies are really looking for someone who will fit in in the office, and who people want to work with. A sense of humor is a good way to judge this , but may not be the most important thing. After all, some people just can't be that funny, and trying to be someone you're not in an interview is not really a good things, since it's usually pretty obvious. More than an (appropriate) sense of humor, I think the most important thing is to be personable. Don't be afraid to laugh and smile and be comfortable. After all, the person hiring you is probably going to be working with you, and they want someone who can have a conversation.
Personally I think that humor is a very important quality to have in order to get a job. Everyone has a different sense of humor, and finds different things funny. This is where you have to be careful about not offending your potential boss. With that being said, the article touches on the idea of how employers want to have employees with personality. I think this is so true because lets face it, would you rather work with someone who is boring or someone who is funny and full of personality? I would pick the humorous one because they will keep the work exciting.
I have made this point in articles of years past; for someone to hire you THEY MUST HAVE TO LIKE YOU. Especially in our industry, if someone does not like you there is going to be no reason what so ever for them to like you no matter how good you are at your job. Some people land a job and then become assholes (or were actual assholes but hi it really well in their interview) but in order for someone to want to hire you they are gonna have to like you. We work in such small tight knit groups and spend such long stress filled times together they are going to only want to be that close and stressed out with someone who isn't going to make it worse.
A thin article on a fat topic. I think there's a lot more to what people see in a sense of humor than whether or not an applicant will "cry at company parties." Humor is a very specialized form of communication that requires intellect, observation and humility. That's why everyone thinks they have a sense of humor: because everyone thinks they're smart, observant and humble. In a professional situation, I look to a sense of humor to gauge the traits that lie beneath the humor. Most of the jobs I've had at which I've been happy and productive were at places where people could laugh together, most especially about themselves. The last job I had, over the summer, I asked the guy who hired me after I got to know him why he gave me the job. Specifically I asked him if the fact that I went to CMU gave me any leverage over other candidates. Sadly he said no, but I made him laugh at the interview, and so he thought I would fit in at the company. Like the cover letter, I think an interview is a place where they're looking for a reason to give you a pass, and for my money, not having a sense of humor, is an automatic pass.
This point was hammered home time and time again during DP freshman year. in particular the point made was that artists hire assistants who they would enjoy spending a lot of time with. Someone who can tell a good joke and talk about current events was the ideal applicant. This seems totally reasonable, I know that I would make the same type of choice out of two equally qualified people. THe challenge is trying to be funny in that kind of situation. A close friend of mine was denied a leadership position in an on campus club recently for making an inappropriate joke in the interview.
Humor is definitely a quality that puts you on another level for employers. I have learned from personal experience that those who can't take a joke just ruin the environment of the job setting. Plus, having someone who can fit in with everyone and just crack a few jokes or laughs helps with the stress levels and just helps move things along in a fun manner.
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