This unusual technique during a job interview requires boldness: be careful, it is double-edged.

L'”humorbragging” permettrait aux candidats à l’emploi de se démarquer sans avoir l’air arrogant. courtneyk/Getty Images

The virtues of humor are no longer in doubt, including at work, even if this quality is ultimately little used in hiring processes. However, job candidates would benefit from showing wit to recruiters.

Researchers affiliated with Imperial College London and the American universities of Stanford and Virginia say in a study recently published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin that active people have every interest in self-esteem. rsquo;indulging in humorbragging" in a job interview.

This English portmanteau is the contraction of humor (humor) and bragging. It refers to talking about one's skills and professional accomplishments through jokes or witticisms.

According to the authors of the study, '"humorbragging" would allow job candidates to stand out without seeming arrogant. "This approach allows individuals to showcase their skills and accomplishments in a way that is perceived as more sympathetic and less threatening,” explained Jieun Pai, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago. Imperial College London, to PsyPost magazine.

A double-edged sword

Jieun Pai and his colleagues came to this conclusion after conducting four experiments, including one during which volunteers were invited to put themselves in the shoes of a restaurateur looking for a new pastry chef. Study participants then had to ask several questions to candidates interested in the position during mock job interviews.

One of them focused on their proudest moment in their career. The researchers had written two possible responses: one very factual and the other incorporating humorbragging. It turns out that the volunteers were more convinced by the second. "Humorbragging increases perceived warmth and competence; these two dimensions condition the effect of humorbragging on the employer's hiring intentions, we can read in the study.

If you want to try '"humorbragging" During your next job interview, keep in mind that this technique can be a double-edged sword, because your interviewer may also see your attempts at joking as a lack of professionalism and you take it seriously.

In general, refrain from any form of humor that is to the detriment of others. So no more "jokes" racist, misogynistic, or LGBTphobic. Favor kind and subtle forms of humor, which are not likely to offend anyone.

And above all, prepare yourself. Humor is an art that can be learned, even if it comes more naturally to some people than to others. Don’t hesitate to practice and test the waters with your loved ones. If they don't crack a smile when they hear your witticisms, there is little chance that a recruiter will. So be careful on the big day and pay attention to the non-verbal behavior of your interlocutor. If he responds well to your attempts at humorbragging, continue on this path. If applicable, just talk about your skills and professional achievements in a more formal tone.