"My method is to take the utmost trouble to find the right thing to say, and then to say it with the utmost levity." -George Bernard Shaw
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As I previously mentioned, I have spent the last month interviewing for a career change. There are a number of things you should and can expect in any interview at a top level. They are GOING to use the STAR method and they WILL want to know about specific examples where you were challenged and how you reacted and what the outcome was. Have three of these ready to rock and also have one example of when you failed. -This is par for the course. EVERY one of the people competing against you for the position will also be ready for this. They'll also likely have a general 30/60/90 day plan, they will also have letters of recommendation and a "brag book," they will also have an accomplished resume.
So, how do you distinguish yourself?
Levity. If you can take a very serious question and use it as a way to make your interviewer laugh, you will be remembered.
Consider a question that EVERY interviewer will likely ask in a first interviewer. Check out a recent exchange I had for a product that takes Hyaluronic Acid and injects it in to the knee. -They gather the acid from the combs of roosters.
Q: Hello Steven, thank you for meeting with me today. Why don't you start by telling me a little bit about yourself.
A: Sure thing, well, I was born and raised in Michigan and from a very young age I told my mother that when I grew up I wanted to inject acid from rooster combs in to peoples knees....
My interviewer laughed so hard she almost spit out her coffee.
My "levity" did two things. It made her laugh and it quickly showed her that I had done research on the product I would be representing.
From then on in the interview, it was much more relaxed. We had laughed together and that's an immediate bonding experience.
Now, of course you want to choose when to use such a technique based on the audience. But when appropriate, levity can be a very strong tool.
Good luck out there!
Men's health put out a book in ~2000 in which they claimed that any woman who would laugh with you could, eventually, decide to have sex with you. Obviously an unfounded claim, obviously untestable, obviously offensive and heavy on truthiness... But I don't think it's absurd to point out that a woman who won't laugh with you definitely won't sleep with you.
Being funny was always my most significant competitive advantage in the dating department. I'll never be the richest or the best looking but I'm down to have fun! It's definitely not about preparing material beyond a decent anecdote or two. It's mostly about listening and enjoying the conversation, working off what material you are handed and giving a woman space to be funny as well. A date that looks terrible on paper can be awesome if both parties are willing to just have fun with each other. Had a fun time all night, the other person has made you laugh and laughed at your jokes. Had a few deep moments where you might have more deeply and seriously connected, a bit of intellectual/spiritual exchange to build some logos and pathos... Might as well keep it rolling in the sack!
This is so true. When I was looking for jobs years ago I ended up interviewing for a minimum wage position at a call center help desk for Redbox. During the interview I was asked, "What does sales mean to you?" I ended up saying that, "sales was not a jedi mind trick, you can't just wave your hand and say 'You will buy this'". This made the interviewer laugh and I ended up getting a position in their highest paying contract where I eventually worked my way as high as I could without going in to management.Levity. If you can take a very serious question and use it as a way to make your interviewer laugh, you will be remembered.