Let’s face it: job interviews are often really awkward. You’re trying your best to show off your capability and charm while carefully toeing the line between impressive and arrogant. Too much self-aggrandisement can lead to negative perceptions while too little can render one’s accomplishments invisible; finding the perfect balance can often feel impossible. However, according to a new study, there is a surefire way to come across well while job-hunting: ‘humourbragging’.

Described as the art of blending self-promotion with humour, it’s all about showcasing your achievements in an engaging way that feels convincing but non-threatening to potential employers. According to researcher Jieun Pai, an assistant professor at Imperial College Business School, humourbragging not only makes candidates seem more likable and competent but also significantly increases their chances of being hired or receiving investment offers. 

As the study, published in the Personality And Social Psychology Bulletin, explains, whether on a date, at work or among friends, humans naturally use humour to overcome awkwardness. In an interview setting, however, light-heartedness can often be employed as a strategy to navigate the dilemma of balancing the need to demonstrate competence while also appearing relatable.

Exploring how humourbragging influences perceptions of warmth and competence, participants of the study were told to use either humourbragging or plain self-promotion to describe their proudest moment in a mock interview setting. Both explained how they had created a soccer-themed cake for a boy’s fifth birthday party, which resulted in a huge tip from the boy’s parents. In the straightforward condition, the candidate then added: “It was the biggest tip the bakery has ever seen, and no one else received more since.”

In the humourbragging condition, the candidate instead said: “I am just glad that I only had to make the soccer ball, not actually kick one.” The findings revealed that the candidate using humourbragging was perceived as both warmer and more competent, leading to higher hiring intentions among participants. 

The same idea translated into CVs, too. When researchers compared a straightforward resume that stated “I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented sales representative with experience” in contrast to a humourbragging resume that added the joke: “I have a proven track record of turning caffeine input into productivity output. The more coffee you can provide, the more output I will produce,” they found that the latter received three times as many website visitors and significantly more contact from recruiters compared to the self-promotion resume.

While professional environments can often feel stuffy and serious, this study proves that a bit of light humour in the workplace is beneficial for all involved. “The key takeaway from our study is the effectiveness of using self-enhancing humour, or humourbragging, in professional settings,” Pai explained. “This approach allows individuals to highlight their competencies and achievements in a manner that is perceived as more likable and less threatening. It suggests that incorporating a humourous angle when discussing one’s accomplishments can make a person more appealing and relatable without diminishing the perception of their competence.”

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