Page 133 - James Caan - Get the Job you Really Want

comes right at the beginning of the meeting, or later on, some-
where I try and find a little one-liner that clicks.
When I am interviewing someone, there’s a little comment
I usually like to throw in when I am asking a question about
which qualities their current boss would describe as their

strongest. They usually come up with something quite earnest
along the lines of, ‘Well, I think she would probably say that I am
a strong team player, and that the kind of solutions I come up

with are creative but also very practical.’
As I’m wrapping up the question, I say, as casually as
possible, ‘Now would you like to know what she really said?’
The candidate always freezes in panic . . . But I don’t let them
su≠er too long. ‘I’m only kidding.’ They are so relieved to find

out I was actually winding them up that they always laugh
and relax.
If you cannot introduce an element of humour into a

45-minute interview, that will score against you. You don’t
have to be a stand-up comedian. Far from it – you should
retain a gentle sense of humour, but avoid pre-prepared jokes.
The line you use to create a smile does not have to be about
anything specific. It is a question of spotting a moment in the

conversation where a slice of self-deprecation or a neatly judged
observation will come naturally. Humour that works relaxes the
environment; it sets a tone.

This is a judgement call that will be down to you. You cannot
use humour more than once – twice at a pinch – because then
there is a danger I won’t take you seriously. Three times certainly
goes completely against you. I have turned people down

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