You've probably heard the phrase, "People buy people." While recruitment should always focus on skills, experience and potential, personality also plays an important role. Employers aren't simply hiring a CV they're hiring someone they'll work with every day.
At Maxwell Stephens, we believe building genuine relationships is one of the most important parts of recruitment. We take the time to understand both our candidates and our clients because finding the right fit goes far beyond matching qualifications to a job description.
That raises an interesting question:
Should you use humour during a job interview?
The answer is yes—but with caution.
Interviews are naturally stressful. A genuine smile, a light-hearted comment or a shared laugh can quickly put both you and the interviewer at ease.
Used appropriately, humour can:
The key is that humour should arise naturally rather than feeling rehearsed or forced.
Humour is often linked to emotional intelligence.
Research has suggested that highly effective leaders tend to use appropriate humour more frequently than average managers—not because they're comedians, but because they understand how to connect with people, reduce tension and create positive working relationships.
Being able to judge when humour is appropriate demonstrates:
These are qualities employers value across almost every profession.
Not every interview is the same.
Some interviewers are warm, conversational and relaxed.
Others are formal, structured and focused solely on assessing your experience.
One of the most important interview skills is adapting to the person sitting opposite you.
If your interviewer is smiling, chatting naturally and sharing anecdotes, there's usually room for a little personality.
If the interview is highly structured, with rapid-fire competency questions and little small talk, it's generally best to mirror that professional style.
Good communication is often about matching the tone of the conversation rather than trying to change it.
There is a huge difference between being personable and trying to perform.
Avoid humour that could offend or make anyone uncomfortable.
Steer clear of jokes involving:
Likewise, avoid sarcasm aimed at previous employers or colleagues.
The safest humour is usually:
For example, smiling after describing a challenging project and saying, "It certainly kept us busy!" feels natural and human.
One of the quickest ways to make an interview uncomfortable is trying too hard to be funny.
Interviewers are looking for authenticity.
If humour comes naturally, that's great.
If it doesn't, don't worry.
Nobody has ever been hired simply because they told the funniest joke.
They are hired because they demonstrate the right skills, attitude and professionalism.
Humour should never replace professionalism.
Your appearance, punctuality and preparation still create the strongest first impression.
Dress appropriately for the organisation, arrive on time and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Confidence comes from preparation—not from trying to entertain the interviewer.
When used naturally and professionally, humour can help you:
Humour can be a valuable tool during an interview but only when it's authentic, appropriate and well judged.
Your primary objective is to demonstrate your suitability for the role. If a genuine smile or light-hearted comment helps build rapport along the way, that's an added bonus.
The best interviews feel like professional conversations rather than formal interrogations. Be yourself, read the room, stay professional and let your personality come through naturally.
After all, employers aren't just recruiting experience they're recruiting someone they'll enjoy working with every day.
Our current FM Job Opportunities range from £30,000 to well into six figures.
