Page 1 of 2
Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:52 pm
by gdane
I'm considering opening up my screener interviews with an old Rodney Dangerfield joke. My idea is when (if) the interviewer asks me "how are you?" I would respond with "It's been a rough day. I got up this morning, put a shirt on and a button fell off. I picked up my briefcase and the handle came off. I'm afraid to go to the bathroom."
Bad idea? Or would it show a lighthearted side? I could possibly get a very good laugh out of the interviewer that would put him in a good mood for the rest of the interview.
Please I appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:53 pm
by buddingjd
...
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:54 pm
by Hannibal
I can't believe I forgot about Gdane.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:59 pm
by Anonymous User
Don't do that. Not only is that not that funny (sorry), it's inappropriate to refer to your penis in an interview.
If you want to seem "lighthearted" then chat about sports or something local. Or look up your interviewer to see if there are any particular topics you can bring up. ("Oh, I read that you worked on [some interesting case/pro bono topic/etc.]. How was that?") Just be yourself, don't appear nervous, and just act comfortable. That's the best thing you can do.
Just please god don't tell a joke like that.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:00 pm
by vpintz
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:00 pm
by Ludo!
Also interested in this. Sounds like a great idea
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:02 pm
by dpk711
Is this a joke?
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:02 pm
by homestyle28
I'm hoping you get so nervous that you forget to set up the joke and just blurt out:"my penis fell off"
eta - don't do anything in a screener you wouldn't do in a client meeting.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:03 pm
by gdane
This question is not a joke.
I'm looking for advice from people that may have actually told a joke in an interview. Maybe this joke isnt a great one because it refers to my penis, but the idea is to try and set up a lighthearted and fun interview. I really dont want to get stuck in a boring vanilla interview. For the interviewer's sake.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:05 pm
by vpintz
gdane wrote:This question is not a joke.
I'm looking for advice from people that may have actually told a joke in an interview. Maybe this joke isnt a great one because it refers to my penis, but the idea is to try and set up a lighthearted and fun interview. I really dont want to get stuck in a boring vanilla interview. For the interviewer's sake.
NO LINES
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:05 pm
by Old Gregg
He's trolling. Nothing to see here. Move along.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:10 pm
by Haymarket
Only open with a joke if it's racist or sexist or generally offensive. A nice dead baby joke, maybe Otherwise it's no good.
Edit: I see that you're thinking of mentioning your penis in a job interview. Strong move. I think you've chosen well.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:13 pm
by Xifeng
I say don't joke about anything you're not willing to show. That's my plan.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:21 pm
by 20130312
Xifeng wrote:I say don't joke about anything you're not willing to show. That's my plan.
To show your penis?
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:25 pm
by Hannibal
InGoodFaith wrote:Xifeng wrote:I say don't joke about anything you're not willing to show. That's my plan.
To show your penis?
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:41 pm
by ilovesf
I can't believe you think this is actually a good idea.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:43 pm
by Bildungsroman
GODDAMMIT 0Ls GET OUT OF THE FUCKING LEGAL EMPLOYMENT FORUM.
And this is a bad idea. Having some humor in your interview can be a great thing. Opening with a canned joke about your peenor is probably not as well-received.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:45 pm
by ShitLawOrBust
I think it's a stupid idea and wouldn't do it myself. Try it an report back with results
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:47 pm
by MrKappus
@OP: you're not going to get any interviews.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:48 pm
by target
Xifeng wrote:I say don't joke about anything you're not willing to show. That's my plan.
Maybe he's willing to show whatever he jokes about.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:49 pm
by luckyme
10/10 OP
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:50 pm
by 071816
can't miss
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:50 pm
by ilovesf
I think having humor in an interview is a great thing. But humor that happens naturally if the interview goes in that direction. Not some weird, forced, inappropriate joke.
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:55 pm
by Bildungsroman
Treat the conversation like a mad lib. The first time the interviewer uses an adjective, respond with "You think that's [adjective]? You should see my [lewd body part]!"
Re: Starting Screener With a Joke
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:11 am
by thesealocust
I just spent 5 minutes trying to turn that gdane quote into an avatar but I gave up.
8/8/12 NEVER FORGET
gdane wrote:This question is not a joke.
Maybe this joke isnt a great one because it refers to my penis.
edit: never mind, got it.