Sense of humour listed in job advert

[DiamondLine]

I know the job it's a very busy, juggle lots of conflicting demands admin type job. One of the criteria listed is a sense of humour.

Does this attract you to the post or make you want to avoid at all costs?

IME it's usually recruiter-code for 'chaotic office environment — you'll always be prioritising the urgent over the important'.

I also think it often says 'we know we're dysfunctional and we're not planning to change it'.

It means "the workoad will be so stressful and chaotic, only a moron jacked up on laughing gas will be able to cope without needing gin before lunchtime. Also, what we're offering to pay you is a fucking joke."

Avoid. Place is a mess or they accept unacceptable behaviour.

😂 I was going to sugar cost it more but this would be my thoughts. Basically it’s the ‘you can’t take a joke’ of the job seeking world. Or the ‘don’t take themselves too seriously’ of the online dating world. More or less we do not want anyone who will complain about the rubbish treatment, wages, and working environment.

Agree with PP. Also, when I took such a job, was expected to be spoken to "like one of the boys" and sworn at. Avoid.

Yes, these are my thoughts exactly. I wonder why employers think it's a good idea to include it.

Big red flag. For PA roles it always means that your manager is an up themselves, egotistical arsehole who expected subservience and limitless understanding of their tantrums.

Avoid. Learned that lesson the hard way when I was asked in an interview if I minded 'banter.' Nope, I said, I've worked in the City Of London, I can answer back and hold my own. The 'banterer' was dismissed for sexual harassment of several female colleagues and what's worse, was well known for it; but he was mates with our manager 🙄

Most people don’t know how to write a good job spec/ad, so they default to cliches like this. See also: ‘team player’ and ‘self-starter’.

I like flexible as well

I always wonder how they're going to assess this at interview - tell us a joke?

Much like ads that say they're looking for someone "resilient". It's your chance to run for the hills.

Avoid. It's code for 'You have to laugh, otherwise you'll end up crying'.

"able to hit the ground running" is my red flag. Nope! That is code for "no training or support"

In that sort of role I think it would put me off. I have applied for roles with that on the advert but they have been PA for special needs children/young adults so in that case it normally applies to the person liking to have fun/tell a joke etc.

Run. For. The. Hills and do not look over your shoulder.

Avoid. It's just unprofessional.

This. Absolutely this.

It's an instant "no" as soon as I see that on a job description. Makes me think I'm going to be working for David Brent

Very likely to be code for "strong personalities" who are actually unpleasant tossers, multiple managers have come and gone in quick succession and staff walk out without a new job.
You know, chaos !!! 👀

Agree that it's probably code, does it all say things like 'fast paced', 'challenging' etc enough words together and that might put me off. But you can figure that out from an interview anyway. It might just mean they're a fun bunch and enjoy banter, might be a great place to work. I'd prefer someone with a sense of humour than someone who is uptight that's for sure!

I'd avoid like the plague, it either means behaviour is bad or the office is chaotic.

That would be my first assumption too.

But if the job sounds good otherwise I'd give the benefit of the doubt, no harm in applying and seeing what they're like if you get to that stage.