I always take a few minutes to judge the interviewer before I choose my reaction- common sense orverrides all, right?

For many of us, here in N. America, Guanxi, meaning ‘relations’, ‘network’, or ‘relationship’, has been synonymous with cryonyism, corruption.

But the further we develop our understanding into human relations and interrelationships, we come to understanding that to pass each approval, judgement or stage in our lives require harmonious relationships with those around us.

Establish some type of commonality.
Make a small joke about yourself.
..ask them what they want you to be.

Et al.

…will all get you the edge in any scenario. I assure you, these are not part of your qualifications package. But the author is right in the effectiveness of such. Frankly, I assure you, there are likely 15 others more qualified than you that wouldn’t mind the opportunity, but weren’t connected to it in time or whatever due to their weak guanxi. These days where I’m from, those in-the-have and in-the-know are saying qualifications aren’t enough?! (Code: Too many new immigrants with MBAs).

I just wished people would be more frank about hiring. Guanxi exists in many social heirarchies, and has had it’s place throughout the ages.

If we acknowlege its existance and force, maybe we can work better and more effectively. I am not condoning it, merely am p***d off by the numerous reasons I have seen given for hiring decisions.

I am probably hyper-aware of how easily negative comments - even those that are supposed to be funny - can become reality. So I generally advise against even the most apparently innocent statements like that.

As is implied in what Josh writes, it’s very situational; you have to do what seems best at the time. I just wanted to point out some areas for caution!

The last point seems kind of cheeky, though I imagine that it could work out pretty well if the person that is interviewing you is open to humor.

I’m concerned about the other two suggestions you make, though. I understand what you want to accomplish, but I’m ALWAYS nervous about any kind of self-deprecation in any situation.

To me as an interviewer (and I was a hiring manager for way too many years!), it raises red flags about someone’s self-confidence. And as someone who works with people on their careers, including interview skills, I want to be sure that they’re going into an interview with a calm and realistic sense of their own skills.

Likewise, the idea of saying, “I’ll be whatever you want me to be,” even as a joke, makes me uneasy. It could be a great icebreaker - but it depends hugely on the type of person who’s interviewing you - as, of course, you point out!

I wonder if there aren’t ways to break the ice that are a little less potentially dangerous? I love your point of looking around the room (assuming you’re not in a conference room!) or at the person in order to get some clues on his/her interests!