"My method is to take the utmost trouble to find the right thing to say, and then to say it with the utmost levity." -George Bernard Shaw

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As I previously mentioned, I have spent the last month interviewing for a career change. There are a number of things you should and can expect in any interview at a top level. They are GOING to use the STAR method and they WILL want to know about specific examples where you were challenged and how you reacted and what the outcome was. Have three of these ready to rock and also have one example of when you failed. -This is par for the course. EVERY one of the people competing against you for the position will also be ready for this. They'll also likely have a general 30/60/90 day plan, they will also have letters of recommendation and a "brag book," they will also have an accomplished resume.

So, how do you distinguish yourself?

Levity. If you can take a very serious question and use it as a way to make your interviewer laugh, you will be remembered.

Consider a question that EVERY interviewer will likely ask in a first interviewer. Check out a recent exchange I had for a product that takes Hyaluronic Acid and injects it in to the knee. -They gather the acid from the combs of roosters.

Q: Hello Steven, thank you for meeting with me today. Why don't you start by telling me a little bit about yourself.

A: Sure thing, well, I was born and raised in Michigan and from a very young age I told my mother that when I grew up I wanted to inject acid from rooster combs in to peoples knees....

My interviewer laughed so hard she almost spit out her coffee.

My "levity" did two things. It made her laugh and it quickly showed her that I had done research on the product I would be representing.

From then on in the interview, it was much more relaxed. We had laughed together and that's an immediate bonding experience.

Now, of course you want to choose when to use such a technique based on the audience. But when appropriate, levity can be a very strong tool.

Good luck out there!