Why so serious? What if the Joker was a candidate!

I’m pretty sure most people are sick of the Halloween content flooding our newsfeeds and will most likely be locking their doors up like it’s The Purge tonight to prevent the onslaught of trick-or-treaters. However, I can’t help but feel inspired by one of this year’s most surprising, most controversial and most popular Halloween movies - Todd Philips’ ‘Joker’. A break away from regular comic book movies, ‘Joker’ is a real world telling of how one man became the manically laughing villain who terrorises Gotham and the DC universe. This got me thinking, what if the Joker was in the real world? Sort of like a career criminal. The Joker has been by portrayed by many different actors but what if one of these Jokers was sitting before an interview panel? If the final scenes of the latest telling of the Joker are anything to go by, the outcome might be deadly! At least he won’t forget to wear a suit and “put on a happy face”

Let’s take a look at each of the Jokers as if they were candidates and shed some light on these career criminals and give them advice on how they can improve their job seeking skills.

Cesar Romero

The original TV joker who faced off against the kooky Adam West’s portrayal of Batman was rarely serious and often overusing puns to make his point. This Joker had a softer touch compared to the later telling’s of this story.

This candidate will lead the interview panel in circles, never really gaining the plaudits that they deserve and most worryingly for the busy hiring managers will not be afraid to explain himself while dancing to cheesy 60’s music. The interview panel certainly won’t be bored with his silly and unusual antics but will be far from impressed.

Recruiters Advice: Stick to the S.T.A.R. method Cesar! I predict this old school and iconic version of the clown will fall down when it comes to the competency questions, but there is hope. Make a cheesy joke then strike one of the hiring managers with a “Kapow” of knowledge. Use your big personality to your advantage before disappearing in a puff of smoke!

Jack Nicholson

Going from the haunted manor, stalking and terrifying Shelley Duval in the Shining to playing a surprisingly convincing Joker. Sure, Jack has played gangsters over his career, but he took the smiling madman to new heights previously unseen until Tim Burton’s telling of Batman.

This Joker will arrive to his interview atop a parade float followed by a large audience, throwing cash to current employees, blasting music and dancing. He will be pure box office entertainment for those across the table in the interview and would certainly add a new dynamic to any office but as he admits “sometimes, I just kill myself” and will probably be too busy making a joke than making his targets. Just as a warning, he might not take rejection well – his novelty flower may contain actual acid! Don’t get burned by your candidates’ folks!

Recruiters Advice: The well styled, grinning Joker of Jack Nicholson may fall down before the recruitment process even starts with a background check revealing his chequered past as a hardened gangster Jack Napier. Best to clear the criminal record Jack before pursuing a career down the straight and narrow.

Mark Hamill

Not only did Luke Skywalker make a living out of voiceovers but he really outdid himself when creating the perfect cartoon character clown. Seeing as Mark never physically portrayed the Joker, this will have to be a phone interview, letting the company down when it comes to time for a face to face.

Recruiters Advice: This Joker certainly has project management skills galore to flaunt for the interviewers, coming close on many occasions to killing or at least devastating the caped crusader he faces off against. His ruthless nature may impress the big bosses of big business. However, his people management skills might be questioned as he often will throw his sole employee, Harley Quinn, under the bus or even clown car at any given chance – metaphorically and literally. Best to lead with the project management skills and try improving on your loyalty Hamill.

Heath Ledger

A truly iconic telling of Joker, Heath did what any good candidate would do and locked himself away for a couple of months in a hotel to meticulously prepare. Ledger was the first to portray the Joker as a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy". His fresh interpretation of the character left us all asking ourselves the important question, why so serious?

A self-styled agent of chaos who brought a city to its knees, he may have the interviewers confused as he regularly changes his backstory and doesn’t pay attention to the script or his CV. He certainly knows how to get results but may show from the outset that the trail of upset or even dead colleagues may be bad for the overall culture of the team. He didn’t exactly play well with others when robbing the bank. Safe to say that alarm bells might be ringing by interviewing a candidate who robs banks, impersonates nurses and police officers and even fighting with men dresses as bats in the street. Whatever you do, if he offers to show you that trick with the pencil, maybe just end the interview there.

Recruiters Advice: Prepare to within an inch of your life for any interview and you will easily stand out from the crowd. Be the hardest working person in the room and the job is yours!

Jared Leto

The Clown Prince is as well known as comic book characters get but Jared Leto’s performance left a lot of people scratching their heads as to what was director David Ayer thinking. Its interesting to think in a modern world would most companies would even hire someone with green painted hair, gold teeth and face tattoos. I think going topless to the interview may swing things against him.

If the interviewers dig deep into the back story, they may be a bit put off that he plunges employees into vats of chemicals as part of their onboarding process. His management style certainly has its positives such as loyalty so if any of his future staff get into trouble with the law and get sent to jail, he will bust them out no questions asked. Not great PR for any company but certainly great at creating that perfect team spirit. He seems to be pretty good at splashing the cash too and treating staff to more than just the quarterly trip to Ibiza when you meet your targets.

Recruiters Advice: Definitely lead with your loyalty traits but maybe consider removing the green hair, facial tattoos and grills before going to the interview.

Joaquin Phoenix

Finally, to our latest version of the Joker. Compared to the flamboyant and frightening figures that we looked at already – Arthur Fleck is a far more sympathetic character who struggles with mental health issues and finding a sense of belonging in a world that he sees dissolving around him. In his own words “is it just me or is it getting crazier out there?”.

To take this character to task in describing him as a candidate and potential employee, its more interesting to see what a company could do for him. His nervous laughing tick and mental health issues along with other obvious health issues raise the point of should a company provide more support for their staff? He obviously loses a few points for having shot a previous interviewer in the head for not taking him seriously and he may be best to leave his mask at home.

Recruiters Advice: Seek out employment in a company that has health and wellness benefits. Health insurance, yoga, meditation, gyms etc. Then you can lead with this in an interview when asked “Why do you want to work here?”. A hiring manager will appreciate you did your research and that you have an interest in availing of their benefits.

Which Joker would you hire? Have a very happy Halloween everyone!