No matter how many of them you have been on, interviews are a nerve-wracking experience for everyone. Though you might not be able to rid yourself of the jitters entirely, you can make any interview less stressful with ample preparation, and who better to use as a preparation role model than Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope?
Even though Leslie can be extremely tenacious, she did get the job at the Pawnee Parks Department even after yelling at the hiring manager and future boss, Ron Swanson. Here are seven interview tips from Leslie Knope that’ll help you land the job.
1. Research, Research, Research
It is never a good idea to go into an interview and wing it. Researching a company and its work environment can make any interview more enjoyable. It can be awkward when a hiring manager gives you time to ask questions and you have no questions to ask, and likewise, it can be off-putting if you do not have any company or industry-specific inquiries.
A brief analysis of a company’s website and social media handles can inspire some questions about the organization. Don’t be afraid to write these questions down in a notebook. If you find something about a company that could be completed more efficiently, or if you have an idea for a new company product, scribble it in your notepad. If you’re prompted, hiring managers will be impressed by both your knowledge of the company and enthusiasm to work.
2. Stay Organized
You can’t leave a good impression if you’re shuffling through papers when you enter the conference room. A lot of hiring managers request applicants to bring copies of their resume, portfolio samples and even supplemental application materials. It would be embarrassing to hand out your resumes to the hiring manager after they have been wrinkled or bent in your bag.
Getting organized for an interview can take quite a bit of time and effort. Take a tip from Leslie Knope and get a professional folder or padfolio to organize all of your interview materials (and your notes). A “padfolio” will help keep your papers flat, plus it looks super professional. Take it from Leslie, who always impresses with her detailed binders.
3. Treat Yo’self
The best way to ease your nerves is to enjoy one of your favorite meals the night and/or morning before the interview. Giving yourself a small treat can boost your self-confidence. Just make sure it’s something light that won’t make you feel gross while you’re talking to a hiring manager!
4. Prepare With Friends
While your bestie can’t come to your interview with you, he or she can help you prepare for your big day. Hiring managers can throw you a lot of curveballs during an interview, so instead of stumbling on your own words, have your friends ask you some tough questions about your past jobs and internships. While it is important to practice answering difficult questions, it is more important to cultivate answers to a variety of questions.
Consider answering questions about your weaknesses, strengths, specific projects and about your hobbies. A lot of candidates get caught up when hiring managers ask them to talk about themselves. The question is very open-ended, so it can catch anyone by surprise. It’s important to test different answers from what you like to do in your free time and how it relates to your past jobs or even your dream job.
If you want to conduct your mock interview in true Leslie Knope style, you could even wear your go-to interview attire. If you don’t have a favorite interview outfit, your friends can judge your professional wear during an informal fashion show.
5. Give Yourself a Pep Talk
Some self encouragement can go a long way. Along with aiding in relaxation, pep talks can also help kickstart your endorphins and dopamine levels. Rehearsing your best motivational speech to yourself could be the key to landing the job.
As corny as it might seem, pep talks in front of a mirror can boost your confidence before an interview, a meeting and even a presentation. Tell your reflection how you would be a valuable member to that company. Don’t hold back; tell yourself how your superb scrapbooking can increase your future employer’s revenue.
Even if you aren’t comfortable talking to yourself in front of mirror, you can still give yourself a pep talk. Try writing some skills that you have mastered or attributes that make you a good employee and team player. Jot down some adjectives and adverbs that describe you and your work. Read this list back to yourself, or have a friend read it back to you.
6. Stay Optimistic
The days leading up to an interview can give any qualified candidate a healthy dose of doubt. Nevertheless, it is important to channel Leslie Knope’s enthusiasm, so you can stay optimistic. Think of how many jobs and internships you’ve accrued and how you have learned from them. Focusing on how far you have come since your first job can give you a positive mindset.
Even if you’ve never had a job before, try to think of accomplishments you’ve acquired through your extracurricular activities or even your hobbies. You can also use any examples of your accolades and attributes to talk about yourself during an interview.
7. Get Some Sleep (Just Not Too Much)
Being well rested for an interview is arguably the most important preparation tip. Although everyone yawns, hiring managers can view yawning as a sign of boredom or disrespect during an interview. Getting between eight and nine hours of restful sleep can make you feel more alert. Just make sure you do not get too much sleep, because excessive sleep can have the same effect as sleep deprivation.
Most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate after a successful interview. Even if you don’t feel like you aced your interview, you should still rejoice. Practice makes perfect with interviews. There is always something to be learned from each interview experience, so pat yourself on the back for continuing to grow and learn. Now, channel your inner Knope and party on!
