Acing the Interview Pt. 2

Time to Improvise

Author

Sara Kobilka
August 21, 2024

How to add a little fun and connection into the job interview preparation process.

- Sara Kobilka, Renaissance Woman

I have a weird confession: I get really excited when I have a job interview. But I know exactly why…because I love improvising.

I always loved imaginative play with my friends, whether it was dolls, stuffed animals or pretending to be super heroes. My mom still has cassette tapes of 9-year-old Sara pretending to host a radio show (perhaps a sign of my future broadcast journalism career). Then there was piano, jazz band and theater. My professional career continued to center on this skill, especially when I was a TV meteorologist. After all, the entire weather forecast is improvised—no teleprompter for us!

But what if this isn’t you? Especially when you’ve reached a point of desperation in your job search, it’s easy to clam up during a job interview.

When you’re stressed out trying to find your next opportunity, the pressure keeps growing and your mental health can decline. So why not apply some "BOGO"-style thinking and address two issues at once: job interview preparation and joy in your life.

Here are some fun ways you can work on your improvisation skills:

  • Sign up for an improv class, join an improv group or even start your own! The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy notes that we are in a pandemic of loneliness and this is a great way to connect with others.

  • Join a group running a tabletop role-playing game like Dungeons and Dragons where spoken improvised storytelling is required.

  • Play pretend with young children. Having worked with children for more than 25 years, I can guarantee you they will keep you on your toes. Babysitting could even be a source of extra income and remove another stressor in your life!

You deserve connection and happiness in your life, and if you can simultaneously better prepare yourself for a job interview…even better!

I’d love to hear what you end up doing! Send me an email or send me a Facebook or LinkedIn message with how things turn out. And if you need help finding an improv troop/classes or a D&D group, I have some connections that could help.

PS: To keep myself and other fans of the arts entertained (remember, I am a Renaissance Woman after all), look for a reference to at least one song lyric or quote from a movie, TV show, play or musical. Message me on LinkedIn if you find it and you win…a virtual shout out in the next newsletter!

PPS: If you’re currently working as a freelancer, I’ve got a free opportunity you can participate in! In mid-September, I will be hosting a week-long LinkedIn sprint. If you’ve wanted to increase your presence on LinkedIn but needed an extra push, this is the perfect fit for you. Complete a quick survey to get more details as I figure them out.

Sara has a huge grin on her face as she stands between her mom and dad holding a bouquet. She is dressed like the character Peppermint Patty from the Peanuts comics. She has a red striped shirt, long straight brown hair and freckles painted on her face.

Throwback to college when my parents came to see playing Peppermint Patty in the musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Hi! I’m Sara Kobilka, owner of Renaissance Woman Consulting.

I am a Renaissance Woman and part of my wide-ranging background includes time as a TV meteorologist/reporter, non-profit leader, higher education program coordinator, and now, business owner. During each leg of this journey, I gained new skills that I was able take with me in my next step. Now, I work remotely with clients to help them confidently tell their story and navigate the transition to their next step on their career journey.

Take the Next Step