And We're Live!

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, telling my story and sharing my work history without overwhelming people has always been one of my greatest challenges when it comes to the job hunt. I’ve done so many different things and I have so many varied interests that I’ve struggled to succinctly sum it all up. This seems a bit ironic given my background as a TV meteorologist where I could explain an entire week’s forecast for a region in a 3-minute weather segment but I’m much more complex than the atmosphere.

Telling Your Story

One of my favorite quotes from the third episode of my podcast (which released this morning) was from my guest, Career Coach Melissa Vining. Melissa said, “When I first started talking about my career path and the fact that I had more than 20 jobs before I was 30 years old, I was so freaked out to go tell everyone about it on my webinars. But then I got such a positive reaction because people could relate to it. And they were like, OK, she understands me.”

Melissa has AuDHD (that’s autism and ADHD diagnoses). Throughout the episode, we talk about the challenges that arise in the job hunt from both of these neurotypes. I also asked her whether she thought Renaissance People (complex, multipassionate folks) had a tendency to be, in the increasingly popular term, “neurospicy”.

Today’s podcast is 47 minutes long. If you’d like to jump to the spots where we specifically talk about job hunting, I’d suggest the following:

• 10:27 Finding your golden thread

• 11:40 Renaissance People thrive in innovative spaces

• 13:28 Goal focused vs processed focus environments and the issue with school systems

• 20:53 Neurodivergence and the job search

• 26:11 Explaining your complexity with stories and a golden thread

• 32:20 Using caution around AI and telling your story during your job search

Also, be sure to check out the show notes where you can find other helpful resources.

And like all other podcast hosts, it would give me great joy if you took a second to follow, rate and review my podcast. Unless you hate it, in which case, go ahead and move on with your day. ;)

Rebuilding Confidence

When you pivot on your career journey, it’s easy to question yourself like Melissa did. This is where your mindset becomes critically important.

• Rather than looking at a career history with many varied positions as a sign of being flighty and unable to commit to something, think of yourself as a frequent flyer who brings a fantastic range of knowledge and experience packed in their skillset suitcase.

• If you feel like you are losing your identity when you leave a position that has defined who you, shift your focus from title to tasks. I wasn’t just a meteorologist, I was a science storyteller who made challenging concepts understandable and relevant in my audience’s life.

• Find your golden thread to tell your story with confidence. This strategy is not just a good way to help potential employers understand why you are the person they need on their team. It also helps you share your story when you are growing your community of support (aka networking). Help others help you spread the word about the types of opportunities that would be the right fit.

When you feel yourself sinking down, reach out to others to build you back up. You may be surprised by how many people are willing to help you out.

FREE Resume and Cover Letter Support

If you’re looking for guidance on how to make your resume and cover letter stand out against the AI slop others are submitting, check out my masterclass, Yes, I am a Human. In just over 30 minutes, I explain how to use my VAST Technique© to confidently apply for jobs that really interest you.

Resource Roundup

• Before Melissa Vining came on my podcast, she interviewed me for her podcast Job Search for High-Performing Misfits.

• Looking for folks to follow on LinkedIn who regularly post job opportunities? Check out the list at the bottom of my newsletters from November 29, 2024 to January 16, 2025.

• Struggling after being laid off? Listen to the podcast, Proxy with Yowei Shaw. Yowei is the former host of the NPR podcast Invisibilia but was laid off in 2023. She started Proxy as a way of trying to understand why she felt so terrible. She began this new podcast with “The Layoff Trilogy”. This series does an amazing job of combining research and storytelling as it address a devastating situation with compassion and generous helpings of humor. This is a must-listen resource if you’ve been laid off or if someone you care about has been.

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

I am a Renaissance Woman (what’s THAT? Good question! Here’s my answer). My wide-ranging background includes time as a TV meteorologist/reporter, non-profit leader, higher education program coordinator, curriculum designer, 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 the next leg of their career journey.

Take the Next Step

• Follow me on LinkedIn where I regularly share job opportunities I come across

• Watch my free masterclass, Yes, I am a Human to apply with confidence and stand out from the AI-generated mediocrity using my VAST Technique_©

• Sign up for one-on-one career coaching 

• Purchase my workshop Building Community with LinkedIn

• Join my Renaissance People Community

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