The Art of the Interview

I’ll admit it, I always get excited when I schedule a job interview. I enjoy the thrill of improvising (which I talked about in my newsletter Acing the Interview Pt. 2). And as a former journalist, I love the opportunity to connect with anther person. But I know that isn’t how everyone looks at it.

From Interrogations to Conversations

I was delighted when Melissa Vining invited me to rejoin her as as a guest on her podcast! (If you’re curious, here’s my first guest episode where I talked about sharing my story as a multifaceted Renaissance Woman).

This is how Melissa describes her latest episode which was released this morning.

Let’s be honest: basically no one (except our guest, Sara Kobilka!) enjoys job interviews. When you walk into an interview, it often feels like a high-stakes guessing game where you’re left wondering what the interviewer is actually trying to get at with their questions.

In this episode, Melissa Vining and Sara Kobilka pull back the curtain on all that ambiguity and share some lesser-known interview strategies that will help you turn a stressful interrogation into a meaningful, two-way human connection.

What You’ll Learn:

• The Power of Improv: Why practicing improvisation through gaming or playing with kids can strengthen your ability to handle unexpected interview questions.

• Storytelling Strategies: How to move away from scripted answers and toward a “bullet point” method that uses real-world examples to build human connection.

• Decoding Common Questions: Understanding the “why” behind standard prompts like “Tell me about yourself” and “What is your greatest weakness” to provide more authentic, strategic responses.

• Research Beyond the Job Description: Tips for using social media and organizational mission statements to “speak the employer’s language” and demonstrate cultural fit.

• The Two-Way Interview: How to vet potential employers by asking for specific examples of their values, such as how they define “flexibility.”

Watch the full episode YouTube and listen on Spotify or your favorite streaming platform.

I’ve love to hear what your biggest takeaway was! Reply and let me know.

And if you want to continue thinking about how to summarize your background if you’re a complex, multi-passionate person like me, be sure to check out my podcast, Connecting the Dots with The Renaissance People. I talk about that with every guest who joins me and their answers are quite illuminating.

Telling Your Story

If you’re someone who struggles to explain your background and the pivots you’ve made (or want to make) in your career, I’m here to help. Through my newest offer, Find Your Golden Thread, we’ll work together to help you tell your story with confidence.

Whether you need help answering the dreaded interview questions, “So, tell me a little bit about yourself” or you’ve been postponing updating your LinkedIn “About” section or headline, this is opportunity for you!

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

• 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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