Now, more than ever, it’s critical to give a great impression at your next job interview or when you ask for a raise or promotion, especially if you have to do these things virtually instead of in-person. 

Here’s how to slay your next virtual career-boosting conversation, using techniques from improv:

• Warm Up Your Body and Voice.  Record yourself on a virtual call to check out your voice quality so you sound strong and confident. You need to be heard and show appropriate energy. 
• Listen.  Listen to understand instead of listening for a pause or where you assume the conversation is going. Improvisers call this “being in the moment,” and its important in any conversation – especially when you’re virtual.
• Show Up Prepared. When you meet virtually, prepare yourself and your environment. What message do you want to portray when you meet virtually? If your environment is a mess, that will give a poor impression. If you’re outside with birds chirping, traffic noise, kids laughing, that will be distracting to you and to the person you’re talking with. If you’re lounging on a sofa, you may look lazy and not committed to the conversation. Prepare your environment. Turn your email and text message alerts off. Be in the moment.

This kind of preparation helps you to feel confident and convey self-confidence. Improvisers are always prepared to make the most of any situation.

See these tips in action in my recent Good Day Columbus interview.

Keep improvising!

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This article is 100% written by a human named Karen Hough. She is the Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, in the top 4% of women-owned businesses in the US, a 3-time Amazon bestselling author, Yale grad, wife and mom of three.