Do You Have a Value Proposition?!

Have you ever heard of a value proposition (sometimes referred to as an “I help” statement)? Like most people, you might associate it to a business, but it can be so valuable for individuals too. Your value prop (that’s what the cool kids call it) is your unique selling point – it’s what sets you apart from others and highlights the value you bring to potential employers. It’s not necessarily something you’re going to quote in a job interview. Your value prop is for YOU to reference, modify, and lean on in those dark times when you feel lost. 

Here’s an example of one of mine (it’s transformed over the years): I help Sales and Marketing teams operationalize data through process improvement, strategy development, and easy to understand visualizations. I speak data and Engineer so you don’t have to and can communicate internally without all the jargon. 

Do you see one of the selling points I highlight? Easy to understand communication! I got feedback from employers and co-workers all the time that basically told me that this was my secret sauce. I have a way of taking things that seem so difficult and complex to some and making it totally simple. Now THIS might be something I share in an interview (and I have!) if asked about my strengths.

So, what about you? Do you have a value proposition (and I don’t mean just something you think about, I mean actually written down)? It can be so important in keeping your job search focused. Let me take you through 3 steps to developing yours.

1. Understand Your Strengths

Your value prop starts with a clear understanding of your strengths. What skills, experiences, and qualities make you unique? Reflecting on these can help you identify what you bring to the table. You can make a list of your top strengths and think about how they created a positive impact in past work. You can even get some third party insights from co-workers.

2. Identify Who You Help

Understanding the needs and pain points of your target employers is crucial. Tailoring your value prop to address their specific needs can make you stand out as the ideal candidate. To do this, you can research the companies and industries you’re interested in, identify common challenges they face, and think about how your skills and experience can help solve those problems. Make sure it’s still aligned with what interests you!

3. ABR - Always Be Refining

Your value prop should evolve as you gain new experiences and skills. Regularly updating it ensures it remains relevant and impactful. Keep your career goals in mind. Maybe they’ve changed…how should you change your value prop to align? Listen up when you’re in your performance review or regular one-on-one with your boss. She/He may drop some nuggets that you can incorporate.

Ok, now that you know what a value prop is and how to start writing yours, I challenge you to set aside time and get it down on paper. Your future self will thank you!