Struggling with Your Value Proposition?

Your value proposition (aka elevator pitch) is one of the most important tools in your job search toolbox. But you want to see examples, right? Here you go!

I keep reading articles and posts on value propositions and how critical they are in delivering a product or service to market.  True, but, please, can someone provide good examples!

What I’ve done in this post is provide more information on how to create one and at the end, I am going to show examples, promise!

The value proposition was developed for businesses and has been morphed over into the job seeker world.  All of these questions still apply to a job seeker and should be answered.

In an earlier post, I cited that your value proposition needs to answer these questions:

1) Exactly how will your employer benefit financially from hiring you?

This means what problems have you solved, what success have you had, what processes or procedures have you developed or streamlined?

Go back an look through the STAR stories you developed and look for re-occurring patterns.

2)  What special experience or credentials do you bring to the table?

Are you a Six Sigma Black Belt? Have you mastered some cutting edge technology? Think about the experiences that are unique to you that a future employer would be impressed by.

3)  What additional talents and expertise do you have?

Are you a subject matter expert in something? Have you held a role in a professional organization?  Do you have a related side interest you practice?

If you were to put these 3 answers together, it may sound like:

“I have a passion for developing new and improved products which have added millions of dollars to the profits of manufacturing companies.

I have over 10 years of experience in operations and management. I’m recognized for building teams that exceed expectations. 

I bring experience implementing innovative new best practices within manufacturing environments to continuously improve the quality and breadth of products.  I am known as a Lean manufacturing “go to” person and advise others in creative solutions.

Quantify Whenever Possible

Your value proposition should also be able to quantify one of these:

Jill Konrath wrote an article about strong value proposition for a business

In it, she points out that strong value propositions deliver tangible results like:

• Increased revenues
• Faster time to market
• Decreased costs
• Improved operational efficiency
• Increased market share
• Decreased employee turnover
• Improved customer retention levels

Examples of Weak Value Proposition Statements

We have the best technology in the industry
Use our service and you will save more money
We provide the highest quality product available

People have repeatedly heard or read these types of generic marketing claims that don’t speak to their real needs. When potential customers arrive on your business website, you only have a brief amount of time to get their attention and make a good first impression.

Examples of Better Value Proposition Statements:

Our technology increases your output by 15% more than the leading brand
Save $28 dollars on every service purchased as a premium member
The quality of xyz product is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee

As promised, here are some examples:

“Territory Sales Manager with consistent success increasing new sales by systematically identifying and targeting the right potential clients.”

Susan Guarneri is a career coach and she wrote about using her personal brand to develop this pitch:

“Through my passion for career assessments and dig-deep questions, as well as my natural enthusiasm, intelligence, strategic insights, genuine empathy, and creativity, I challenge, inspire, and support stressed-out and struggling professionals and executives to reach higher than they ever dared in their careers – and to land their Dream Jobs!”