Value Propositions – Your most powerful tool when looking for a better job. Read on for a professional career coach’s simple framework for constructing great personal value propositions for yourself…
Personal value propositions (PVP) are the best way to answer questions like:
- “why should I hire you?”
- “what will you bring to the table?”
- “what are your strengths?”.
You will use them in phone interviews, face-to-face interviews and business networking. They are the foundation of your personal brand and I’ve seen them win a lot of jobs. Plus they are easy to construct using a simple 3-step framework and practice.
What are personal value propositions?
A personal value proposition (PVP) is a promise of value to the employer. It’s the reason you get hired. If you’re serious about interview preparation coaching, make sure your value propositions are prepared and rehearsed well before the big day.
Can I write my own personal value propositions?
Yes, you can prepare your own using the tools and tips below. I encourage you to put aside 30-60 minutes and create at least four: one related to your target job title and three related to the required skills of the job.
How to Write Your Personal Value Propositions (PVP)
1) Choose your subjects and skills
In addition to having a core value proposition related to your target job title, your other value propositions should reflect the skills needed to do the job. These skills are usually outlined in job descriptions, ads and recruiter discussions. For example, a manager could have separate value propositions for:
- Developing new products and services
- Managing people and operations
- Business/financial acumen
- Creating high performing teams
2) Write PVP using a simple 3-step framework
A PVP is made up of only 1-2 sentences. Short, sharp and to the point. The simplest way to construct one is using the WHAT, WHEN, WHO framework (generally in that order). However, even if you don’t use that framework, any statement that contains at least the WHAT and WHO components can be considered a value proposition.
A) WHAT (skill)?
What skill have you got that they want? e.g. project management, stakeholder management, sales etc.
B) WHEN (have you used the skill?)
Tell us the scale of your experience. Give names, numbers and data (e.g. # of years of experience, size of teams led, budget range, qualifications).
C) WHO (benefited)?
What were the benefits and positive things that come out of using your skill? Use names, numbers and data (e.g. client names, employers, awards, ROI, promotions, budgets, SLAs).
Important tip when writing a personal value proposition
The phrase ‘as shown by’ makes it easy. You can use ‘…as shown by…’ to link WHAT and WHEN is a simple way to create a value proposition. E.g. “one of my strengths is project management, as shown by the fact I have successfully delivered over 40 projects for companies in the banking sector.”
Examples of personal value propositions
“I will bring to the table proven talent development skills as shown by 6 years of experience working on large complex human resource projects for defence and VIC government clients.”
“A key strength is turning around under-performing teams. I set clear KPIs and stick to them and over the last three years have re-energised loyal and high performing BA teams of up to 15 staff at IBM and HP.”
“My executive stakeholder management background includes 8 years presenting, advising and negotiating at CFO, GM and VP levels as a Program Manager for ANZ and Medibank Private.“
Use Your PVP
Don’t like ‘bragging’ or ‘talking it up’ or ‘blowing smoke’?
You don’t have to.
Using the above formula is just stating the facts and letting the listener make up their own mind.
It’s not salesy, but it is absolutely critical.
If you don’t know how to deliver powerful value propositions, then you will probably miss job opportunities.
They are easy to prepare and just take some practice to execute.
Once you have your value propositions nailed, you might even look forward to being stuck in the elevator with the CEO.
If you want help constructing your most important value proposition, reach out and we can help.