Value is in the eye of the beholder. A value proposition is a statement selling the customer (the hiring manager) on products (you) through benefits or results. You can also define a resume as a written summary that sells you by demonstrating your successes throughout your career.
Your value proposition (resume) should answer the question, "Why should I hire this person?" Remember, value is different for each person, so be sure you think of value in terms of the employer before you complete your resume.
The goal of your resume is to establish value
Your resume is meant to convey your entire career history in seconds. The recruiter or HR professional will merely glance at your resume initially to see if you are even worth their time. There are a few things to take from this information:
- You have to engage the reader in less than 30 seconds.
- Your resume should prove you have the experience and core skills to excel in the position you are seeking.
Make sure that your summary or objective is very specific. This should be changed to be specific for each job. You want the manager to know exactly where you will fit in before they are finished reading your resume.
How does Value Proposition matter in your resume?
In a resume you are the product or service and the prospective employer is looking for the reason your product (you) is the one they need. The tangible results will be the numbers and percentages you give in regard to your experiences throughout your career.
How do you figure out your Value Proposition?
Think of what you accomplished in relation to your peers and describe it in your resume. Ask yourself: "What was usually mentioned positively in my reviews? What did I do to increase profitability to the company? How did my work make a difference for the company?" These questions will help you get started.
How do I demonstrate my value in tangible results on my resume?
Think of the previous questions and calculate the dollar amounts for each success. For example you thought after asking yourself the questions above, "I closed sales that made the company a lot of money."
Now to get the tangible part of this achievement, think of the dollars behind this transaction. Your sales were $1 million dollars.
This accomplishment put you 15% over your goal for last year. Now list that by stating on your resume: "Favorably positioned negotiations to win a competitive contract against three major competitors that resulted in a $1 million sales transaction."
Now your value proposition to the recruiter or HR professional is becoming more clear. Remember it is not what YOU feel is important!
Always write your resume with the future reader in mind. The value proposition by definition refers to the buyer (the hiring manager). Be sure not to get in the trap of trying to please your co-workers, friends or spouses with your resume.
Your resume should only be written for a future hiring manager.
Continue writing your resume as a value proposition and you are sure to attract the attention of a prospective employer to your product (you).
