Sharing your professional goals is often not easy for many of us! It takes so self-reflection, goal-setting and planning to make it effective. One way to do this is to plan ahead by creating a value statement that highlights your current work, accomplishments and future aspirations!
As you network, people are often looking for keywords and phrases that will help them identify your value and how they might be able to help or recommend you to others. Just providing your company name and title can leave many details out to your work and goals. A “district manager” in your company may include a variety of skills, responsibilities, and accomplishments that another company wouldn’t. Therefore, just like your resume, your value statement needs to include measurable data that speaks to your ability to GET THINGS DONE.
Three Parts to Your Value Statement
There are three components that make up a solid value statement:
- What measurable data points can you provide to show accomplishments?
- What value do you personally provide?
- Where do you plan to drive results next?
In other words: Accomplishments + Current Impact + Future Aspirations
Here’s the formula that I recommend you use when crafting your value statement:
“I help ______ advance _____ for/to ______. I am looking to get involved in/with ______ and need help with ________.”
In this way, you offer those all-important keyword phrases that someone can glob onto and know immediately who they can introduce you to.
For example, let’s say you help companies advance their profits by providing a comprehensive technology solution to identifying opportunities for improvement. Someone who hears this and knows of a business leader looking for help with their technology infrastructure would know immediately to recommend your name for further discussion.
When you follow that statement up with your future aspirations, it helps hone in on the industry of potential connections. Say you are looking to get involved in using that technology process you specialize in to help franchise companies provide more profitable solutions to their franchisees. They will know to mention you to anyone they know in the franchising world that might need your services.
Still worried about not giving your name, rank and serial number? Trust me – once they hear of your accomplishments – they will be ASKING for your vitals. Start with the answer to “what you can do for me” and they’ll follow you anywhere.
Related Reads
- How to Communicate Your Professional Value More Effectively
- Professional Brand Strategy Advice
- Take Stock of Your Current Professional Value
- How to Update Your Goals and Personal Inventory for the New Year
JJ DiGeronimo — the president of Tech Savvy Women — is a speaker, author, and thought leader for women in tech and girls and STEM. Through her work, JJ empowers professional women and consults with senior executives on strategies to retain and attract women in technology to increase thought and leadership diversity within organizations.
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