Finding Your Unique Value

Hey Ladies! She’s back at it again—serving some hot AF tea. That’s right, we’re getting into the nitty gritty. This time, we’re talking about value. In case nobody has told you recently: you are valuable. You are unique. You possess amazing skills and qualities that are rare and hard to find. Now flip that hair and practice your cat walk, because we’ve got a show to put on.

It’s a tough job market and we’re in unprecedented times (really, when are we not?). For anyone who’s been working professionally less than 3 years (e.g., recent graduates), the odds are certainly not in your favor.

“So, how do I turn my luck around and land that job I want?”

It’s time for some tough love, my girlies: Get ready. It’s not going to be an easy journey. But when have we ever given up? Your Big Sis ain’t backing down, so neither are you! You’ll need some grit, determination and a whole lot of introspection.

The #1 Problem + Why:

You’re trying to find roles that you fit the job description for. We are not flat-pack furniture, babe. We are custom built—thank ya mommy and daddy for that(;

Many of y’all aren’t clocking that the job description is the BASIS of a general overview for the role. It is NOT the entirety. Babe, how can you expect to fit a star into a square opening? (Hint: You’re the star! Shine, don’t shrink).

It’s common knowledge that women (more than men) tend to self-select out of roles they think they’re underqualified for. This is just one of the reasons for the gender pay gap. It’s time to start applying your delulu mentality to your job search! Believe you are qualified because you are!

Every time I landed a new role, the feedback I got was that I filled holes they didn’t even know existed. The best thing you can hear from a hiring manager? “We didn’t know we needed you until you were here.” Translation: you told your story, checked their boxes, and showed how your unique abilities could become their biggest wins.

You’re a boss, and it’s time the world sees it!

The Solution: Part 1

You need to start seeing job descriptions as a suggestion—even when they specifically state “requirements.”
Of course, some requirements are going to be absolutely mandatory (needing a PhD to lead a government research lab). However, other “requirements” can be a bit more flexible.

Girl, that job description might say you need 5 years of experience, but really you’d be fine with 3. You have other relevant skills that can help cushion the difference between your resume and their job description. Differences ≠ Shortcomings.

Remember: Negotiation starts at the application. Not at the job offer. Every time you submit an application and get a call back, you’ve successfully negotiated your first round. Congrats, sis(;

The Solution: Part 2

We’ve got to nail down your unique value proposition, babe! It’s a simple formula—I’ll give you two approaches.

Approach 1: The Chart (for analytical girlies)

Break out your cute pastel highlighters and fine-point pens! Start by drawing a box with four quadrants: Experience, Skills, Passions, and Personality. Now list 10 in each. No complaints! If you can doom scroll for 3 hours, you can find 10 things that make you who you are.

Approach 2: Introspection & Self-Reflection (for my “Dear Diary” girlies)

Cue the iced-coffee and tear stained pages…If you find it easy to reflect on past experiences to help propel your future, this is the approach for you. Think about what makes you happy at work—past and present.

Answer these questions:
- What do you tend to work on in your free time outside of your usual scope?
- When do you feel the most satisfied in your role?
- What types of projects make you excited or leave you feeling challenged?
- When do you feel you get to be your authentic self at work?

If you can’t find answers to these questions, you might have been suppressed or underutilized in your roles. Unfortunately (for me), I’ve been there too many times to count! Fortunately (for you) I know a workaround!

If it’s difficult, try flipping the questions to reverse engineer your answers:
- What do you dread working on and procrastinate doing?
- What projects seem too easy for you?
- When do you feel you’re masking at work?

…see? Even your procrastinating and doom scrolling can spill the tea. You just gotta read the leaves(;

Tip: Even if you answered the first set of questions, try answering the second set. These answers can help you figure out what you do/don’t want in the future.

“Ok, I outlined my unique value! What’s next?”

Check out my next post, “Landing Your Dream Job,” to apply the work we did here to your resume, job search, and interview strategies! We’ll take a deep dive into what counts as “professional experience.” You'll leave with an expertly crafted resume, so your interviews feel less like interrogations and more like auditions to play the part in your own life.

No more burnt out babes in my fam! Take my advice, and we’ll be thriving with a strawberry matcha in hand and a croissant on our lips.

Let me be your guide. Learn from my mistakes—no fluff, no BS. Catapult your future with lessons I learned the hard way. Stick with me and you’ll get the stories, the nuance, and maybe even some solid advice(; No gatekeeping here—just love, light, and a little humor.

Until next time, girls.
—Your Corporate Big Sis

The views, opinions, and stories expressed in this post are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of the author’s current employer or colleagues unless explicitly stated. This content is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental unless otherwise noted.