Articulate Your Unique Value Proposition Without Being Pushy

Have you ever connected with someone new, enjoyed the brilliancy of their smile, the ebullience of their voice and the mutual passion for a hobby? Have you experienced such instant-connections abruptly taking a nosedive?

That was me last night as my husband and I sat at the bar in our boathouse, basking in the glow of the sunset.

When Conversations Turn Pushy

After 10 minutes of lighthearted banter with neighboring boaters, the mood cracked.  The wife’s enthusiasm for working out, and her bootcamp program at the local fitness studio swallowed up the conversation. Politely, and with initially genuine interest, I inquired and listened to the program specifics. Her muscular, lean physique and energy as a 50-something year-old woman proved that her regimen worked! I was intrigued!

She described how this was a recent achievement, having once weighed in at 200 lbs! I was sold.

However, she then pressed me to attend her classes in a location inconvenient to me, and the conversation took a nosedive. I mentioned my home gym, but she virtually rolled her eyes. I promised to keep her classes in mind, yet she scoffed and said, “Yeah, that’s what everyone says!” She insisted my work-from-home advantage availed me to attend her 8 am classes.

My interest waned.

Social Networking Gone Awry

As I thought more about the one-way conversation, it resonated with recent social networking gone awry. Interest that was sparked by genuine affection for someone’s expertise, experience and/or deliverables led to commenting on or sharing their content.

Several conversations extended offline. Because I’m highly selective and will winnow out interlopers, those interactions were mutually valuable, most of the time. Occasionally, however, a person’s social and professional courtesies crumbled. They began a hard sell of opinions and expertise, implying they knew what was best for me, insisting I hear them out, despite signals to the contrary.

Instead of trusting that their unique value proposition was visible, through their engaging blog posts, and well-articulated website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, etc. channels, they began drowning me in insights and sales pitches.

How Careerists Can Exude Their Value Proposition

Similarly, I believe careerists who are availing their value to potential employers should reconsider pushy behaviors online and in person.

While proactively focusing in on and reaching out to key decision makers with targeted, powerful messaging is commendable, knowing when to retreat is admirable, as well. Enabling room for the courted to make the next move versus pressuring or inundating them is advisable.

As well, knowing how to listen and respond effectively to the employer’s assertions, questions and particular needs is imperative. Empathizing, customizing your responses and then simply exiting the conversation for the time being are admirable traits. Let the conversation sink in; interested parties will return to engage in their own time. As well, consider the art of gentle, pressure-less follow-up at a later date.

Take the time to pull through the unique threads of your value story into a cohesive message. Avail it in concise, digital formats so hiring decision makers can easily find and digest what’s important to them, at their own speed. Pull them in versus pushing your message onto your target audience. This strategy is a magical formula that often works, and is often preferred.

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