As you start the process of writing your value statement for your job search, you may find yourself either stuck or unhappy with the results. Following are some tips to help you think about the writing process in new ways:
Use as many keywords/keyphrases as makes sense. Write as many keywords in your value statement as you can without losing the flow of your sentences.
Incorporate analogies. Analogies do wonders for making you memorable, so don't be afraid to use one.
Do you remember the "Your Brain on Drugs" ads that aired on TV in the late '80s? The purpose of these public-service announcements was to turn kids away from drugs. The stickiest of these ads was the one where the actor cracked an egg then fried it in a hot frying pan. As the egg got more distorted on the pan, the announcer said, "This is your brain on drugs."
Here are a couple of professional examples of a "Your Brain on Drugs" analogy:
I am a financial plumber. I find your financial leaks and repair them.
I am an organizational chiropractor. I put your company back in alignment so it can deal with any of the challenges in the marketplace.
Take advantage of the rule of three. People remember things in threes: "Snap, Crackle, and Pop!" or "the good, the bad, and the ugly." Incorporating this rule of three into your value statement can make it more memorable.
Leave people curious and wanting more. Finally, the best value statements leave people feeling curious and wanting to hear more. After you craft your statement, do the curiosity test: Deliver it to someone. When you finish, stop talking and wait. If the other person says, "Tell me more," then you have a nice statement indeed!
After you've written a few versions of your value statement, present them to someone in your profession who you respect and ask for feedback. Remember that the value of your value statement is how it's perceived. If your audience likes it, it's a winner.