Why Most Professionals Get Overlooked—Value Messages Change Everything

Why Job Searches Feel Scattered

You’ve tweaked your resume, updated your LinkedIn, sent out dozens of applications, and still crickets. Yes, it may be time to understand if you have potential formatting issues clashing with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that could stop your resume from being considered. 

However, the likely next culprit is a lack of a clear, consistent, and strategic value message based on the job(s) you want. Coming from a technology and project management background, I view this from a troubleshooting and risk management mindset. 

If you've received any calls and/or interviews from your resume, you know it is making it past the ATS. The next level then, or troubleshooting consideration, points to your resume not being optimized well enough to attract attention over the 500+ other applicants (i.e. your competition).

The good news is that you don’t need to remember to communicate a hundred things across your resume, cover letter, within your LinkedIn profile, and in an interview for the best chance at securing a job offer. You need 6 to 8 key value messages that demonstrate why you will be a good return on the employer’s investment.

To do this effectively, we focus on what makes the most difference, your core messages and value propositions, so you can then include and articulate them clearly across the job search process.

Without sharp positioning, even the most experienced professionals are getting overlooked. This builds upon last month's newsletter, where I shared my perspective on beginning to build your power positioning playbook (April 2025).

In this article, you will see an interview coaching topic applied across the whole job search process. This is because you need to market yourself as the solution, which so many struggle here!

1) Understanding your value. 

2) Articulate it throughout the end-to-end job search process.

This is not just a coaching topic for interviews! If you do not consider how you add value until your first interviews, you’re already too late! This could explain why you’re not seeing the results you’re looking for.

So if you’ve never worked with an interview coach, here’s a free lesson, and yes you have homework.

What Is a Value Message—and Why It Matters

In a competitive job market—where 500+ candidates may be competing for the same jobs you want—your Value Message is what sets you apart. It’s more than a generic elevator pitch; it’s a concise, strategic summary of what you bring to the table in the context of your target role.

It’s not just what you’ve done, it’s how you position it for what you want next. It’s the foundation of your professional positioning.

Using an innovative Organizational Message Chart, we can craft a compelling Presidential Message. This is your core value proposition and is supported by vice presidential messages (that you also prepared in advance) that reinforce your strengths across the top dimensions that matter for the jobs you want.

Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing consultant job, and 500 people apply. Most of them say things like:

"I have 10 years of experience in marketing." "I’ve worked in various industries and managed campaigns."

But you say:

“I help growth-stage companies increase lead conversions by 25% in under 90 days—using a proven system that aligns content, SEO, and paid strategy to your ideal customer.”

That’s a Value Message.

It’s not just what you’ve done, it’s how you’ve positioned it based on what the hiring manager needs. It speaks directly to the problem, the outcome, and the strategy.

That is how we strengthen your career story. We build clear, strategic messages:

• Your Presidential Message becomes the headline of your professional brand—the unique value you offer for the roles you want.

• The Vice-Presidential Messages become how you back it up with strengths in execution, leadership, innovation, or industry knowledge.

So instead of saying “I’ve worked in finance for 10 years,” you're saying:

“I help financial firms drive smarter investment decisions through data automation and cross-functional collaboration.”

That’s how you stand out—even in a stack of 500 resumes.

The Ripple Effect: Where Your Value Message Shows Up

Armed with clear, confident, and consistent messages that communicate your value to employers, we’re ready to strengthen your career marketing materials: resume, LinkedIn, interviews, and beyond.

Here’s how clear value messages can strengthen your positioning in an end-to-end job search:

• Your Resume – Better summary, tighter bullet points, aligned accomplishments.

• Your LinkedIn Profile – Cohesive headline, About section, and content strategy.

• Your Cover Letter – Strong opening hook and aligned narrative.

• Your Networking – Confidence in conversations, introductions, and outreach.

• Your Interviews – Crisp, aligned answers that show strategic intent.

Once you've nailed it, you can expect increased profile views, interview invites, and responses to your outreach. This is because you will have more confidence and consistency across every touchpoint, and I know "touchpoints" are a marketing term, but that's what you're doing! You are marketing your expertise to clients and organizations with problems that need solving! Not just by anybody, because the current job market companies have the pick of the litter. 

In an employer-driven job market, organizations can afford to look for their unicorns. It's our job to show them just how close we are! Imagine how you stand out when so few are actually doing this.

Getting Started With Your Value Messages

If you’re ready to create your Value Messages, start by getting clear on the role you’re targeting. Carefully analyze 3 to 5 job descriptions for that target job to identify repeated language, themes, and desired outcomes. These will give you insight into what hiring managers actually care about.

Next, based on what the role requires, identify what you already bring to the table. Look for TOP strengths, skills, and accomplishments that directly align with those needs.

Then clarify the transformation you deliver. This is where you move from listing tasks to highlighting impact. I find it's easier to think in terms of "before and after":

• How have you helped solve problems, drive efficiency, increase revenue, or lead change

• What was the outcome or result for your project, the company, your team, and internal and/or external customers?

Finally, craft a concise one- to two-sentence message that communicates this clearly. It’s okay if the first time you write this out, you have more than two sentences. Continue rephrasing and word-smithing it until you get it down to one or two sentences. Use the four steps and simple template below to help guide you:

4 Steps to Craft Value Message Statements

1. Start with the Target Role. Analyze job descriptions for language, themes, and outcomes.

2. Identify the Overlap. What strengths, skills, and achievements do you already have that map to these needs?

3. Clarify the Transformation. How do you solve problems or drive results? Think in terms of before/after impact.

4. Craft a One- to Two-Sentence Message Template: “I help [who] achieve [what], by leveraging [how/your unique skills], especially in [industry or challenge area].”

Final Thoughts: Your Value Message Is Your Advantage

If your message isn’t clear, your value isn’t seen. 

When job seekers start with a strong Value Message, everything else gets easier—and more effective. You stop guessing what to say and start leading with what matters. Instead of chasing every opportunity, you become the candidate who clearly communicates their impact and fit. 

Homework: Audit your positioning across your current resume, LinkedIn, and interviews. Compare against three current job descriptions for your target job title. Is it time to rethink your strategy? 

This work pays off across the board.

Don’t wait until the interview to figure out how to position yourself. Start now, lead with value, and watch how it changes the game!

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Hi, I’m Angelle. I help mid- to senior-level professionals across technology, business, and product to navigate today’s complex job market with clarity and strategy.

How we land roles today looks nothing like it did ten years ago, and it's an overwhelming shift. The worst part is the added steps to get noticed today, because most cannot afford to lose time in their job search than is necessary. 

The reality is we were not trained for this. Colleges, universities, and most outplacement agencies do not teach what it will take. Because of this, career coaches are becoming just as critical a partner as recruiters in your job search. Coaches are part of your job search team. Executives today heavily rely on coaching to make a move, make it quickly, and efficiently... because time is money!

My mission is to share the perspective to understand the full end-to-end and the tools, frameworks, and strategies you need to stand out, get noticed, and move forward with confidence.

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Need help crafting your primary and secondary value messages (i.e. Presidential, Vice-Presidential messages) to strengthen your job search?

This is such a blocker and crucial topic that I'm hosting a workshop on June 11th to help you identify your primary and secondary value messages using the innovative Organizational Message Chart!

Learn how to identify and write your value messages, so you can then strengthen your end-to-end job search strategy. You can repeat these steps to tailor your resume and job search efforts for any job type.

Remember! This interview coaching topic is typically part of paid interview coaching packages. 

If interested in more information, email angelle@afcareermarketing.com to be put on the waitlist.