Why Your UVA (Unique Value Add) Is the Secret Weapon You're Not Using in Job Interviews
I'm about to tell you something that might sting a little, but I need you to hear it: If you're consistently the runner-up in job interviews, it's not because of discrimination, nepotism, or "who you know." It's because you haven't figured out how to articulate your unique value add (UVA) in a way that makes employers think, "I NEED this person on my team."
Look, I know it's easier to blame external factors—and trust me, I get why that feels better. But here's the thing: focusing on what you can't control keeps you stuck in victim mode. I'm here for the heroes of their own stories, the ones who say, "What can I do differently to make this happen for myself?" If that's you, keep reading.
The Brutal Truth About Today's Job Market
In this competitive market, the person who gets the job isn't necessarily the most qualified on paper. It's the person with the better UVA—the one who can clearly communicate the benefits of working with them. And yes, I said benefits, not features.
Think about it from a marketing perspective. People don't buy features; they buy benefits. They don't buy a smartphone because it has a camera; they buy it because they want to capture memories and stay connected. Similarly, employers don't hire your resume; they hire what you can do for them and how you'll make their lives easier.
What Exactly Is Your UVA?
Your unique value add is the combination of your experience, certifications, education, and work history that creates a unique benefit package only you can offer. It's not just what you've done. It's how what you've done translates into value for your next employer.
Here's the key: Your UVA should demonstrate how you do one or more of these four things:
Solve problems
Alleviate pain
Save money
Make money
When you can contextualize your experience through this lens and share it effectively in interviews, you transform from a "nice-to-have" candidate into a "must-have" candidate.
Why Most Job Seekers Get This Wrong
The biggest mistake I see job seekers make is talking about themselves in terms of features instead of benefits. They'll say things like "I have five years of experience in project management" or "I'm detail-oriented and hardworking."
But here's what the interviewer is really thinking: "Will this person make my job harder or easier?" Remember, they already have a job. Anyone they bring into the organization needs to make their life easier, not create more work.
How to Unlock and Articulate Your UVA
The magic happens when you can connect your unique background to specific benefits. Instead of saying, "I have project management experience," you might say, "My project management background has taught me how to identify potential roadblocks before they become costly delays, which is how I helped my last company save $200K on a critical product launch."
See the difference? The first statement is a feature. The second is a benefit that makes the interviewer think, "Ooh, I want some of that!"
Your UVA is already there. It's been building throughout your entire career. The challenge is learning how to unlock it and articulate it in a way that resonates with employers.
From UVA to Interview Success
Once you've identified your UVA, the next step is learning how to weave it into your interview responses naturally. This isn't about bragging or overselling yourself. It's about helping the interviewer understand the specific value you bring and how it will benefit their team.
Every answer you give should somehow connect back to your UVA and demonstrate how you solve problems, alleviate pain, save money, or make money. This approach transforms generic interview responses into compelling value propositions.
Ready to Discover Your UVA?
If you haven't already, I encourage you to use our free UVA tool. I've been a career coach for 20 years, and I've built this AI-powered resource to help you unlock your unique value through proprietary assessments. It's completely free—no credit card required.
Once you've identified your UVA, the next step is learning how to incorporate it into your responses to common interview questions. We have a comprehensive guide covering the 18 most common interview questions to help you get started.
The bottom line? You have more control over your job search success than you think. Stop being the runner-up and start being the must-have candidate. Your UVA is the key to making that shift happen.
Your career success is in your hands.
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
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