What Value Do You Bring to Those You Serve?
I have been coaching and supporting those in job search for the last 15 years. Obviously, like anything else in society, there have been changes to the job search process. Resumes that are submitted for jobs now are for the most part submitted online, and go up against computer screening tools to see if they advance to a talent acquisition resource in the hiring process. The creation of those resumes is more often being done with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence tools. Online or over the air commercials call job searchers to use their company, or their technology as the only possible source for the job searcher to advance through to the interview process.
And, while there is some “truth” to these various claims and others like them, it is often done with a voice that is meant to stifle those like mine or others in my field of job search and career coaching, that were trained in the fundamental principles of job search practices. For example, while one may have to apply through an online site for a job role, it does not rule out that the ability to network into a company, or directly contact a person of importance with your qualifications, has completely gone away. Or, even if your resume was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence, it does not mean your resume is all completed, and you do not have to make refinements to it. In fact, one complaint I hear from recruiters and talent acquisition people is they have multiple resumes for the same job, and all the applicants sound, “exactly the same.” That is one of the fallouts when processes are done mechanically and not with human emotion and input.
One thing that has not changed and will only change if “EVERY JOB” can be done robotically and that the output of those jobs does not matter to the recipient of the product or service of an organization, is that companies that truly value their customers, products produced, and services, will look to hire individuals that are able to demonstrate “the value” that they will bring to the role they are being asked to fill in support of that company. In my coaching studies that took place long ago as a Five O’Clock Club trained coach, and which I make sure to impress on the job search clients I coach today, “Companies hire individuals who are able to demonstrate THE VALUE they bring to the organization’s mission in serving their clients.”
So, how does one know “the value” they provide to an organization or client through the work they do. It is not just by listing the skills in which you are trained, or the certifications or degrees you have earned, though those may be required or needed to even be considered for the job role. It is not by how many years you have worked in a role. And, it is not only the salary you may have earned in performing that role during your career.
Value is conveyed in the “stories” of your career. It is being able to convey the Challenges or Situations that you were asked to confront in the work that you have done. It is the Tasks you took on to address those challenges. Supporting those Tasks were definitive Actions you developed and employed. Ultimately, the value is shown through the Results obtained. Sometimes those results are expressed in dollars saved, time saved, processes implemented or even awards for jobs well done. However, in other job roles, the value is expressed in the service provided to a customer, perhaps in their getting the product or service they needed to go on with their life, or in providing maybe that special gift for that someone in their life they wanted to feel special. Through attentive focus on those that you are meant to support and serve, can you really identify the value you are meant to provide.
So, as you may be one who is moving forward in 2026 to find that next client you are meant to serve, or job position you are meant to fill, and you are finding the mechanics of the job search process getting you down, take a step back to evaluate not only the type of work you do, but “the value” of your doing that work correctly meaning for those that you serve. It may not always eliminate the frustrations in a job search process. However, it will help you to prepare to identify the types of job roles that are right for you. It will assist you in communicating to others how you are able to be the one to help service their customers or fellow team members in a company. And, most of all, it will make you realize that what you do is not “just a job,” but you bringing “value” to those who rely on someone with your skills in the work that you do.
