Create Value: It’s What Your Future Employer is Looking For

Many of you know that having only a degree and little or no work experience leaves you unprepared for the workforce.

Many jobs, including lower skilled work, require basic skills like customer service and taking the initiative, but what will make you stand out is value creation. This means demonstrating that you have a skill, like photography, and have proof of it in a public place like social media. For me, I’ve demonstrated value creation to my first official employer by offering free photography services and my boss was delighted that I would help him take professional photos of his products. This is what it means to create your own opportunity and not let it pass by, even if you must work for free.

By taking on free work, it will show proof of value creation and could lead to bigger opportunities like a raise. One method to increase your chances of getting a raise is to appeal to your boss’ self-interest, such as asking what other tasks need to be finished, or finding a solution to their number one problem. Of course this takes more than a few tries, but don’t be afraid to test it out.