Wonderful news! Your dream job is available at a top company. The harsh reality is that there will almost certainly be dozens of other candidates with similar qualifications — and possibly more experience — vying for the same position. How can you make yourself stand out and get an interview? By demonstrating that you have excellent ideas that could benefit your prospective employer. One way to accomplish this is to launch a Value Validation Project (VVP).

A VVP is a deliverable that you create to show a hiring manager how you would specifically add value to an organization if hired. (The term "value validation project" was coined by blogger and career coach Austin Belcak.)

VVPs can range from surveying a cross-section of the company's customers and presenting the results in a slide deck to redesigning the user interface of an app to make it faster and more intuitive. Just as a trailer builds anticipation for a forthcoming film, your VVP provides a sneak peek into what you would bring to the table to a potential employer.

Why would you use a VVP?

You may be wondering why, in addition to resumes and cover letters, you need a VVP. After all, it's unasked-for extra work . But consider this:

In reality, it's a minor outlay of funds. A few hours of unpaid labour could lead to a rewarding, long-term career.

You're demonstrating to the company what they'll get if they invest in you. Many hiring managers are naturally risk-averse and are well aware of the high cost of a bad hire. A strong VVP instils confidence in the manager that you will deliver on your resume's promise.

Some people may wonder how a VVP differs from an interview assignment. The latter is a practical task assigned by a hiring manager in addition to a traditional interview to learn more about a candidate's skills and work ethic, as well as to assess how well their abilities match the job requirements.

A VVP, on the other hand, is your work from beginning to end — concept, research, content, and deliverable.

How to Write a VVP

How do you create a VVP to help you land the job you want now that you understand why it can be a job seeker's secret weapon? The following are the main steps.

1Conduct research on your potential employer

Determine the challenges, issues, and new initiatives that will serve as the foundation for your project. Among the possible sources are:

The website of the company The site's newsroom section can provide a wealth of information. Look into the company's business plan and any recent initiatives, such as projects aimed at expanding the market or promoting sustainability.

Financial sector publications If you're applying to a public company, industry analysts can help you understand the organization's most pressing challenges and opportunities.

Customers. The candid feedback you'll receive will assist you in identifying common user issues.

Current workers: Social media sites like Twitter and LinkedIn are used by many employees these days to engage in professional conversation and peer interaction. Look for hints about the company's current challenges as well as any new projects in the works from people discussing the company you're interested in.

2Identify your areas of opportunity

List problems you could help solve or opportunities you could help capitalize on based on what you learn from your research. Choose one that highlights your specific skills that could be applied to the role you're seeking.

Assume you are aware that the company is looking to expand. Identify the company's competitors if you're applying for a marketing position, and then suggest some ways the business might increase its visibility. If you're looking for a sales position, create tailored pitches for the new target market.

3Display your findings

Choose the most interesting way to present your project. A slide deck is usually the best medium, but if you're applying for a creative position, a short video or an eye-catching website might work. You must persuade the recruiter right away that you are the best candidate for the job, so be succinct or they will lose interest.

How to Create a Standout Value Validation Project

Keep the following suggestions in mind as you create your VVP:

Try not to solve all of the company's problems. Don't deliver a business plan or a broad-scale strategy because you're a candidate, not a consultant. It is preferable to focus on a single pain point and describe how you would approach it. If you leave the hiring manager wanting to know more, you've succeeded in landing an interview.

Determine what your target company will find useful. This is where your investigation comes into play. Remember that you want to create work that is of genuine value to the company rather than a solution looking for a problem.

Test your theories by getting as much feedback as you can from friends and contacts both inside and outside of your area of expertise. People outside of your field can occasionally come up with the best ideas.

As a whole,

Build your project based on the job description. To show that you comprehend the requirements of the position, use the job description's keywords. For example, if the company wants to "expand digital channels," use that phrase rather than the more general "increase digital engagement."

Value validation projects are a great way to get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers, who can get bored screening impressive but similarly worded resumes and cover letters. Making a VVP will take time and effort, but the payoff could be landing that dream job.

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