All of us are in the business of selling. Either we are trying to sell products and services or we are trying to “sell” people to take some type of action. Nonprofits also try to sell people donations. Many people are not great at selling the most important product: Their self-worth.

We’re going straight to the point and will discuss the one thing that can help you “sell” yourself when interviewing, in meetings, asking for raises, meeting new business contacts, or just simply meeting new people. This one thing is what separates you from your peers, and makes you memorable.

This is your USP.

What is a USP?

The USP stands to represent Unique Selling Perspective or Unique Selling Point depending on whom you ask. It’s a one-sentence description of what makes a product different (and compellingly so) from its competitors. The USP answers the question, “Why should this product be chosen over the others?”

And when the product’s you, it is the statement of what sets you apart from all your peers, all the other project managers, and all the other circus monkey wranglers – whoever is competing with you for a job in the professional world.

How to write your USP

What sets you apart from your peers in the industry? Why would someone hire or promote you over any other person who does what you do? You might answer, “Well, I’m a great person Guess what?” Your peers are also. What makes you different? If your answer is “I don’t know …”, you are in the right place.

Step 1: Brainstorm

These questions will help you create your USP. Give yourself time. You might not get the best answers right away.

What are you doing for a living?

What makes you so good at what you’re doing?

What are the unique skills that make you a leader in what you do?

What passions are you passionate about?

What are you capable of doing that no one else can?

What are your most important life lessons?

Which are your strongest strengths?

What is it that makes you stand out as a professional?

What makes your personality unique?

Step 2: Highlight the Most Important Answers to You

After you have taken the time to reflect on these questions and come up with as many answers, you can now go through them and highlight the most important facts and ideas to you. What is the core of who you are?

Step 3: Circle the Most Beneficial Answers for a Company

Next, circle the most important elements of a company. What is in you that makes a company successful?

Pay attention to where they intersect. But don’t forget the ones that don’t.

Step 4: Put it All Together

Try your hand at writing a single sentence to describe yourself. Your USP is your elevator pitch. This is the 30 seconds you would spend in an elevator talking to a high-powered executive about something. Make sure it’s compelling, compelling, most importantly, unique.

Here’s an example. “My name’s Cathy. “My name is Cathy. I am a copywriter who has a background in the management of bands. This makes me particularly adept at writing for product launches and building them for maximum consumer impact. While I am willing to take calculated risks, I do not believe in overlooking wisdom. So I’m learning how to moderate usability labs a”

If someone were to ask Cathy “What makes you different?” She has an immediate and strong answer to the question “Why should I hire you?”

Now it’s your turn! Your USP is what? What is it that makes you different from your peers? Comment below to let us know!