Define Your Differentiation To Answer The ‘What Makes You Unique’ Question

It’s rare to have a job title that no one else shares. The King of England, the Pope, and perhaps a handful of niche specialists come to mind as exceptions. But for most of us, our job title is shared with thousands, perhaps millions, of professionals. To advance your career, you must identify what makes you unique.

Being Unique Is Essential For Standing Out And Achieving Your Goals

If what you offer is indistinguishable from others with the same job title, you risk being overlooked. Instead of being a sought-after expert, a unique personal brand, you become a commodity – replaceable by anyone who has the same title. Employers, clients, and decision-makers are drawn to individuals who stand out—those who bring a something special to their work. This is where personal branding and your differentiators become essential.

Your differentiators are one of the six key drivers of your personal brand (along with values, passions, superpowers, goals, and purpose). Differentiators defines what makes you distinct in your field and why someone should choose you over someone else.

Whether you’re searching for a job, writing your bio, pitching a prospect, or positioning yourself as a thought leader, knowing, articulating, and demonstrating your differentiators is essential. Here’s how to uncover, refine, and communicate what makes you unique.

Get Clear On Your Differentiation – What Makes You Unique

To uncover your differentiation, start by identifying what you have in common with others in your field. Consider what qualifications, skills, and experiences you share with others who have the same title or seek similar roles. Once you establish the commonalities, you can start to identify the things that set you apart.

Ask yourself these six questions:

1. What do I do better or differently than my peers? Think about specific skills, approaches, or mindsets that distinguish you. Do you have a unique way of solving problems? Are you known for an exceptional work ethic, creativity, or ability to connect with people
2. What feedback do I consistently receive? Pay attention to what colleagues, managers, or clients frequently compliment you on. Look at your performance reviews and LinkedIn recommendations for insights, too. If people often highlight your ability to simplify complex ideas or your keen ability to bring teams together, these may be part of your differentiation.
3. What experiences or perspectives do I bring that others don’t? Your background, culture, education, career journey, and life experiences contribute to your uniqueness. Perhaps you’ve worked in multiple industries, lived in different countries, speak five languages, or have an unconventional academic background that shapes your approach.
4. What is my personal or professional superpower? Your superpower is that thing you do effortlessly while others struggle with it. It’s likely something you din’t give yourself credit for because it comes so easily to you. It could be storytelling, negotiation, strategic thinking, resilience, or building trust quickly.
5. What am I most passionate about in my work? Passion often leads to excellence. If you’re deeply passionate about developing your team, spearheading innovation, or fostering inclusivity, this passion can differentiate you.
6. What’s the quirkiest thing about me? Sometimes, you differentiation isn’t essential to doing your job, but it makes you interesting and helps you stand out in a positive way.

Crafting Your Unique Value Proposition

Once you’ve identified what sets you apart, it’s time to communicate it effectively. Your unique value proposition (UVP) should be clear, compelling, and relevant to your audience.

Use this simple framework to shape your response:

1. State your differentiation clearly. “I have a unique ability to translate highly technical concepts into simple, engaging stories that resonate with any audience.”
2. Explain why it matters. “This has helped me bridge the gap between engineers and executives, ensuring that business strategies are backed by clear technical insights.”
3. Provide a concrete example. “At my last company, I revamped our product demos to be more narrative-driven, which led to a 30% increase in client engagement and faster decision-making.” Although I was a developer, they made me an honorary member of the marketing team!”

Apply Your Differentiation–Demonstrate What Makes You Unique

Being unique has little value if you don’t apply your differentiation in meaningful ways. Once you identify what sets you apart, think about how you can use it to create value for your team, organization, and/or industry.

Here’s how to apply your differentiation:

• In Interviews. When answering “What makes you unique?” use the UVP framework above. Support your answer with a short story or relatable example that illustrates the impact of your uniqueness.
• On Your Resume and in your LinkedIn Profile. Incorporate your differentiation into your LinkedIn Headline, About, and Experience sections. Make it obvious to those who are checking you out that you have something unique and valuable to offer. Use action-oriented language to show how your unique skills deliver results.
• In Your Work. Find ways to demonstrate your differentiation in daily tasks. Whether through leadership, innovative thinking, or collaboration, showcase how your uniqueness adds value. Focus on applying your differentiation to those tasks you do frequently and where stakeholders can witness your unique approach or skill.
• In Thought Leadership. Write, speak, or share insights that allow you to express your differentiation. Craft your signature stories that allow you to talk about what makes you special without having to say “I’m a strategic change agent.” Whether it’s through blog posts, conference talks, or internal presentations, position yourself as an expert in a way that showcases what make you stand out.

Turn Differentiation Into A Career Asset

Your uniqueness isn’t just a talking point—it’s a strategic career asset. Employers and clients are drawn to those who bring something fresh to the table. By embracing your differentiation and communicating it effectively, you elevate your personal brand and create new opportunities.

So, take the time to reflect on what makes you different. Articulate it clearly. Apply it consistently. The more you own and express your uniqueness, the more you’ll stand out in a crowded marketplace. Then, the next time someone asks, “What makes you unique?” you’ll have an answer that not only impresses but also inspires.

William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Join him as he discusses strategies for delivering powerful virtual presentations alongside in Maven’s complimentary Lightning Lesson on February 25th.