"Core Values" Are The New "Skills and Experience"

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Summary:

• Your skills and experience are only part of your story

• Talking about your values helps people trust you

• Your values should match the company’s values

• I’ll share a better way to do this + a list of values to try

The Challenge We’re Solving Today

When changing careers, most people—especially former teachers—talk only about what they’ve done: their jobs, their duties, their skills.

That’s not a bad thing.

But it’s not enough.

People don’t just want to know what you can do. They want to know who you are.

That’s why talking about your core values is so important.

Common Solutions and Why They Might Not Work

Here’s what people often try instead:

• Only listing skills — Good, but not enough to stand out.

• Listing duties and tasks — Helpful, but not very personal.

• Using fancy words like “passionate” without proof — Sounds nice, but people want real examples.

These don’t show who you really are.

That’s what values do.

A Better Approach for You

Instead of only talking about your past jobs, talk about what matters to you. When you share your values, people trust you more and remember you.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Pick 3 to 5 values that matter most to you.
   Think about what made you proud as a teacher. What did you care about most?

2. Make sure your values match the company’s.
   Look at the company’s website. Find their mission or values. Choose ones you share. That shows you're a good fit.

3. Tell a story for each value.
   Don’t just say the word—show it. Tell a short story from your work that proves you live that value.

4. Explain how these values help you in your new career.
   Say how your values will transfer and help you do a great job in a new field.

📝 Core Values Teachers Typically Have

Choose the ones that feel true for you—and that match the company you want to work for:

• Growth

• Empowerment

• Equity

• Curiosity

• Adaptability

• Integrity

• Creativity

• Service

• Collaboration

• Accountability

• Empathy

• Resilience

• Leadership

• Authenticity

Use these to help tell your story in your résumé, LinkedIn, or in interviews.

🎯 Your Next Steps

1. Choose 3–5 values that feel true for you

2. Look at company websites to find values you both share

3. Write a short story about each value (and how you've lived it)

4. Use these stories in your résumé, LinkedIn, and interviews

P.s.

If you want help figuring out your best values—and how to use them to change careers with confidence, my Elevated Career Change Accelerator was made for you. 

You don’t have to start over. You just have to start where you are.

Hope you'll give this a try.

See you next week.

Steph Yesil

Find me on LinkedIn

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