In one of our previous posts, we presented the idea behind the Personal SWOT Analysis. If you are new here, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the basics and then come back here.
Today, we are focusing on how to conduct this analysis in practice. Grab a piece of paper, your favorite pen, and a mug of coffee. Take a long, deep breath. Set your timer for 15 minutes and let's begin.
Start with a bunch of questions. Allocate a maximum of 15 minutes to each of the four categories. Remember, you can always add something extra to each category later.
🟢 Strengths:
- What skills or abilities set you apart from others?
- In what areas do you excel where others may struggle?
- What personal resources (like networks, education, or experience) do you have access to?
- What, in the eyes of others (colleagues, friends, supervisors), are seen as your strengths?
- What achievements are you most proud of?
e.g.
▶ Technical Skills: Proficient in advanced data analysis and coding (Python, R, Visual Basic), making me a strong candidate for technology-driven roles.
▶ Communication: Public speaking and presentation skills, often praised for clear and engaging delivery.
▶ Adaptability: Quickly adapt to new technologies and work environments, evident from my smooth transitions across three different industries in the past five years.
▶ Leadership: Proven leadership skills, having successfully led a team of 10 in a high-stakes project, resulting in a X% increase in productivity.
Example: A software developer with proficiency in multiple programming languages as a key strength. Also acknowledges huge leadership experiences during collaborative projects.
🔴 Weaknesses:
- What tasks do you usually avoid because you lack confidence in doing them?
- What criticisms do you often receive from others regarding your work or behavior?
- In what areas do you have less experience compared to your peers?
- Are there any personality traits that hinder your professional progress?
- What do you consider to be your biggest mistakes or failures, and what caused them?
e.g.
▶ Time Management: Struggle with balancing multiple tasks, leading to last-minute rushes.
▶ Networking: Limited professional network, mainly due to introverted nature and discomfort in social settings.
▶ Delegation: Often take on too much work, stemming from a reluctance to delegate, fearing a compromise in quality.
Example: A marketing manager, realizes that their hesitation to delegate tasks often leads to excessive workload and stress.
🔵 Opportunities:
- Are there upcoming changes in your field that could open new doors for you?
- Are there market trends that you can take advantage of due to your skills or interests?
- What are the unmet needs in your organization or industry that you can fulfill?
- Can you identify any gaps in your current team or company’s expertise that you could fill?
- Are there networking, training, or education opportunities that could help advance your career?
e.g.
▶ Emerging Technologies: The rapid growth in AI and machine learning presents an opportunity to further specialize and become an industry expert.
▶ Networking Events: Many industry events and workshops in the area can help overcome networking weaknesses and build valuable connections.
▶ Educational Courses: Availability of online courses for time management and leadership skills can help address current weaknesses.
Example: An IT professional, sees the burgeoning field of cybersecurity as an opportunity to expand their expertise and advance in his career.
🟡 Threats:
- What obstacles do you currently face at work?
- Are there any changes in your industry that might pose challenges to your current position?
- Do you have any financial pressures that could impact your career decisions?
- Are there any new professional standards or technologies that you find challenging?
- Is there external competition for your job or for the things you want to achieve in your career?
e.g.
▶ Market Competition: Increasing number of professionals with similar skill sets, making the job market more competitive.
▶ Technological Changes: The fast pace of technological advancements could render some of my current skills obsolete.
▶ Economic Fluctuations: Economic downturns can lead to reduced opportunities and job cuts in my industry.
Example: A graphic designer, perceives the influx of freelance designers and new design software as potential threats to the current job stability.
After you answer these questions, you may find some interesting results. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts!
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