“What the heck is a SWOT analysis and why do I need one?”
It’s not geared towards those pesky summer flies, but instead, it stands for Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats. Companies often perform these analyses before making a new or risky business move. It ensures that they’re making the right moves and that they’re preparing for any negative impacts the business might have from that move.
So, why should you perform a SWOT analysis on yourself?
It’s not like you’re part of a hostile takeover or anything! Performing one is more for your own edification. It helps to know where your strengths and weaknesses are to help you realize where you would fit best, and where you need work. This is especially helpful if you’re in a career change or getting ready for a transition.
How do you perform one on yourself?
Think of yourself as an asset to your company or future employer. Having that mindset helps you look at yourself more objectively. Be brutally honest with yourself. No-one but you will see this analysis, so you’re only admitting your weaknesses to yourself but, trust me, having weaknesses is nothing to be ashamed of.
Your strengths and weaknesses are internal factors, while your opportunities and threats are external. A personal SWOT analysis would look something like this:
It’s not geared towards those pesky summer flies, but instead, it stands for Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats. Companies often perform these analyses before making a new or risky business move. It ensures that they’re making the right moves and that they’re preparing for any negative impacts the business might have from that move.
So, why should you perform a SWOT analysis on yourself?
It’s not like you’re part of a hostile takeover or anything! Performing one is more for your own edification. It helps to know where your strengths and weaknesses are to help you realize where you would fit best, and where you need work. This is especially helpful if you’re in a career change or getting ready for a transition.
How do you perform one on yourself?
Think of yourself as an asset to your company or future employer. Having that mindset helps you look at yourself more objectively. Be brutally honest with yourself. No-one but you will see this analysis, so you’re only admitting your weaknesses to yourself but, trust me, having weaknesses is nothing to be ashamed of.
Your strengths and weaknesses are internal factors, while your opportunities and threats are external. A personal SWOT analysis would look something like this:
To take your SWOT analysis even further, perform a detailed skills assessment. O*NET is a great place to start to look at skills and responsibilities needed for your ideal position. After you see the skills needed, do an assessment of the skills that you have, and the skills that you need to work on.
Once you’ve given yourself a thorough, honest look, you can shift focus to finding resources. These resources fill in the gaps or weaknesses that your SWOT analysis pointed out. They can make you a better, more well-rounded candidate. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses also helps you during your interview. Even though you’re admitting an area where you’re lacking, it is a confidence boost knowing exactly where you stand and can answer that question “What are your weaknesses?” By doing your assessment, you should already be in a mindset of how to grow those areas so you can answer.
Once you’ve given yourself a thorough, honest look, you can shift focus to finding resources. These resources fill in the gaps or weaknesses that your SWOT analysis pointed out. They can make you a better, more well-rounded candidate. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses also helps you during your interview. Even though you’re admitting an area where you’re lacking, it is a confidence boost knowing exactly where you stand and can answer that question “What are your weaknesses?” By doing your assessment, you should already be in a mindset of how to grow those areas so you can answer.
“Sometimes I miss details because I have a better vision with the grand scheme of the project. Knowing this, though, I use a KanBan system to make sure those details don’t get lost.”
Trust me, that's not the right answer. Do you want to get that look during an interview?!
Have you ever performed a SWOT Analysis or Skills Assessment on yourself? Do you need help getting started? Our Employment Specialists can help you complete your personal analysis and even help you gain resources to enhance your strengths and lessen those weaknesses.
Written by: Zaneta Padilla, Marketing Content Coordinator
Written by: Zaneta Padilla, Marketing Content Coordinator
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