Personal SWOT: Key Career and Personal Planning Tool

Need a new way to size up the state of your career? Take a cue from your company. Try developing a personal SWOT analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Many organizations use a SWOT analysis as a “reality check”, showing where they are strongest and where they need to focus attention to ensure their future success. What makes a personal SWOT analysis so powerful is that it gives you the knowledge and ability to effectively communicate your value to the company and position yourself for new, exciting opportunities. And by having a clear understanding of your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that would otherwise catch you off-guard.

Here are a few questions that can help you get started on your own personal SWOT analysis:

Strengths

  • What personal advantages (skills, education, connections, etc.) do you have that distinguish you from others?
  • What are your key strengths?
  • What personal resources do you have access to?
  • What do other people (and your boss in particular) see as your strengths?

Weaknesses

  • What could you improve?
  • What should you avoid?
  • What traits are likely to be seen as weaknesses by the people around you?
  • Do you look for or create your own opportunities, or are you complacent?

Opportunities

  • What job openings are available in your area of interest?
  • What opportunities match your strengths to create a competitive advantage?
  • What other industries also value your skills?

Threats

  • Are there any future obstacles? Do you stay abreast of these to reduce surprises?
  • Have you already recognized your threats, and have you developed mitigating actions to improve and protect against them?
  • Have you recognized that recognizing and acting against your threats is a strength?

With volatility in the marketplace and many companies “rightsizing” their workforces, you need to identify your strengths and position yourself for new opportunities, either within your organization or elsewhere. The results of your personal SWOT analysis will enable you to distinguish yourself from your peers and to develop the specialized talents and abilities needed to grow and accelerate your career.

Working Smart + Living Your Values = Balance in Life

 
 
 
The opinions expressed by Cynergy, its Executive Advisors, Affiliates and Associates are intended to be general in nature, mere suggestions and should only be relied upon after consulting an appropriate expert, such as an attorney or accountant.