Personal SWOT Analysis

Candidates

Companies often conduct SWOT analysis to help them identify how they stand out from competitors – but can it help you stand out from other candidates?

S              Strength
W            Weaknesses
O             Opportunities
T              Threats

Conducting a SWOT analysis on yourself can give you a stronger sense of confidence when presenting yourself at an interview. To conduct the personal SWOT analysis, ask yourself questions about each of the four areas:

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
  • What are you naturally good at?
  • What advantages do you have that others don’t have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)?
  • What do you do better than anyone else?
  • What do others see as your strengths?
  • Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
  • Does any part of your education or training need improvement?
  • What would other people see as your weaknesses?
  • What tasks do you usually avoid because you don’t feel confident doing them?
  • What are your negative work habits?
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
  • Is your industry growing?
  • Is there new technology in your industry that could help you?
  • What trends (management or otherwise) do you see in your company, and how can you take advantage of them?
  • Is there a need in your company or industry that no one is filling?
  • Is your industry contracting or changing direction?
  • Is there strong competition for the types of jobs for which you are best suited?
  • What is the biggest external danger to your goals?

Evaluate your results by converting your weaknesses into strengths, or threats into opportunities. This can mean growing a skill set through education or finding a creative way to feature a weakness as a strength.

Remember to match your strengths and opportunities to your SMART goals.

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