The Skills Shack

A SWOT is a tool used to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Completing a SWOT can help you clarify your thinking and prompt you to think about a wider range of possibilities as you undertake a search for a job or career change. In this resource, we introduce each of the 4 components of the SWOT and provide some example questions to ask as you develop your SWOT along with some examples of each component.

<img alt="" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/swot5_1.jpg" style="height:185px;width:600px;" />

A SWOT is a tool used to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunites and Threats. Completing a SWOT can help you clarify your thinking and prompt you to think about a wider range of possibilities as you undertake a search for a job or career change. 

In this resource, we introduce each of the 4 components of the SWOT and provide some example questions to ask as you develop your SWOT along with some examples of each component.

There are no right or wrong ways to develop your SWOT and no right or wrong answers as we all have different strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Strengths and Weaknesses are internal and exist because you exist and are characteristics that you can change.

Opportunities and Threats are external to you and reflect the environment. Sometimes by identifying your strengths and weaknesses, you become aware of opportunities and of threats.

What is a SWOT?

The SWOT Analysis Tool is often used by businesses to assess themselves and their competitors and formulate their strategies for growth. For example, a person considering starting a new business might use a SWOT as part of their planning or an established business might use the SWOT to help decide about launching a new product or moving to a new location. There are lots of uses for this simple tool many of them relate to businesses but it can also be used to help individuals identify a pathway to a new career or job. It can be a great tool to help you in your search for a new job or career path and also to help you prepare for an interview.

The idea of the SWOT Analysis tool is for you as an individual to understand more about yourself and about your external environment. Put simply a SWOT stands for

<img alt="SWOT" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/SWOT3.jpg" style="float:right;height:300px;margin-left:15px;margin-right:15px;width:400px;" />

S = Strengths (Internal) 
W = Weaknesses (Internal) 
O = Opportunities (External) 
T = Threats (External

Strengths and Weaknesses are internal i.e part of who you are and Opportunites and Threats are external to you and exist even if you didn't.

Undertaking a SWOT Analysis of yourself helps with

<ul>
	<li>Sharpening or focusing on your strengths</li>
	<li>Being aware of and putting strategies in place to overcome or minimise your weaknesses</li>
	<li>Identifying opportunities for development and</li>
	<li>Overcoming  threats to being successful </li>
</ul>

 

Developing a SWOT analysis and using it throughout the job seeking process allows you to anticipate areas that you want to highlight during the application and interview stages or that you want to be ready for if they are raised during the interview. The SWOT analysis allows you to anticipate areas that could be potential issues during the interview. Developing a SWOT  helps ensure that you are prepared for the interview and gets you ready to answer tough questions from interviewers (such as, “Describe your biggest weakness”). For example, if your SWOT identifies that one of your strengths is your ability to calm people in difficult situations then you might want to highlight this in your application and interview by having an example ready. On the other hand, if a weakness is that you are very shy then you might need to do some work prior to your interview to make sure that this weakness does not reduce your chances of the job.

Comparing your strengths and weaknesses to the job requirements will help identify any gaps in your ability to win the job and help you prepare to be the best candidate for the position to which you aspire.

The SWOT Analysis Tool

When thinking about strengths it is important to remember that these are internal and exist as part of you.

A personal strength is something that you are strong at, an aspect of you that makes you unique and that many others may not have. 

<img alt="my strengths" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/mystrengths_1.jpg" style="float:left;height:192px;margin-left:15px;margin-right:15px;width:300px;" />By identifying your personal strengths, these can be used as a way to differentiate yourself from others when resume, a cover letter for a job application or preparing for an interview or obtaining your next promotion. 

Consider your strengths from your own perspective, and from the point of view of the people around you. 
It is important to put yourself inside a prospective employer’s head as you consider your strong points and think about what an employer might be looking for in a job candidate. For example, you might be an excellent line dancer, however, this might not be a strength when it comes to applying for a job...unless of course, the job involves line dancing. The strength might be that you learn new skills easily and as an example, you have taken up line dancing.

Start out by simply making a list of words that describe you - chances are many of these personal characteristics comprise your strengths.

See an example list of questions next to assist with identifying Strengths.

Strengths

There are many ways you can identify your strengths, for example, you could ask family and friends, you could try a mind map like the one in the image and/or you could try answering some of the questions below. The important thing is, to be honest, and realistic.

<ul>
	<li>What advantages do you have that others don't have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)?<img alt="questions" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/quesstren_opt.png" style="float:right;height:347px;margin:20px;width:350px;" /></li>
	<li>What do you do better than anyone else?</li>
	<li>What personal resources can you access?</li>
	<li>What do other people see as your strengths?</li>
	<li>Which of your achievements are you most proud of?</li>
	<li>What values do you believe in, that others fail to exhibit?</li>
	<li>Are you part of a network that no one else is involved in? If so, what connections do you have with influential people?</li>
	<li>Why did you decide to enter the field you will enter upon graduation?</li>
	<li>What were the motivating factors and influences?</li>
	<li>To what do you attribute your success?</li>
	<li>How do you measure your success?</li>
	<li>What knowledge or expertise will you bring to the company you join that may not have been available to the organization before?</li>
	<li>What is your greatest asset?</li>
</ul>

 

Think about your strengths in relation to the people around you. For example, if you're a great mathematician and the people around you are also great at math, then this is not likely to be a strength in your current role – it may be a necessity.

Strengths - Questions to ask yourself

This is not a full list of any person's strengths, but we hope it gives you some ideas for developing your list of strengths.

<img alt="Mind Map" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/mindmap_1.jpg" style="float:right;height:225px;margin:20px;width:300px;" />Remember strengths are internal positive aspects that you control and upon which you may capitalise on planning

<ul>
	<li>Work Experience</li>
	<li>Education, including value-added features</li>
	<li>Strong technical knowledge within your field (e.g. hardware, software, programming languages)</li>
	<li>Specific transferable skills (e.g., communication, teamwork,</li>
	<li>leadership skills)</li>
	<li>Personal characteristics (e.g., strong work ethic, self-discipline, ability to work under pressure, creativity, optimism, or a high level of energy)</li>
	<li>Good contacts/successful networking</li>
	<li>Interaction with professional organisations</li>
</ul>

Strengths - Examples

Just as we all have strengths, we all have weaknesses, and while it can be more comfortable identifying our strengths and discussing them with others being able to identify our weaknesses is just as important especially if we want to grow and turn our weaknesses into strengths.

<img alt="weaknesses" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/weak_1.jpg" style="float:left;height:200px;margin:20px;width:300px;" />Personal weakness is an area of opportunity for growth. These are characteristics you could improve upon to increase future job opportunities. 

Most of us find it relatively difficult to identify the areas where we are weak. But doing the SWOT assessment helps to identify areas where we may need to improve. 

If you identify a skill that you know is in your chosen field, but you are weak in that skill area, you need to take steps to improve that skill. 

Past performance appraisals and even your grades and teacher comments from school provide valuable feedback.

 

Turn weaknesses into strengths

Once you know your weaknesses, you can start to turn them into strengths and work to make sure their impact on your job seeking and other activities is minimised.

Weaknesses

<ul>
	<li>What tasks do you usually avoid because you don't feel confident doing them?<img alt="1571949206-woman-687560-1920.jpg" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3.go1.service/the-skills-shack.mygo1.com/apiom/2036063/1571949206/1571949206-woman-687560-1920.jpg" style="float:right;height:225px;margin:20px;width:300px;" /></li>
	<li>What will the people around you see as your weaknesses?</li>
	<li>Are you completely confident in your education and skills training? If not, where are you weakest?</li>
	<li>Do you have personality traits that hold you back in your field? For instance, if you have to conduct meetings on a regular basis, a fear of public speaking would be a major weakness.</li>
	<li>What could be improved?</li>
	<li>What do you do badly?</li>
	<li>What should you avoid?</li>
	<li>How do they affect your job performance? (These might include weakness in technical skill areas or in leadership or interpersonal skills.)</li>
	<li>Think about your most unpleasant experiences in school or in past jobs and consider whether some aspect of your personal or professional life could be a root cause.</li>
</ul>

 

Consider this from a personal/internal perspective and an external perspective. Do other people see weaknesses that you don't see? Do co-workers consistently outperform you in key areas? Be realistic – it's best to face any unpleasant truths as soon as possible.

Weaknesses - Questions to ask yourself

These are just a list of random examples that may apply to some people. The important point to remember is that everybody has weaknesses and areas they would like to improve about themselves, however, improving can't start until you are aware of the weaknesses.

<img alt="weak to strong" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/weak2_1.jpg" style="float:left;height:200px;margin:20px 25px;width:300px;" />Weaknesses are internal negative aspects that are under your control and that you may plan to improve

<ul>
	<li>Lack of Work Experience</li>
	<li>Low tertiary gradings / wrong major</li>
	<li>Lack of goals, lack of self-knowledge, lack of specific job knowledge</li>
	<li>Weak technical knowledge</li>
	<li>Weak skills (leadership, interpersonal, communication, teamwork)</li>
	<li>Weak job-hunting skills</li>
	<li>Negative personal characteristics (e.g., poor work ethic, lack of discipline, lack of motivation, indecisiveness, shyness, too emotional</li>
</ul>

Weaknesses - Examples

Opportunities can be hard to identify and sometimes it is best to talk to other people about the opportunities they see for you. This can especially be the case if you have had some setbacks and are feeling a bit down. It is worth remembering that opportunities exist everywhere and we just need to see them and take advantage of them.

<img alt="1571949605-rsz-adobestock-219592870.jpg" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3.go1.service/the-skills-shack.mygo1.com/apiom/2036063/1571949605/1571949605-rsz-adobestock-219592870.jpg" style="height:333px;margin:25px;width:500px;" />

Opportunities

<h2><img alt="" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/oppknoking_1.jpg" style="float:right;height:385px;margin:20px;width:300px;" /></h2>

<ul>
	<li>What is the “state of the art” in your particular area of expertise?</li>
	<li>Are you doing everything you can to enhance your exposure to this area?</li>
	<li>What formal training and education can you add to your credentials that might position you appropriately for more opportunities?</li>
	<li>Would an MBA or another graduate degree add to your advantage?</li>
	<li>Useful opportunities can come from such things as:
	<ul>
		<li>Changes in technology and markets on both a broad and industry-specific scale</li>
		<li>Changes in government policy related to your field</li>
		<li>Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, etc.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>What new technology can help you? Or can you get help from others or from people via the Internet?</li>
	<li>Is your industry growing? If so, how can you take advantage of the current market?</li>
	<li>Do you have a network of strategic contacts to help you, or offer good advice?</li>
	<li>What trends (management or otherwise) do you see in your company, and how can you take advantage of them?</li>
	<li>Are any of your competitors failing to do something important? If so, can you take advantage of their mistakes?</li>
	<li>Is there a need in your company or industry that no one is filling?</li>
	<li>If already in the workforce - you might find useful opportunities in the following:</li>
	<li>Networking events, educational classes, or conferences.</li>
	<li>A colleague going on an extended leave. Could you take on some of this person's projects to gain experience?</li>
	<li>A new role or project that forces you to learn new skills, like public speaking or international relations.</li>
	<li>A company expansion or acquisition. Do you have specific skills (like a second language) that could help with the process?</li>
</ul>

 

Turn strengths into opportunities 

Look at your strengths, and ask yourself whether these open up any opportunities – and look at your weaknesses, and ask yourself whether you could open up opportunities by eliminating those weaknesses.

Opportunities - Questions to ask yourself

<h2><img alt="Opportunities" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/opp3_1.jpg" style="float:right;height:265px;margin-left:15px;margin-right:15px;width:400px;" /></h2>

<ul>
	<li>Positive external conditions that you do not control but of which you can plan to take advantage</li>
	<li>Positive trends in your field that will create more jobs (e.g., growth, globalisation, technological advances)</li>
	<li>Opportunities you could have in the field by enhancing your education</li>
	<li>The field is particularly in need of your set of skills</li>
	<li>Opportunities you could have through greater self-knowledge, more specific job goals</li>
	<li>Opportunities for advancement in your field</li>
	<li>Opportunities for professional development in your field</li>
	<li>The career path you’ve chosen provides unique opportunities</li>
	<li>Geography</li>
	<li>Strong network</li>
</ul>

Opportunities - Examples

When thinking about your opportunities and threats, it is often easier, to begin with, the “threats" and then the opportunities. It is worth remembering that developing a SWOT does not need to be in any particular order and you can begin anywhere. <img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3.go1.service/the-skills-shack.mygo1.com/apiom/2036063/1571950143/1571950143-rsz-adobestock-199788050.jpg" style="float:right;height:270px;margin-left:15px;margin-right:15px;width:450px;" alt="1571950143-rsz-adobestock-199788050.jpg" />

When looking at threats - try comparing yourself to people you’ll likely compete against for that next job or promotion. Then, as objectively as possible, judge your threats and determine possible ways to overcome them.

Threats

•    What obstacles do you face? 
•    Are the requirements for your desired job field changing?<img alt="" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/swot_eg.png" style="float:right;height:199px;margin:25px;width:300px;" /> 
•    Does changing technology threaten your position? 
•    Does changing technology threaten your prospective position? 
•    Is your job (or the demand for the things you do) changing? 
•    Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles? 
•    Is there any way to change the politics or to perhaps defuse your involvement in potential disputes? 
•    How might the economy negatively affect your future company and your workgroup? 
•    Will your future company provide enough access to new challenges to keep you sharp — and marketable — in the event of sudden unemployment?  
•    Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats?

Threats - Questions to ask yourself

Negative external conditions that you do not control but the effect of which you may be able to lessen<img alt="1571950528-rsz-adobestock-266067964.jpg" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3.go1.service/the-skills-shack.mygo1.com/apiom/2036063/1571950528/1571950528-rsz-adobestock-266067964.jpg" style="float:right;height:200px;margin:25px;width:300px;" />

<ul>
	<li>Negative trends in your field that diminish jobs (downsizing, obsolescence)</li>
	<li>Competition from your cohort of college graduates</li>
	<li>Competitors with superior skills, experience, knowledge</li>
	<li>Competitors with better job-hunting skills than you</li>
	<li>Competitors who went to schools with better reputations</li>
	<li>Obstacles in your way (e.g., lack of the advanced education/training you need to take advantage of opportunities)</li>
</ul>

Threats - Examples

<img alt="" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/threats_1.jpg" style="float:right;height:300px;margin-left:15px;margin-right:15px;width:400px;" />

Here are some examples of how Threats and Opportunities can counteract each other:

<ul>
	<li>
	Threat to Opportunity

	Threat: Other candidates may have more relevant previous work experience than I have 
	Opportunity: Look at opportunities for approaching similar businesses for any free work experience opportunities to give me some relevant industry experience.
	</li>
	<li>
	Threat to Opportunity

	Threat: Other candidates have college degrees  
	Opportunity: Study externally to finish my bachelor’s degree or highlight your experience in the workplace
	</li>
	<li>
	Threat to Opportunity

	Threat: Colleague X is much better at presenting in front of groups 
	Opportunity: Take a speech class or join a program (such as Toastmasters); seek out opportunities to present in front of audiences as this will help build your confidence...even try in front of the mirror at home
	</li>
</ul>

Turning Threats into Opportunities

<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:900px;">
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th>
			<h5>STRENGTHS</h5>
			</th>
			<th>
			<h5>WEAKNESSES</h5>
			</th>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Internal positive aspects that are under control and upon which you may capitalize on planning</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Internal negative aspects that are under your control and that you may plan to improve</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Work Experience</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Lack of Work Experience</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Education, including value-added features</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Low tertiary gradings / wrong major</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Strong technical knowledge within your field (e.g. hardware, software, programming languages)</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Lack of goals, lack of self-knowledge, lack of specific job knowledge</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Specific transferable skills (e.g., communication, teamwork,</li>
				<li>leadership skills)</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Weak technical knowledge</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Personal characteristics (e.g., strong work ethic, self-discipline, ability to work under pressure, creativity, optimism, or a high level of energy)</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Weak skills (leadership, interpersonal, communication, teamwork)</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Good contacts/successful networking</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Weak job-hunting skills</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Interaction with professional organisations</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Negative personal characteristics </li>
			</ul>
			(e.g., poor work ethic, lack of discipline, lack of motivation, indecisiveness, shyness, too emotional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<h5>OPPORTUNITIES</h5>
			</td>
			<td>
			<h5>THREATS</h5>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Positive external conditions that you do not control but of which you can plan to take advantage</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Negative external conditions that you do not control but the effect of which you may be able to lessen</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Positive trends in your field that will create more jobs (e.g., growth, globalisation, technological advances)</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Negative trends in your field that diminish jobs (downsizing, obsolescence)</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Opportunities you could have in the field by enhancing your education</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Competition from your cohort of college graduates</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>The field is particularly in need of your set of skills</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Competitors with superior skills, experience, knowledge</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Opportunities you could have through greater self-knowledge, more specific job goals</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Competitors with better job-hunting skills than you</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Opportunities for advancement in your field</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Competitors who went to schools with better reputations</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Opportunities for professional development in your field</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Obstacles in your way (e.g., lack of the advanced education/training you need to take advantage of opportunities)</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Geography</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			 
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Strong network</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td> </td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

SWOT Analysis Example 1

SWOT Analysis Example 2

<img alt="" src="https://resources.skillsshack.com.au/files/image/SWOT/Swot2018/swot9_1.jpg" style="height:185px;width:600px;" />

A personal SWOT can help you clarify your goals and refine your approach to job seeking. A personal SWOT is precisely that ..personal, and there are no right or wrong combinations of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats and nor is there a right way to go about undertaking your SWOT.

One way is to use four pages of paper and head them Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, and over a few days write down things that come to mind and gradually build your SWOT. It can be helpful to ask friends and family for help as you build the SWOT as they often see things that you might not be aware of.

However you choose to approach building a SWOT, you will find that it is a great planning tool to assist with applications, preparing for an interview or applying for a promotion or thinking about a career change.

Summary

The information in this course is intended to be used as resource material on the subject matter covered and we are not engaged in providing or rendering legal, safety or compliance advice. If expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought to update the content.

The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in the various pages within this course. While every effort has been taken to ensure that all details of this resource are correct, the authors or publishers cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained within this site, nor for the consequences of any actions taken or not taken as a result of this information.

Personal SWOT Analysis for Jobseekers

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