Personal SWOT Analysis Example-Discover new opportunities. Manage and eliminate threats. Irrespective of whether you or your team are future planning for specific products, work, personal or any other area, the SWOT analysis process is the same.
Personal SWOT Analysis is a powerful technique for identifying Strengths and Weaknesses, and for examining the Opportunities and Threats you face. Used in a personal context, it helps you develop your career in a way that takes best advantage of your talents, abilities and opportunities.
What makes SWOT particularly powerful is that with a little thought, it can help you uncover opportunities that you are well placed to take advantage of. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that would otherwise catch you unawares. Personal SWOT Analysis Example
More than this, by looking at yourself using the SWOT framework, you can start to distinguish yourself from your peers, developing the specialized talents and abilities needed to accelerate your career.
How to use the tool:
To carry out a SWOT Analysis, print out our worksheet, and write down answers to the following questions:
Strengths:
* What advantages (for example, skills, education or connections) do you have that others don’t have?
* What do you do better than anyone else?
* What personal resources do you have access to?
* What do other people (and your boss in particular) see as your strengths?
Consider this from your own perspective, and from the point of view of the people around you. And don’t be modest, be as objective as you can. If you are having any difficulty with this, try writing down a list of your characteristics. Some of these will hopefully be strengths!
In looking at your strengths, think about them in relation to the people around you – for example, if you’re a great mathematician and the people around you are great at math, then this is not likely to be a strength in your current role, it is likely to be a necessity.
Weaknesses:
* What could you improve?
* What should you avoid?
* What things are the people around you likely to see as weaknesses?
Again, consider this from a personal and external basis: Do other people perceive weaknesses that you do not see? Do co-workers consistently out-perform you in key areas? It is best to be realistic now, and face any unpleasant truths as soon as possible.
Opportunities:
* Where are the good opportunities facing you?
* What are the interesting trends you are aware of?
Useful opportunities can come from such things as:
* Changes in technology, markets and your company on both a broad and narrow scale.
* Changes in government policy related to your field.
* Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, etc.
* Local Events.
A useful approach to looking at opportunities is also to look at your strengths and ask yourself whether these open up any opportunities.
Alternatively, look at your weaknesses and ask yourself whether you could open up opportunities by eliminating them.
Threats:
* What obstacles do you face?
* What are the people around you doing?
* Is your job (or the demand for the things you do) changing?
* Is changing technology threatening your position?
* Could any of your weaknesses seriously threaten you?
Carrying out this analysis will often be illuminating – both in terms of pointing out what needs to be done, and in putting problems into perspective.
Key points:
Personal SWOT Analysis Example-A SWOT matrix or TOWS matrix is a framework for analyzing your strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and threats you face. This helps you to focus on your strengths, minimize weaknesses, and take the greatest possible advantage of opportunities available.
Personal SWOT Analysis Example Strengths
What are the positive aspects of myself and my present position?
What qualifications have I got?
What kind of work have I done, and
for how long?
What specialist knowledge have I got?
What skills do I possess?
What resources do I have?
What are the strong points of my
character and personality?
Who are my influential contacts?
Have I any strong, specific interests or
beliefs, at work or outside?
Do I possess patents, copyrights or
other intellectual property?
What are the sources of my motivation
and drive?
Under what circumstances have I felt
happiest and most fulfilled?
Under what circumstances have I made
the most valuable contribution?
Have I any other strengths that I have
not listed?
Personal SWOT Analysis Example-Weaknesses
What are the negative aspects of myself and my present position?
What limits me?
Are there important gaps in my qualification, experience or knowledge?
Have I financial difficulties or pressures?
What are the weak points of my character and personality?
In so far as I have done less well than I would have liked, what has held me back?
Under what circumstances have I felt most frustrated and unhappy?
Am I vulnerable in any way; financially, legally, physically etc?
Have I any other limitations that I have not listed?
Personal SWOT Analysis Example-Opportunities
What aspects of the present or foreseeable future situation could I use to my advantage?
Are there any suitable job vacancies available or coming up?
Are reorganisations being planned that might offer openings?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my rivals?
Are there any gaps or niches in the marketplace I could exploit?
Are there any opportunities for consultancy?
What writing, speaking or media opportunities are open?
Are any prizes, scholarships or bursaries available?
Are there sponsorship opportunities?
Do changes in local conditions or gaps in service exist?
Are there inventions or ideas or new ways of working I could put to use?
Personal SWOT Analysis Example-Threats
What aspects of the present or foreseeable future may operate to my disadvantage?
Potential financial problems.
Rivalry or opposition from others.
Changes in the marketplace for what
I or my organisation offer.
Legal proceedings.
Physical deterioration of property or
assets.
Taxation or benefit changes.
Forthcoming legislation or
regulations.
Unfavourable changes in national or
local economic conditions.
Inflation.
Loss of image or reputation.
Obsolescence of my skills, knowledge
or products.
Source and Reference:
files.meetup.com/226720/swot.htm
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