If you’ve been busy building your resume or starting a new career, you’ve likely heard yourself asking, “What are my strengths?” or “What strengths to put on a resume?”
And the answer is… Do you even know what your strengths are or how to discover and find your strengths?
Read on to learn how to identify your strengths through feedback from managers and teammates, self-assessment tools, and objective analysis.
Find ways to match your strengths with job opportunities. Explore the importance of transferable skills and strategies for utilizing your strengths in career development.
The Ultimate Guide to Discovering Your Strengths
Most of us find it difficult to list our strengths. According to Donald Clifton and Marcus Buckingham, authors of “Now, Discover Your Strengths,” it’s not that difficult at all – our strengths are what we find easy to do.
The irony is that what’s easy to do doesn’t seem like a strength. Most of us equate strength with something that we have to fight and overcome. For example, programming in PHP – learning to do so is difficult; you have to fight to learn how to do it, so we would consider it a strength.
Most of us mess it up when we try to figure out what our strengths are. So what’s the best way to discover your strengths?
Best ways to Finding Your Strengths
The following are four steps to gather information:
1. Ask Your Current Manager or a Former Manager
If you are on good terms with a current or former manager, ask them what they feel your strengths are.
A manager is far more likely to formulate their answers around your job performance or job skills, which is exactly what you need.
2. Ask Other Members of Your Team
If you want to find out about your strengths, talk to those who work with you in your team.
They’ll be able to quickly tell you what your strengths are, and if you ask, they can tell you what your weaknesses are too.
Our co-workers and members of our team see us much differently than we see ourselves, so they are an excellent source of useful information.
3. Take Stock
Nobody you can ask?
Not to worry – if you take an objective point of view, you’ll be able to make a fairly sound list.
Just remember your strengths are not always what they may seem. You can use a strength assessment.
There are a number of different ones available online, so be sure to explore your options.
4. Match the Job to Your Strengths
Each of us has strengths, and knowing those strengths means we can match the job to the strengths we show on our resume. Of course, every resume should be customized to show your strengths and skills for that particular job.
Highlighting relevant strengths helps to tweak the hiring manager’s attention. Using an objective is a great way to provide this pertinent information at a glance. You have a lot to offer a potential employer.
By taking the time to properly evaluate your strengths, it’s like taking a snapshot of your best qualities. Put your best qualities forward. “Discover your strengths – discover your inner power.”
Strengths-Based Career Development: How to Find Your Perfect Match
Identifying Your Transferable Skills
When trying to discover your strengths, it’s essential to identify your transferable skills.
These are skills that you have developed in one area of your life but can be applied to various contexts and industries.
By recognizing these transferable skills, you can showcase your adaptability and versatility to potential employers. Some common transferable skills include:
- Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills are valuable in almost any role.
- Leadership: Demonstrating leadership abilities, such as guiding and motivating a team, is highly sought after by employers.
- Problem-solving: The ability to analyze situations and find creative solutions is a valuable skill in any professional setting.
- Time management: Strong organizational and time management skills can be applied to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
- Collaboration: Working effectively in a team and fostering positive relationships with colleagues is a valuable asset.
Utilizing Your Strengths in Career Development
Once you have identified your strengths, it’s crucial to align them with your career development goals.
By leveraging your strengths, you can pursue opportunities that allow you to excel and find fulfillment in your work.
Consider the following strategies for utilizing your strengths in your career:
- Seek out roles that align with your strengths: Look for job descriptions that emphasize the skills and qualities you possess. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight these strengths.
- Pursue professional development opportunities: Invest in workshops, courses, or certifications that further develop and enhance your strengths.
- Build a network of mentors and advisors: Connect with individuals who can provide guidance and support in leveraging your strengths and advancing your career.
- Be proactive in your career path: Advocate for projects or responsibilities that allow you to utilize and showcase your strengths. Communicate your ambitions and strengths to supervisors and colleagues.
Continuously Evaluating and Developing Your Strengths
Identifying your strengths is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection and continuous evaluation.
As you progress in your career, new strengths may emerge, and existing ones may evolve. It’s important to regularly assess and develop your strengths to stay competitive and fulfilled in your professional journey.
Consider the following approaches:
- Seek feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and mentors to gain insights into how your strengths are perceived and where further development may be beneficial.
- Embrace learning opportunities: Engage in activities that expand your knowledge and skill set, allowing you to strengthen existing strengths and develop new ones.
- Reflect on your experiences: Take time to reflect on past experiences, both successes, and challenges, to identify patterns and areas where your strengths played a significant role.
- Set growth goals: Establish goals that focus on developing specific strengths or acquiring new ones. Break them down into actionable steps and monitor your progress.
Remember, discovering your strengths is a valuable tool for personal and professional growth.
By leveraging your strengths and aligning them with your career goals, you can pursue a path that allows you to thrive and find fulfillment in your work.
So, embrace the process of self-discovery and use your strengths as a compass to guide your career journey.