Personal SWOT analysis – An Exercise

SWOT analysis is acronym for Strength , Weakness , Opportunities and Threats.  Generally good companies do the SWOT analysis before launching a new product or service in the market.  It is a very useful exercise.

But SWOT analysis is not limited to product or service only.  It is also applicable to an individual also.

The Four parameters of SWOT can easily guide you to start your career or can help you in the advancement of your career ladder.

How? 

Take a paper and pen. 

Write down your strength- In which area you are good or have the command. It might be you are good listener, good orator,  you can be good in organizing the things, you have no hesitation in taking the initiative, you are good in convincing the people, you can be good in communication etc.  These all are your personal traits which make your aura.

Then comes the Weakness.  Judge yourself honestly.  You cannot be master in everything.  Weakness is not a liability , but it the area of improvements which actually stops you in many instances.  Weakness can be – you are not a good listener , you lose your tamper easily , you can be disorganized , you do not feel comfortable to address the audience , you afraid from taking the new challenges, not interested in learning new things , not good in presenting the things in spite of having the full knowledge etc.

The Strength and Weakness are the internal traits or assets of a person.

 

Opportunities and Threats are in second category – External factors which influence you while deciding your career or advancement.

Opportunities : wherever you are today , because of your strength and weakness.  But if you want to scale the heights of success , you have to sense or smell the areas of opportunities which is lies in your area.  Sense them , and if you have a hawk eye, you can easily identify these opportunities and cash them in right time.

Threats :  Identify the areas which are threats for you.  It might be possible that some degree or training is stopping you in the path of advancement of your career.  Some skills which are essential but you have no knowledge about them.  This also can be one threat - the area chosen by you have very limited and not have a long term future etc. 

Do your introspection and prepare your SWOT.  Start working to improve your weakness and threats. 

Its April near ……Appraisal, Increment and Promotion - 100th Post

March is the closing month of most of the corporate and this is actually the deciding month for an employee regarding their promotion and increments. 28 days still left in this month of March,16.  So, whatever is unfinished , try to complete it before 31st March,16.  For April,16 - When the evaluation process will start, follow these tips. 

Some tips :

•  Make some bullet points regarding your achievements of the Financial Year -2015-16.  It will help you when your boss will call you for your appraisal or promotion discussion.

• Highlight the extraordinary things you have done in this financial year.

• If this year target not achieved, prepare yourself well with the causes and what are the action you are going to take in next financial year.

• Plan your roadmap for the next Financial year so that you boss can understand your seriousness regarding your job and future plans.

• Also prepare a handy note that what are the new skills you have learnt in this year and how it will help you and your team in near future.

• Prepare yourself to listen some harsh words from your boss which you have never expected.

•  Don’t speak negative words about your team because you have to work with the same team in next financial year.

• Try to show your achievements in monetary terms (Saving, Sales etc).  Numbers speaks well.

• If you have a 360 degree appraisal system, then you have to think about your other colleagues and subordinates.  Make a good conversation with them and motivate them.

• If there is a mistake you have done in the going Financial year, feel sorry for it and express the same with your boss.

Rest , best of luck…you are going to complete one more year of your job and adding one more year in your curriculum vitae.