Part 1 - SWOT Analysis

When speaking about a SWOT Analysis, this is a way of doing some serious self-reflecting and figuring out what your internal as well as external strengths and weaknesses are.  Think of it as a pro and con list about you! 

SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  While we are hesitant to use the word “weakness” as it is very negative, using the word “shortcomings” doesn’t make as catchy an acronym (SWOS) as SWOT!

Here are a few ideas when it comes to constructing your SWOT.

Internal Factors

Strengths - Internal positive aspects that are under control and upon which you may capitalize in planning for a new career.  These would include:

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

Weaknesses - Internal negative aspects that are under your control and that you may plan to improve.  These will include:

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