SWOT Analysis - You are more likely to succeed in a career if you are aware of your abilities and grab on to the opportunities as they emerge. There may be times when you would feel stuck at a limbo point in your life, whether it’s choosing the right stream in class 11 or choosing the best college and course after class 12, studying in India or studying abroad, etc. In these times, very few of you may be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and how they could affect the achievement of your career goals. Performing a SWOT Analysis of yourself helps in bringing clarity about how your personality traits fit your career aspirations.
We shall now take you through the definition of SWOT Analysis, the importance of SWOT Analysis, SWOT Analysis example, and much more. Stay on this page!
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SWOT Analysis- How Can We Define It?
The word SWOT stands for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats. The SWOT Analysis concept was given by management consultant, Albert Humphrey, in the 1960s, and was initially used by organisations to evaluate their current position and develop strategic planning. But, nowadays, this technique is widely used in different domains of our lives. This is a tool/technique used for planning and problem solving, and helps in exploring your strengths, abilities, motivations, weaknesses and how they play an incremental part in your career.
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SWOT Analysis- Importance Of SWOT Analysis
The key points about the importance of SWOT Analysis would be as follows-
- SWOT Analysis gives you a clear picture of where you stand at the moment, helps you find your unexplored talents, and identify the areas of improvement
- SWOT Analysis helps you chart a plan of action that is likely to make your career path smoother and successful, if you identify and manage your weaknesses.
- SWOT Analysis helps in analysing and identifying positive and negative (strength and weakness) and (opportunities and threats) factors that would affect your personal and professional decisions.
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SWOT Analysis- Uses Of SWOT Analysis
We have got a little perspective about the importance of SWOT Analysis. However, before we move on to seeing a SWOT Analysis example, it is important to understand how SWOT Analysis is useful. Some ways in which SWOT Analysis can help you are:-
- Knowing yourself better
- Focusing on your strengths
- Working on your weaknesses
- Building on available opportunities
- Preventing threats
- Managing time
- Achieving targeted goals
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Elements of SWOT
Elements Of SWOT Analysis- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
The four essential elements of SWOT analysis are discussed in this section in detail.
Strengths
In this element of SWOT Analysis, you identify your skills and achievements which have been acquired over a while. Also, focus on other traits of your personality like mathematical ability, communication skills, critical thinking, leadership and time management skills. Make a list of your short-term and long-term goals that are achievable within a certain time frame. You can take help from your parents, teachers or experienced career counsellors to identify your strengths.
Some examples of strengths can be a positive attitude, focus, ability to learn new things, time management, being passionate, etc.
Weaknesses
It is also important to know your weaknesses. This element of SWOT Analysis identifies domains where you need to upgrade or note the areas where there could be a scope of improvement.
Some examples of weaknesses can be poor time management, procrastination, irresponsible attitude, lack of clarity in goals, etc.
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Opportunities
After identifying your strengths and weaknesses, you can identify areas where you can excel by using the skills you possess. 'Opportunities' is another element of SWOT Analysis. From thousands of opportunities, choose the one that is best for you and will make you stand above the crowd, and help you achieve your career goals.
Some examples of opportunities can be targeting a good university, scholarships, campus placements, good mentors, etc.
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Threats
Threats are challenges that you might encounter during your career journey, like taking an entrance test or seeking admission to a university with limited seats. This element of SWOT Analysis, if tackled properly will end up making you stronger and help you achieve your career goals effectively and efficiently.
Some examples of threats can be health problems, recession, non-supportive family, financial constraints, negative environment, etc.
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SWOT Analysis Example- How To Carry Out SWOT Analysis
For carrying out the SWOT analysis, you can ask the following questions for each element:
SWOT Analysis Example- Strengths
- What are my strengths? – “I have strong communication skills, efficiency with technology”
- In which subject do I score well? – Physics and English
- Which is my favourite subject? – History
- What do others see as my strengths? – “They feel I am very artistic and open to new ideas.”
- What are my hobbies and interests? – “I love to paint, draw, sketch or I play the guitar.”
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SWOT Analysis Example- Weaknesses
- What is my weakness? - Easily distracted and get nervous at interviews
- Which is the subject that I struggle with? – Maths
- Which is my least favourite subject? - Geography
- In which areas, do I need more education or skill-based training? – “I need to learn coding and computer programming languages.”
- What are my negative traits or habits? – Impatience and procrastination
SWOT Analysis Example- Opportunities
- What opportunities are open to me? - “I have studied science in class 12 which opens career avenues for commerce and arts too for me.”
- What are the emerging trends in my chosen career field? – “As a designer, I have to be up to date with the digital world.”
- What are the strengths that I can turn into opportunities? – “I like to stay fit and would like to be an officer, so I could appear for Defence services exams.”
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SWOT Analysis example- Threats
- What are the threats that could affect my chosen career field? – “The number of seats are limited in the university that I am applying to.”
- Are any of my strengths holding me back? – “I like things to be perfect, so it takes a lot of time to finish a particular task.”
- What threats do my weaknesses expose me to? – “I get easily distracted so I am not able to focus on things properly.”
- What scares me the most and is the demotivating factor? – “I have to appear for entrance exams which I am scared of, but it's the only way to get admission into good engineering colleges.”
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SWOT Analysis Example- How To Write SWOT Analysis
You may pen down the SWOT Analysis of yourself in the way given below:
SWOT Analysis Quadrant
SWOT Analysis is an amazing technique to comprehend your strengths and weaknesses. The four elements can determine your future course of action - may it be choosing a stream in class 11, going for higher studies or pursuing a career. Knowing what your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are, puts you in control of your life and helps you sort out what you have achieved so far and what you are aspiring for in the future!
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Yashodhra Arora is a counselling psychologist. She holds more than 10 years of hands-on experience in HR, and behavioural and career counselling of high school students, in India and the USA.
