A SWOT analysis helps you organize and examine the internal and external environments, strengths and weaknesses in the internal environment and opportunities and threats in the external environment. Here is a diagram of how a SWOT Analysis is structured and a completed table with suggestions:
I
N
T
E
R
N
A
L |
Strengths
Internal positive aspects that are under control and upon which you may capitalize in planning
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Work Experience
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Education, including value-added features
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Strong technical knowledge within your field (e.g. hardware, software, programming languages)
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Specific transferable skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership skills)
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Personal characteristics (e.g., strong work ethic, self-discipline, ability to work under pressure, creativity, optimism, or a high level of energy)
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Weaknesses
Internal negative aspects that are under your control and that you may plan to improve
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Lack of Work Experience
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Limited related education
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Lack of goals, lack of self-knowledge, lack of specific job knowledge
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Weak skills (leadership, interpersonal, communication, teamwork)
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Weak job-hunting skills
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Negative personal characteristics (e.g., poor work ethic, lack of discipline, lack of motivation, indecisiveness, shyness, too emotional)
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E
X
T
E
R
N
A
L |
Opportunities
Positive external conditions that you do not control but of which you can plan to take advantage
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Positive trends in your field that will create more jobs (e.g., growth, globalization, technological advances)
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Opportunities you could have in the field by enhancing your education
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Opportunities you could have through greater self-knowledge, more specific job goals
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Opportunities for advancement in your field
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Opportunities for professional development in your field
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Threats
Negative external conditions that you do not control but the effect of which you may be able to lessen
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Negative trends in your field that diminish jobs Competition
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Competitors with superior skills, experience, knowledge
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Competitors with better job-hunting skills than you
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Obstacles in your way (e.g., lack of the advanced education/training you need to take advantage of opportunities)
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Limited advancement in your field
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Perform your own job planning SWOT analysis by using the SWOT Analysis of My Job Planning (pdf) worksheet.
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. and Katharine Hansen
Source: http://www.quintcareers.com/SWOT_Analysis.html
Now that you have a better idea of what skills your are missing for your ideal occupation, you can move on to Step 4: Expand Skills.
