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
Things which you can control and use to your advantage when you plan.
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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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Good contacts/successful networking
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Interaction with professional organizations
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Weaknesses
Things which you can control, and you need 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 technical 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
Things which you cannot control, and may benefit you.
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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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Field is particularly in need of your set of skills
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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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Career path you’ve chosen provides unique opportunities
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Geography
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Strong network
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Threats
Things which you cannot control, but can lessen their effects.
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Negative trends in your field that diminish jobs (downsizing, not in demand)
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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
