Discover your strengths and weaknesses with our 7-step guide to self-awareness. Unlock your potential and find a career you love.

Why Knowing Yourself Is the First Step to Career Success

Have you ever been asked in an interview, "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" and not been able to think of anything? You're not the only one. A lot of professionals have trouble being self-aware, which is the most important part of establishing a career, being happy at work, and growing as a person. It's not enough to just answer interview questions to know what you're really good at and what you need to work on. It's about finding a job that feels like play, making the most of your inherent talents, and learning new skills that will help you go forward. This guide gives you a useful, concrete plan for finding your unique skills and recognizing your weaknesses. This will change the way you think about your profession and your life.

How Self-Awareness Can Help Your Career

Before you get into the "how," you need to know the "why." You can do the following if you know your skills and weaknesses:

• Make Smart Career Decisions: Pick jobs and fields where your natural skills will show.
• Make Work More Fun: When you spend most of your time doing things you enjoy, work feels less like a chore and more like something you want to do.
• Tell Them What You Provide: When you interview, get a performance review, or get a promotion, make sure to clearly explain what you provide to the company.
• Focus Your Learning: Concentrate on gaining abilities that will have the most effect on your career path.

Step 1: Find Out What You Love to Do (The "Flow State" Test)

Think about the things you do that make you lose sight of time. What do you do that makes you feel more invigorated than tired? This "flow" mood is a strong sign of a natural strength. Don't decide if it appears "career-worthy." A love of gaming, organizing, or assisting friends can lead to jobs in tech, project management, or coaching.

Step 2: Look at Your Daydreams and Goals

Pay attention to the thoughts that come to you when you're not doing anything. What do you think you would do with your free time if you had it? These daydreams often show you things you love but haven't yet done. Then, the goal is to take a tiny, concrete step toward one of these dreams. This could be taking a class, going to a workshop, or just looking it up online.

Step 3: Find Out What Makes You Different

Your different point of view is a strength. Think about what you do or think that is different from your peers. In some situations, traits that you think are flaws, like being too analytical or too focused on your purpose, might be your best strengths.

Step 4: Be Brutally Honest with Yourself

This is the most difficult step. You have to be honest about your flaws and not try to cover them up. Don't use phrases like "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard." Be clear instead. For example, "I have trouble staying organized" or "I need to get better at speaking in front of people." Instead of seeing limitations as permanent flaws in your personality, think of them as abilities you can work on.

Step 5: Get Feedback from Outside Sources (But Be Smart About It)

Your friends, relatives, and coworkers can give you good advice, but keep in mind that they only see one side of you. Use them as "counselors, not guards." Their input is information, not fate. "Where have you seen me struggle?" or "What tasks do you think I do well?" are good questions to ask.

Step 6: Write Down What You Don’t Like to Do

Recognizing the antithesis of a strength is often the easiest way to find it. What tasks do you put off or dread? What do you see other people enjoying that you just can't stand? You often avoid and despise these things, which is where your vulnerabilities are.

Step 7: Have a "Say Yes" Attitude While You Explore

If you're really stuck, the greatest thing to do is try new things. When you see new things, ideas, and chances that are outside of your comfort zone, say "yes." You won't know if you're excellent at something or if you like it unless you try it. Think of life as a series of tests.

How to Talk About Your Good and Bad Points in an Interview

When someone asks you this question, don't provide a generic or arrogant answer. Use this tried-and-true formula:

1. Pick a Real, Non-Critical Skill-Based Weakness: Recognize it, but right away tell them what you are doing to make things better. "I'm a very creative person, which means I sometimes come up with more ideas than I can sort through. I've started using strategies from the 'Getting Things Done' method to help me sort through and carry out my ideas better. I'm always open to coaching on this."
2. For a Strength, Pick One That Is Related to the Work: Give a clear, specific example of how you've used it to get a good result. "My strength is being able to talk to people in a way that makes them feel understood. In my last job, I was able to calm down a disagreement with an important client by really listening to what they had to say. This helped us keep their business and improve our relationship."

Putting It All Together: From Finding Out to Doing

Finding out what you're good at and what you're not so good at is not something you do once and then forget about. It's something you do over and over again by thinking about yourself and trying new things. The idea is to always move your career in a direction that makes the most of your natural abilities while also working on your weaknesses.

Put this information to use:

• Pick the correct adult or vocational education programs that build on what you're good at.
• Find mentors and coaches who can help you with things you're not good at.
• Get ready for jobs where you can spend 80% of your time doing the things you love and are good at.

Your job is a journey. You may be sure that every step you take is truly yours if you start with a deep and honest awareness of yourself. Start your journey of discovery today; your future self will be grateful.