Essay Sample on Personal SWOT Analysis: A Tool for Success

Introduction

A personal SWOT analysis is an essential tool for self-retrospection, personal development, and proper communication with potential employers. Determining one’s strengths and weaknesses can help guide their growth and development and lead them to success (Madsen 2016). This paper summarizes my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, the four elements of a SWOT analysis.

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Strengths

My personal strengths draw from my educational background and the skills I have developed from work environments. I am highly educated. My academic journey spans three continents. I completed my degree from the EU Business School in Barcelona in January 2020. Before taking this course, I took a one-year program from London Southbank University in London. These courses add to my full high school experience at Lycée Arsalan in Tangier. This diversity in academic exposure allows me to perceive issues from the perspective of a global citizen. I have been able to adapt easily to each environment because I am a quick learner. These traits have also allowed me to engage easily and link theoretical knowledge achieved from class to the work environment.

Besides possessing theoretical knowledge, I am also equipped with skills that I have gathered during my studies. Between 2015 and 2018, I had experience of working in a construction company. My role in the company equipped me with an understanding of accountancy. My role at the company and later as a cashier in a supermarket in Tangier equipped me with soft skills that are necessary for establishing client-centric services. These experiences were useful for my academic growth. I was able to score the highest grades in accounting and economics during my foundation program in London. Likewise, I scored an A+ in Accounting 2. I am also transparent and thorough in my duties, which tells why I provided accurate accounting details.

I also possess many soft skills. As a good communicator, I succeed in handling my emotions and try to solve issues amicably and rationally. This trait allows me to demonstrate leadership as I can motivate and prevent conflicts within work environments. My analytical thinking skills have been of great help as they allow me to be a good listener and become part of the solution. As a patient, careful, and persuasive communicator, I try to help others through their challenges and to recognize and overcome their limitations. I also do not consider my work-placement thorough enough since I handled accounting responsibilities at a family business.

Weaknesses

There are several areas where I find myself inadequate, and which I try to improve. My first weakness is the little work experience that is relevant to my work experience. I just finished my degree program this year and hoped to use the knowledge gained to grow my work experience in my professional area. The second weakness that I suffer is procrastination. I consider my attention span not reliable and try to make schedules to improve. I also do not have work-placement experience. Also, whereas my soft skills help to establish cohesive teams, I am deficient in the skills that would be necessary to help someone manage stress. Also, I prefer laying down strategies to mitigate conflicts because I am poor at handling conflicts when they occur. Also, I perform best under no supervision because I am low in self-esteem and confidence when in crowds.

Opportunities

There are many opportunities that I can tap into that match my strengths. Foremost, with my degree, I could eventually study a Ph.D. and broaden my academic and professional networks. Secondly, my experience with accounting, data analysis, and marketing could be useful for me to establish a successful company. I would also be open to a teaching or a consultancy position in the future based on my academic and work experiences. My competence in multiple languages would also allow me to take a role anywhere in the world and be part of the globalized environment. My performance in the undergraduate program qualifies me for a scholarship or a bursary, which would go towards my Ph.D. Another opportunity is the expanding online learning resources. While pursuing further studies or a job may be a challenge with restricted movements, there are numerous online resources that would be useful for remote work and studies.

Threats

There are several threats that I face as I transition from the school environment into the work setting. Foremost, life is expensive. There is the pressure of balancing between personal, professional growth, and the need to earn money and establish decent living. If I am to pursue a Ph.D., I would be required to get a supervisor nearby. If this is not possible, I would be forced to travel a lot. Further, the global health pandemic, COVID-19, creates uncertainties on whether such movement would be possible soon. Another threat is that most jobs that offer the right experiences through internships and placements prefer that one works for free. Such a situation possesses a challenge, especially when one must pay their bills.

Conclusion

To sum up, once the strengths are determined, an individual can quickly identify their talents and align them with the opportunities that arise. It also helps to manage or overcome weaknesses, and to ensure that one does not succumb to threats to their optimal output.

References

Madsen, D.Ø., 2016. SWOT analysis: a management fashion perspective. International Journal of Business Research, 16(1), pp.39-56. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01306102/document