Are you eager to progress to the next level in your career yet feel stuck and unsure of the next steps? Perhaps you've been in your current role for a couple of years and gained valuable experience in your industry, but you want to understand how your true strengths can enhance your career growth. With so many talented individuals in your field, finding ways to stand out is important.
Learn how to identify and leverage your strengths for career success by gaining clarity and feedback from different sources and using them to your advantage.
Benefits of using your unique strengths for career success
Using your strengths to drive you to a successful career offers many benefits that can enhance your professional performance and personal satisfaction. Working in roles that align with your strengths makes you more likely to feel engaged and fulfilled. Other advantages include:
- Increased motivation: Leveraging what you do best can boost your motivation and make you more enthusiastic about your work.
- Higher productivity: Focusing on your strengths can improve performance and productivity, as you're naturally more efficient in areas where you excel.
- Better quality of work: Using your strengths often results in higher quality work. You can apply your skills and knowledge in areas you're passionate about.
- More opportunities: Individuals who leverage their strengths often stand out in the workplace and are more likely to be considered for promotions or leadership positions.
- Improved self-confidence: Understanding and using your strengths boosts self-confidence, which can help you approach challenges positively.
- Higher adaptability: Knowing and using your strengths can make adapting to changing job markets or career paths easier while capitalizing on your core abilities.
Examples of strengths to use at work
While employers search for candidates with specific skills, your strengths are just as important for the role you're applying for. Skills are specific abilities or competencies you learn and develop through practice, training, or experience. In comparison, strengths are often innate talents or developed soft skills that come naturally to an individual. Strengths are often more stable over time and are deeply tied to your personality and values.
Here are several examples of strengths commonly used in the workplace:
- Communication: Strong communicators excel in presentations, meetings, and written correspondence.
- Teamwork: Team players build strong relationships, share responsibilities, and support each other's contributions.
- Problem-solving: Problem-solvers are valuable in roles that require critical thinking and innovative approaches.
- Adaptability: Adaptable employees thrive in dynamic environments and can pivot when priorities shift.
- Creativity: Creative people contribute to brainstorming sessions and develop unique solutions that enhance products or processes.
- Attention to detail: This strength is crucial in roles where precision and thoroughness in work tasks are vital.
How to identify personal strengths
The first step is to identify your personal strengths so you'll know how to market yourself for career advancement and improve the way you work. When something comes naturally, it can be easy to oversee it as a strength. Follow these tips to find what you're better at than the average person:
- Self-reflect: Think about tasks you normally enjoy and excel at. Consider the times in your life when you felt particularly proud or accomplished. What qualities helped you achieve those successes?
- Use self-assessment tools: Use skills inventories to evaluate your abilities in various areas. Look into online assessments like StrengthsFinder, the VIA Survey of Character Strengths, or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. These tools can provide insights into your natural strengths and preferences.
- Seek feedback from others: Ask trusted peers or mentors what they believe your strengths are, or get feedback from colleagues and supervisors. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights.
- Analyze past experiences: Look at your resume and highlight outstanding achievements. Identify the strengths that contributed to those successes.
- Consider passions and interests: Your passions often align with your strengths, so consider activities or subjects that excite you. Participating in these activities can help you uncover strengths you mainly use in your personal life.
Matching strengths with career opportunities
Once you know your strengths, you can look for opportunities that match them. This way, you'll be happier and more productive. For example, if you're great at communication, consider marketing or customer service roles.
Here are different approaches to help you align your strengths with suitable career paths:
- Research career options: Look at job postings in fields you're interested in and identify the skills and strengths they commonly require. You can also research companies from different industries that resonate with your strengths. Company pages and job posts on LinkedIn outline the skills and strengths valued in specific roles.
- Connect with professionals: Contact individuals in your desired field through networking events or LinkedIn. Ask them about the strengths they believe are essential for success in their positions.
- Tailor your application: Highlight your strengths in your resume and cover letter. Mention how they relate to the job you're applying for. Be ready to discuss your strengths in interviews, using specific examples of how they have contributed to your success in previous roles.
- Consider cultural fit: Before applying for a role in a company, assess whether their culture aligns with your strengths and values. A supportive environment can enhance your ability to use your strengths effectively.
Growing with strengths-based career planning
Further developing your strengths to enhance your marketability in your desired field involves a combination of strategies. Here are a few steps you can take to achieve this:
- Continue your learning: Consider taking courses or attending workshops that enhance your strengths or help you acquire new skills that complement your existing abilities. You could also pursue relevant certifications that validate your expertise in your areas of strength.
- Seek growth opportunities: Gain experience in areas that align with your strengths through relevant internships, volunteer work, or freelance projects.
- Engage in projects: Take on freelance or personal projects that align with your strengths. This approach can help build your portfolio and give you practical experience. Alternatively, work on group projects or collaborations that allow you to apply your strengths while learning from others.
- Leverage mentorship: Seek out a mentor in your field who can provide guidance, share insights, and help you navigate your career path while honing in on your strengths.
Leverage your strengths at Intuitive
Understanding and using your unique strengths, combined with your knowledge and experience, can significantly enhance your chances in job applications and your subsequent career within any company. When you can leverage skills for success, you're more likely to feel satisfied with and engaged in your day-to-day work.
At Intuitive, we value using individual strengths to drive innovation in minimally invasive care. We're committed to employee development and fostering a strengths-based culture. If you want to level up in your career, look out for open roles and opportunities within our organization, or join our talent community.
For more career success tips and resources, browse our career advice page!