Recognising your strengths and super strengths

So, if careers are shifting away from working in one industry/organisation/type of role for our whole career, to having multiple different careers across the course of our lives, how should we make decisions about our career and what we might be good at?

Well, understanding your strengths is something that might help!

People are often hesitant to talk about their strengths, but it’s so important within recruitment to be aware of, and able to talk about what you are good at. Being able to identify your strengths and use them to your advantage can be super useful when applying for a role, and when you’re working in the role itself. That being said, knowing your weaknesses and areas for development can be equally important – but that’s not the focus of this lesson!

• Skills: Your skills are the things you are good at, but may not be particularly energising or motivating for you.
• Strengths: Your strengths are the things you are good at and love to do – things you are comfortable with and feel that you have competence in and that you feel energised when using.
• Super strengths: Your super strengths are the things that you really excel at – the things that make you stand out, that you thrive on, and that demonstrate your full potential.

A few examples of common strengths could be your adaptability which is a crucial strength that allows you to thrive amidst change and quickly adjust to new challenges. Attention to detail ensures work is thorough and accurate, which is especially beneficial in roles that require precision. Another example is empathy, a strength that fosters strong relationships and a positive workplace culture, as it enables you to understand and respond sensitively to colleagues’ perspectives. Additionally, creativity can be a major asset in problem-solving or brainstorming sessions, bringing fresh ideas and innovative approaches to the table. These are just suggestions and there will be many more and they will be unique to who you are as an individual.