Opportunities

What trends do I see in my professional area? $-$ What are the recent trends? What type of people are getting hired? What skills do they have? Is it a growing field?

Can I obtain better education? $-$ Think of courses that can develop your skills and give you a competitive advantage.

How can I get noticed? $-$ What can I do to draw attention to myself professionally? Create a Linkedin profile. Start networking. What does your resume look like? What does you Facebook profile say about you?

Is there a stepping stone to get me to my dream job? $-$ Sometimes to get to your dream job sometimes you have to do things you think you are overqualified for. Are there internships in the companies you want to work for? Can you start working half$-$time just because you like the job you are going to do$?$

Who can support me in achieving my goal? $-$ Who can you learn from? Who can introduce you to the right people? Who can help you improve your resume? Is there a person who can show you how to use your strengths in the best way possible? Who will pick$-$me up when things don't go well?

Threats

What obstacles do I face? $-$ Remember this is something that you have limited to no influence on$.$ Is there an economic situation that prevents you from getting a job?

Who$/$what may get in my way? $-$ Who are your biggest competitors and what are they doing? Who else is competing for this job?

Are there changes in labor politics? $-$ Can you work legally? Are there certain mandatory training or educational requirements that are required?

Is technology changing my professional field? $-$ Is technology changing the future of my industry? How do I stay ahead of that trend?

Am I marketable? $-$ You may have done everything else right but still you are unemployed. Think about whether the market you are trying to sell yourself on is the correct one. Remember that you are a product $($of your environment, of your education, of yourself$),$ and as such you have to examine the niche you are trying to fit yourself in so that you can be able to market yourself in the best way possible.

Learning Outcome$($s$)$

Upon completion of the Personal SWOT Analysis activity $($answering probing questions, readings on the value of the SWOT analysis, group discussion, completing of the personal SWOT$),$ students will be able to:

Understand the aspects of the four components of the SWOT analysis as it applies to each of them individually. Provides an opportunity for self$-$reflection.

Develop action plan based on their learnings to implement as a way to advance your skills and qualifications in the workplace. $($Not required for this assignment$)$