With a little pre-planning, writing about your strengths and weaknesses can be easy.
Many employees dread contract evaluations finding them stressful impositions instead of advancement opportunities. Employee questions about performance can cause anxiety. One of the benefits of the written evaluation is having time to prepare thoughtful, articulate answers. The classic question, asking employees to identify strengths and weaknesses, is a tough question to answer spontaneously. The traditional answer about working too much seems clever at first, but in reality is glib. The good news is, when answered constructively, this question can be advantageous to your career.
Instructions
1. Consider your performance since the last evaluation. Go through log books, day planners and your email account to refresh your memory. Highlight notable achievements.
2. Dissect your accomplishments into positive qualities. For example, completing financial reports on time shows skill in time management, accountability, organization, attention to detail and the ability to process several different types of information successfully. Brainstorm, write down everything you can think of, be proud of yourself. Group similar attributes together. A picture of your strengths will emerge.
3. Pay attention to difficulties, problems and behaviors that have hindered your progress. Do not try to gloss over your weaknesses. Be honest during this step. Accepting responsibility for your conduct and your ability to evaluate your work-performance is valued. It is important to show how you handled your shortcomings. How did you resolve the issues? Were you able to overcome obstacles? Brainstorm measures you can take when these situations come up again. Write them down. (ref 1)
4. Choose three of your most impressive strengths. Use strong, specific words to illustrate your finest qualities. Use the information from your records to give examples of when you have utilized skills. If space allows, write an anecdote. By telling a brief story, you are showcasing what you bring to the company. Make each strength different. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your range. Include at least one hard skill, a teachable, measurable, observable action such as typing. Add contrast by including a soft skill, a personal trait such as the ability to lead a team. (ref 2)
5. Pick two weaknesses. It is best to choose weaknesses you have conquered or are working to overcome. This shows initiative, that you are taking responsibility for your own development. If space permits briefly describe the events surrounding your examples. Explain concrete measures you have taken to improve. If applicable relate examples of your progression. (ref 1 and 3)
6. Rewrite your strengths and weaknesses. Get out your thesaurus or use an online site to make sure the words you choose are strong and specific. Do not be afraid to speak highly of yourself. As Peggy Klaus, author of "The Hard Truth About Soft Skills" points out, self-promotion is essential for success. Spell check your work. Use a grammar check. Submit a professional answer to the strengths and weaknesses question.
Tags: strengths weaknesses, your strengths, responsibility your, strong specific, your strengths weaknesses