Finding success in your career, and life in general, means taking advantage of your opportunities and using your talents. However, sometimes this can get rather tricky to do. That’s why personal SWOT analysis have become essential. With a personal SWOT analysis, you put yourself at the center and examine all strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
In this article, we will briefly explain what a personal SWOT assessment is and give you personal SWOT matrix examples for various cases. Keep reading.
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What Is a Personal SWOT Analysis
A personal SWOT analysis utilizes the popular business framework in a self-retrospection way. In reality, you are conducting the personal SWOT assessment on yourself, a thing that allows you to realize your strengths and opportunities and define your weaknesses and threats.
As you may already know, SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Therefore, personal SWOT analysis examples are often used to help the individual grow and reach their goals. This is the reason why you also need to create a personal SWOT matrix example to find how you can become the person you’ve envisioned.
Why Do You Need a Personal SWOT Analysis
Studying the personal SWOT analysis examples that we will explain later, will show you why a personal SWOT assessment is an invaluable tool. Apart from that though, let’s see why you need to invest in personal SWOT analysis:
- It’s a great tool for self-assessment – putting all of your strengths and weaknesses in a personal SWOT analysis example, you become self-aware. This way, you realize where you stand and what you can do to eliminate any threats.
- Helps in your career planning – one of the most common personal SWOT analysis examples is about career planning. In this case, you examine the skills you have and those you lack in relation to the opportunities and threats in your environment.
- Boosts your self-growth – with a personal SWOT assessment, you can truly become the person you desire. In this analysis, you can spot all the areas where you lacking so that you work on them and improve.
- It’s perfect for decision making – as it’s often used in business, a personal SWOT analysis is great for decision making. In this framework, you are examining an issue through different lenses, thus making an informed decision.
- Allows you to set achievable goals – finally, a personal SWOT matrix is the right tool for goal setting. Recognizing the opportunities and threats, while considering your strengths and weaknesses, allows you to set goals that are within your capabilities and reach.
10 Personal SWOT Analysis Examples
Personal SWOT Analysis Example – 01
The first of the personal SWOT analysis examples that we are going to examine is focusing on self-assessment. This freelance graphic designer has conducted a personal SWOT assessment to evaluate how successful they are in their career and what they need to do to grow further.
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Strengths
- I have a Master’s degree in digital arts and design,
- I have built a diverse portfolio,
- I have a great customer base,
- I manage to stay self-motivated.
Weaknesses
- My income is irregular from month to month,
- Sometimes I struggle with time management,
- I don’t know how to market myself to find new clients.
Opportunities
- More companies are looking for freelance graphic designers, rather than employing them inhouse,
- My Instagram account can showcase my work to more users,
- There are online courses that will allow me to expand in 3D modeling.
Threats
- This is a saturated field,
- There are freelancers with a lower rate,
- I rely too much on my existing clients.
Personal SWOT Analysis Example – 02
The next personal SWOT analysis is about a school teacher that wants to assess their situation. In this personal SWOT matrix example, the individual takes a look at how things are in their work and how they can become better at it.
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Strengths
- I love working with kids,
- I’m always trying to find new teaching methods to engage all kids in the classroom,
- I try to foster a warm relationship with both students and parents.
Weaknesses
- I’m not sure how to integrate new technologies into the classroom,
- I feel like my day-to-day working routine hasn’t evolved,
- I find it difficult to deal with students with disruptive behavior in the classroom.
Opportunities
- There is a seminar on how new technologies can aid teaching,
- I can pursue the position of the principal to advance my career,
- I can offer online courses to improve my income.
Threats
- There is a shortage in the teaching staff, thus increasing my daily workload,
- A sudden change in the curriculum demands that I change my teaching method.
Personal SWOT Analysis Example – 03
In the previous personal SWOT analysis examples, we studied individuals that wanted to evaluate their current job situation. In this personal SWOT matrix example though, we are focusing on someone who is just starting to build their career. Therefore, this is the personal SWOT assessment of a young person who dreams of becoming a literature translator.
Strengths
- I am proficient in Japanese which allows me to translate novels from that language into my native tongue,
- I am passionate about literature and read a lot of Japanese novels,
- I have taken creative writing lessons.
Weaknesses
- I have a limited portfolio since I haven’t translated literature from Japanese before,
- I don’t have any connections in the publishing industry,
- I might lack some in-depth cultural knowledge.
Opportunities
- There is a translation course on literary translation,
- I can submit my translated work to literary publications,
- I can email publishing houses with samples of my work,
- There aren’t many translators that translate from Japanese in my country.
Threats
- The publishers in my country don’t publish many novels from Japanese writers,
- There are a couple of strong names in the industry that translate all Japanese novels.
Personal SWOT Analysis Example – 04
In the following personal SWOT analysis, we will also examine someone that wants to make a new beginning. In this case, we are creating a SWOT analysis matrix example for an individual who dreams of opening a café. By analyzing this tool, the person can determine whether this will be a great career choice for them.
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Strengths
- I am passionate about coffee and have studied the different coffee beans and their tasting profiles,
- I have worked in customer service before and can handle customers,
- I have some basic business management knowledge.
Weaknesses
- I don’t have any budget management skills,
- I don’t know how to find the right staff members,
- I don’t know my country’s health and safety regulations.
Opportunities
- I have found the perfect space for my café in a growing neighborhood,
- More people are interested in takeaway coffee in the morning,
- I have met local suppliers with unique coffee blends.
Threats
- There are many cafés in this area,
- Local suppliers are a bit expensive.
Personal SWOT Analysis Example – 05
One of the personal SWOT analysis examples that you need to study is that of someone who wants to push themselves out of their comfort zone. In the following personal SWOT matrix example, we focus on a company employee that wants to change departments within their current company. With this, they hope to gain new skills and find a more fulfilling work routine.
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Strengths
- I have worked for this company for years, there I know the company’s vision, culture, and values，
- I have deep knowledge of the industry,
- I have a great relationship with my colleagues,
- I have shown that I can adapt to new challenges within the company.
Weaknesses
- I’m not that familiar with the department I want to transfer to,
- I might not have all the technical skills needed,
- The new position will put me out of my comfort zone, which will cause me stress.
Opportunities
- There is an internal job posting for this specific department,
- My team leader is willing to recommend me.
Threats
- Other employees are also interested in the position,
- My lack of technical knowledge might put me at a disadvantage.
Personal SWOT Analysis Example – 06
A personal SWOT assessment is also great for someone who wants to change companies. In this particular personal SWOT matrix example, we study a company employee that wants to change companies but to remain in the same industry. The personal SWOT analysis will look like this:
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Strengths
- I have a deep understanding of this industry,
- I have years of working experience in the field,
- I have great interpersonal skills, thus allowing me to collaborate effectively with my coworkers,
- I have a great track record, with many successes within my current company.
Weaknesses
- I haven’t experienced other company cultures since I’ve been working for the same company for many years,
- I don’t want to change industries as my skills have been narrowed down,
- I need to remember my job-hunting and interview skills.
Opportunities
- Companies within my industry have job openings,
- I’ve had offers from other companies in the past,
- I have built a network within my industry.
Threats
- Companies might not want a new employee at my age,
- Companies might not offer the salary I want.
Personal SWOT Assessment Example – 07
The next one of our personal SWOT analysis examples is about an employee that aspires to rise into a managerial position in the future. In this personal SWOT assessment, the employee evaluates their skills to determine what they need to do to advance their career.
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Strengths
- I have already taken some responsibilities, showing my leadership skills,
- I have enrolled for an MBA,
- I’m great at problem-solving,
- One of my strengths is micro-managing the team.
Weaknesses
- My time management skills are lacking,
- I don’t know how to deflate a tense situation between team members,
- I haven’t focused on networking within my industry.
Opportunities
- There is a leadership training seminar within my company,
- There are plenty of resources on conflict resolution,
- I can seek the mentorship of someone within my company.
Threats
- I don’t have enough time to take on more challenges,
- Internal competition is fierce,
- My company seems interested in hiring external candidates for managerial positions.
Personal SWOT Assessment Example – 08
The next personal SWOT matrix example that we are going to examine is about a company employee that wants to move in a branch abroad. This is a very interesting case as it shows you how to use a personal SWOT assessment for decision-making.
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Strengths
- I’m proficient in the language,
- I’ve always wanted to live in this country,
- I’m interested in discovering the different working cultures.
Weaknesses
- I’m not familiar with the country’s culture,
- I don’t have any acquaintances in the country,
- I need to study the market trends in the region,
- I need to familiarize myself with the country’s visa and immigration regulations.
Opportunities
- The new position will give me new technical skills,
- I will gain invaluable cross-cultural competence,
- I will expand my connections within my industry.
Threats
- Relocation is time-consuming and expensive,
- The country I’m moving has political challenges that might affect my work.
Personal SWOT Matrix Example – 09
The following personal SWOT analysis shows you how to use this tool to make important decisions. In this instance, we are taking the case of a student that wants to decide the best university to attend.
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Strengths
- I have a strong academic background, with consistently good grades throughout high school,
- I have already secured a scholarship,
- I am passionate about medicine and want to become a successful neurosurgeon.
Weaknesses
- I don’t want to move too far away from my hometown,
- My interest in neurology limits my options,
- I’m not sure when universities have the best neurology departments.
Opportunities
- The universities in my area offer open house days,
- My parents know a neurosurgeon, who can consult me.
Threats
- Some universities will put me on a financial strain, even though I have a scholarship,
- I might discover that I want another major in the future.
Personal SWOT Matrix Example – 10
The final of the personal SWOT analysis examples that we are going to see is about an individual who isn’t sure if they should pursue a Ph.D. Therefore, this analysis will help them decide if they can further their academic career or quit it altogether.
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Strengths
- I have always excelled in my academic career, both in my bachelor’s and master’s degrees,
- I gained invaluable research experience during my master’s degree,
- I secured funding through scholarships and grants to be financially stable during my Ph.D.
Weaknesses
- I struggle to remain motivated to study for my Ph.D.
- I’m not sure if I want an academic career,
- My field of interest is narrow and limits my options.
Opportunities
- My professor has proposed a research collaboration for my Ph.D.
- Through my Ph.D., I will publish my work on reputable publications,
- I can gain teaching experience at my university since I will be assisting my professor.
Threats
- The Ph.D. program is challenging and can lead to burnout,
- The intensity of the program will affect my personal life.
How to Conduct a Personal SWOT Analysis
As you have seen in these personal SWOT analysis examples, this is a versatile tool that can adapt according to your needs. Nevertheless, the steps for conducting a personal SWOT analysis are the same. Below, we will explain what you need to do:
- Find the right SWOT analysis template – the first step for conducting a personal SWOT assessment is to find the right tool. The app you choose will provide you with a SWOT analysis template that will make the process quicker as you won’t have to design anything.
- List your strengths – the following step is to list all of your strengths that are relevant to the thing you are examining. These can be your natural inclinations and talents, your education, your prior experience, and your passions.
- Identify your weaknesses – an essential part of each personal SWOT matrix example is the individual’s weaknesses. In this section, you need to write down the skills that you are lacking, your bad habits, and even your personality traits that prevent you from achieving your goals.
- Spot the opportunities – the following section is about the opportunities in your environment. This could be a job offer, a networking event, or new technologies that can help you grow among others.
- Define the threats – finally, you must define all the threats that might put a stop to our endeavors. These are your competition, the market’s saturation and trends, and things that might discourage you.
Key Takeaway: Personal SWOT Analysis Template & Tool
All in all, a personal SWOT analysis is a powerful tool for every individual who wants to have control over their decisions. The great thing is that you can immediately start exploring this framework by utilizing a dedicated SWOT analysis template.
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Boardmix is an online whiteboard tool with a rich library of templates and readymade shapes and icons. This way, you can create any diagram that will help you in your personal growth with just a few clicks. Create your new account for free to gain access to the SWOT analysis template and all of its advanced features.
