What is a SWOT analysis & how you can do one?

Every so often it's important to check in with yourself and assess your skillset. Perhaps you're thinking about different fields of work. Maybe you want to progress in your job. Perhaps you're just interested in self-progression.

Whatever your reason, the answer's the same: to do a personal SWOT audit and assess your skills. Uncertain about what a SWOT is, why it can help and how to do one? That's where we come in.

Keep reading to discover what it is, view a SWOT analysis template, and learn how to utilise it.

SWOT meaning: what is a SWOT 

A skills SWOT analysis is a simple tool to help you identify your skills and where you may lack them. It is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

Using this analysis you can effectively find your strengths and see where to minimise your weaknesses. You can also discover what opportunities are available to you and what barriers might be holding you back. This is a personal tool, you don’t need to show it to anyone else so be as honest as possible. 

It starts with a simple grid: 

SWOT grid

The next step is to identify what skills you'll need to add to your CV to appeal to your potential employer. You can do this by looking at job descriptions and noting down the skills they are asking for. 

Note down how good you think you are at these skills, or what you can do to develop them. It's okay if you don't have these skills. This is your chance to plan how you will build on them!

For example: 

Step two: 

skills assessment

Step 3: Check out our skills hub for free courses to improve your skills, gain confidence, and increase job prospects. 

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About the author

Jessica Holloway Swift

Employability & Skills Marketing Manager

Jess is an experienced marketing manager with a special interest in employability marketing and learner engagement.