by Ronald Claiborne

Created on: August 18, 2011   Last Updated: August 19, 2011

In-order to effectively identify personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) in developing a career progression plan, an individual must do an inventory and analysis of several factors.  Doing a personal SWOT analysis for career progression requires an external environment scan, an internal environment scan, a competitive profile analysis, and a strategic position analysis. 

External Environment Scan

The external environment scan consists of doing research to determine what skills are in demand in the current global environment and what skills will be necessary in the future in a particular career or industry.  This portion of the personal SWOT analysis involves determining what industries offer the best pathway for providing the security to sustain personal, financial, family, health, and other lifestyle choices.  Determining the careers or educational needs that offer the best potential for sustaining lifestyle choices is important to ensure entering a growth industry rather than entering an industry that is facing extinction.

Internal Environment Scan

After doing the external scan, the next step is doing an internal scan.  This involves doing a personal skills inventory to identify areas of needed improvement.  Self-awareness is necessary to identify adequately those areas of educational needs necessary to facilitate career progression.  Spending time writing down those areas of strengths and weaknesses allows the individual to match current skills with new career paths or promotion opportunities in their current career.  This inventory also allows the individual to identify what additional training is necessary to qualify for a new career opportunity.

Competitive Profile Analysis

This analysis is assessing the competition for job promotions and other career opportunities.  Taking the time to analyze how many people are seeking the same career choice or the same promotion opportunity gives insight into what preparation is necessary to obtain a competitive advantage.  Globalization makes it necessary to determine to some degree the educational backgrounds of those competing for the same job promotion or career give clear indication what additional skills or training is necessary to gain a competitive advantage over your rival for the growth opportunity.  The competitive analysis also includes scanning changes in government policy and technological innovations to gain awareness of

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>