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Have you ever taken a strengths finder test to uncover your career strengths? It’s important to inventory your strengths from time to time, as it can help you better understand what you’re good at, and how you can grow in your career.

Your career strengths are the skills, talents, and abilities that allow you to succeed in your job. Knowing your strengths can help you make better career decisions, set more realistic goals, and be more productive at work.

There are many different ways to identify your career strengths. Here are 10 ways you can run your own strengths finder analysis:

1. Reflect on your past experiences.

Think about the jobs you’ve had in the past and the tasks you’ve completed throughout your career. What were you naturally good at? What did you enjoy doing?

A lot of people naturally enjoy doing tasks that they’re good at, so you probably do too. What work were you doing when you were last in the flow? The flow can be described as being in the zone in your job, or a time when you felt energized and productive at work.

Reflect on this, and be mindful of tasks you didn’t enjoy as well.

2. Ask for feedback from others.

Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their feedback on your strengths. They may be able to see things that you don’t.

It’s helpful to have an outside perspective. You may uncover strengths you were previously unaware you had.

3. Take a strengths finder assessment.

There are many different strengths assessments available online and in books. You can take a number of free personality tests, and there are more in-depth paid options as well. These assessments can be valuable tools when it comes to understanding your strengths and weaknesses.

Personally, I recommend reading Strengths Finder, which includes a free assessment when you buy the new version of the book. If you’re looking for a free alternative, 16personalities.com is also a great place to start.

4. Consider your values.

Your values are the things that are important to you. They can be a good guide to help you understand your strengths. 

For example, if you value helping others, you may be good at jobs that involve healthcare, customer service, or social work. If you value the outdoors, then you may want to consider a role in forestry or oceanography.

5. Look for patterns in your life.

Do you know what you’re good at? What do you like to do on your days off? What are the things that you’ve always enjoyed doing? These patterns can be clues to your strengths.

6. Consider your interests.

What do you do in your free time? What are you interested in? Consider what you like to learn about. 

Taking inventory of your interests can be a great way to perform your own strengths finder analysis. For example, if you’re interested in technology, you may be good at jobs that involve coding or software development.

7. Set goals.

When you set goals, you’re forced to think about what you’re good at. What skills do you need to achieve your goals?

On another note, it’s also a good idea to set goals to further develop your strengths.

8. Take on new challenges.

When you take on new challenges, you’re forced to learn new things and develop new skills. This can help you uncover your hidden strengths.

9. Get training or education.

If you’re not sure what your strengths are, you may want to consider getting training or schooling.

With additional experience and education, you can develop new and existing strengths.

10. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

If you’re struggling to identify your strengths, you can ask for help from a career counselor or coach.

Identifying your career strengths is an important step in building a successful career. By taking the time to reflect on your past experiences, asking for feedback from others, and taking on new challenges, you can uncover your strengths and use them to achieve your goals.

Here are some additional tips for ways you can use your strengths finder exercise to support your career growth:

1. Highlight your strengths in your resume and cover letter.

When you’re applying for jobs, be sure to highlight your strengths in your resume and cover letter. This will show potential employers that you have the skills and talents that they’re seeking.

2. Talk about your strengths in interviews.

When you’re interviewing for jobs, be sure to talk about your strengths. This will show potential employers that you’re confident in your abilities and that you’re a good fit for the job.

3. Ask for opportunities to use your strengths.

Once you’ve started a new job, be sure to ask for opportunities to use your strengths. This will help you make a positive impression on your boss and colleagues and it will help you grow in your career.

4. Routinely ask for feedback.

It’s helpful to get feedback from your boss, colleagues, and friends. This feedback can help you identify areas where you can improve in your job. Feedback can also help you stay motivated and energized in your career.

5. Celebrate your successes.

When you achieve something using your strengths, be sure to celebrate your success. This will help you stay motivated and it will help you build your confidence.

Use your strengths finder analysis to help you in your career, and you can achieve more ambitious goals.

By following these tips, you can use your strengths to your advantage and achieve your career goals.

Think running your strengths finder analysis will FIRE Your Career and perhaps accelerate progress towards your goals? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Products I recommend in this article:

Strengths Finder (book to uncover your innate strengths & talents)