Determining Your “Power” Strengths

Why is it so challenging to come up with our own strengths? We should know ourselves better than anyone – and yet we’ve been trained not to brag and not to “toot our own horn.” However, in the career world – and during interviews – this is exactly what we need to get ahead.

The good news is there are great tools out there. My favorite assessment is the StrengthsFinder. I am a Certified Strengths Coach, and I want to help you confidently communicate the POWER of your strengths. There are 2 keys to doing this:

Key 1: Understand and explain “Why” this strength is so beneficial.
Key 2: Communicate “How” this strength will impact the person you’re speaking with (which could be yourself) 🙂

These two keys are integrated into the 4 steps below.

Step 1: Define

First we must define what your top strengths are. I’d suggest coming up with your top 3-5 strengths and choosing words that you will REMEMBER and will feel CONFIDENT communicating.

  • Take the StrengthsFinder Assessment or review videos/descriptions of the strengths
  • Ask family/friends and colleagues what your strengths are
  • Consider your unique “process” and come up with very specific words that resonate with you

The key step here is to find specific words that really capture who you are. This is best done using an assessment or having a 1:1 conversation, which I am happy to have with you! Please determine your top words that resonate with you. Next we’ll define what these strengths mean to you! This description isn’t necessarily what you would share with an employer, but it gives you more in-depth knowledge. See my personal example below:

Example: My top strength is Achiever. This means that I am continually motivated to do quality work and to complete projects that I begin. I feel a sense of frustration when my goals have not been achieved for the day.

Step 2: Value

Now let’s dig into the “why”. Consider the questions below:

  • Why does this specific strength resonate with me?
  • Why is this strength valuable to me and my work?
  • How has this strength impacted the way I work and my relationships with others?

The goal here is to write out a couple sentences about what you see as the value of your strength.

Example: My Achiever strength brings great value because I am internally motivated to do my best and follow through on commitments. When I say I will do something, I can be counted on to complete the task and deliver quality work. I have a strong internal compass to do more and to push myself to achieve as much as I can.

Step 3: Example

As an employer, I am hooked! You’ve shared your strengths and communicated its value. What I desire now is EVIDENCE. Sure you can claim this strength, but until I hear about a time when you demonstrated it (cue the behavioral questions) it doesn’t bring as much of a “punch”.

This might be a bit challenging, but try to think of a very specific, tangible example. It doesn’t need to be a knock-out, just something that clearly illustrates when and how you’ve used this strength.

Example: Last month I was asked to put together a last-minute Career Boot Camp for our students. I took ownership of this project, constructed quality presentations, and worked with my team to deliver an exceptional program for students. My Achiever strength motivated me and allowed me to work quickly and effectively in delivering a well-organized and well-attended Boot Camp for students that received high ratings in a short time-frame.

Step 4: Connect

The final step is taking this strength that you’ve strategically worded, defined, valued, and provided an example for – and connect it back to the employer (or to another audience). How will this strength specifically provide value in this new role/company? How will this strength help you overcome a goal you’re working on, or even pose as a decision marker in your career exploration?

Example: In this position, my achiever strength will allow me to manage many priorities and execute programs/initiatives effectively. You will be getting a highly motivated, results-driven, and accountable individual who will provide exceptional value to your company.

Not only will doing this prepare you for upcoming interviews; knowing your strengths will help you articulate your promise of value in resumes, cover letters, personal statements, etc. It will also help you evaluate different options and consider which kinds of positions could be a good fit.

Want to talk this out further? Please email me at leigh@careerconfidenceclarity.com and I’d be happy to work with you!

Questions & Action Items:

  1. How will knowing these “power” strengths benefit me?

  2. Who can I lean on to help define these strengths?

  3. When will I put this into action?

Leigh Mascolino - Career Coach