Learning About Yourself to Tell Your Story: Strengths

by Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Learning About Yourself

The first step of job searching is figuring out what kind of a role you even want. Instead of jumping right into the job you did before, taking a little time for introspection is wise. One good step in this process is finding out more about your strengths. Learning about what you are good at--and how to tell the story of your talents and successes--can help you position yourself well as you apply and interview for a new role. 

People Are Good at Different Things

If you ask many people what they are good at, they would need help putting their natural abilities into words. Taking the StrengthsFinder assessment was a great starting point for me to better understand what I do well.

Often, individuals are blind to their own unique talents. In the past, I have wrongly assumed that EVERYONE does the things I do. Like (of course) everyone takes notes regularly in everyday conversations when they learn something--and (of course) everyone makes a seating chart whenever they are in a group of new people to remember names. 

​Turns out--NOPE! These are things I did that not everyone does. This was a huge breakthrough for me. So how do you figure out what you do that not everyone does? 

Part of the Answer: CliftonStrengths Assessment

The CliftonStrengths Assessment (previously known as Clifton StrengthsFinder) is a wonderful tool for identifying what you are good at, how that manifests, and how your version of each strength shows up. 

The 30-minute online assessment includes 177 questions, including paired statements. Then, on a scale, you select which of the statements is more like you. From there, you'll receive a report identifying your top five strengths along with a more detailed description of how those strengths are exhibited in how you interact with the world. Reading a report about yourself (one that is freakishly accurate, by the way) is downright life-changing.

After taking the assessment, you'll be able to see your unique talents and have language to explain how what you do sets you apart from others. Having a way to put your abilities into words can translate directly into your resume and how you talk about who you are and what you bring to the table.

My Strengths and How They Show Up

My identified strengths, in order, are Strategic, Learner, Arranger, Achiever, and Individualization. Here are a few details I learned from my report and reflecting on those results:

• As someone who is Strategic, I tend to quickly find the path through the wilderness. Then, I see how the pieces fit together and what action might make sense. I often think of a few different ways to proceed, and I always have backup plans for my backup plans.
• As a Learner, I have worked in multiple industries, using my ability to learn quickly and my tendency to see how all of the things I learn are interrelated. Through different jobs, I now know how travel agents upsell excursions to cruise customers, the value of the windshield to the structural integrity of a vehicle, the strategic value of the clergy housing allowance exclusion for pastors, and best practices for mortgage underwriting. 
• As an Arranger, I look at factors in play and determine how to optimize efficiency. For example, when creating a class, I choose the best way to organize course content to ensure each activity introduces the next. Next, I figure out how to adjust my content in the moment so the audience can get the most relevant information. Finally, I make sure that I make the most of the time I have to get the optimal amount of content covered effectively for the audience.   
• As an Achiever, I thrive when making a to-do list (aligned with my higher-level goals) and checking off items to know I've accomplished something useful in a given day. I also achieve by meeting deadlines and being able to note each goal met. Winning!
• Individualization helps me to be a good people manager. For example, I know that one employee would love to be given an award in front of her coworkers, while another would prefer to have his work affirmed privately. It also helps me know that one person needs ongoing feedback and another needs just a broad suggestion of the work to be done, and both will be successful.  

More Strategies for Finding Strengths and Talents

​Here are a few other strategies for identifying what you're good at and how you show up in the world:
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• Talk with a trusted colleague or former coworker. As for their feedback on what they think you do well, where they have seen you excel, and times when they have seen you struggle at work. As them what your superpower is. You'll learn lessons about your unique skill set from someone who has had several opportunities to observe you in action.
• Review job descriptions for your desired job title. See how they describe the skills needed to be successful and match your previous work experience to those outlined skills. Think about times when you've exhibited those skills and how you have solved problems using your expertise.
• Think of past work projects. Identify projects and work you enjoyed and times when time seemed to fly because you were "in the zone" and making progress. 

Learn More

• StrengthsFinder 2.0 Book (with code for the Online Assessment)
• CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment on Gallup.com
• The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
• The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​