SWOT EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

Part 1 SWOT
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

Defining SWOT
A scan of the internal and external environment to aid the strategic planning process Helps in matching the individual/firm's resources and capabilities to the competitive environment which it operates.

Internal Analysis

External Analysis

Strenghts

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

Why SWOT ?
To identify:
wide ranging issues - what we are?
Individual, local, national & regional levels (themes, sectors)

Competences & Capabilities - what we have?

What is available? possible? feasible? ...reachable?

longer-term implications - what to avoid/do?

What are the positive/negative trends?

strategies - how to do?

defence, attack, surrender, create alliances, etc.

Origins of SWOT
No certainty Probably more than 2,000 years
Sun-Tzu in his 'Art of War' wrote:
Know your enemy, know yourself , and your victory will not be threatened. Know the weather, know the terrain , and your victory will be complete.

Individual SWOT
Checklist

STRENGTHS
INTERNAL POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT ARE UNDER CONTROL AND UPON WHICH YOU MAY CAPITALIZE IN PLANNING

 Work Experience Education, including value-added features Strong technical knowledge within your field (e.g. hardware, software, programming languages) Specific transferable skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership skills Personal characteristics (e.g., strong work ethic, self-discipline, ability to work under pressure, creativity, optimism, or a high level of energy Good contacts/successful networking Interaction with professional organizations

WEAKNESSES
INTERNAL NEGATIVE ASPECTS THAT ARE UNDER YOUR CONTROL AND THAT YOU MAY PLAN TO IMPROVE

 Lack of Work Experience Wrong major Lack of goals, lack of self-knowledge, lack of specific job knowledge Weak technical knowledge Weak skills (leadership, interpersonal, communication, teamwork) Weak job-hunting skills Negative personal characteristics (e.g., poor work ethic, lack of discipline, lack of motivation, indecisiveness, shyness, too emotional

OPPORTUNITIES
POSITIVE EXTERNAL CONDITIONS THAT YOU DO NOT CONTROL BUT OF WHICH YOU CAN PLAN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE

Positive trends in your field that will create more jobs (e.g., growth, globalization, technological advances) Opportunities you could have in the field by enhancing your education Field is particularly in need of your set of skills Opportunities you could have through greater selfknowledge, more specific job goals Opportunities for advancement in your field Opportunities for professional development in your field Career path youve chosen provides unique opportunities Geography Strong network

THREATS
NEGATIVE EXTERNAL CONDITIONS THAT YOU DO NOT CONTROL BUT THE EFFECT OF WHICH YOU MAY BE ABLE TO LESSEN

Negative trends in your field that diminish jobs (downsizing, obsolescence) Competition from your cohort of college graduates Competitors with superior skills, experience, knowledge , better job-hunting skills, who went to better schools Obstacles in your way (e.g., lack of the advanced education/training you need to take advantage of opportunities) Limited advancement in your field, advancement is cutthroat and competitive Limited professional development in your field, so its hard to stay marketable Companies are not hiring people with your major/degree

Organizational SWOT
Checklist

Potential internal strengths

Many product lines Broad market coverage Manufacturing competence Good marketing skills Good materials management systems R&D skills and leadership Information system competencies Human resource competencies Brand name reputation Portfolio management skills New-venture management expertise Appropriate management style Appropriate organizational structure Appropriate control systems Ability to manage strategic change Well-developed corporate strategy Good financial management

Potential internal weaknesses

Obsolete, narrow product lines Rising manufacturing costs Decline in R&D innovations Poor marketing skills Poor materials management systems Loss of customer good will Inadequate information systems Inadequate human resources Loss of brand name capital Growth without direction Bad portfolio management Loss of corporate direction Infighting among divisions Loss of corporate control Inappropriate organizational structure and control systems High conflict and politics Poor financial management

Potential environmental opportunities

Expand core business(es) Exploit new market segments Widen new market segments Extend cost or differentiation advantage Diversify into new growth businesses Expand into foreign markets Apply R&D skills in new areas Enter new related businesses Vertically integrate forward Vertically integrate backward Enlarge corporate portfolio Overcome barriers to entry Reduce rivalry among competitors Make profitable new acquisitions Apply brand name capital in new areas Seek fast market growth

Potential environmental threats

Attacks on core business(es) Increases in domestic competition Increases in foreign competition Change in consumer taste Fall in barriers to entry Rise in new or substitute products Increase in industry rivalry

Potential for takeover New forms of industry competition Increase in regional competition Changes in demographic factors Changes in economic factors Downturn in economy Rising labor costs Slower market growth

Activity: SWOT Analysis

Self Person Sitting next to you

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS TEST

KEYS: 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Dont agree Agree a little Agree Moderately Agree considerably Agree completely

Part 2

1. I find it easy to express myself in writing. 2. I am good at collecting, collating, classifying and summarizing data. 3. I am able to motivate and direct others. 4. I have a methodical approach to tasks. 5. I am able to assess and summaries complex, detailed information. 6. I find it easy to express my views when speaking. 7. I am able to discuss issues and reach agreement when disagreeing. 8. People tend to look to me for leadership.

9. I do not have problem understanding numerical data. 10. People think of me as articulate. 11. I can work confidently in a group. 12. I am good at gathering information systematically to establish facts and principles 13. I can develop my ideas easily in writing. 14. I am able to challenge views expressed by others if I think they are wrong. 15. I enjoy working on tasks in a group. 16. I can use statistics effectively.

17. I dont have problem in speaking to an audience. 18. I often influence people to my views. 19. I am tactful and diplomatic. 20. People say I am a good organizer. 21. I have good written communication skills. 22. I find it easy to communicate over the phone. 23. I can be very persuasive. 24. I am good at managing my time.

25. I can easily read and interpret graphs and tables of data. 26. I usually manage to meet deadlines. 27. I enjoy taking responsibility. 28. I am comfortable doing arithmetic. 29. I am good at analyzing information. 30. I can contribute my own ideas effectively in group situations. 31. I enjoy finding the right words when writing. 32. I tend to achieve what I set my mind on.

NOW SUM UP
Written Communication Verbal communication Analyzing Planning and organizing Leadership Persuading Co-operating Numeracy 1, 13, 21, 31 6, 10, 17, 22 5, 12, 29, 25 4, 20, 24, 26 3, 8, 18, 27 14, 23, 32, 19 7, 11, 15, 30 2, 9, 16, 28