When you know your strengths, finding the perfect career becomes much easier. It’s the secret for you to stand out from the competition.
Even if you’re not looking to switch careers, discovering your talents is critical to reaching your potential. Moreover, it helps you understand who you are and what paths you should take in the future.
Every person reading this has a built-in gift that the world needs. You want to make sure you’re using your skills and not wasting them in a career you despise.
Improving the things you excel at can launch your career to the next level. But you need to realize what those skills are before you can take advantage of them. Luckily, you’re about to discover some priceless information about yourself.
So, let’s find out what your strengths are so you can use them!
1. Compile your strengths
“I really believe that everyone has a talent, ability, or skill that he can mine to support himself and to succeed in life.”
—Dean Koontz
Grab a piece of paper or a document and write what you think your strengths are. Don’t be modest; feel free to brag about yourself as much as possible! You’re pretty exceptional if you think about it.
However, make sure you write down your skills and abilities, not that you have glorious hair.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you passionate about something?
- What parts of your job (or past jobs) did you enjoy and excel at?
- Do you have a talented relative? You could have those skills already encoded in your genetics!
- Think about what you were good at as a child, what comes naturally to you?
- Write down the compliments you got from your bosses, teachers, parents, or friend.
- What activity puts you in the zone or the flow state?
Write down your answers, and then take a few strengths tests.
2. Test your strengths
“Why hide your talent in the closet of complacency when you have greatness within you?”
— Robin Sharma
According to Monster.com, it’s essential to know your strengths before you apply for a job. This valuable information is useful for interviews, as well. That’s why they compiled a list of quizzes that can narrow down your search for your ideal job.
Copy and paste your results into a document so that you can look them over afterward.
I already took the following test, and you will get your results for free. Plus, you get your results immediately. So, let’s find out what your strengths are so you can harness them! It’s worth it to take a few minutes and discover your personal brilliance.
The Myers-Briggs personality test
The Myers-Briggs personality test was very eye-opening for me. I highly recommend you take this one. It’ll show you your strengths, ideal romantic personalities for you, and career choices.
I’m an INFJ. Comment below: Which personality type are you?
The MyPlan.com quiz
This test is quick and to the point. You arrange cards relating to your ideal job. It takes what aspects you value most in a career and then shows you what kind of jobs would fit you the best.
Career Cluster Interest Survey
In the Career Cluster survey, you rate activities, personal qualities, and subjects you enjoy. Afterward, it uses that information to point you towards your perfect jobs.
MyNextMove tool
The MyNextMove tool comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, and it’ll link you up to jobs related to your interests. Plus, it’ll show you how much you’d get paid in your state.
The Enneagram of Personality test
The Enneagram personality test will uncover your personality and preferences. Personality tests are also great for getting to know people. Try it out! It’s helpful to understand yourself and how you relate with others. I’m a “Challenger,” what are you?
The Big Five
The big five test shows you your behavior styles and how you like to work at your job. It’s also useful for finding a job that works for you.
After you take some of the above tests, you’ll be well on your way to discovering your ideal career!
3. Look over the results of your strengths tests
“Talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it.”
—Maya Angelou
Now, with your list and the results of your tests, look for strengths that show up repeatedly. These are your special abilities to use in your job (or next job). Write them down because those are the skills you should use to your advantage.
Then choose the jobs that resonate with your talents the most.
4. Refine your strengths
“Talent is truth on display.”
—Terry Rossio
Even if you don’t currently use your strengths at work, practice them at home. Learn new tricks online or in books. You might become so skilled that you create a job out of it!
6. Use your talents in new ways
“True happiness involves the full use of one’s power and talents.”
—John W. Gardner
So, try all kinds of things! You might not be spectacular at first, but you might impress yourself with how much progress you make if you enjoy it! It would be a shame to never try the activity that you’re most skilled at.
- If you took “The Big Five” test and scored high in intellect and imagination, you could write a short story.
- Are you hilarious? Then create a podcast and grow an audience.
- Or if you were always told you were a great artist, you could try painting or graphic design.
Imagine all the things you could use your skills to do!
Try many different activities until you find one that clicks. It’d be sad if you were a genius at something, but you never realize this because you never tried it.
In short, don’t waste your life in a job that doesn’t fit your skillset. Explore your strengths and find ways to use them.
When you have a career that allows you to use your prowess, you’ll be excited to get to work every day. No longer will you drag your feet in the morning, dreading the upcoming day!
Harnessing your strengths is a recipe for advancement and meaningful life. Don’t let today end without you knowing what yours are! You’ve got this!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments if you discovered anything new about yourself!
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