S. M. Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune-28. SWOT Analysis By - Prof. Jare M. R. Head, Dept. of English, S. M. Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune-28.

SWOT Analysis Analysing an individual’s: STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

History of SWOT Analysis Developed at Stanford Funded by Fortune 500 companies Took 9 years to develop Involved 5000 interviews

SWOT Analysis is… … A strategic planning tool that separates influences on an individual’s future success into internal and external factors

SWOT Analysis allows businesses to… Define realistic goals Improve capability Overcome weaknesses with strengths Identify threats than can be turned into opportunities

A SWOT Matrix… …separates and compares internal and external influencers: INTERNAL: strengths, weaknesses External: opportunities, threats

Strengths Positives you capitalize on Key selling points Think of what makes you special What influences and motivates you? What are your attributes for success? What key traits do you have? - Good analytical skills, determination, persistence, confident, assertive, good communication skills etc.

Weaknesses Negative areas you need to improve on Remember ‘no one is perfect’ Never say ‘I don’t have any weakness’. Be realistic and show that you are well aware of your weaknesses and also assure the employer that they are not going to hamper your job. Weaknesses – being emotional, short tempered

Opportunities Positive external conditions you can take advantage of. Talk about various opportunities you foresee in that prospective job. Reflect positive attitude. Say working with international customers, I may have the opportunity to learn new cultures. By imparting training, I will be able to improve my confidence level and presentation skills.

threats Negative external conditions you can’t control but can minimize E.g. competition for the job I want Changing job requirements Overworking myself by taking on so many responsibilities.

Strategies that can come from SWOT Analysis… S-O W-O S-T W-T

Matching strengths to opportunities Otherwise known as: S-O or Maxi-Maxi strategy Using a strength to maximise an opportunity

Matching weaknesses to opportunities Otherwise known as: W-O or Mini-Maxi strategy Improving capability to maximise an opportunity

Matching strengths to threats Otherwise known as: S-T or Maxi-Mini strategy Minimising a threat with a strength

Matching weaknesses to threats Otherwise known as: W-T or Mini-Mini strategy Minimising weaknesses and threats at same time (often last choice)

What to do? Map your STRENGTHS to your prospective job Avoid hinting at WEAKNESSES that may have a negative impact on your prospective job. Also try to present an improvement plan that you have to overcome your weaknesses.

What to do? Identify OPPORTUNITIES in the prospective job and mention how these can be advantageous to you and help in performing the job better. Detect THREATS and present ways to minimize them. Above all, do your homework well. Analyze yourself and you can convert a SWOT analysis discussion in the interview into a positive conversation.

Thank you