StrengthsQuest / StrengthsFinder (Understanding Your Results) Kathleen E. High, M.Ed. GCDF Career Counselor
What is “StrengthsFinder”? StrengthsFinder is an online assessment Two versions StrengthsFinder (General use) StrengthsQuest (Used for students in college) Used to identify natural ‘talents’ When those talents are used repeatedly, they become strengths
Research Based People who succeed in their careers After interviewing thousands of ‘successful’ people in a variety of careers, one theme emerged: People who succeed in their careers do so by focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses Based on this research, a total of 34 talents kept showing up in these ‘successful’ people
Total of 34 Themes The assessment was designed to help you identify your top 5 strengths These strengths don’t normally suggest specific careers Instead, they are more like ‘transferable skills’ – Can be used in a variety of careers/jobs The more you use those talents, the more they become a strength
All 34 Themes Fall into 1 of 4 Categories Executing (Making Things Happen) Influencing (Reaching Broader Audience) Relationship Building (Creating Groups) Strategic Thinking (Futuristic Thinking)
Executing (Making Things Happen): Achiever Arranger Belief Consistency Deliberative Discipline Focus Responsibility Restorative
Influencing Themes (Reaching Broader Audience): Activator Command Communication Competition Maximizer Self-Assurance Significance Woo
Relationship Building (Creating Groups): Adaptability Connectedness Developer Empathy Harmony Includer Individualization Positivity Relator
Strategic Thinking (Futuristic Thinking): Strategic Thinking (Futuristic Thinking): Analytical Context Futuristic Ideation Input Intellection Learner Strategic
Your Results: Your Report Will Show Your Top 5 Strengths With 34 Strengths and 5 Rankings, There are Millions of Combinations Extremely Unlikely That Yours Will be Like Anyone Else’s
Can or Do Your Strengths Change? May Change Slightly in Ranking Over Time Based on How Often You Use Them Based on What Strengths Are Required in Specific Situations
(Former Office Worker) 10 + Years as a Education & Career Counselor Example: Kathleen Year: 2000 Graduate Student (Former Office Worker) Year: 2015 10 + Years as a Education & Career Counselor Strategic 1. Strategic Analytical 2. Individualization Learner Relator Responsibility 5. Individualization 5. Analytical
Review Your Results What Are Your Top Five Themes? Highlight Descriptions That Resonate with You Overall, Do You Agree? Identify Some Actions Listed for Developing Your Strengths http://www.dreams-goals.com /Wkshp-Assess-Strengths.html
Review Your Results Identify Which of The Four Categories Do They Fall Under? Executing Influencing Relationship Building Strategic Thinking Identify If Any Careers and/or Transferable Skills Are Revealed? If So, Highlight Them Do You See Any Patterns or Themes?