I don't know what my professional strengths are. How do I figure them out?
Direct answerStruggling to identify your strengths is common because what comes easily to us seems obvious, because we pay more attention to mistakes, and because we rarely ask for specific feedback. The first step is to ask three people you work with to tell you in what kind of situation they'd come to you.
How it shows up
In interviews or reviews, you freeze when asked about your strengths. You don't know what sets you apart or where you should invest.
Most likely root causes
- Easy feels ordinarySkills you use effortlessly seem like something everyone can do.
- Focus on mistakesYou remember your failures more than the times you stood out.
- Little specific feedbackGeneric praise doesn't show exactly what you're good at.
- Limited range of experienceWithout trying different contexts, some talents never surface.
Quick self-check
- Do you know in what situations people come to you?
- Can you remember moments when you stood out?
- Have you ever asked for specific feedback on your strengths?
- Are there activities where you lose track of time?
If you answered yes to two or more, start with that cause.
First step today
Today, send a message to three current or former coworkers asking: in what kind of situation would you come to me?
30-day plan
- Week 1: ask three people for feedback and list moments when you stood out or felt energized.
- Weeks 2 and 3: look for patterns in the answers and test one strength in a new task or project.
- Week 4: describe your top three strengths with examples and use them in your resume, interviews, and career conversations.
When to seek professional help
See a career counselor or mentor if you've gathered feedback and still can't see patterns, or if the difficulty comes from very harsh self-criticism, in which case a mental health professional can also help.
Frequently asked questions
- Do personality tests help?
- They can give you vocabulary and clues, but combine them with real examples and feedback from people.
- Should I focus on my strengths or my weaknesses?
- Building on strengths usually sets you apart more, but weaknesses that block your work also need attention.