How to use your Strengths and Weaknesses in the Workplace
You can use both your strengths and weaknesses in the workplace. With careful planning of what you do best and worst, you can navigate your way to a successful career.
First it is important to find a job that is well suited to both your strengths and weaknesses. If you are great at computers, for instance, then you can get a job in this. If one of your weaknesses is that you are not good at dealing with people, then you may want to stay away from jobs where you are constantly dealing with the public such as a sales associate at a retail store.
You want to use your strengths to impress your boss. For instance, if you are very organized, then show him how you can build an organizational system. If you are very quick at your work, then get that report to your boss way before deadline. It does not even have to pertain exactly to your job duties. For instance, if you are not in a field in computers but are knowledgeable about it, perhaps you can help your boss when he is having computer problems. He may very much appreciate this extra help that you can provide him with and may reward you in your career.
Use your strengths to get along well with and help your co-workers. If you are very knowledgeable about the field, then you can help others. When people like you, you will often succeed more. Bosses like when workers make the workplace more harmonious. You can also use your strengths to be more efficient such as if you are very quick at what you do.
With weaknesses it is often about minimizing them in order to do well in the workplace. Sometimes they can be helpful, though. For instance, some people think of themselves as too serious, and think of that as a weakness. In many jobs such as a lawyer or a police officer, however, being serious can be helpful. Some people think that they are too menacing. Again, a job as a police officer may be able to use that. Some people feel that they are perfectionists and that this is a weakness. However, many bosses would love to have a perfectionist on the payroll.
Both your strengths and weaknesses can be used in the workplace. It is important to first assess what these are, get a job that is suited to them, and use them to help your boss, others and yourself be productive, effective and efficient in the workplace.
