How to identify your key strengths at work (and use them to secure an interview)

An indispensable guide to selling yourself to employers. Identify your core skills and strengths for that all-important job interview. Download our Securing an Interview guide today.

Why identifying your strengths matters

If you’re preparing your CV and getting ready for an interview, understanding your professional strengths is essential. Knowing what you do best helps you sell yourself effectively and stand out from other candidates.

But here’s the challenge: many people struggle to pinpoint their own strengths - or feel awkward talking about them. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive guide to securing an interview, which includes practical steps for identifying your strengths and using them to impress employers

How to identify your key strengths

One of the most effective methods for self-assessment is the SWOT analysis technique. This approach helps you evaluate your:

• Strengths – What are your key selling points? (e.g., analytical skills, problem-solving, technical expertise)
• Weaknesses – Where do you need to grow? How can you turn these into positives?
• Opportunities – Why are you interested in this role? How will you add value?
• Threats – What risks could hold you back, and how will you overcome them?

Our Securing an Interview guide includes a ready-to-use SWOT template to make this process simple and actionable.

Tips for showcasing your strengths

• Be specific – Instead of saying “I’m a good communicator,” say: “I led weekly client meetings and successfully negotiated a 15% increase in contract renewals.”
• Link strengths to results – Employers want to see impact. Example: “My problem-solving skills helped reduce project delays by 20%.”
• Prepare talking points – Use your strengths as anchors for competency-based questions.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using vague statements like “I’m hardworking” without evidence
• Overlooking transferable skills from previous roles
• Focusing only on technical skills and ignoring soft skills
• Forgetting to tailor your strengths to the job description

Why you need our guide to identifying your key professional strengths 

We often hear candidates say that they feel uncomfortable talking about themselves. Many people find it difficult to pinpoint their own skills and abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, making a career transition, or taking your first step on the ladder, we can all struggle to verbalise what we do.

We’ve put together this guide to help all job seekers to identify and explain their key strengths. What’s more, we’ll talk you through how to use these insights to demonstrate why you’re the right person for the job.

Our experience supporting job applicants

For more than five decades, we’ve been helping people to bring out the best in themselves.

If you’ve already landed an interview, congratulations! Now’s the time to read our guide to dealing with competency-based interview questions, put together by experienced recruitment consultants. 

Need help identify your key strengths?

Download our Securing an interview guide for more expert tips, or if you need any guidance on this (or any aspect of your job search) then find your nearest office and get in touch with a recruitment consultant.