Find Your Strengths in the Work You Do

It’s not enough to name a talent

At a job interview, you’re asked, “What are you good at?” Saying “I’m communicative and creative” may sound positive, but it can be too vague. It’s more convincing to describe a situation, what you did, and a result you can stand behind.

Make a quick evidence map. Think of three work tasks where you solved a problem or helped someone. For each one, write down what was challenging, what you specifically did, and what changed as a result. Then look for a common thread. Maybe you’re good at bringing information together, calming conflicts, or explaining complex things simply.

A strength isn’t universal. Being thorough can be great when reviewing a contract, but get in the way when you need to sketch out several possibilities quickly. So also consider the conditions in which your ability is useful and situations where you may need to balance it with another approach.

When talking with a colleague, don’t ask only for praise. Try asking, “When did my work help you most, and what exactly did I do?” You’ll get more useful feedback than you would from the general question, “What am I like?”

Put it into practice: Write three short examples in the form situation – action – result. Turn one into two sentences you could use to explain the value you bring to a client, employer, or colleague.