How Do Others View You?

Go along to any job interview and chances are that you will get asked to talk about your strengths.

Some accountants don’t find it a problem to highlight 3 to 5 key strengths. Others find it more of a struggle. How about you?

A technique or approach that could help you to answer this more comfortably and confidently is to actually ask others what they see as their strengths.

It might seem like a slightly odd approach to take. At the same time you will start to learn and get insights and discover strengths that had not even occurred to you.

Strangely few seem to make use of this approach. Perhaps they feel a bit too reluctant to ask thinking that others will interpret in the wrong way.

Truth is you can approach it in a very authentic way.

Here is a simple outline that you can take and adopt.

    Hi xxx

    I’m looking at how I can do my job better and contribute more to the success of the organisation.

    I was wondering if you would be willing to highlight what you regard as my key strengths.

    Thanks for your help.

    Regards

Now does it seem like such a big issue to go out and ask for this feedback?

So what’s stopping you?

Duncan Brodie helps accountants build successful careers.

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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