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Strengths: Career Guide

Student Strength Career Guide

This guide will help you to better understand each of the 34 CliftonStrengths and how it relates to your future or current career. In the following pages you will find tips on how to implement your Strengths into your resume and cover letter. You will also find adjectives that help to describe each Strength and how you can utilize Strengths during an interview. 

Click the individual boxes below to explore each Strength.  Click HERE for the full guide.

 
The Clifton StrengthsFinder and the 34 Clifton StrengthsFinder theme names are protected by copyright of Gallup Inc., 2000. All rights reserved.

Strategic Thinking

Influencing

Resume & Cover Letter Tips

Resume/Cover Letter Tips:  

Add Strengths to your resume in one of the following ways: 

  • Use your Strengths as a basis when writing the job duties of your prior experience. 

  • Integrate your Strengths into the “skills” section of your resume by using alternative adjectives. (These can be found in the “...in action” section of this guide).

  • Integrate Strengths into your cover letter by using alternative adjectives. It is best to insert these adjectives into the section where you describe why you are an ideal candidate. 

  • Discuss how a Strength you have relates to the job that you are applying for.

  • Highlight your top 5 CliftonStrengths by giving it its own section at the top of your resume.

 

*Remember that not all hiring managers are familiar with CliftonStrengths language. So if you use a term that is not more commonly known, be ready to elaborate. 

Executing

Relationship Building

Interview Tips

Interview tips: 

When using Strengths during an interview consider the following:

  • Have the ability to talk about your top 5 in your own words.

  • Determine how each Strength is relevant to the job that you are applying for. 

  • Make the conversation Strengths based: When asked about your weaknesses, find ways to flip your Strengths. Examples of this can be found in the “Areas of opportunity” section of this guide. 

  • Elaborate on each theme and go into detail if asked.

  • Remember, you don't have to memorize Gallup’s definition of each Strength. Instead choose phrases that most resonate with you when you learn more about your Strength, and use those as ways to engage in a Strengths based conversation.

*Remember to familiarize yourself with your top 5 before your interview.

Citations


“Applying Talents in Academics." South Mountain Community College, 2023, strengths.southmountaincc.edu/students-strengths/applying-talents-in-academics/. Accessed 15 June 2023.

Cummings and Pinch Yourself Careers, Lisa. "StrengthsFinder Resources – Explore Your Top 5 Strengths." Lead Through Strengths, 2021, leadthroughstrengths.com/talents/. Accessed 15 June 2023.