It is a new year and hopefully positive things have been happening for you. Everyday we hear about major layoffs, unemployment rates rising in PR, and the US. Are you prepared in case your position is eliminated? I wrote an article about planning ahead in case you did not get a bonus for Christmas. A few of the tips were to save money, research companies you would like to work for, and update your resume.

A small business like CIMA, who offers resume writing, job search consulting, and IT solutions is constantly being challenged by other companies who are offering the same services. When we were writing our business plan, one of the exercises we had to do was called, S.W.O.T. No, I am not talking about the 70's show depicting the Los Angeles Police Department's elite group of police officers. Start thinking of yourself as a company and look at your S.W.O.T. This stands for: S= Strengths, W= Weaknesses, O= Opportunities and T=Threats.

Strengths

Take a look at your resume and start highlighting all of your strengths and even write down some that are not listed. Ask yourself, "What do I have to offer that other's do not?" "What value did I add to the company that brought about positive changes?" "What special projects did I organize and were successful?" "Did I obtain any certifications or participate in a professional organization?" CIMA Services is part of the National Resume Writer's Association. Write down at least 10 to 20 strengths that can be turned into an example, action, and result for each job you have held.

Weaknesses

Although no one likes to admit that they have them, we must acknowledge what they are in terms of job performance and personal development. Evaluate your issues with time management, productivity, project management, continuing education, and progression of responsibility. Ask yourself, "Did I continuously arrive late to work?" "Did I turn in paperwork that was filled with mistakes?" "Do I have a problem with someone telling me what to do?" Remember that an interviewer or recruiter will ask you what your weaknesses are when it comes to your job performance.

Opportunities

At times we are approached by our supervisors to go to training seminars or conferences in order to enhance our knowledge. Opportunities come in the smallest ways and we must be ready to react immediately. Write down all of the opportunities that have been presented to you at your places of employment. Ask yourself, "Did I take the opportunity to learn something new this week? What was the action and result of this opportunity?" These are examples that can enhance your resume. Create your own opportunities at your places of employment by finding issues and providing resolutions to your supervisors. Always take the time to learn something new in your personal and professional lives.

Threats

If you have a job and are complaining about how much work you have, be thankful that you are getting paid. The threat of losing your job is going to happen. You are probably saying, "Who or what can be a threat to me?" Well someone else who wants to work harder than you or take those opportunities you bypassed is a threat to your leadership progression. Write down all the threats that are in your professional life. You need to know who your competition is in the job market. There are unemployed people who are just waiting for you to slip up in order to take your spot.

One thing I heard this week on the internet career radio show, Jobradio.fm, was the term "But head" from David Perry who wrote, Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters. What he meant by don't be a BUT head was that when someone gives you an opportunity to learn something new, don't say, "But I don't know how to do that". I must admit that sometimes I am a But head.

There was an opportunity for me to help out a group of individuals with their newly acquired iPhones. I had limited experience with the iPhone. While expressing my doubts and inability to operate an iPhone, my co-worker explained to me that this was an opportunity for me to learn something new, strengthen my aptitude in technology, and earn income. I got the But out of my head and researched information on the phone. The following day I worked on four phones and called my friend for help when I did not understand something. Their weakness about the iPhone became my strength. I resolved issues and established a professional connection with this office.

We need to be optimistic and ask ourselves, "How do I learn to take my weaknesses, turn them into opportunities, fortify my strengths, and annihilate any threats along the way?" Ok, maybe that sounded a little bit like an elite police officer of S.W.A.T.