From Strengths to Success:
The Strengths-Based Approach to Career Development
“One cannot build on weakness. To achieve results, one has to use all the available strengths… These strengths are the true opportunities.”
Peter Drucker
“Can you describe a past success you are proud of?”
In all his experiences working with employment professionals, Abel has never been asked such a question before. He is a job seeker currently working with an employment counsellor, Deepika (they/them). Abel identifies as experiencing a neurological disability. He is sure of many things—he wants to have full-time work to support his family and buy a house. He is also unsure of a few things—he doesn’t yet know where or how his skills can lead to full-time work.
When Deepika poses the question above, Abel is pleasantly surprised. As he starts to think about his past professional and personal experiences, he realizes there are several accomplishments he feels proud of. Deepika provides space for him to reflect on and share the experiences he feels energized by. At the end of this discussion, Abel and Deepika have a list of several transferable skills that can lead him to his next fulfilling career opportunity. And they are only just getting started!
What Is the Strengths-Based Approach?
Abel’s story is one glimpse at the impact of using the strengths-based approach within career development. This approach refers to the process of identifying and mobilizing the unique skills and resources of each client to achieve sustainable career outcomes in alignment with their aspirations.
This approach recognizes the fact that each person holds unique strengths that can translate into career opportunities. Strengths are the valuable talents, knowledge, skills, qualities, and resources that each person shares within their community and workplaces (for example, creative and critical thinking or communication).
Strengths can be shaped through life experience, work, practice, formal education, or self-learning. They can also be shaped by social, economic, and cultural identities and experiences. For job seekers with diverse lived experiences, including those who experience disability, being able to identify and use their strengths can enhance self-esteem and job satisfaction and lead to sustainable employment.
CASE’s Newest Learning Opportunity
To help career development professionals harness the power of this approach, we designed The Strengths-Based Approach to Career Development course. This asynchronous, complimentary learning offering introduces you to a paradigm shift—one that moves away from traditional deficit-based supports to asset-based supports which empower job seekers to shape their own career journey.
The course also offers a downloadable resource—The Strengths-Based Digital Toolkit—that contains key information, strategies, and resources to further your practice.
Self-register and get started with The Strengths-Based Approach to Supporting Career Development to become a part of this paradigm shift towards effective and inclusive supports that lead to stronger career outcomes.
The course and the toolkit were developed by the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) in partnership with NWT Career Centre and The Howl Experience. This project was funded by CASE’s MentorAbility Canada through the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.