Guidance

Success Profiles: Strengths

Updated 9 October 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-strengths

The Civil Service recruits using Success Profiles. They help give us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. For each role we advertise, we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful.

Our Success Profiles are made of five elements:

  1. Ability - the aptitude or potential to perform to the required standard
  2. Technical - the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job
  3. Behaviours - the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job
  4. Strengths - the things we do regularly, do well and that motivate us
  5. Experience - the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject gained through involvement in or exposure to it

Not all elements are relevant to every role. The makeup of the Success Profile should be different for different types of job. This helps us to improve the chances of getting the best person for the job.

Civil Service strengths

Strengths are the things that we do regularly, do well and that motivate us. They are relevant to the culture and type of work that we do.

Civil Service strengths are not defined by job grade.

There are three elements which determine whether something is a strength:

  1. Performance - you can perform an activity/behaviour to a high level of capability
  2. Engagement - you feel motivated, enthused and empowered when doing the activity.
  3. Use - you do the activity regularly and as often as possible.

Why we assess strengths

When we look at your strengths, we want to know if you are a good fit with the organisation or job role. We will look at what you enjoy doing and what you do well and often. By making sure that the role is the right fit, you are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.

How we assess strengths

Strengths can be assessed in different ways, for example:

  • interviews
  • recorded video interviews
  • bespoke situational strengths test
  • simulation assessment
  • personality test

We may ask questions at your interview to help us understand if you have the relevant strengths for the job. It is important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions.

Do not rehearse your answers - because we are looking for your initial response. The job advert will describe the qualities you need for the role. The best way to prepare is to reflect on:

  • what you think your personal strengths are
  • your preferred ways of working

Your strengths may be assessed alongside other elements of the Success profile. This helps us to get a more rounded picture of your suitability for the role. The job advert will tell you which elements you need for the role and the selection method(s) we will use.

Reasonable adjustments

The Civil Service is a diverse and inclusive workplace. We want to help you show your full potential whatever type of assessment we use.

Examples of adjustments can include:

  • providing documents in large print or braille
  • allowing more time for a test or interview
  • providing assistance at an assessment centre

If you need any reasonable adjustments, tell us when you submit your application that you need an adjustment and how it will help.

Strength definitions

Strength Definition
Adaptable You can adapt to variations in work or environment. Your effectiveness is not affected by change. You are flexible and versatile. You act as an advocate for change.
Analytical You seek and analyse information to inform your decisions, based on the best available evidence.
Authentic You are self-aware and true to yourself in all situations, even when under pressure.
Catalyst You are self-motivated to act towards achieving a goal. You are confident using your own initiative to take forward actions.
Challenger You can bring a fresh perspective whatever the situation or context. You see other people’s views and appreciate that there are many different angles to consider.
Change agent You are positive and inspirational in leading and supporting others through change.
Confident You take charge of situations, people and decisions. You communicate with confidence and give direction.
Courageous You are an innovator who tries new approaches. You push yourself to work outside your comfort zone.
Decisive You use your judgement. You take a considered approach to situations and tasks when making decisions.
Disciplined You follow processes, operating well within set standards, rules and guidelines.
Efficient You convert resources into results in the most efficient and cost effective way.
Emotionally intelligent You draw insight from your own emotions and those of others to show empathy.
Enabler You see the potential in everybody and encourage them to learn, progress and develop.
Explainer You communicate thoughts and ideas, verbally or in writing. You simplify complexities and adapt communication so others can understand.
Focused You strive for quality outcomes and excellence in everything you do.
Inclusive You recognise everyone as an individual. You accept people for who they are and treat everyone fairly. You actively encourage and provide opportunities for others to share ideas and contributions.
Influencer You influence others, you articulate the rationale to gain their agreement.
Improver You look for better ways of doing things and enjoy coming up with new and original ideas.
Learner You are inquisitive, seek out new information and look for new ways to develop yourself.
Mediator You provide stability and cohesion within teams, finding common ground and purpose. You enjoy working with others towards a shared goal.
Mission You pursue things which give you a sense of meaning and purpose, working towards a longer term goal.
Motivator You are highly driven and inspire others to move things along and make things happen.
Negotiator You support constructive discussion and enjoy getting all parties to reach an agreement.
Networker You create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships. These can be with a wide range of people within and outside your organisation. You identify connections and reach out to bring people together.
Organiser You make plans and are well prepared. You seek to maximise time and productivity.
Precise You concentrate on detail and make sure everything is accurate and error free.
Preventer You think ahead to anticipate, identify and address risks or problems before they happen.
Problem solver You take a positive approach to tackling problems. You find ways to identify suitable solutions.
Relationship builder You quickly establish mutual respect and trust, building long lasting relationships with others.
Resilient You have inner composure, recover quickly from setbacks and learn from them.
Responsible You take ownership for your decisions. You hold yourself accountable for what you have promised.
Service focused You look for ways to serve customers putting their needs at the heart of everything you do.
Strategic You look at the big picture. You consider the wider factors and long term implications of decisions.
Team leader You are confident to lead a team. You effectively manage team dynamics toward a shared goal. You consider everyone’s individual needs and create a genuine team spirit.
Team player You work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective.
Visionary You create and share a clear vision of the future.

Strengths mapped to Civil Service behaviours

The strengths are mapped to the most relevant Civil Service behaviour(s). However, any strength can be assessed if suitable for the role.

Seeing the big picture

  • Challenger
  • Mission
  • Strategic
  • Visionary

Changing and improving

  • Adaptable
  • Courageous
  • Change agent
  • Improver

  • Problem solver

  • Resilient

Making effective decisions

  • Analytical
  • Decisive
  • Preventer
  • Problem solver

Leadership

  • Confident
  • Change agent
  • Inclusive
  • Motivator
  • Team leader
  • Visionary

Communicating and influencing

  • Authentic
  • Emotionally intelligent
  • Explainer
  • Inclusive
  • Influencer

Working together

  • Challenger
  • Emotionally intelligent
  • Inclusive
  • Negotiator
  • Networker
  • Relationship builder
  • Team player
  • Mediator

Developing self and others

  • Enabler
  • Explainer
  • Inclusive
  • Learner

Managing a quality service

  • Disciplined
  • Efficient
  • Focussed
  • Organiser
  • Precise
  • Preventer
  • Service
  • Focused

Delivering at pace

  • Adaptable
  • Disciplined
  • Catalyst
  • Focused
  • Organiser
  • Resilient
  • Responsible
Back to top