Employability Skills for Graduates

This assignment delves into the essential employability skills required by graduates to succeed in today's competitive job market. Students are tasked with analyzing various academic sources, including journal articles, books, and online publications, to understand the key employability skills valued by employers. The assignment further requires students to critically evaluate different approaches to developing these skills within higher education settings and propose effective strategies for fostering graduate employability.

Employability & professional
development
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1.1 Reflect own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives..............................................................................................................3
P1.2 Evaluate own development needs for the selected job role................................................4
P1.3 Devise a personal and professional development plan........................................................5
P1.4 Reflect own development against original aims and objectives set in personal and
professional development plan....................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels.....................6
2.2 Effective time management strategies..................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Analyse team dynamics discussing the roles people play within a team..............................8
3.2 Alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals during the development
process of the software project....................................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Review tools and methods for developing solutions to specific problem that may occur in
the software project....................................................................................................................10
4.2 Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem..................................11
4.3 Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy......................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
In order to render effective services within the present environment employees are
required to have employability skills as well as professional skills. Therefore professionals and
expertise working in the IT sector would require having adequate set of skills that support them
in contributing to attain the effective objectives (Blades, Fauth and Gibb, 2012). These are also
termed as the required set of skills that are beyond the qualification and experience of the
individual that support in accomplishing the goals of objectives. For the present report the
chosen organisation is Accenture plc one of the global organisation that deliver range of
technological, digital as well as consulting services to their numerous of customers and clients.
The report would also focuses on reflecting the individual own current competencies and
skills against the professional standard against the selected job role. Along with this, it would
also measures development of individual needs and requirement so that they may work
effectively to meet their objectives and aims. Moreover, it would also focus on demonstrating the
effective and adequate time management skills so that member of software project team can
easily prioritize the workloads. Along with this, it would also results in assessing that
communication techniques and time management strategies are important when delegating in
professional environments like the one in Accenture. The latter part of this report is an
informative assessment that gives an idea about team dynamics in different settings within the
company.
TASK 1
P1.1 Reflect own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives
Application programmer within the Accenture plc requires effective skills and
competencies that support the individual in performing their activities and actions in effective
and proper manner (Overtoom, 2000). Currently working as Application programmer within
Accenture plc I have reflect that I possess certain skills and competencies that support me in
performing my activities related with developing the program and software system. The benefit
of these abilities have helped me in building a positive image in the organisation. To sustain
competition, it is essential that skills and qualities should be diverse and efficient.
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With my fluency in communication, I have been able to manage my corporate relations
and delegation attitudes. Application manager has to keep on communicating with project team
of Accenture because these are the people who have exact idea about the expectations and
requirements of clients (Lowden and et.al., 2011). Website applications cannot be designed
without these guidelines. My professional skills and personal traits have helped in
communicating with projects team effectively. It is my duty to make efforts in such a way that
company objectives are accomplished easily.
P1.2 Evaluate own development needs for the selected job role
Every individual aspires to develop and become successful in their respective streams.
Henceforth, it becomes essential for the person to recognise their needs of development. I have
taken the support of SWOT analysis in understanding my needs as an Application programmer.
Strengths
 Confidence and bold personality.
 Effective communication skills.
 Quick learning abilities and keen
observation skills.
 I also have an optimistic approach
towards problems which helps me in
finding alternatives easily (Zinser,
2003).
 My professional skills include:
competent technical knowledge and
experience of different software
development trainings. I also have efficient decision making
capabilities which saves a lot of time.
Weaknesses
 I get sudden anxiety if my work is not
managed or organised.
 Lack of knowledge in online marketing.
 Short tempered nature.
Opportunities
 Company's developmental plans shall
help me in grabbing better position.
Threats
 Increasing competition and learning
sources has caused individuals to
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 Indulgence in training and learning
sessions for enhancing knowledge
about online marketing and application
related software (Mason, Williams and
Cranmer, 2009).
 Anger and stress management coaching
shall be helpful in improving my
personal traits. High exposure to external environment
in the form of official tours will help in
improving delegation with people.
become more competent.
 Emergence of diversity in software
handling and programming skills is
creating drift between experienced and
non-experienced programmers.
From this analysis, I have recognised that the market is growing rapidly and need of
efficient skills has caused a lot of competition amongst individuals. It is important for me to stay
updated and informed regarding the current trends in software programming. Moreover
following self-developmental needs have been identified:
 The most significant of them all is managing anger and stress. Personal skills help in
enhancement of career opportunities. If I am not able to manage my anxiety and anger in
different situations then, cooperation from colleagues is not possible. This means
retardation in growth (Cranmer, 2006).
 Need for getting educated and trained with latest software and online marketing tools. It
will give an edge to my career and help in beating competition at workplace. Chances of
promotion are frequent if certain types of trainings are regularly imparted.
P1.3 Devise a personal and professional development plan
Skills that need to be
enhanced
Activities that need to
be done
Resources required Time line
Stress management Discussion
Social games and
activities
Employees 2 weeks
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Formal and informal
meetings
Programming skills Seminars and
conferences
Training sessions
Role play
Mentoring activities
Computerized system 1 week
Leadership skills Effective
communication
Directing
Leading
Discussion activities
Human resources 1 week
P1.4 Reflect own development against original aims and objectives set in personal and
professional development plan
As per the analysis made, there are different type of things that are identified. In this
context, it can be stated that, development plan has helped in understanding the gap that has
raised in order to achieve the skills that has to e developed (Brown, Hesketh and WILIAMS,
2003). With this respect, below given are the own reflection over objectives and aims set for the
personal and professional development plan:
Communication skill: This is a type of skills that has to be improved by me. As per the
plan developed, it has been identified that I have to put more efforts in order to develop my
communication skills. It is one of the effective skills that enable to make sure that strong
relationship is developed by me with other co workers. In order to develop this area, I will take
up to 2 weeks time more. However, with the help of this development plan, it has helped me to
develop my communication skills at great extent.
Time management skills: This skill can also be determined as another set of skills that
important in order to make sure that the roles that are provided to me are performed in an
effective manner (Hager and Holland, 2007.). There are cases in which many tasks are given that
has to be performed by me within speculated time period. However, it is helpful for me to make
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sure that I put efforts to develop their skill as it enable me to develop complete the tasks within
speculated time.
Decision making skills: I have evaluated that my decision making skills have improved.
There are cases in which different type of issuers that are faced by me and I was able to
understand the situation and to list out alternative ways with the help of which I am able to make
decision. From this it can be stated that the development plan that is developed is effective
enough and it has helped me to develop my decision making skills (Finch and Fafinski, 2014).
Leadership skills: To make sure that workers are properly directed and they do perform
with their full efficiency, then it essential to have leadership skills. These are helpful enough to
make sure that I lead the workers and support them to perform effectively. However, with the
help of development plan, it has been identified that I have to work hard on developing this area.
More specifically, it will take up to three weeks time to make sure that I develop my leadership
skills.
TASK 2
2.1 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
With the help of considering the scenario individual within the cited firm is appointed as
a member of software project team that would focuses on planning, designing along with
implementing the payroll systems (Billett and Henderson, 2011). In order to successfully engage
in the different activities individual need to adopt different communication mode and styles that
support them to engage with different level employees. While implementing the payroll system
within Accenture plc individual within software team need to communicate with different level
employees that is with their line manager, colleagues as well as top level authorities etc. along
with this there are also some different styles and methods through which individual must
communicate effectively with their colleagues (Brewer, 2013). The communication tools are as
follows that is engaging in sending letters, email or through conducting meetings and sessions
etc. therefore, with the effective communication individual may easily manage implementation
of payroll system within the cited firm.
After designing the software individual need to implement the payroll system therefore
for this they need to take approval from the top level authorities. For communicating with the top
authorities regarding the approval project team member must focus on using the formal mode of
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communication that is through sending the letters or email. With the help of sending letter or
email software team may easily take permission regarding the implementation of the payroll
system (Blades, Fauth and Gibb, 2012). On the other hand, while communicating with the line
managers individual within software team must conduct the meeting with their line manager so
that they may brief them regarding the designed payroll system that is been created and
implemented within the cited firm.
Lastly, after implementation of the payroll system within Accenture plc software project
team member need to engage in communication process with the colleagues or other lower level
staff so that they may also come to know regarding the new payroll system that is implemented
within the organisation. For briefing colleagues and other staff within the organisation individual
must conduct open session with them and deliver the information regarding feature and operation
of the payroll system.
2.2 Effective time management strategies
For the chosen job role that is as member of software team within Accenture plc it is
required by them to manage the time effectively so that they can easily engage in the effective
activities (Wilton, 2011). Therefore, for this individual within the software team need to adopt
different time management strategies that would support them in managing their activities within
the minimum time period so that they can deliver proper services. The effective time
management strategies are as follows-
 Prioritizing the activities: The key time management strategies that is been used by the
software assistant within the Accenture plc is prioritizing their work activities in such a
manner that they would engage in performing the urgent and important activities on the
priority basis so that they can manage the overall operational activities in proper and
adequate manner (Williams, 2005). Therefore, prioritizing the activities is consider as an
effective time management strategies that benefit the individual in performing the
important and urgent events on the prior basis so that it may not results in delaying the
overall activities related with developing the system or software.
 Setting work objectives: Another effective time management strategies that is been used
by the individual within software team include engaging in setting the work objectives
within the cited firm so that they may easily accomplish the required activities on the
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assigned time period (Slater, 2010). In addition to this, with the help of setting work
objectives within the cited firm company can easily manage the operational activities so
that they may ultimately results in accomplishing the stated aims and objectives.
 Engaging in making to-do lists: Another time management strategy that is been used by
the individual within Accenture plc is engaging in creating to-do lists of the activities that
need to be performed within the day so that they can easily schedule the tasks and
activities. The key significance of creating to-do lists is that it avoid the duplication and
procrastination of the activities that results in managing the time as well as resources.
This is consider as an effective time management strategies that support the software
team in managing their tasks and activities and results in performing them in the effective
and efficient manner.
TASK 3
3.1 Analyse team dynamics discussing the roles people play within a team
Basically within the IT organisation there are different forms of group that is formal and
informal group (Myers, 2013). The formal group within the organisation is been formulated to
accomplish the assigned tasks and activities to attain the directed goal. On the other hand,
another form of group include informal group that is mainly formulated out of common and
mutual interest. Therefore, it has been analysed that both the groups within the organisation
focus on some factors and dynamics that results in directing the team activities with increasing
the performance of organisation. Along with this, for rendering effective services within the cited
firm there are different roles that is played by an individual within the team so that they may
easily direct the team towards contributing in attaining objectives and goals (Myers, 2013).
Therefore, all the roles played by team would directly results in accomplishing the shared goals
for the software projects. The different roles that individual play within a team include- Resource investigator- The foremost role that is played by the individual within the team
for managing the software project include resource investigator in which they engage in
searching the new resources as well as tools that support them in managing the activities
of software projects. Therefore, with the help of engaging in performing this role
individual must engage in meeting the activities that directly benefit the IT company in
developing and completing their projects.
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 Coordinator- Another role that is played by an individual within team is of coordinator
that mainly focuses on aligning or organizing the activities as well as resources so that
they may easily engage in the activities that results in accomplishing the software project
(Raybould and Sheedy, 2005). As the role of coordinator individual would also engage in
setting specific time as well as cost plan so that they may engage in successful
accomplishment of the software project.
 Implementer- Along with this, individual within the team may also play significant role
as implementer as they are are the one that design the software for Accenture therefore,
after designing they plays significant role as implementer so that individual may properly
implement the designed system within the premises.
3.2 Alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals during the development process
of the software project
During the development process of software within Accenture plc there are different
ways and methods that is used by member of software project team so that they can easily
accomplish the tasks and achieve teams goals (Overtoom, 2000). The different ways include
setting standard, motivating team members, setting direction, effective communicator etc. With
the help of this individual can easily attain the overall objectives of company with attaining the
objectives of teams and goals. The alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals
mainly include following- Setting standard: The key manner in which the software team can easily accomplishes
the tasks and team goals that is through setting standards and benchmark so that team
members may perform their activities accordant with the set standard that directly results
in accomplishing the goals and objectives in effective manner while developing the
software project. Motivational technique: Another alternative way through which team member within
Accenture plc can easily complete tasks and team goal that is through engaging in
motivating their team members so that they may outcome in attaining the effective
services that lead to contribute in attaining the team goals (Lowden and et.al., 2011). Setting direction- Another way through which individual can complete task during the
development process of the software project include engaging in setting direction to the
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individual team members so that they can easily meet the required task and objectives.
With the help of setting direction individuals within team get directed and motivated
towards performing the common activity and action that directly results in completing the
tasks with accomplishing the team goals.
 Effective communicator: During the development process of software project within
Accenture plc head of software project team mainly focuses on engaging in effective
communication within their other team members so that they may easily accomplishes
the tasks and activities (Guskey, 2000). With the help of proper and effective
communication among the team members it may also results in achieving the team goals
with minimum problem and error occurring within the project.
TASK 4
4.1 Review tools and methods for developing solutions to specific problem that may occur in the
software project
In the situation of development of software project within Accenture plc it might results
in attaining specific problem due to wrong activities or actions performed by the staff or
individual within the process. The specific problem that arises within the software project is
related with people related problem that is incompetent personnel within the organisation
(Fallows and Steven, 2000). Therefore, in order to overcome or eliminate the problem it has been
reviewed that there are various tools and methods used by the manager for developing solution to
the problem it mainly include- Time management- The key tool or method that is used by Accenture management for
developing the solution to the specific problem include engaging in time management
tool. With the help of using this tool cited firm may easily engage in managing the time
so that they may engage in developing effective solution to the specific problem that
often arises within the software project process. Discussion- Another tool that is been used for developing the solution include engaging
in discussion so that team members can easily overcome the situation related with
conflict (Zinser, 2003). With the help of proper discussion individual may easily engage
in the effective activities that results in accomplishing the activities within the process of
software project that results in overcoming the wrong events and actions.
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 Managing human resources- After that another method that is used within the cited firm
for developing the solution to specific problem include engaging in managing the human
resource activities so that they may easily perform the effective activities that lead to the
success of software project within the cited firm. Along with this, proper management of
the human resource within the process would also results in performing the effective
activities that results in accomplishing the objectives and goals in proper manner.
4.2 Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem
From the above it has been identified that for engaging in the software project cited firm
engage in particular problem related with human resource within the process as the personnel are
incompetent in handling the software project process (Mason, Williams and Cranmer, 2009).
Thus, it ultimately lead to attain the problem within the activities that need to be overcome or
resolving through developing effective strategy or plan of action. Development of strategy for
resolving particular problem mainly include following steps that is- Assessing the current level of human resource- In order to resolve the problem related
with incompetent human resource within the cited firm it has been assessed that
management must engage in assessing or reviewing the current level of human resource
within the organisation (Cranmer, 2006). The management team within the firm also
focuses on the measuring the ratio of competent and qualified personnel within the
organisation that renders effective services within the software project. Competencies and skills within personnel- In order to resolve the specific problem
within Accenture plc another strategy that is been devised by the management include
reviewing the competencies along with skills among the personnel so that they may
easily determine the actual level of them that support them in delivering the effective
services within the process. Development of training plan- Another strategy that is been used by the cited firm for
resolving the specific problem related with incompetent personnel include engaging in
the development process of the human resource. With the help of devising the training
program cited firm may engage in developing the skills and abilities of the individual.
Along with this, with the help of developing training program manager of Accenture plc
would easily enhance the skills of human resource that support them in raising their skills
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that results in performing their job activities in the proper manner (Brown, Hesketh and
WILIAMS, 2003). Engaging in human resource planning- Another effective strategy that must be
developed for resolving the particular problem include engaging in devising the human
resource plan so that they can easily meet the current and future human resource
requirement within the organisation.
4.3 Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy
The strategies for overcoming or resolving the problem within Accenture plc has been
highlighted in the above question. Therefore, while implementing the above developed strategy
within the cited firm it has been evaluated that it directly impact on the performance the business
(Hager and Holland, 2007). The potential impact are as follows-
 The foremost impact of implementing the strategy within the cited firm is that with the
help of implementing human resource planning strategy it focuses on assessing the
current and future requirement of human resource within the IT firm that results in
delivering proper services in the process related with the devising the software.
 Along with this, another impact of implementing human resource planning within the
cited firm is that it also engage in measuring the existing gap among the demand and
supply of the human resource so that they must adequately maintain the proper ratio
within the firm (Finch and Fafinski, 2014).
 With the help of implementing the devised strategy it has been also evaluated that it
positively impact in managing the situation of conflict and problem within the cited firm.
As the company deals in developing various software project therefore, implementing the
effective strategy would minimize the effect of issues and conflict among the
organisation. Thus, it directly benefit the in enhancing the overall performance of the
organisation in performing their processes in the effective manner.
 Another devised strategy that is implemented within the Accenture plc include engaging
in devising the training plan among the individual that support in enhancing their existing
skills and abilities so that they may properly render services within the process (Billett
and Henderson, 2011). Along with this, it also results in minimizing the situation of
conflict and problem within the organisation.
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 In addition to this, it is also evaluated that implementing the above strategy would also
benefit the business in changing and modifying their project process so that situation or
error or problem get minimized. Along with this they do not engage in the activities that
negatively impact the performance of business. Moreover, the change in the process will
also lead to modify the supply chain of the company which will result in satisfying
customers by timely delivering the products
CONCLUSION
Present project helps in understanding different aspects of employability. An individual
can experience progress in his professional life, he understands his needs for development.
Accenture plc works with a motive to provide good working space with high amount of
opportunities to their workers. This report depicts facts through which a person can realise his
responsibility towards the company and take the path of professional development. In addition to
this, different interpersonal and transferable skills are also described in this assessment.
Communication techniques and time management strategies are important when delegating in
professional environments like the one in Accenture. The latter part of this report is an
informative assessment that gives an idea about team dynamics in different settings within the
company. Moreover, problem solving strategies are also mentioned. All such information will be
helpful in developing completely and in efficiently performing in the organisation.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Billett, S. and Henderson, A., 2011. Developing Learning Professionals: Integrating Experiences
in University and Practice Settings. Springer Science & Business Media.
Brown, P., Hesketh, A., and WILIAMS, S., 2003. Employability in a knowledge-driven
economy. Journal of education and work. 16(2). pp. 107-126.
Cranmer, S., 2006. Enhancing graduate employability: best intentions and mixed outcomes.
Studies in Higher Education. 31(2). pp. 169-184.
Fallows, S. and Steven, C., 2000. Building employability skills into the higher education
curriculum: a university-wide initiative. Education+ training. 42(2). pp.75-83.
Finch, E. and Fafinski, S., 2014. Employability Skills for Law Students. Oxford University Press.
Guskey, R. T., 2000. Evaluating Professional Development. Corwin press.
Hager, J. P. and Holland, S., 2007. Graduate Attributes, Learning and Employability. Springer
Science & Business Media.
Lowden, K. and et.al., 2011. Employers’ perceptions of the employability skills of new
graduates. SCRE Centre and Edge Foundation, University of Glasgow.
Mason, G., Williams, G., and Cranmer, S., 2009. Employability skills initiatives in higher
education: what effects do they have on graduate labour market outcomes?. Education
Economics. 17(1). pp. 1-30.
Myers, S. P., 2013. Team Dynamics - How They Affect Performance. [Online]. Available
through: <http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/team/dynamics/overview/>. [Accessed on 5th
November 2016].
Overtoom, C., 2000. Employability Skills: An Update. ERIC Digest No. 220.
Raybould, J. and Sheedy, V., 2005. Are graduates equipped with the right skills in the
employability stakes?. Industrial and commercial training. 37(5). pp.259-263.
Slater, R., 2010. Team Management. Harper Collins.
Williams, C., 2005. The discursive construction of the ‘competent’learner-worker: from key
competencies to ‘employability skills’1. Studies in Continuing Education. 27(1). pp.33-49.
Wilton, N., 2011. Do employability skills really matter in the UK graduate labour market? The
case of business and management graduates. Work, Employment & Society. 25(1). pp.85-100.
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Zinser, R., 2003. Developing career and employability skills: A US case study. Education+
Training. 45(7). pp. 402-410.
Online
Blades, R. Fauth, B. and Gibb, J., 2012. Measuring Employability Skills. [PDF]. <
http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/579980/measuring_employability_skills_final_report_march2012.
pdf>. [Accessed on 11th February 2017].
Brewer, L., 2013. Enhancing youth employability: What? Why? and How? Guide to core work
skills. [PDF]. http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---ifp_skills/documents/
publication/wcms_213452.pdf. [Accessed on 11th February 2017].
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