Employability Skills and Professional Development

This document provides a comprehensive guide on employability skills and professional development. It covers topics such as communication, critical thinking, decision-making, time management, interpersonal skills, transferable skills, and conducting a SWOT analysis. The document also includes a self-assessment of skills and suggestions for improvement. It is suitable for individuals looking to enhance their employability and career prospects.

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1...........................................................................................................................................4
Audit skills personal role and responsibilities as well as performance objectives in an
organization..................................................................................................................................4
Task A..............................................................................................................................................7
a) some interpersonal,transferable skills......................................................................................7
b)Swot analysis..........................................................................................................................10
Personal development plan .......................................................................................................12
Performa ...................................................................................................................................14
Task B............................................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
..........................................................
2

INTRODUCTION
Employability skills can be defined as the interpersonal skills and transferable skills that
are needed through an individual to make the people employable (Abas. and Imam, 2016). As
employable depends on skills, attitude, knowledge that how to utilize assets as well as how to
present them. Present report lay emphasis on the various interpersonal skills such as
communication and transferable skills like effective time management skills. It also highlights on
the SWOT analysis and than focus on the personal development plan with aims and objectives
furthermore it highlights on the reflection on the personal and professional development plan.
TASK 1
Audit skills personal role and responsibilities as well as performance objectives in an
organization
Skills required Very skilled Moderately
skilled
Rating In need for
training
Communication
skills
My
communication
skills are very
good. As I am
very good in
verbal
communication
and also in
written
communication
( Akkermans, and
et.al, 2015). I feel
very confident
while talking to
others colleagues
and my managers.
5
3

Critical thinking. 1 It is considered as
an ability to think
rationally and
clearly about that
to do
(Akkermans,
2016). It involves
an independent
thinking. Thus is
a consider as the
logical
connection
between ideas. I
need training in
this skills as I am
very weak. I took
help from my
peers as well as
my tutors (Anton.
and
Shikov,2018).
This is an
important skills
as it helps me to
think critically
the ideas which is
necessary for my
job and my
carrier in future
references
(Collet,Hine. and
4

Du Plessis, 2015).
Decision making Decision making
skills is moderate
one and I also
need training in
this skills. As
decision-making
is also crucial for
the Personal
development also,
so I am also
moderately weak
in this skill
(Davies,
Curtin .and
Robson, 2017).
2
Time
management
I am very good at
managing time
skills with my
professional and
personal life. I
attend meeting on
time, completed
given tasks on
time (Dolga, L.
And et.al.,
2015).Time
management is
very crucial in
anyone's life.
4
5

Technical skills 1 I am very weak
in technical skills
as I need training
in technical I am
weak in technical
skills and as a
manager there is
also requirement
of having a
knowledge of
mathematics, or
any particular
task, so I need
training in this
skills
(Hildebrand,2018
).
Presentation My presentation
skills are very
strong as it is
defined as
presenting
information
clearly as well as
effectively to
others and it is
considered as the
key skills for the
job role of a
manager (Núñez
Pardo and Téllez
3
6

Téllez,2015).
TASK 2
a) Some interpersonal ,transferable skills
Interpersonal skills
These are the skills each and everybody uses every day. It is strongly associated with the
emotional intelligence that can provide an understanding that can motivates the employees as
well as how they can utilize the knowledge to accomplish the best outcomes. There are various
skills that can be considered. as the interpersonal skills (Tsitskari and et.al., 2017) .It totally
depends on the where an individual works and also depending on the level of responsibility.
Without the interpersonal skills in today's life it would be very difficult as almost of the aspects
of work involves communication. Various jobs involves the interaction with collaboration with
various types of people as well as interpersonal skills are crucial to make this occurs. Whenever
a job interview occur, recruitment will look to see that how the candidates have the interpersonal
skills and also fits within the existing working environment (Núñez Pardo and Téllez
Téllez,2015).I required interpersonal skills to increase my knowledge as well as to achieve the
best outcomes
(Suleman, 2016).
Self confidence
Self-confidence helps the employees to open the doors as well as assist to gain the
recognition. It helps the employees that how they demonstrate various situations and deal with
them positively as well as effectively (Akkermans, and et.al, 2015).
To become more successful, it is crucial to demonstrate the self-confidence within each
and every stage of carrier of an individual. Self-confidences enables me to improve that way i
see the people and also their views ,opinions, ideas that can be taken more seriously from point
of view. Self-confidence allows to deal within challenging situations by more effectively and
productively that enables them to set goals as well as reach new goals (Abas. and Imam, 2016).
Work ethics
Work ethics can be taken seriously form many countries as many cooperates follows the
professionalism and this also cooperates the present situation that how to treat to others and
second one is respectfulness .As in my workplace no matter how much pressure is there but each
7

and every employee maintain the respect towards the customers as well as their colleagues.
Sometimes communicating with the difficult customer and try to understand them and
collaborate on a complex project employees can do their best to respect the opinions and ideas
of each and every customer and also brings values to the customers (Collet, Hine and Du Plessis,
2015). The third one is to follow a strong dependability. Employers of an organization know
very well that employees are always on time, Completed their task on time as well as follows a
strong commitment to the business. I also followed work ethics by respecting other employees
within my workplace
Relationship management
Building effective relationship is considered as one thing and maintaining them is entirely
a different one. This is a crucial step that can be followed from junior post to the senior manager
post. At each and every level of business trust play an important role with the clients, colleagues,
partners to some extent (Davies, Curtin and Robson, 2017). This is an expected to manage the
relationship within the business as it is very crucial in any business organization.
Body language
Nonverbal communication can be overlooked but the body language at the workplace is
noticed. Body language can be noticed in form of eye contact,tone of voice and attitude of an
individual. (Tsitskari and et.al., 2017).
Transferable skills
These are the skills as well as abilities that can be helpful and relevant across various
areas of life they are called as portable skills.
Communication
Communication plays a key role in the workplace. As if an employee have
communication skills than it is easy for him to do the tasks easily, participate in each and every
team work tasks, easily communicate with the other employees and also leads to build the
confidence within the employees as it is a crucial skills and those who do not have these skills it
is more advisable to work on this skill and most of the problems can be solved through the
communication skills (Abas and Imam, 2016). In terms of communication I am very good,both
in verbal as written communication
Leadership and team management
8

It is considered as taking charge as well as motivating employees to accomplish a specific
goal on a Team, individual and company level. Effective team management skills as well as
possessing leadership skills means that delegate responsibilities and effectively manage groups.
They also coordinate a variety of tasks, resolve conflict and also make and implement changes
(Tsitskari.And et.al., 2017).These skills are not necessarily required for the working place but
can be acquired by a group project at university and various other social groups where there is
effective leadership management role is required. This skill really helps me to motivate me while
work on various projects.
Problem solving
Every business faces issues and if an individuals' ability to solve problems is weak that
this will become a major problem for the organization where an individual can work. There are
some problems which are easier to solve while other are complex so that the problem solving
skills is needed within an individual. Problem solving is crucial for managing the personal life
also because in each and every individual 's life problems might be come, so they might be good
in problem solving skills as it impact on there personal life also. My problem solving skills is
very weak in need some helps from my tutors as I am unable to solve personal as well as
professional problems which impact very bad on my day to day life.
Time management skills
Time is an important role in everyone's life. Those people who cannot respect time
suffers a lot in their life. As effective time management is not stand-alone. In time management
skills individual prioritize things which are necessary. Most of the people like me struggles
because they cannot prioritize things . begin their work late (Dolga, L. And et.al., 2015). Focus
on the most urgent tasks rather than to make time waste on the less important activities. Effective
time management boosts the productivity and complete the tasks in less time even when the
work pressure is high. Hence, I also feel good as Good time management is all about planning
the day, carrying out reviews ,reduce the distractions and also make sure that each day progress
is there.
Tools and Technique for increasing skills
Communication skills can be improved by listening properly and also took the helps from tutors
as well as peers.They also practice by speaking in front of the public. A person can also listen the
online lectures, movies to increase their skills (Collet, Hine and Du Plessis, 2015).
9

Time management can be increased with the help of tutors and colleagues and also put
some efforts such as give prioritize things which are necessary.
Communication skills can be improved by listening properly and also took the helps from tutors
as well as peers.
b) Swot analysis
Swot analysis is basically used for the marketing and business purposes. It can assist
individual to assess their strength, weakness, opportunities as well as threats. It assists to
understand a person in much better manner. For personal development regarding any area of life
it is a useful and manageable tool. It assist to assess performance of an individual's goal in
various areas such as career, skill development (Suleman, 2018). An individual can utilize the
personality development through sustaining strengths as well as building opportunities that can
curb the weaknesses as well as threats. Many of the individual thought that SWOT analysis is
considered as very easy thing to perform but most of the individual are mistaken. Before doing
anything the most important things that an individual can do is ask by themselves and do not
make comparison with other people.
Conducting swot analysis
The evaluation involves finding the qualities of an individual. SWOT is an analysis tool
that can be used for identifying strong points as well as loopholes (Núñez Pardo and Téllez
Téllez,2015)
. It implements strong points as well as loopholes within an orderly fashion. After the process of
evaluation ,there is an effort which is needed to implement changes that may be positive and also
leads to further opportunities. Through the swot analysis focuses the pros as well as cons of an
individual possesses but the outcome will depend on how people respond to the evaluation and
also implement it as per result. An individual can able to react by improving their weaknesses as
well as overcoming the weaknesses (Collet,Hine. and Du Plessis, 2015).It also take the
advantage of the strengths but at the same time also realise that can overshadow strengths as well
as opportunities. Here working on weakness is a crucial step within implementing SWOT
analysis. It is considered productive and wise to accept the weakness and also be capable to
convert them into strengths and also eliminate the threats.
STRENGTHS
10

Strengths considers as internal positive capabilities of an individual that has control over
and also make full use of it. In this things in which a particular individual is good at . Such as
Time management skills,communication skills and presentation skills ( Akkermans, and et.al,
2015). It also consider some knowledge confidence,strong personality ,personal
resources,achievement . I am very strong n communication skills,whether it is written
communication or verbal communication. I am able to build strong realtions with my
subordinates as well as my colleagues.
WEAKNESSES
It is considered as the negative aspects as well as attributes that have a very little control.
Some weaknesses are considered as Critical thinking decision-making,technical skills ,lack if
education skills ,negative working habits ,lack of focus on carrier, hygiene issues (Tsitskari.And
et.al., 2017).I am weak in problem solving skills and critical thinking skills as it is unable for me
to solve the problems in personal and professional life, also I am unable to think more logically
so that my ideas are not innovative and that is not good for my overall carrier.
OPPORTUNITIES
It is known as the uncontrollable external events that an individual can potentially
leverage. Foe example developed improving economy,job vacancies as well as
openings,Technology advancements,Working trends or favourable job and demand for expertises
in skills and development. Through various advance technologies I can improve my Technical
skills so that it helps me to increase my skills in my study as well as job regarding my carrier in
future
THREATS
Threats are considered as the external factors that can overcome or it can damage the
strengths as well as opportunities there are some examples of threats such as Job
security ,chancing marketing trends,unrest,fewer job opportunities,changing the standards which
are professional ,restructuring,downsizing (Núñez Pardo and Téllez Téllez,2015).
Advantages of conducting swots analysis. My critical thinking skills are weak , so I am unable
to think more logically and innovatively that are necessary to face the competition in the
market. As it creates threat as other people take it as advantage to remain in the market .
The main aim of swot analysis is to increases the strengths that can be
identified,overcome weakness. It has the ability to capitalizing on opportunities as well as
11

converting threats into opportunities as well as weaknesses into the strengths. There are various
Advantages of using swot analysis regarding personal development. It is considered as good
for success as well as betterment. Some of the most common habits that assist to develop
strategies to achieve goals and also shows that where an individual can stand on the path of
measures scopes of measures as well as limitation. It helps to minimize issues and problems and
leads to the boosts the carrier of an individual (Davies, Curtin .and Robson, 2017). It also assist
to boost the self-confidence as well as self-esteem of an individual that can helps them to better
understand of self-image. Simultaneously it helps them to maximize the strengths as well as
reduce the weaknesses as well as focus on abilities,attitudes ,skills,capacity.
Implementing personal swot analysis
implementing means that transforming weakness into strength. If an individual is not creative
and wants to change and also decided to overcome the weakness and becomes creative not
matter what. Creativity consider as a skill that can grow the mindset and also be cultivated
(Davies, Curtin .and Robson, 2017).
Performa
I have analysed my performance from past 2 months that previously I was not able solve
problems properly, but now when I have set objectives for myself I realized that my problem
solving skills have been improved but in need more training for that . Now I am able to solve
problems confidently and also solve problem on personal as well as professional life. I have also
analysed that my technical skills are very low. I was not able to solve technical problems
properly. I was weak in it, but after getting help from my seniors and mentors now I am able to
solve complex problems . This has supported me in growing. It has also helped in achieving my
goals and objectives. I have also analysed that my critical thinking skills are also weak (Davies,
Curtin .and Robson, 2017). I was not able to think logically any task, now I need to work on it.
For this I need to take lessons from my peers and my mentors. This will also help me in
outgrowing my career aspects. It will also help in growing and achieving my career objectives.
This is my weakness. As mention above my strength in swot analysis is communication as I am
very good in written as well as verbal communication so maximum emails of the company done
through my help as my writing skills are very good and I can easily full fill the client's needs by
mailing them on the immediate basis and because of my efforts clients becomes more loyal
towards the company.
12

Personal development plan
Aims and
objectives
Areas of
development
Resources Activities, Timeframe Date to
achieve tasks
Problem
solving- As I
am weak in
problem
solving so
How to
become more
efficient as
well as quick
thinker(Davies
, Curtin .and
Robson,
2017).
Identify a
problem and
carry out a
plan
Resources
which helps
me is take the
help from the
seniors,
Tutors, also
take the online
help and self
study from
library can
help me to
overcome the
problem
solving
(Anton. and
Shikov,2018).
As I am weak
in problem
solving skills
so I need to
perform
activities such
face to face
communicatio
ns .i also need
to focus on the
delegate tasks
to complete in
provided time
(Davies,
Curtin .and
Robson,
2017).
For problem
solving skills I
need two
months time
(Collet,Hine.
and Du
Plessis, 2015).
From
21/9/2019 to
21/11/2019
Critical
thinking – As I
am weak in
critical
thinking so
how to think
logically
between the
ideas.
Make logic
between the
ideas
As I am weak
in critical
thinking so in
need resources
like
internet ,tutors
, peers, and
paper,
pen(Abas. and
Though I am
weak in
critical
thinking so the
activities
which I have
preformed the
activities such
as I need
For critical
thinking I
need three
months to
achieve the
critical
thinking.
From
25/9/2019 to
25/11/2019
13

Imam, 2016). online helps
such as watch
online
lectures, need
feedback from
my tutors and
senior
managers
(Collet,Hine.
and Du
Plessis, 2015).
Technical
Skills- to
improve the
technical skills
and completed
Complex
tasks.
To achieve the
complex tasks
in less time
and more
innovative
manner.
Resources I
need here
tutors,senior
managers,
internet
(Collet,Hine.
and Du
Plessis, 2015).
As I am weak
in technical
skills so I
need that my
seniors will
assist me and
provide online
lectures,
feedback from
tutors ar very
important for
me so I need
feedback from
my senior
managers
(Hildebrand,2
018).
For technical
skills I need
four months
time so that I
can easily
learn the
technical skills
from various
sources (Abas.
and Imam,
2016).
From
27/9/2019 to
27/11/2019
14

CPD Development Action Plan
15

16
Current Academic study:
Review of Learning Needs Development Plan
Date Ref In what area
do I need to
improve my
performance?
What
do I
need to
learn in
order to
achieve
this?
What will I
do to
achieve
this?
What are
the likely
resources
and
support
that I will
need?
How will I
evaluate a
successful
outcome?
What are
my
deadlines
for
meeting
this
target?
Problem solving-
As I am weak in
problem solving
so How to
become more
efficient as well
as quick thinker
Identify a
problem
and carry
out a plan
As I am weak in
problem solving
skills so I need
to perform
activities such
face to face
communication
s .i also need to
focus on the
delegate tasks
to complete in
provided time
Resources
which helps
me is take
the help
from the
seniors,
Tutors, also
take the
online help
and self
study from
library can
help me to
overcome
the problem
solving
By solving
problems and
taking
feedback
from co
workers.
Within 3
weeks
Critical thinking –
As I am weak in
critical thinking
so how to think
logically between
the ideas.
Make
logic
between
the ideas
Though I am
weak in critical
thinking so the
activities which
I have
preformed the
activities such
as I need online
helps such as
watch online
lectures, need
As I am
weak in
critical
thinking so
in need
resources
like
internet ,tut
ors, peers,
and paper,
pen
By taking
feedback
from friends,
managers,
etc.
In 1 month

CPD Personal Development Record
Job role and responsibilities:
Development Activity Evaluation
Details of
CPD
activity
Dates Effective
learning
time
Development
Plan
reference
Key
Learning
Points
Key
Benefits/Valu
e added
Further
comments:
Was the
learning
successful?
How can I
improve it in
future?
Time
management
skills
17 days Developing
schedule,
prioritising
activities,
etc.
Completion of
task in time.
I can improve this
by undertaking
various projects
and completing it
on time.
Problem
solving
20 days Providing
solution,
analysing
problem
etc.
Effective handling
and managing of
problem and
taking decision.
Yes it was
helpful.
In future I can
enhance this by
solving case
studies.
17
2

Task B
I have been working in the 'AMSR restaurant Limited' for about a long time. I perform
so well in the development plan i.e., I work according to the objectives of the organization, all
the objectives which was given to me, I completed all task in an desired manner. I found myself
as a very hard working and innovation person so i learned the tasks in a good manner and
perform well in completion of that. All the activities which were given to me I completed on
time. As I was given a particular time for a project completed on time with quality work.
different role and responsibilities were assigned to me so myself perform very well and
completed all my work on time. Being a responsible employee myself take feedback about my
work from my seniors that they are satisfied with my work or is there is any weakness which are
needed to be address so that I can improve myself (Akkermans, and et.al, 2015).
To complete a task, I was given a particular time, so I done that work in that desired time.
Being a good employee it is necessary for me to understand the culture of Harrod, so I
understand their culture and work according to that so that it not void the rules and regulations of
the organisation. I inspired other workers also in the company by my working style and
knowledge. I need to develop good time management skill so that i can perform all the activities
of the organization on time. Good time management skill will allows me to accomplish more in
short duration of time. As by managing time properly i get lot of free time which can used for
learning new things.
My communication skills are very good so I was successful in maintaining healthy
relation with my subordinates. What was thought to me by subordinates i understood that in a
well manner and according to that I performs the task. As patience is very important for an
employee, so I feel that I have skills that I can control myself even in worst situation, so this
benefits me in this way that whenever my seniors say bad to me I never argues with them and
handle the situation in an organized manner (Abas. and Imam, 2016).
Once a situation arises that urgent work come in Harrod's and people of higher authority
was not present that day. So making an effective plan or decision to deal with that situation was
18

very difficult. So I think that if i had problem solving skills I would have deal with with the
conditions in a effective manner and would have taken best decision. So to improve my problem
solving skills i will take suggestions from my seniors that how to solve problems in tough
situation and what decision is best to be taken at that time which give good results to
organisation. So this is my weakness which i need to address.
Another problem I analyzed from the study that I had don't have good technical skills. So
for improving my technical skills i will search on internet and use many software which assits
me in improving my technical skills. Moreover I will join classes and read online tutorials so that
I could learn more from that. As improved skills will assists me in dealing with different
situation in Horrod's.
From the above study I concluded that there are some weak points which need to improve
is problem solving skills. I have Other thing which is needed to be improve is my critical
thinking, as don't have logical thinking so for improving that i will take help from my
subordinates and search on internet or may be take help from some tutor.
I see my self as a positive person but sometimes such situation arises in organisation
which makes me feel negative about my work and personality. As some difficult work comes
and my seniors say that you have no ability to perform that tasks which makes me feel less
confident and negative, so for not been getting distracted by their words I will motivate myself
and do all task with positive attitude. As positive attitude assist me in building self confidence, as
by being self confident myself will perform, all the roles without the help of others. Greater self
confidence makes me more willing to take smart risk and help me in coming out my comfort
zone. Last thing which needed to be improve is self learning skills as always taking help from
others is not also a good thing, so to be and efficient employee myself need to develop self
learning skills so that I could do my work by my own without the helps of others. So all these are
the points which are needed to be improved (Collet,Hine. and Du Plessis, 2015).
l
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that personal development skills are very
crucial in professional as well as personal life of an individual. It also concluded on the
interpersonal skills such as self-confidence, Work ethics, relationship management as well as
body languages. It also focused on the transferal skills such as communication skills, Leadership
19

skills and also problem solving skills. Effective time management skills also pays important role
in day to day life and also tools and techniques to increasing these skills . Furthermore, it also
concluded about the swot analysis which provides strengths such as communication is a strength
while weakness such a critical thinking opportunities as well as threats. it also focused on the
Personal development plan. such as problem solving that how to become more efficient as well
as quick thinker. Critical thinking such as to think logically and think between the ideas.
20

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Abas, M.C. and Imam, O.A., 2016. Graduates' Competence on Employability Skills and Job
Performance. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education.5(2),
pp.119-125.
Akkermans, and et.al, 2015. It's all about CareerSKILLS: Effectiveness of a career development
intervention for young employees. Human Resource Management.54(4). pp.533-551.
Akkermans, T.J., 2016. Well begun is half done: Investigating the work and career of the young
workforce (Doctoral dissertation, Utrecht University).
Anton, C. and Shikov, A., 2018. The method of personalized corporate e-learning based on
personal traits of employees. Procedia Computer Science.136.pp.511-521.
Collet, C., Hine, D. and Du Plessis, K., 2015. Employability skills: perspectives from a
knowledge-intensive industry. Education+ Training 57(5). pp.532-559.
Davies, K., Curtin, M. and Robson, K., 2017. Impact of an international workplace learning
placement on personal and professional development. Australian occupational therapy
journal.64(2).pp.121-128.
Dolga, L. And et.al., 2015. Erasmus mobility impact on professional training and personal
development of students beneficiaries. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences.191.
pp.1006-1013.
Hildebrand, J., 2018. Bridging the gap: A training module in personal and professional
development. Routledge.
Núñez Pardo, A. and Téllez Téllez, M.F., 2015. Reflection on teachers’ personal and
professional growth through a materials development seminar. How.22(2). pp.54-74.
Suleman, F., 2016. Employability skills of higher education graduates: Little consensus on a
much-discussed subject. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 228. pp.169-174.
Suleman, F., 2018. The employability skills of higher education graduates: insights into
conceptual frameworks and methodological options. Higher Education. pp.263-278.
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