Reflection on Career Development and Networking

This assignment reflects on career development as a financial controller in the entertainment and sports sector. It analyzes the strengths and qualities needed by the company in terms of financial control using the Johari window and Gallup's strengths. The report also discusses networking events, focusing on skills used to build relationships, such as communication skills, and finding alternative ways to achieve good contacts.

Employability Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
KNOW YOURSELF.......................................................................................................................1
1. Identifying key strengths for desired career choice by critically appraising elements of
Clifton Gallup Strengths and johari windows theories...............................................................1
2. Applying elements of these theories to achieve career aspirations.........................................2
KNOW YOUR SECTOR................................................................................................................3
1. Analysing two companies in sector and their history, values and ethics................................3
2. Alignment with me..................................................................................................................3
KNOW YOURSELF.......................................................................................................................4
1. How networking help in becoming more commercially aware of sector...............................4
2. Reflecting on networking events that has been attended and the experience had and skills
used during these events..............................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Employability is a term that has been defined as the ability in order to gain and maintain
employment (Benson, Morgan and Filippaios, 2014). These skills are developed inside and
outside of school form where the person is transferred to the workplace. In the following report,
the skills that is required to become the financial control has been analysed. Further, information
of values, ethics and history of two companies that deal in entertainment and sports sector is
given. In addition to this, the following report also highlights on reflection of skills that own has
in terms of financial sector.
MAIN BODY
KNOW YOURSELF
1. Identifying key strengths for desired career choice by critically appraising elements of Clifton
Gallup Strengths and johari windows theories.
The key strengths for the financial controller is been discussed as per Gallup strengths
and johari windows as follows-
Johari window
 Open self area or arena- the attitude of a person, their behaviour, emotions, feelings,
skills and views are well known by themselves and others. In this, feedback is given that
helps in understanding self (Collet, Hine and du Plessis, 2015). This way helps in
increasing open area horizontally with the help of decreasing the blind spot. The areans
size can be increased downwards by decreasing hidden and unknown areas in terms of
revealing the feeling of one to another.
 Blind self or blind spot- in this the information of self which is known by other person in
a group but I will be unaware of it. This type of area can be reduced by acquiring
feedback from others.
 Hidden area or Facade- in this area, I will know myself easily but other may not know
anything or will be unaware of it. This type of area includes the personal information that
has to be kept secret. This includes feelings, past experiences, fears etc. this all are kept
private as it may affect the relationship.
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 Unknown area- this area includes the information that are unaware by both self and
others. This mainly includes the talents. In this, open communication is the only effective
way that helps in decreasing unknown area.
Gallup strengths
the strengths that I have to get success being a financial controller has been discussed as
per below context-
 Competition- competitive nature is a must in order to acquire success. Thus, I have the
ability to face competition in positive manner (Rao, 2014). I have calm mind which helps
me to think deeply about what has to be done that will help me to achieve success.
 Futuristic- Futuristic means having appropriate vision. Thus, it is very important to
achieve success early. I am basically inspired by future and also inspire others with my
vision. This is the unique strength I have.
 Self- assurance- I am very much confident in my ability and also manage my own lives.
This quality helps me in possessing inner compass that gives me confidence about my
decisions. I also feel confident in feeling that my decisions are right.
 Input- I also have ability to know much more as I can. I also like to collect and archive all
kind of information related to my career as a financial controller.
 Strategic- I have the most important and unique talent of finding alternative ways that
always helps me in reaching my goals. I can quickly spot relevant patterns and issues.
2. Applying elements of these theories to achieve career aspirations.
From the above theories, it has been analysed that I have some qualities that may help me
in achieving long term success as a financial controller (Spencer and Peck, 2017). If any
company hires me I can give them the best output. Thus, this can be discussed with help of
SWOT analysis.
 Strengths- the good quality of me is of having competitive nature. This helps me in
scaring people by comparing my performance with theirs. I have the ability of working
industriously on the particular kinds of projects. In addition to this, I can easily find
alternative ways to reach the goal if something wrong happens on the old way. I never set
back but try to move forward in any condition in my life.
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 Weakness- I don't get pleasure if ranked second or third. I always like to come first. This
is my major weakness that leads me towards frustration and stress or irritation. This leads
to negative vibes and my focus towards success starts diminishing.
 Opportunities- Competitive nature acts as the great opportunity for me. Any company can
hire me without any questioning.
 Threats- Not coming first leads to frustration and negativity that blurs my target. This
acts as the major threat for me to become the financial controller.
KNOW YOUR SECTOR
1. Analysing two companies in sector and their history, values and ethics.
Bird and Bird
History- it is an international firm that helps business to change in terms of technology and
digital world.
Values- the values is the way of approaching and engaging the artist and hoping of
demonstrating and communicating with them. It also includes way of operating their business
and running organisation.
Ethics- it is the business of international legal practice carried by Bird and Bird llb is associated
with business and entities.
OCS
History- they have decade experience in terms of providing essential support service in leisure,
entertainment and sports sector.
Values- to enhance the customer experience with integrated facilities services.
2. Alignment with me.
By comparing the two companies of UK that is bird and bird, it has been analysed that
the Bird and bird companies values and needs suits my qualities. As I have the essential quality
of finding alternative ways to achieve success will help the cited company to engage and
approach the artist and customers by communicating with them.
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KNOW YOURSELF
1. How networking help in becoming more commercially aware of sector.
Networking sector acts as the excellent source of new ideas and perspectives that may
help me in my role as financial controller (Tsitskari, Goudas, Tsalouchou and Michalopoulou,
2017). Thus, to exchange information on challenges, goals and experiences is the key benefit that
may help me in strengthening the relationship. This may also leads in gaining new insights of
which I am unaware of. Thus, networking also helps me in exchanging best practice knowledge,
learn about business techniques and stay aware of opportunities of job openings. In addition to
this, wide network means broader access towards new and valuable information.
2. Reflecting on networking events that has been attended and the experience had and skills used
during these events.
While attending the networking event, the skills used by me was that I focused on others.
I sat with the people I didn't knew before and tried to share professional stories and success. This
helped me in bonding new contacts. This also helped me in building strong relationships. I tried
to make contact with him as I have good communication skills. It helped me in building contact
sharing my skills and qualities with him. This event also helped me In helping the other business
at a social event. Thus, skills of finding alternative ways helped me in achieving good contacts
from the businessman that may help me in achieving the position of financial controller.
CONCLUSION
Thus, the above report is completely based on reflection. Thus, the career ODF financial
controller and the entertainment and sports sector has been taken into consideration. In addition
to this, the strengths and qualities that has to be acquired by the company in terms of financial
controller has been discussed with the help of Johari window and Gallups strengths. Further, own
reflection has been done on networking events and skills has been analysed that has been used
while attending these events.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Benson, V., Morgan, S. and Filippaios, F., 2014. Social career management: Social media and
employability skills gap. Computers in Human Behavior. 30. pp.519-525.
Collet, C., Hine, D. and du Plessis, K., 2015. Employability skills: perspectives from a
knowledge-intensive industry. Education+ Training. 57(5). pp.532-559.
Rao, M.S., 2014. Enhancing employability in engineering and management students through soft
skills. Industrial and Commercial Training. 46(1). pp.42-48.
Spencer, G. and Peck, A., 2017. Developing employability skills through leadership
development programs. Engagement and employability: Integrating career learning
through cocurricular experiences in postsecondary education. Washington, DC: NASPA—
Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education.
Tsitskari, E., Goudas, M., Tsalouchou, E. and Michalopoulou, M., 2017. Employers’
expectations of the employability skills needed in the sport and recreation
environment. Journal of hospitality, leisure, sport & tourism education. 20. pp.1-9.
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