Managing People and Careers Portfolio

This portfolio includes a cover letter, job application answers, CV, interview practice, and assessment for the subject Managing People and Careers. It provides valuable insights into the skills and experiences of the applicant in the research field. The portfolio showcases the ability to work in a team, manage priorities, and persuade others. The applicant has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Oxford and has previous experience as a Research Associate at TFC Supermarkets.

Managing People and
Careers Portfolio

Table of Contents
Cover letter..................................................................................................................................3
Job application answers...............................................................................................................4
CV................................................................................................................................................6
Interview practice........................................................................................................................8
Assessment..................................................................................................................................8
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................10

Cover letter
14th December' 2019
18A Neal's Yard, MC56K Montrose street
London, UK
243-565-119
Dear HR manager,
I have prepared cover letter to apply to apply for the vacant job post of Graduate Research
Executive for the well known IPSOS MORI company. I cam across about the vacant job post
through the job portal and helped me to find the field that is related to my interest area. I have an
immense interest in the research field as it encourages me to identify the deep insights and find
the suitable solution of the certain problem. My education background and former experiences
always helped me to retain the interest in specific field and made me realise that I can make a
successfully career in research field (Apostel, 2015). Additionally, the concerned authority will
be more clearer about my interest area because I have posted all the essential information
regarding to my qualification, interest area as well as capability in the CV. This is the short
demonstration that represent my strength and display my interest area which are related to the
research field and concerned job profile. During the time of education and qualification I was the
diligent student that consistently participate in the different activities like debates and group
discussion. I prepare regarding the topics in detail where I come to know about whole arena and
different perspectives. Further, my prior experience helped me to carry forward the experience in
research domain where I carried out both primary and secondary research and come yup with
various solution that was actually implemented by the organisation. I have worked within TFC
Supermarkets as a Research associate where my task as to understand the customer behaviour
and changing trend in order to enhance and maintain the competitive position of an organisation
by working simultaneously. This understand the relevance of data and derive out the relevant
information out of it for better performing roles and responsibility. So on the basis of past
experience and existing job profile I believe that IPSOS MORI company will preferably provide
better job opportunity where I can get the advantage to better explore my capabilities and gain
significant position. Being Graduate Research Executive I can help different renowned brand to
solve their queries by arranging them the matter which they require which leads to the innovation
and discover new facts and figure. As nowadays data has taken the essential role because it has

become the powerful tool based on which organisation can make the significant changes that are
associated with the progressive functioning of firm. All these interesting tasks are related to the
company that generate the enthusiasm to become the part of particular company and successfully
create the value addition (Archibald and Archibald, 2016).
Thanks for coordination and giving me the viable opportunity to apply for the Grade Research
Executive that can sharpen my career. I really hope that you will give me time and consider the
efforts that I have put in to become the part of particular company. Kindly, reward me either
through the contact details and email id for transmitting information regarding the profile.
Alina Thomas
Job application answers
Why do you want to work for us?
I wanted to be the part of IPSOS MORI company because it is well known company in
terms the research field where it help out various company to provide them the significant data
and secure their interest. This will enhance my researcher skills where I will be bound to work on
the particular subject until and unless specific problem gets resolved. It is relatively an
opportunity for me that I want to exploit for the betterment of company as well as to polish my
abilities. Being a good observing skill I assure you that I will make best possible practice in
understanding the roles and responsibility during the time of training and inculcate the same for
significant performance (Bassot, Barnes and Chant, 2013). Also it is not the monotony work as
in this company I was get the chance to handle different type of cases that will make the work
interesting and durable. During my academic studies I have found a profound interest and I see
the chances to be the part of IPSOS MORI and work on the core research subject. Thus, being
explorer and proactive in terms, of talking to other and understanding their opinion is everything
that fell privileged of doing by becoming part of the company.
Tell us about a time you worked in a group to achieve an objective (what did you do and
what was the outcome?)
I have conducted group work when I was in college as well as in my former job post.
This group work really taught me the essence of carrying out the collective work which can
effectively flourish the purpose. I have prepared various assignments related to research in
group where I got the opportunity to handle the whole team. So we the group of five member use
to plan out the whole function and carry out all the work step by step like preparing

questionnaire and conducting interview helped us to understand the opinion of respondent.
Along with that in my former job post which was at TFC Supermarkets my task was to
understand the perception of customer in terms of the service and modification that can be made
by company. This really helped me to boost up my confident and develop interpersonal skill by
communication to different type of customer (Cuzzocrea, 2015). Thus, on the basis of my past
experiences I prefer working in a team, and leading them so this can help to bring transition and
help to attain the shared objective effectively.
Tell us about a time when you identified a new approach to solve a problem. (what did you
do and what was the outcome?)
Problem refers to the issue that can be arise due to numerous issues like lack of trust and
dynamic situation. But it affect the functioning of whole internal organisation. The effective
approaches accordingly to me to solve the problem is by maintaining the effective decision.
Decision making is the prominent part of the organisation that direct the whole personnel in
which directions they need to function with the objective to attain particular result. So this
process need to be carried out with that help of different approaches that include group
discussion as well as brainstorming method. This lead the organisation to come up with the
innovative idea that can differentiate the organisation amongst competitors. Along with that this
maintains the interpersonal relation so even if the problem occur the internal staff effectively
coordinate with one other in order to resolve the specific problem adequately. Hence, application
of brain storming approaches enhance the feeling of job security amongst the existing employee
because they feel that they are the essential part of an assignation so it mitigate the chance of
conflict of interest.
Tell us about a time when you had to manage a number of different priorities and complete
a number of tasks in a short amount of time (what did you do and what was the outcome?)
In my existing profile which is Research Associate in TFC Supermarkets me and my
team members cannot afford our tasks or whole research work is not taking place within the
stipulated period of time. As in retail sector there is huge competitor so many time especially in
peak season I have conducted the research in short span of time by restricting the sample size
and made effective conclusion (Hill, Campbell and Gross, 2013). This technically enhanced the
ability of doing multiple task in the confined duration. So to carry out whole process I was to
make the notes and set proprieties that help in updating in terms of which work needs to be

focused more and adequately allotted the time for it. Initially, I was not able to perform the task
within confined duration but with the passaging of time I come to know that how task can be
performance in short span but with whole perfection.
Tell us about a project you worked on that required you to persuade others to your point of
view (what did you do and what was the outcome?)
Discussion is the base of any team work where I and my group members understand the
situation and put forward our opinions regarding the task. So it is not essential that every time the
thoughts of each and every group members matches. I prefer giving logical and feasible opinion
with the help of data as well as facts and figure. Even if other's opinion does not matches with
my perspective but after anticipated the figure they used to remain inclined towards my idea. As
ultimately the goal of team members is to attain the collective objective which benefit them as
well as organisation (Holm and Haahr, 2018). Additionally, if I feel that others have better idea
then my they we used to think to go for that idea. This finally enhance the understanding and
interpersonal relation amongst all the team member. Along with a that this reduced the chances
of conflict with the objective to carry out particular task suitably.
CV
Alina Thomas
I am a determined person who always gives preference to the detail information so whether it is
in context to understand situation or reach out a particular solution by exploring different
alternatives. I have done graduation in Bachelor of business Administration from Oxford
university of UK. It include wide range of management and research subjects that help me to
understand way the organisation function and significantly depend on market research. Through
this academic session I have remained keen to enhance the understanding and make the project
associated with research curiously in order to reach out at certain conclusion. Along with that I
have been the voice of various public speaking contest organised at university level which made
me confidence to put forward my though that satisfy the other party.
Education and Qualification
2005 – 2013 North London Collegiate School, Edgware, United Kingdom
2013 – 2015 Guildford High school, Guildford location, United Kingdom
2017- 2019 Bachelor of business Administration, University of Oxford

Former Post:
07-11-2015 – 01-06-2017 Research Associate, TFC Supermarkets
Roles and responsibility of Graduate Research Assistant:
 Plan out the whole research structure, collect, validate the data and analyse the relevant
information.
 Maintain the systematic process and programme by coming across valuable data and
significantly give equal priority to each and information generated from different
respondents like customers.
 Systematically record and update the data in order to frame out better meaning by
eradicating the issues like misleading information.
 Effectively use the different approaches of sampling to analysis the data effectively.
 Summarise the whole research and present it to concerned authority in form of word
document and presentation so that they gain the vital information and inculcate it as
better practices.
 Use the job costing processes to effective manage the financial part of the project.
 Create models, programme and simulation to determine whether constructive
recommendations are actually working in favour of company.
Skill
 Excellent interpersonal skill which include both communication as well as listening skills
which help to understand the perspective of external party and persuade their opinion
effectively.
 Perform multi task work in terms to maintain coordination and cooperation amongst
different department by sourcing them the essential information for better performance.
 Prone to use prominent software and technology in order to keep all the data secure that
protect it from the chances of privacy breach.
 Carry out work creatively and maintain better presentation to gain clarity.
 Better observation skill that help to give focus to each and every finite details to gain
accurate information.
Achievements

 Basic and advance certificate of computers that include areas like use of MS office suite,
SPSS software platform and SAS used to create better visual results.
 Certificate on advance courses on languages like French and German.
Hobbies
 Travelling and explore the different cultures
 Read magazines and knowledge
Interview practice
Interview comprises of the conversation between interviewer and interviewee which is the part
of an evaluation round. This process helps the interviewer to determine existing knowledge, skill
and ability of an individual that matches with the vacant job role. So if the panel find the
applicant suitable enough to perform the vacant job then they become the part of the organisation
otherwise they are weed out. Job practice involves the role of both verbal and nonverbal
communication under which there are various parameters such as confidence based on which
applicant is hired. Thus, on the basis of my personal experience for Graduate Research Assistant
profile the mixture of both positive as well as negative experiences are discussed below:
Positive aspect
 During the time of interview I greet the whole panel of the interviewer and maintained
eye contact with helped me to boost up my confidence.
 Being a consistent learner I have adequate knowledge about the subjects. So the questions
which were raised from my courses or educational background I was able to answer them
effectively.
 Throughout the session I was confident enough in handling the questions by using
adequate gestures which determine my potential to the HR member.
Negative aspect
 Although I have deep knowledge regarding different topics so during the interview
session I was not able to compile all the information and present it properly.
 I was bit conscious about my answers that whether I am effective enough to handle all the
questions which meet me according to me affected the conversation

Assessment
 During the time of discussion I understood the perspective of different group members,
accordingly justified the desirable points by putting forward my viewpoint to widen the
arena.
 This effectively helped me to co-ordinate with different members that collectively
discussed about different facts and figure that help us to enhance our existing knowledge.
 Along with good communication skill I have listening skill as well that helped me to
actually understand the existing state of mind of other team member. After examination I
was able to put forward my valuable opinion.
 Although they were certain members that rather than understanding the concept gave
more preference to put there point. This not only affected the conversation but determine
the closed mindset that cannot work to attain shared objective.
 Purpose of group discussion can only be met once discussion takes place and everyone
come together to reach out single consignment. But the whole process and inclusion of
different type of member take huge time to reach at desirable result.

REFRENCES
Books and Journal
Apostel, S., 2015. Addressing social media presence: Shifting from place to space in
career/transfer ePortfolios. The Journal of Faculty Development. 29(2). pp.63-70.
Archibald, R. D. and Archibald, S., 2016. Leading and Managing Innovation: What Every
Executive Team Must Know about Project, Program, and Portfolio Management.
Auerbach Publications.
Bassot, B., Barnes, A. and Chant, A., 2013. A practical guide to career learning and
development: innovation in careers education 11-19. Routledge.
Cuzzocrea, V., 2015. Young people and employability. Handbook of children and youth studies,
pp.1-10.
Hill, P. T., Campbell, C. and Gross, B., 2013. Strife and progress: Portfolio strategies for
managing urban schools. Brookings Institution Press.
Holm, A. B. and Haahr, L., 2018. E-recruitment and Selection. In e-HRM (pp. 172-195).
Routledge.
Huemann, M., 2016. Managing the project-oriented organization. In Gower Handbook of
Project Management (pp. 493-506). Routledge.A98380
Pennington, G. and Smith, B., 2014. Career-long competence: Unattainable ideal or professional
requirement?. The Effective Academic: A handbook for enhanced academic practice.
pp.254-271.
Reiss, G. and Rayner, P., 2012. Portfolio and Programme Management Demystified: Managing
Multiple Projects Successfully. Routledge.
Rothwell, W. J. and et. al., 2015. Career Planning and Succession Management: Developing
Your Organization's Talent—for Today and Tomorrow: Developing Your
Organization’s Talent—for Today and Tomorrow. ABC-CLIO.