Personal Skills Audit and Job Interview Process

This assignment provides an in-depth examination of the personal skills audit process, including employment tests, in-depth interviews, reference checks, and job offers. It also explores challenges such as wrong questions, interview fatigue, and strategies to overcome them. The author reflects on their own experience with a mock interview, highlighting areas for improvement and what they learned from the process.

Personal Skill Audit and
Professional
Development Plan

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................3
Examine benefits of on-going professional development in an organisation.........................3
Investigate employer expectations of professional skills and standards................................4
Evaluate importance of on-going professional development and associated professional skills
requirements...........................................................................................................................5
Critically evaluate own skills and competencies to meet employer expectation of professional
skills required.........................................................................................................................6
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................6
Assess your skills, abilities and competences using appropriate methods and techniques....6
Review learning theories or models and approaches used to explain personal and professional
development process..............................................................................................................8
Evaluate your own skills and competencies and the most appropriate developmental approach
to develop personal and professional skills..........................................................................10
LO 3...............................................................................................................................................10
Construct a professional development plan to enhance chosen skills and competences.....10
Provide a detailed development plan that applies underpinning learning and development
theory....................................................................................................................................12
Produce a comprehensive development plan that sets out clear and achievable targets,
strategies and outcomes of learning and training.................................................................12
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................13
Prepare and apply for travel and tourism sector job and undertake a job interview............13
Review key strengths and weaknesses of the job interview process....................................14
Evaluate the job interview process emphasising on the obstacles and the challenges to
overcome..............................................................................................................................15
Produce a detailed and coherent critical reflection of the interview process and your own
abilities during the process...................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................18
.......................................................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
Personal skills audit is the best way through which particular person can identify their
strength and weakness these are necessary for further development (Cohen, 2015). It is the best
way by which individual can put them on best career track. In this, Personal and professional
development plan assist in removing weakness and more development in strength. PDP is the
procedure designed for enable thinking about as well as planning for personal, academic and
career development. This report is based on Hospitality industry organisation named as Marriott
International founded in 1927 and they are serving at worldwide level. Products offering by the
respective organisation is hotels and resorts. It will going to discuss the importance of on-going
personal development and self direction for enhancing career opportunity. By assessing own
skill, competences as well as various learning and development approaches. In the end, personal
and professional development plan will be designed as per requirement of specific industry.
LO 1
Examine benefits of on-going professional development in an organisation
On-going professional development stands for continuing professional development. It is
related to the procedure of tracking as well as documenting skills, knowledge and experience
gained by individual while working formally or informally (Coleman and MacNicol, 2016). In
simple term it can be said that, continuing professional development is the on-going process for
developing, maintaining as well as documenting own professional skills. Apart from this, on-
going professional development play important role in company because several new things get
emergence in business which require latest skills as well as knowledge for performing these.
Below mention are some role of on-going professional development :-
 Become a better employee: In an organisation it is required for management to provide
effective learning to staff member so that they can grab opportunities of business growth.
For this, it is required to identify their skills and capabilities for the effective allocation
of responsibilities.
 Accomplishing goals and objectives of company: If employees of Marriott Hotel
develop their professional skills through on-going process then it will be beneficial for
organisation. Because they can do things in effective manner that will result in
accomplishing goals and objectives of respective hotel.

Along with this, there are several advantages for employees and employers of on-going
professional development. Because effective staff development, competent,employees become
more capable as well as confidence (Gordon, 2016). All these result in improving performance of
employees and have direct impact on enhancing productivity of Marriott Hotel. Explanation of
these are as follows :-
Employees Confidence and credibility within employees will be develop by providing them
on-going professional development training. It will also assist in building
credibility because they continue to gaining new skill sets as well as
certifications. Apart from this, employees get job satisfaction when their skills
will enhance and company is investing money for their development.
Commitment for individual development also lead in reducing employees
turnover and it also result in satisfaction as well as motivation.
Employers On-going professional development result in increasing employees retention
because Along with this, manager of Marriott reenergize their staff members by
providing them periodic professional development which help in gaining
required latest skills and knowledge. This help employees in approaching their
job as well by on-going professional development Marriott will accomplish their
goals also through reenergize their personnels.
Investigate employer expectations of professional skills and standards
Organisation and employer have some expectation related to skills and competencies
while hiring an employee. Because everyone is hiring with the motive of fulfilling requirement
of company as well as accomplishing goals and objectives. Within hospitality industry
expectation of employer related to skills and competencies are as follows :- Building Connections – Hospitality industry is all about comfort and services which is
provided by the organisation working under it like Marriott. Such is gained only
employee have ability of making positive connections with clients, guest, vendors as well
as other staff members (Irvine and Irvine, 2018). Although, it is employers expectation

skill that candidate have ability to build connections with guest, vendors and other team
members. Multitasking - At each and every levels, careers in hospitality need staff members to
handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Employers want multitasking skills and
competencies in the candidate hiring by them such as enhance customer experience, keep
kitchen and working area clean, welcome client's with kindness (McAllister and Hauville,
2017). Because employers want to know that you can perform several activities within
same duration. Technical and language skills - Knowledge of computers and different language are the
two effective aspects that make employee stand out in hospitality sector as well as
necessarily required. Employers want these skills because guest come from several
culture and have different nature. For handling them in proper manner there is
requirement of good command on languages such as English because it is understandable
by every customers. Along with this, for searching past visit data of any guest in the
Marriott it is important for an staff member to have computer skills.
 Flexibility – Hospitality industry is full of several task and flexible in nature so it is
required by employers that candidate must be flexible in nature. Because while working
in an organisation individual should be ready to switch gears at the movement when any
unexpected situation rise. In simple term, expectation of related to flexible skills and
competences is necessary due to dynamic nature of business environment several
modification take place in that situation it is necessary to be flexible and easily adopt
things.
Evaluate importance of on-going professional development and associated professional skills
requirements
It is very important for employees to have professional development skills in order to run
their business in effective manner. Some of the significant of on-going professional development
are:
 It helps in keeping capabilities with current standards and maintaining and enhancing
skills and knowledge for delivering professional service to community, consumers,
clients.
 It helps in advancing body of knowledge and technology within professionalism.

There are various professional skills requirements for different job profiles:
For marketing job role- communication skills, market analysis skills and others
For human resource job role- communication skill, recruitment and selection skills,
decision making skills, innovative skills and others.
Critically evaluate own skills and competencies to meet employer expectation of professional
skills required
Skills and competencies that I have in order to meet employer expectation of professional
work are flexible nature, technical and language skills and multitasking. By these skills I able to
conduct my work in more proper and effective manner. Through flexible nature I able to adopt
new things in appropriate manner and able to do work in every condition. But due to this nature I
feel pressurised because my senior authority think that I can do each and every work in each
situation which is not possible. Along with this by technical and language skills I able to able to
adopt new technology as well as by language skill I able to with all type of clients communicate.
But sometime it will develop gap because my perspective get vary form others. I also have
multitasking skills that help me in conducting various work at a time in effective and appropriate
ways which leads to attainment of goal as well as objective. Whereas due to this skills sometime
I feel pressurised and burdened of work.
LO 2
Assess your skills, abilities and competences using appropriate methods and techniques
Personal audit is necessary to be conduct by each and every person because it assist in
identifying strength and weakness (Parker, 2017). Along with, future opportunity and threats are
also determined as well as it is necessary for gaining better position within market area. With the
help of personal audit particular person can take advantages of career development. I am
conducting my personal audit for Human Resource manager in Marriott Hotel. Rating will be
given to every skill is out of 10. Description of these are as follows :-
Skills Rating by me Rating by others Remarks
Flexible nature 7 9 Flexible nature is my
strength
Technical and 5 8 Technical and

language skills language skills are my
strength
Multitasking 8 9 Multitasking is my
strength
Building connection 8 5 Building connection is
my weakness
Time management 6 4 Time management is
my weakness
Problem solving skills 4 7 Problem solving skills
is my weakness
Along with, strength and weakness it is important for an individual to identify future
opportunities as well as threats. For determining all these there is requirement of conducting own
SWOT analysis it stands for strength, weakness opportunity and threats (Pike And et.al., 2016).
It is a strategic planning techniques utilise for helping individual in conducting their own
analysis or specific project. Explanation of these are as follows :-
Strength -  One of my strength, flexible nature that is necessary while working in
Marriott Hotel because business environment is dynamic in nature
several modifications take place in it. This require that individual
should be flexible in nature.
 I have proper knowledge about technical and language skills this is
necessary for handling customer from different culture. Along with
this, it have proper knowledge about computer and can easily work on
it. This is required because in some cases customer want their past
record which can be only possible when I know how to operate
computer.
 I am multitasking person and can manage various task within
particular time period. This is necessary while working in organisation
because several uncertain things can happen without any before

warning.
Weakness -  Building connection is my weakness, I am not able to easily get
connected with anyone it may create problem for me while working in
an organisation. Because connection building is necessary with
customers, suppliers and other team members.
 Time play important role in everyone life while working in an
organisation it is required to manage time in proper manner for
accomplishing goals and objective. But it is my weakness that, I am
not able to manage time properly as per different activities.
 Problem solving skill is my weakness I am not able to handle issue
because it get afraid of situations.
Opportunities -  With my flexible nature I can gain better career opportunity in future
because it is in my nature that I am capable of doing any kind of work.
 I can start my own business with strength of multitasking because
owner of company should have nature who can mange various task
within specified time duration.
Threats -  My weakness in time management will become major threat of my
life. Because it is necessary to do things in proper manner within
required time duration for gaining career opportunities in the area of
Human Resource.
Review learning theories or models and approaches used to explain personal and professional
development process
Kolb's learning theory is introduced by the David Kolb in 1984 from which he developed
his learning style inventory as well as it is one of the best known and used learning theory
(Kolb's Theory of Learning Styles, 2019). Moreover, as per the theory it is believed that learning
styles are emerge because of individual genetics, life experiences as well as the demands of
current environment. In the respective experiential theory, learning is viewed as four stage cycle
i.e., The Converger, The Diverger, The Assimilator and The Accommodator. Explanation of
these are as follows :-

 The Converger - Individual with such type of practices have assertive capabilities in the
field of Abstract Conceptualization as well as Active Experimentation. Such peoples are
highly skilled within the practical implementation of thoughts or ideas (Provan, Dekker
and Rae, 201 Evaluate own
 skills and
 competences and
 the most appropriate
 development
 approach to develop
 personal and
 professional skills for a specific job role 7). The Diverger – These are the people who tend to be emotional, creative as well as
brainstorming for coming up with latest ideas or thoughts. Divergers are mostly
musicians, counsellors, Artists as well as people who have strong interest in the area of
humanities, fine arts and liberal arts tend to have this learning style. The Assimilator – They are the people who get skilled in the area of Abstract
conceptualization as well as Reflective Observation. Their greatest strength is
understanding and creating theoretical models. Apart from this, particular person who
work in maths as well as also the basic sciences influence to have such kind of learning
style. Work enjoyed by Assimilators is that which involve planning as well as research.
 The Accommodator – Individual having respective learning style are strongest in
Concrete Experience as well as Active Experimentation. Accommodator learning style is
opposite to the Assimilator style. Apart from this, they are the doers because of that enjoy
performing experiments as well as carrying out planning within the real world. From the
all four learning style, respective is the greatest risk-takers. In the situation of an problem
trial-and-error approach is utilise by them for solving it (Rattan, Wakley and Chambers,
2017). People who are having Accommodator learning style often work in technical area
or in action-oriented jobs like sales as well as marketing.
From the above mention theory it has been analysed that, Kolb's learning theory is
suitable for Marriott Hotel to implement for personal and professional development skills of their

employees. Because it is necessary to enhance skills of their staff members so that goals and
objectives can be accomplished.
Evaluate your own skills and competencies and the most appropriate developmental approach to
develop personal and professional skills
There are three main skills and competence such as time management, problem solving
skills and building connection which need to be developed by individuals. Here, given role is
human resource manager for that skills should be improved. For time management, proper plans
and procedures should be made and work accordingly to complete it on time. In order to improve
problem solving skills, individual need to participate in each and every activities so that all arise
problems can be solved instantly. Similarly, for building connection among each other, there
should feeling of cooperation among staff and work together for their result achievement.
LO 3
Construct a professional development plan to enhance chosen skills and competences
A professional development plan is an documents which include goals, needed skill,
competency development, objectives a staff member and so on which will be need for
achieving continuous improvement as well as career development (Roussy and Brivot, 2016). A
PDP (professional development plan) is designed by the manager who work closely with the
personnels for determining the required skills as well as resources for supporting the staff
member's career goals along with the organisations need or requirement. Professional
development for employees begins when a new member joins in the team.
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE
CURRENT
PROFICIENCY
TARGET
PROFICIENCY
DEVELOPME
NT
OPPORTUNIT
IES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIME
SCALE
EVIDENCE
Problem
solving
skills
At present I am
not much good
in problem
solving skills.
To become
more effective
in providing
better solutions
to tasks.
Training
session
related with
this field.
Opinions of
superiors.
3 months
approx.
Judgement
of
executive.

Time
manageme
nt
I am not good
in time
management
skill
I want to be
more
productive by
proper time
management.
So thing
required task
can be
accomplish
within required
duration.
I have to
assign
duration for
each and
every task.
Thus, I can
gain skill
related to time
management.
Superiors
time
assignment
for particular
task
4 to 5
months are
required
approximate
ly
Judgement
by superiors
Building
connectio
n
I am not good
in building
connection
with people
I want to build
healthy
relation with
people by
coming out of
the weakness
building
connection
I have to talk
several
people in my
day to day
activity and
should
remain in
touch with
them.
Because all
these will
result in
enhancing
skill of
building
I have to
talk several
peoples
who are
coming in
the
organisation
or in touch.
5 to 6
months are
needed for
this
particular
skill
Superiors
of Marriott
Hotel will
judge
through
customers
and other
staff
member
satisfaction

connection
Provide a detailed development plan that applies underpinning learning and development theory
For development plan, Honey and mumford learning theory is used for underpinned
learning which is described below:
This theory was developed in 1986 which explain own learning styles questionnaire. It
consist of four learning style for development and improvement of oneself. Here, I am facing
issues in problem solving skills, time management and building connection. These mentioned
issues are solved, learned and developed with help of respective learning style. They are
described below:
Activists- It means when individual learn by doing. In order to solve my problem solving
skills, I need to develop activists learning style in better manner. This can provide help in
improving problem solving, puzzles, role play, competitions, brainstorming and group
discussions.
Pragmatists- This learning style means when individuals have capacity for perceiving
and putting the learned things into practices. In order to solve issue of building connection, I
need to apply this style for getting positive outcome. They can improve their case studies,
discussion, problem solving.
Theorists- This is learning style where individual get chance for hypothesis behind
activities. It requires truths and ideas for participating in learning process. For solving problem of
time management issues, I can learn such style for survival in market.
Produce a comprehensive development plan that sets out clear and achievable targets, strategies
and outcomes of learning and training
It is very important for organisation to make development plan for their workplace in
order to achieve goals and objectives. The manager of respective organisation need to set
strategies for their business in order to carry out task. These should be communicated to all
employees so that they can focus and work on those for achieving set target. It is very significant
for manager to conduct training and development session for all working staff. This can help in
motivating and encouraging staff to perform well in better manner. Thus, if organisation follow

these development plan they can achieve goals and objectives within given time period and
employees can learn more effectively.
LO 4
Prepare and apply for travel and tourism sector job and undertake a job interview
In interview there are several questions asked by the interviewer for checking confidence
level of the candidate (Thomas, 2018). Interviewer of Marriott Hotel has been asked various
questions from the interviewee. These are as follows :-
Question. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Answer. My name is ABCD, I've three years of experience in human-resource with
specialisation in recruitment, training and development and conflict management. About my
academics, I'm post graduated in human-resource and marketing. Prior to that my graduation is
Bachelor in Commerce.
Question. How did you hear about the position?
Answer. I got to know about this opportunity from online portal. I've applied on job post over
there.
Question. What do you know about the company?
Answer. I have gone through your website and read blogs about company. This is growing
company and have very good brand image of organisation.
Question. Why do you want this job?
Answer. Roles and responsibilities of this job is matching with work I want to do. I have
relevant experience of three years in this job.
Question. What are your greatest professional strengths?
Answer. My professional strengths are that I'm very disciplined person, I'm effective and
efficient in my work. I have time management skills and handle work pressure.
CURICULAM VITAE
Curriculum Vitae
Name: ABCD
Address :23rd Street, Birmingham lane, Birmingham
Phone No. - 123456789
Profile summary:

MBA in human resources with 3 years of experience wishes to be a part of organisation that
provides me opportunities for growth. Effective communicator with deep knowledge of
management theories and topics.
Specialisation:
 Recruitment
 Management of Human relations
 Conflict management Training and development
Educational qualification: -
 Bachelor in Commerce. (B.com)
 Masters in Business administration with Human Resource specialisation
Declaration:
I hereby declare that all the information provided is true and is best of my knowledge.
Date:
Place:
Review key strengths and weaknesses of the job interview process
An interview is one of the important part within selection procedure and utilise by most
of the employers (Strengths and Limitations of Interview, 2018). There are several strength and
weakness of the interview conducted by interviewer of Marriott Hotel. Explanation of these are
as follows :-
Strength – There are several strength of interview description of these are as follows:-
 Selection of correct candidate – It is necessary to hiring the right candidate with right
qualifications as well as skills is crucial for Marriott Hotel to avoid any type of problems
in the future (Wald And et.al., 2015). This one of major strength for conducting interview
because employees are the one who can take company to its high or low. So it is
necessary to select correct candidate as per the requirement.
 Collection of information – With the assistance of conducting interview it is easy to
gather information about the candidate such as their name, address, qualification, past
job experience, skills, knowledge and so on. This will assist interview in conducting an

in-depth analysis of the candidate to conclude whether he/she is really suitable for
Marriott Hotel or not.
Weakness – There are weakness of conducting interview explanation of these are as
follows:- Time consuming and expensive process – Interview is lengthy procedure because
several questions are asked by the interviewer. Along with this, it is expensive also
because there is requirement of proper set up for conducting an interview.
 Incomplete information - An interview is regarded as a reliable technique for gathering
information or data but in some conditions it always don't help (Winchester-Seetoand
Rowe, 2017). Sometimes, because of the interviewer negligence and interviewee, the
organisation can miss the collection of important information.
Evaluate the job interview process emphasising on the obstacles and the challenges to overcome
Job interview process
This is typical process of hiring new employee to organisation. There are multiple states
in conducting job interview process. Following are steps included in this process.
Screening
This is first step in which application of candidates are screened. Screening of application
and resumes of all interested candidates who applied for job.
Short listing
Short listing is of some candidates after screening of all applications. Short listing is done
on bases of skills and qualification required for particular job by screening of application.
Interview
This is first meeting or conversation between candidate and employer. Objective of this
interview is to identify relevant skills, aptitude and experience to do job. This also attempt to
ascertain whether candidate can do this job or willing to do job or not.
Employement test
There are various test conducted to check the knowledge and skills of candidates. This
test helps in identifying ability and personality of candidate. Some employment test are aptitude,
achievement, intelligence, personality test, projection and attitude test.
In depth interview

this is final interview of candidate done after clearing employment test. In depth
interview is taken by professionals to get better information and evaluation of candidate.
Reference check and job offer
After all rounds of interview and complete evaluation of candidate is done. Employer will
decide best fit candidate for company. Job offer is provided after conducting background and
reference check of selected candidate.
Obstacle and challenges to overcome
Wrong questions
Inappropriate or wrong question asked by interviewer will be failure to whole interview
process. Without right questions it would be very difficult to select skilled person. It will leads to
wrong hiring.
To overcome this issue interviewer must be well prepared and have some set of question to ask.
Interview fatigue
conducting too many interviews on same day is very tiring for interview. Fatigue
interviewer will not be able to conduct same interview to last candidates. It could geninely
causes to hiring right potential candidate.
To overcome this issue limits number of per day interviews and schedule breaks between each
interview.
Produce a detailed and coherent critical reflection of the interview process and your own abilities
during the process
I would like to conclude my first interview, this was great learning experience for me.
When I first went to interview, I was very nervous but when I actually got into the room and
meet with interviewer I calmed down. I has thought that my nervousness would be their
throughout interview but it become much less apparent as interview went. Interviewer started
asking question about me and my qualification. I was keeping eye contact while interview. I was
having comfortable body language and keeping faced toward him. I could really improve on
what I was saying and my communication. During my interview I was just saying and not
thinking about how answer in more better and convincing way. On better side I was able to
answer most of question asked by interviewer. And at end of interview I asked about feedback of
interview. Interviewer was happy that I asked this question and give me his feedback. He was

impressed that I was in right attire for interview and having confidence. I was honest with my
answers and accepting when some think I don't know rather than wasting time.
CONCLUSION
As per the above report it has been summarised that, personal skills audit is important for
individual because it assist in identifying their skills as well as knowledge. Moreover, it is
necessary because through this individual can identify their strength as well as weakness which
is necessary for further personal and professional development. In this entire practices, personal
and professional plan will assist a lot because it help in doing planning related to development of
skills this is necessary for taking better career place.