Planning Careers and Employability

This study explores the importance of personal development plan and SWOT analysis in career planning and employability. It emphasizes the need to improve skills like time-management, problem-solving, communication, and team-working. Find study material and solved assignments on Desklib.

Planning Careers and
Employability

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
SWOT analysis of own...........................................................................................................1
Skill Audit..............................................................................................................................2
Personal development plan.....................................................................................................7
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Employability refers the quality and skills which helps an individual in performing the given
job role in an efficient manner. This study is going to show the importance of personal
development plan by which and individual improve their skills and all those areas in which they
are not good. It will also show the importance of self audit and SWOT analysis model by which
an individual identify those areas in which they are good and in which they are not good.
Aim:
“To work with IBM company in an efficient manner and prove myself by becoming loyal and
trustworthy employee”.
 To increase all skills required by IBM company like time-management, problem-solving
and communication.
 To complete all given tasks before the given deadline and delivering high quality of
products and services to customers.
SWOT analysis of own
As I want to work with IBM company and for that I researched about all those skills which they
require selecting and get the best employee. For matching skills and requirements of the
company with mine I need to analyse my skills and weaknesses. With the help of SWOT
analysis, I analysed all skills, weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats (White and et.al.,
2017).
Strengths:
 Team working and flexibility skills are the main strength which can help in getting an
effective job.
 Effective communication and self motivation is my other skill which has supported me
and will help me out in getting promotional opportunities.
 Creative problem solving skill and ability to solve critical issues Is one of my best
strength which is also required by IBM company.
Weaknesses:
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 I am bad in several skills and there are several areas which needs to be improved such as:
leadership skills. An ability to influence people and guide them to work in a right
direction is my weakness.
 Time management and ability to complete tasks on the time is my other weakness.
Opportunities:
 With the help of flexibility and problem solving skills I can take opportunity of getting
promoted.
 Improving an effective relationship with client and other employees is one of the best
opportunity which I can get from client focus and team working skills (Moore and et.al.,
2018).
Threats:
 Lack of leadership skill give a threat of increasing competition at workplace.
 Dissatisfaction is the big threat and problem which can occur due to lack of time
management skills.
Skill Audit
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Quality of work to improve Not confident 100% 100% confident
TIME MANAGEMENT
I manage to complete tasks before the given deadline.
I organize myself in terms of time management if I have a lot of pending work.
Completing my present and critical tasks by making small targets related to the
future and my qualification.
TEAM WORKING
I have an ability to work with a different types of people in a team without
getting disturbed (Cleary and Kitsantas, 2017).
I have an ability to choose out the best solution by working in a team.
COMMUNICATION
I listen to the team or people's opinion carefully to analyse all things in an
efficient manner.

During group discussion and public speaking I came out with several ideas but I have fear of
speaking in front of them.
People are explained new things by the power of confidence.
PROBLEM-SOLVING
Ability to think critically or both positive and negative sides of each factor.
I make sure that when I am taking reference from the others, I do not get
plagiarism.
My writing is in academic style.
FLEXIBILITY
I understand all needs and requirements of customers and help them by
providing products as per their needs.
To change myself as per the changing situations of the company.
LEADERSHIP
To influence people and getting all types of work done in an efficient manner.
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INFORMATION LITERACY: READING
I have an ability to collect data relevant to the given task from any source such
as books, internet, etc.
I can understand the clients requirements and help them in taking the right step
and solving their problems after selling of products.
NUMERACY AND TECHNOLOGICAL
I can analysis a graph of any data which is presented and compare effectively
I can prepare budget, funds and planning for the next year by searching
informations.
For more describing strengths and weaknesses and all those areas in which I am good and
bad are discussed below in detail. By analysing all those areas I can identify skills which need to
be improved and focused for getting an effective job and accomplish all requirements of IBM
company. It is stated that for working with IBM company, it is important to have an effective
communication, time-management, problem-solving and leadership skills. With the help of
previous job and experience I can analyse my skills and all areas in detailed manner.
Time management skills: Time management skills also play an important role
for delivering all important projects on the time and improve a good image. Time management
means to complete the given tasks before the deadline. It allows an individual to complete more
and also pre-determined goals in a shorter period. When an individual is lacking in this skill,
cannot finish its work on the time and miss the given deadline then it increases frustration and
stress level in them which also decrease their concentration level which all leads in decreasing
productivity (Ahmad, 2016.). I am not that much good in this skill. Sometimes I can complete all
given tasks on the time and sometimes I feel that I need to improve this skill as most of the time I
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missed the deadline of submitting project. For getting an effective job and taking promotional
opportunities, I need to focus on this.
Problem-solving: Problem solving skills also plays an important role in making working
environment friendly and peaceful. In an organization, several problems and situations occur and
when they remain unsolved then lead unproductive, conflicts and labour turnover which is not
good for employees and the company. It is an ability to find out the best solution to difficult
issues and satisfy both parties involved in the problem. I am good in this skill as this skill helped
me out in my previous working and company to get more opportunities and solve all problems. I
faced several problems initially but gradually I learned the way of solving critical problem. It can
be said that for solving problems there is a requirement to have critical thinking skills in which I
lack and it is the reason I am not completely good in problem solving skill.
Communication skills: In the context of communication skills it can be said that it plays
an important role. If an individual do not have this skill than it creates the problem and situation
of miscommunication which leads conflicts and ineffective relationship with others. For getting a
good job and selecting in IBM company it is the first and important skills which need to be
possessed. I am good in this skill and I can say it confidentially because in previous job I found
that I can communicate with all me team members in an efficient manner. An effective
communication is not only important to decrease miscommunication but also for making a strong
relations with others. An effective communication helps an individual in guiding them in the
right direction by which they can reduce errors from their work. It also helps me out in
improving productivity. By more focusing and trying to keep this skill as my main strength I can
increase trust in a team and within a company as well. While working with IBM, I can take
promotional opportunities by listening others and communicating with clients and colleagues.
So, it can be said that there is no need to more focus on this skill and work for improving this.
Team-working: Team-working is most important skill. It is stated that IBM company
employ diverse workforce and employees from different cultures of employees. For making
themselves and the company succeed as well as making diverse working environment effective it
is important to have this skill. In this context, I can say that I am good in team working skill. I
am not a type of extrovert so, I can cooperate and work with different types of people. An
effective team-working skill not only improve productivity and help in completing tasks in
timely manner but also give learning opportunities (Johnson, Chichirau and Wright, 2017). For
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example: Different cultures of employees have different types of knowledge and skills and when
all cultures of people work in a team and collaborate then they learn new ways of performing
things which makes them creative and innovative. For working in a team efficiently, it is
important to have a good communication skill for sharing views and accomplishing the same and
team goal. As I am good in this skill, so I do not require to add this in development plan but I
need to make sure to maintaining and keeping this skill with me by taking opportunities of
working in diverse members of team.
Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility is a skill of making themselves as per the
changing needs, requirements of the market and policies of the company. Nowadays, people are
becoming modern, and they try to get innovative and continuous improved and innovative
products and services. If they do not get products as per their changing requirements then they
switch the shop and go to other shop and organization who provides them same features of
products. So, for staying potential customers within the company for the long run, it is important
to have this skill. To cope up and change style of working as per the changing demands is the
most important employability skill. In this context and skill, I can say that I am flexible and
having ability to change my style of performing and cope up with changes in organization due to
changes in external environmental factors and needs of customers. This ability helped me out in
my previous job in accomplishing pre-determined goals of the company and mine as well. I can
strongly say that this skill will help me out in making my career. It can help me out in my both
personal and professional life.
Client focus: Client focus refers orientation of people working in an organization
towards the needs and requirements of customers. Customers is the main key of the success of
the company and for making success, it is important for the company to put efforts for satisfying
customers. Customers in technological and other areas have more bargaining power. For
becoming customer focus it is also important to improve quality and focus on continuous
improvement. Satisfying customers is not an easy task because they seek and want changing and
innovative products on continuous basis (Karatas and Baki, 2017). For satisfying different types
of needs of different customers, it is important to listen them carefully and identify that what
they are asking for. In this context I can say that I am now good in this skill. Initially I faced
several problem in satisfying different types and age group of customer. But with the help of an
effective training given by my manager in previous job helped me out in increasing skill which
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are required to analyse customers needs and make themselves as per their needs. So, it can be
said that I am good in this skill and I perform all activities by thinking about customers and with
the main aim of satisfying them.
Self-motivation: Self motivation is the main skill and the key of accomplishing any type
of goals like short term and long term. Every people work and perform activities for
accomplishing goals and that goals in called motivation. Motivation is the thing which push an
individual to work and increase willingness of accomplishing something. Lack of this skill
cannot help an individual to perform activities in an efficient manner. In this context, I can say
that it is my strength which helped me out in my previous job. Sometimes I felt stressed due to
long working hours and work load but continuous focus on this skill and remembering the main
aim of working helped me out in performing better than others. So, I can say that this skill will
help me out in the future and at the time of working with IBM company. Self-motivation skill
not only help in accomplishing pre-determine goals as it also helps in becoming positive in all
type of situation which decrease stress level and anxiety. Working with having positive energy
and attitude help an individual in performing several tasks and making health working
environment.
Reflection model of Kolb
It is considered as the model with own experiences such as experiential learning. Own
experience of an individual can be reviewed evaluated, analysed in a systematic order within
three stages. As once the procedure had been finished (properly) than the new experiences will
also create the beginning point for other cycle ( Smith, 2016).
Concrete experience
I had an experience that earlier I work as a waiter there is a great responsibility on my shoulders
as I am the person who came directly to the clients, so I have to learn to smile all the time while
serving drinks and foods than after some time I shall became as a team leader for that I have to
pay attention for each and every detail version of my work and keep an eye of all the activities
happen within my workplace I.e IBM. I think that feedback provided by the consumers are
necessary for my career such as their good feedback motivates me to do my work more sincerely
while because of bad feedback I came to learning got to know that where I did mistake and I
will improve that Also, I feel like have to fulfil the needs of the consumers so that they will
come back and also recommended to the other people as well (McKinney, 2017)
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Reflection observation
Earlier I was not completing my task on time as I was unable to do manage my work such as
sometimes when there is lots of people were came within the restaurant, I was unable to manage
my table orders and this creates a hotch potch and creates a lot of difficulty and hence the
outcomes like guests irritated at me and my firm later and this spoils my relationship with the
client so I realized that I must end the work on time, I also able to create the highest quality of
products, I experience that working on time must be necessary for every organization so that
clients builds the loyalty towards the firm. I also keep the good relations with the managers
regarding the department of production and sales. As per my view maintaining the good
relationship with the seniors or my managers helps me a lot in my career at the same time I also
experience that time management is a vital factor regarding any task (Smith, 2016).
Abstract conceptualization.
I have done my work very sincerely but sometimes I thought that I can do more my work more
precisely and accurately when I was working a waiter I could prioritize my work, by more
important can do first and less one later, I also scheduled my work such as when there was
created a hotch potch during order taking time was reduced or eliminate by scheduling the work
such as first come ,first serves and it helps me to organize guests as well as my work. I can also
improves myself by taking feedback from their mobile phones or email id. I need to be more
efficient as I have to maintain the good relationship with the chefs also I have to improve my
communication skills with the chef. Also I have to maintain cleanliness regarding cutlery or
crockery ,personal cleanliness and table as it is most common complaint,first and foremost is the
being staff unfriendliness. Such of them both kinds of these complaints cost nothing (McKinney,
2017 )
Gibbs reflective cycle
The reflective cycle begins with the description and then the work continues clockwise such as
analysis, feelings,conclusion as well as at the ends action regarding plan so that finally back to
the description area. Hence, the cycle completes.
Description
Right now I am working as a business project manager within the year 2018 – 2021 at the
university of Luton Bedfordshire university. Before that industrial mechanic and I focused on
the year when I learn a lot about that is they year from 2014 to 2016 when I was a waiter and
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my responsibility is to came direct to the contact form the consumers and serving them food and
drinks with smiling all the time( Waltz, C., 2019)
Feelings
During this stage I feel sometimes low when my work was not managed as my senior managers
sometimes scolds me and this was very frustrating. Sometimes when my work was good even
than also costumers complaint but many of them appreciate me about my work this motivates me
, even when my seniors get to know that I improve myself day by day they also motivates me
and this motivation helps me a lot within my career till now in the year 2019 – 2020 (Potter,
2015). This steps of the Gibbs reflective utilized within the setting of an individual or also
counselling setting
Evaluation
I came to evaluate that responsibility as a waiter I do it properly. I full-fill the needs of the guests
and at the same time I get to know that where I have to do improvements such as in time
management, communication with the chefs and seniors managers maintaining the good
relationship assit me a lot in my career at the same time I also experience that time
management is a vital factor regarding any task. My seniors helps me a lot to achieve my targets
they motivate me a lot ( Waltz,2019)
Analysis
I learned that for value of time is very crucial. So time management skills is crucial to meet that
assist any individual to achieve high in career. I also learned that communication skills is also
vital as from chefs to the guests all people needed the good communication skills (Potter, 2015).
Conclusion
I came to conclusion that in ever field that communication skill is very crucial that I have to
improved and also needed to learn time management skills.
Personal development plan
Personal development plan is an effective process of improving all skills which needed to
be improved for performing job and satisfying job criteria. It helps an individual in analysing that
what they actually need to do and how they can achieve goal. For getting an effective job in an
organization, it is important to have knowledge of some skills for performing job role. For
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getting job in IBM, I need to improve all those areas in which I am not good. From the above
discussed analysis, some areas of improvement has been identified. With the help of an effective
development plan I can improve and focus on improving skills. In the context of importance of
personal development, it can be said that it helps in building skills and getting whatever they
want to achieve.
There are some areas which I need to improve such as:
Decision-making: Decision-making skill is the main area in which I am not good and
need to improve this skill. Decision-making means to take decision which will be beneficial for
all employees, customers and stakeholders. An effective decision help the company to take
several opportunities in the present as well as in the future. For having this effective skill, it is
important to have critical thinking skill and think in both positive and negative manner in each
aspect and element (Güre and Tat, 2017). It is already stated that I am not good in this skill and
need to improve this. There are several problems occur in an organization which need to be
solved ad for solving that problems, manager have to take decision which can satisfy all involved
party. By improving this skill I can take several opportunities in my personal as well as in
professional field. For improving this skill, I will require to make an effective development plan
which will help me out in analysing the main area of improvement along with ways of improving
them. This skill is related to leadership skill as an effective leader posses this skill which help
them out in guiding people and making the working environment productive.
Leadership skills: For becoming an effective employee and working for IBM
technological company it is important to have leadership skills and ability to guide people and
themselves as well. An effective leader can influence other employees and get them work done
and influence their behaviour in a manner that they survive willingly towards the achievement of
team and organizational goal. In this context, I can say that I am not good in this skill as I cannot
influence people in an effective manner (Chen and Rybak, 2017). For influencing and guiding
others firstly, I need to improve my skills and knowledge by which I can make all employees
sure that I have knowledge and can help them as well. So, for getting a job in IBM, I need to
improve this skill as it will help me out in my personal, professional and in the future for making
a good career.
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Skills needs
to be
developed
Resources and tools
for improvement
Importance in
the future
Sources Time-period
Time-
management
For improving time
management skill I
will make an
effective use of time
table by prioritizing
important task and
taken time according
o me. By completing
that time and by
identifying the
difference between
the actual time and
the determined time,
I can try to improve
this skill. By
performing the same
task again and again
and for 4-5 days i can
speed up and manage
time. With the help
of pickle jar tool as
well, I can improve
this skill.
Time
management is an
important skill
which is required
by IBM company
as it will help me
out in the future
in satisfying
customers by
delivering project
and products to
them on the time.
It can be said that
competition is
increasing and on
the rise and for
being in the
competition it is
important to
please customers.
Customers prefer
qualitative
products in timely
manner. It is also
important for
being happy
because delay in
There are some
ways of
identifying areas
in which an
individual lacks
and behind. With
the help of self
analysis and
analysing own
self, an individual
can identify their
strengths and
weaknesses. For
knowing the
weakness and
more about time
management skill,
i took feedbacks
from my manager
of previous
company. They
told me about my
weakness that i
need to focus on
improving time
management.
Within 20 days
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delivering and
submitting project
can frustrate an
individual. So, it
can be said that
by time
management will
help in the future
as I can spend
time with the
family and the
society along with
professional life
(Grit, 2019).
Decision-
making
By making a list of
pros and cons of each
factor and situation I
will try o analyse the
situation and try to
solve the problem.
For an effective
decision, I will also
make a list of options
as per the situations
and its advantages
and disadvantages, I
will try to take out
the best option for
solving the current
problem.
Decision-making
skill is an
important skill as
it does not only
help in present
and performing
job effectively but
also will help me
out in the future
in my personal
and in my
professional level.
Every
organization and
individual face
several problems
With the help of
feedbacks taken
from customers, I
got to know that it
is my weakness
and I need to
improve an
effective decision
making skill as
per the situation
and analysing
each factor of the
situation.
It will take 25
days.
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and it last for
different time
period and it
depends upon the
skill of solving
problem and
taking a decision
by analysing
each factor. It
3will help me4
out in the future
in making me
happy and taking
several
competitive
opportunities.
Leadership
skills
For improving
leadership skill it is
important to improve
all those skills which
are required in an
effective leadership
like influencing skill,
decision making, and
problem solving etc.
With the help of
critical thinking, self
analysis on
continuous basis and
analysing each factor,
Leadership skills
does not only
help an individual
in an organization
for leading its
employees but it
helps an
individual in its
personal life.
Leadership means
having an ability
to support all
people in every
situation and cope
With the help of
feedbacks taken
by my peers and
colleagues, I
came to know
that my
leadership skills
are poor and need
to focus on
improving this.
They told me that
I cannot influence
people and cannot
get them work
It will take 20-30
days.
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I can improve this
skill.
up with them but
for helping others
in every situation
it is important to
support own self
before and help
healthy and
happy. It
increases ability
to think positively
and having
passions, patience
to work and
accomplish goals.
So, it can be said
that it will help
me out in
achieving long
term goals in the
future.
done as my time
management and
decision making
skills are also
poor and
improvement in
all these skills
will improve my
leadership skills.
Research and
technology
For improving this
research and
technology i need to
practice more and
giving time to it. By
taking out time for
this particular skill
and spending time in
internet and other
sources of
Research and
technology is now
o the top because
technology is
increasing day by
day which is
increasing
competition. For
being in the
competition, it is
I analysed by
myself as when i
was given project
in my previous
job than I found
that I am not good
in this skill. I
found difficulties
in getting relevant
information’s.
Within 15-20
days I can
improve this skill.
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information’s, I can
improve this skill.
important to have
effective research
skills for getting
any type of
information’s
relevant to the
project and
current situation.
With the help of
information’s,
any type of
problem and
project can be
made
successfully. So,
it can be said that
by improving this
skill, I can help
the company in
taking
competitive
advantages and
make myself up
to the date
according to the
changes in market
trends in the
future (Crossman,
2015).
There were
several sources of
getting
information’s but
in the selection of
the best one I
found difficulty.
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Conclusion
From the above study it has been summarized that employability skills played a vital role for
getting an effective and desired job role in an organization. For performing job role in an
effective manner leadership, time management, decision making skills and communication skills
played a vital role. Further, it has also shown the importance and effectiveness of Kolb reflective
model which helps an individual in analysing him/her self and identify all those areas in which
they are good and bad. Lastly, it has shown the importance of personal development plan as it is
an effective procedure which help an individual in solving all those problems and reducing
weaknesses by using an effective tool and make them able to accomplish their goals.
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REFERENCES
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Moore, P.M. and et.al., 2018. Communication skills training for healthcare professionals working
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