Self-Directed Learning for Professional Development

This assignment delves into self-directed learning for enhancing professional identity and career opportunities. The content analyzes an interview experience at Marriott, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of their recruitment process. It further includes a personal reflection on the interview experience and a detailed professional development plan to address identified areas for improvement.

Professional Identity
and Practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Part A...............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. various benefits of on going professional development for different stakeholders within a
particular firm.........................................................................................................................1
P2. Investigation of various expectations of employer related to skills, abilities and
competences within a particular company.............................................................................2
M1. Explanation of the effectiveness of on going professional development.......................3
D1. Evaluation of skills, abilities and competencies to achieve the employer expectation of
professional skills...................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P3. Abilities, skills and competencies for a particular job role..............................................4
Abilities:.................................................................................................................................4
P4. Theories and approaches of learning for profession al and personal development process. 5
M2. Evaluate own abilities, skills and competencies and the most important development
approaches..............................................................................................................................6
Part B ..............................................................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P5. Development plan increase skills and competencies that are chosen within a particular
work environment...................................................................................................................7
M3. develop a development plan which include underpinning development and learning
theories...................................................................................................................................8

Part C...............................................................................................................................................9
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6. A job interview application for a specific industry role...................................................9
P7. Strengths and weakness of interview process which is applied.....................................11
M4. Evaluate a job interview process and its challenges to overcome................................11
D4. A detailed and coherent critical reflection of an interview process..............................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REAFREENCES ...........................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Professional identity is defined as one's professional self respect which is based on
attributes, beliefs, values, objectives and experiences and others (Crigger and Godfrey, 2014). It
can be a set of meanings that individuals use to describe that how they perceive themselves in a
professional context. This assignment is related to Marriott International which is an American
multinational diversified hospitality company. This firm was founded in 1927 by J Willard
Marriott and Alice Marriott and this organisation manages and franchises a broad portfolio of
hotels and related lodging facilities. This report will discussed about various benefits of on going
professional development for several stakeholders within a particular company. Further will
defined about investigation of various expectations of professional employers related to skills,
abilities and competences within a particular firm's conte4xt.. Skills, abilities and competencies
will be described for a specific job role and a range of learning theories and approaches that are
used for personal and professional development processes will also be defined.
Part A
TASK 1
P1. various benefits of on going professional development for different stakeholders within a
particular firm
Marriott International is a hospitality company which engages in the operation and
franchises of hotel, residential and timeshare properties. Marriott International operates in three
business segments such as North American full service, North American limited services and
international. This firm is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland in the Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan area and it is the largest hotel chain in the world with more than 6,500 properties in
127 countries over 1,2 million rooms. To gain expected development and profitably, a person is
need to learn various concepts in an effective manner. It can beneficial to them to enhance and
increase their personal and professional skills because with it individuals can survive in an
organisation till a long period of time. On going professional development can be beneficial for
them because it can help them in their personal development (Gibbs, 2015). In context of
Marriott, different shareholders such as employers, employees and others can gain various
benefits with the help of on-going professional development. The benefits are as following:
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Customers- they are important stakeholders of the company because they help in the
organisational growth in terms of increasing profit and productivity of the company. In Marriott,
with the help of on going professional development process, the customer can get standardised
services which will help min improving their experience when they are taking services from
hotel (Goldie, 2012). It can be beneficial for Marriott also because if the firm offer better
facilities to its customer then they also show their loyalty and take services again and again in
future.
Employers- Professional development process is beneficial for the employer to maintain
a great availability at marketplace. In Marriott, with the help of continuous professional
development, they can more improvement bin their skills such as time management, leadership
and others. With the help of them, they can motivate employees and lead them towards a
particular task in an effective manner or help in organisational growth.
Employees- On-going professional development process can provide various benefits to
the employees to gain information and knowledge about performance ways so that they can
perform at workplace in an effective manner. It the help of it, they can enhance their abilities,
capabilities and knowledge or gain effective outcomes when they are performing in a task. In
Marriott, with the help of on going professional development procedure, the employees can
make improvement in their professional skill which will help them increasing profit and
productivity of the company and as well as their personal and professional development.
P2. Investigation of various expectations of employer related to skills, abilities and competences
within a particular company
In each organisation, the employers of the company expected that the employees will do
their work by using their all efforts and effectiveness so that they can help in the organisational
growth or enhancing productivity of the firm. In Marriott, the employer have some specific
expectations to their employees that are as following:
Coordination- In Marriott, to perform any business activity in an effective way, it can be
expected to the employees that they are doing their work with a proper coordination when they
are working a group to achieve a shared goal. It can be helpful for the employees because with
the help of it they can perform their work in a efficient manner and show their capabilities
(Hoeve, Jansen and Roodbol, 2014). This can help the hotel also because it improve the brand
image and create long time sustainability at marketplace.
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Willingness to learn- It refers to the ability and learning capacity of employees so that they can
learn about the new things and concepts regarding their work. In Marriott, the employers of the
company expect that the employees must be capable to learn new skills, knowledge of new
technologies do that with the help of the they can perform their work in efficient manner (Hsieh,
2015). With the help of this the employees can help the company to increase the market share,
revenue and profitability by enhancing economic condition of the firm.
High confidence- In Marriott, the employer of the firm expected that the employees have high
confidence when they are performing organisational activities. With the help of it, they can also
perform in difficult situations. If the employees are high confident, they can work in complex
condition and gain positive outcomes. This can also be beneficial for the company because it
help in achieving organisational objectives of the firm.
M1. Explanation of the effectiveness of on going professional development
On going professional development is beneficial because it help in improving the skills
and knowledge of the employees. With the help of it, the company can competitive advantages
from its competitors. To make improvement in the skills of employees, the company can conduct
training and learning sessions. This help in satisfying employers expectations because,
employees can perform their work in an effective manner and fulfil customers needs and
demands by providing quality services accordingly. This will create loyalty within the customer
which increase the profitability of the firm.
D1. Evaluation of skills, abilities and competencies to achieve the employer expectation of
professional skills
My focus is on becoming a manager in Marriott hotel. To achieve it, I need some skills
and capabilities in me to perform well the mu competitors. The evaluation of skills and
competencies are as following:
Competencies
Willingness to learn-I am very interested in context of learning new things and gain knowledge
about new technologies. I will give 9 out of 10 for me because when I perform in a task I am
very curious to know about different ways of perform work (Huston, 2013). This help me to
attain my task objective in an effective way in given period of time.
High confidence- In this aspect, I will rate myself 7 out of 10 because I perform each task and
work in a positive way which also encourage those employees and workers who are doing work
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under me to transfer their great efforts and performance by leading them towards a right
direction.
Skills
Leadership skill- I will give 8 out of 10 myself for having this skills. I am guide and lead those
employees who are working under me or in a team for achieving a common task (Izadinia,
2013).
Communication skill- in this case, I will rate myself 7 out of 10. I have good communication
skill and ,make interaction properly and share my thoughts with others. I ma good in oral
communication but my written communication is weak, when I transfer and information to other
there are vary mistakes related to punctuation and grammar.
TASK 2
P3. Abilities, skills and competencies for a particular job role
With the help of personal skill audit, I can understand my abilities, skills and
competencies. It will help me to analyse my capabilities and efficiencies. This will help in
providing various benefits and analysing my strengths and weaknesses as well so that I can make
improvement in them (Moss, Gibson and Dollarhide, 2014). For being a good manager in
Marriott, I need some abilities, skills and competences which are as following:
Personal Skill Audit
Learning Skills Target Proficiency Existing Proficiency Gap
Skills:
High confidence
Willingness to learn
Coordination
10 7 3
10 9 1
10 5 5
Abilities:
Team work
Research and
analysis
Target Proficiency Existing Proficiency
10 6 4
10 7 3
Competencies: Target Proficiency Existing Proficiency
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Communication
Customer service
Leadership skills
10 7 3
10 7 3
10 8 2
This personal skill audit conduct by me to analyse my skills and competencies so that I
can identifying my abilities that are required to be a manager in Marriott Hotel. It help me to
analyse that I need to make important in some of my skills and abilities. For example, my
communication is good but I do not have good written communication skill so there are need to
make improvement in it (Pihl-Thingvad, 2015). If I have this skill, I can easily share any
information to my subordinates and others. I have high confidence, leadership skills and other
which shows as my strengths.
P4. Theories and approaches of learning for profession al and personal development process
Learning theories for personal and professional development
Social learning theory- It is one of the most important theory of personal and
professional development under which behaviour is an important factor and play an important
role. This theory describes that an individual learn from its experience, imitations and
observation. This theory help in enhancing or increasing the motivation within employees or
help in make concentration and increasing memory also. This theory play a role as bridge
between contingency and behaviour theories. In Marriott, this theory help the employees to
understand the behaviours of human and environmental influences.
Erikson's theory- This theory explain that personality development is an on-going
process of life. It refers to a personality development theory which help in making improvement
or enhancing the personality of employees. This theory and model work in eight stages of life
such as starting from the infancy till adulthood. According this theory, in each stage of life
person gain experience rather it can be positive or negative or affect their personality. There are
various basic issues that affect an individuals life such as guilt, inferiority, intimacy, identity, ego
and various others. These all are create impact on the personality of people.
Learning approaches of personal and professional development
Cognitive approach- In this approach, the personality of a person can be analysed by
learning. It include observational learning and self efficiency which enhance the social learning
and experience of individuals (Pillen, Beijaard and den Brok, 2013). This approach of personal
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and professional development specially dependent on employee's behaviours modification by
applying effective and efficient methods of improvement.
Behavioural approach- This approach explains that personality traits are inborn in each
individual. According this approach, the people behave and perform according their learning or
experiences which they have (Trede and McEwen, 2012). Rather than it there are various
changes occur in the behaviour of individuals and employees according the change occurred in
the workplaces and environment.
M2. Evaluate own abilities, skills and competencies and the most important development
approaches
Here, I use a skill audit to analyse my skills so that I can understand my own skills
strengths and weaknesses according the need of a specific job role of a Tour operator in Marriott
hotel.
Personal skills audit
Learning skills Target proficiency Existing proficiency
Skills:
 High confidence
 Willingness to learn
 Coordination
10
10
10
7
9
5
Abilities:
 Team Work
 Research capabilities
10
10
6
7
Competencies:
 Customer service
 Leadership
 Communication
10
10
10
7
8
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From the above information it can be analysed that various of skills are relevant for the
job role of tour operator and I am also capable to handle the job responsibilities (Trede, Macklin
and Bridges, 2012). From the above skill audit, I analysed that I have good leadership skill and
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with the willingness to learn new things, I am always ready gain knowledge about various
technologies and others.
Part B
TASK 3
P5. Development plan increase skills and competencies that are chosen within a particular work
environment
Professional development plan-
Target Action to achieve Evidence of
completion
Target date
To maintain effective
and good relation with
customers as well as
employees with the
help of high
confidence
 By providing
quality services
to the
customers and
clients
 By making
improvement
in interaction
and
communication
Guests can easily
transfer their problems
and views regrading
the facilities that are
provided by the hotel.
Within 55 days.
Make improvement in
process of learning
 By reading
books, journals
and magazines
to make
improvement
in learning
process.
To offer various
solution regarding the
issues which is faced
by Marriott when they
are dealing with the
clients.
With in 70 days.
To enhance motivation
and confidence for
 By completing
the work of
To finished the work
in given period of
With in 85 days.
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work company in a
metastatic way
and given
period of time.
time.
M3. develop a development plan which include underpinning development and learning theories
Serial
no.
Learning
objective
Current
proficien
cy
Targe
ted
profic
iency
Development opportunities Time scale
1 High confidence 7 10 I am adequate in it but for more
improvement I required to work on
more complex situations which
will help me by enhancing or
increasing my motivation and
confidence.
3-4 months
2 Willingness to
learn
9 10 I am always ready to learn new
things like about technologies,
concepts an others. This help me in
enhancing my personal and
professional skills that required to
deal with various situations related
to work (Warner, 2014).
2-3 months.
3 Communication 7 10 My written communication skill is
weak so I am not share information
to my subordinates. Because there
are various issues occurs related to
grammar and punctuation.
Improvement in this skill will help
3-4 months.
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to transfer any information to
employees and also help in
increasing the level of confidence.
Part C
TASK 4
P6. A job interview application for a specific industry role
Job interview refers to a formal meeting in which one or more persons question, consult
or evaluate another person. It can be a process of meeting and conversation in which a writer or
interviewer asks questions to candidates and employees. This process include different process
steps such as posting of required job destination in different locations such as newspaper, radio,
online portal and others (Williams, Ritter and Bullock, 2012). In Marriott, the manager of the
company can use various types of interviews such as telephonic, Skype, face to face and others
to hire candidates. There are some steps which involve in a job interview, they are as following:
Job Portfolio
Organisation: Marriott Hotel
Division: Marketing department
Job Title: Marketing Manager
Job Location: Bethesda, Maryland, UK
Working conditions : 8 Hours
Job Summary
Marriott hotel operate its business internationally and t require Sales Manager. The duties that
are needed to perform at this position are to meet customer and business professionals to
associate them with the company.
Role
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 To visit and meet customers for the growth of the business of the organisation.
 Have to clear understanding about the hotels business strategies then set the goals to
monitor action plans to meet those objectives.
 Provide highest quality of facilities and services to the customer at all time.
Personal Specification
Organisation: Marriott Hotel
Job Title : Marketing Manager
Qualification – MBA in marketing and related field
Essential Criteria:
 Good and strong communication skill.
 Having a deep knowledge and information about Hotel industry.
 Develop strong relationships with on property front office team to ensure working in
unity.
Desirable criteria:
 3 years experience in as a assistant marketing manger and related field.
 Able to solve customers issues and provide satisfaction by solving their problems.
Curriculum Vitae
Name: Alice Edward
Address : 15 floor, Oxford street, London, UK
Phone No. - 789543732637
Profile summary: The person is qualified with marketing and international business and 3
years experience as a assistant marketing manger in Holidays Inn. I want to get an
opportunity so that I can develop myself and business also.
Specialisation:
 Goal oriented Dedicated for the work
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Educational qualification: -
 Bachelor's in marketing. Master's in marketing and international business
Date : 4 April 2019
Place : Bethesda, Maryland
P7. Strengths and weakness of interview process which is applied
Strengths- In Marriott, the recruitment process is not so complex because the HR
manager of the company organised interview with exact time and over it in given period of time
(Xu, 2014). They give their feedback in 2 days and the second round is conducted by the
directors and they asked about the experience, background and qualifications or check the
abilities by providing situations.
Weaknesses- The questions which are asked by the manager are little confusing. In first
round they asked situational questions which is difficult for the candidates and answers on that
specific questions are differ from person to person.
M4. Evaluate a job interview process and its challenges to overcome
The interview process of marketing manager is good in Marriott hotel but the questions
which are asked by the HR is little complex and difficult. In the first round, the HR not satisfied
with the answers that are provided by the applicants. In second round, the directs are asked about
qualifications, backgrounds, previous experiences and various other things. So all these are very
confusing because they are not following a proper formate and schedule.
D4. A detailed and coherent critical reflection of an interview process
In Marriott hotel, I determined that the HR is little impress because he about the recruitment
process for new candidates that how to make feel them comfortable. The HR follow a proper
structure of the questions (Crigger and Godfrey, 2014). For this job interview, I analyse my skills
and abilities that where are need to improvement and need to do work.
CONCLUSION
From the above information, it can be analysed that on going professional and personal
development process is most important to make improvement in the skills and abilities of a
person. This report is discussed about self directed learning to enhance professional identity and
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career opportunity. Own skills, competences and various learning and development approaches
are defined. A professional development plan and job application are also described in the
assignment.
REAFREENCES
Books & Journals
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