Benefits and Challenges of Professional Development

This assignment discusses the importance of ongoing professional development for employees and companies. It highlights the benefits of professional development, such as enhanced working capabilities and achieving desired outcomes. However, it also touches on the expectations of employers from employees and the merits and demerits associated with job interview processes. The assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the topic, citing relevant references and sources.

PROFESSIONAL
IDENTITY AND
PRACTICE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1............................................................................................................1
Role of on-going professional development in an organisation.............................................1
Benefits of on going professional development to the employees and employers in the
company.................................................................................................................................2
Employer expectations of professional skills and standards..................................................2
Evaluation of importance of on-going professional development and the associated
professional skills requirements.............................................................................................3
Critically evaluate own skills and competencies to meet the employer expectation of
professional skills...................................................................................................................4
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2............................................................................................................4
Systematic evaluation of own skills, abilities and competences using appropriate methods and
techniques...............................................................................................................................4
Abilities:.................................................................................................................................5
Range of theories and approaches used to evaluate personal and professional development
process....................................................................................................................................5
Evaluation of own skills and competencies and appropriate developmental approach.........7
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3............................................................................................................7
Construction of a professional development plan to enhance chosen skills and competences
within a specific work context................................................................................................7
Detailed development plan that applies underpinning learning and development theory......8
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4............................................................................................................9
Job interview in a controlled environment.............................................................................9
Review of key strengths and weaknesses of the job interview process...............................11
Evaluation of job interview process emphasising on the obstacles and the challenges.......11

Detailed and coherent critical reflection of interview process and abilities during the process
..............................................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Professional identity & practice is defined as set of attitude, opinion and beliefs about
professional role of a person while doing work related activities. It is a kind of social
identification and specifies the extent to which an individual shows professionalism. It involves
values, responsibilities and role of a person while perusing a profession (Avalos, 2011). This
report is written in context with Hilton hotel which is a global brand hotel offering full services
to its customers. At present, hotel posses more than 580 resort and hotel properties in around 85
countries. This report is going to include merits of ongoing professional development for
different stakeholders. Exceptions of professional employers in respect to skill and competencies
are also discussed. Beside this, own skill, competencies and abilities for a specific role is
mentioned along with range of learning theories and approaches used for personal and
professional development process. Also a development plan to enhance skills is prepared. At last,
a job interview is taken and strengths and weaknesses associated with interview process are
measured.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1
Role associated with on going professional development in an organisation
Hilton hotels and resorts is a America based full service hotel. Company was established
in 1919 by Conrad Hilton and headquartered in Virginia, US. At present, hotel is successfully
operating at more than 580 geographic locations and targets both leisure and business travellers
by operating near convention centres, airports, vacation destinations, major city centres etc.
customers preferring their services are given benefit of free Wi-Fi, keyless entry, digital check-
ins etc.
To achieve desired success and growth, it is essential for an individual to learn new
aspects on a continuous basis. This will help them in enhancing their work performing
capabilities that will results in gaining more experience as an expertise or professional. By this, it
will become easy for an individual to retain in a firm for a longer time period. HR officer in
Hilton hotel is required to acknowledge the responsibilities and roles of HR so that their
professional identity can be enhanced. On-going professional development will motivate an
employee to perform work operations in a systematic and organised manner. It will make a
person more accountable and responsible for their work that will benefits the organisation in
1

achieving desired aims and objectives. In context of Hilton hotel, role of on-going professional
development is stated below:
 Main role associated with on-going professional development is that it will assists an
individual to perform their business operations and activities in required standard so that
working capability and potential of an individual can't act as a barrier in organisational
success.
 It will assure that the workers in Hilton Hotel are enhancing their skills and knowledge
on continuous basis. This will benefit them in satisfying the basic requirements &
demands of customers in a desired and appropriate manner (Perry, 2012).
 Another role associated with on-going professional development is that it will help them
in gaining work related experiences. These experiences will benefit them in delivering
good performance in complex and difficult situations.
Different benefits related with on-going professional development to workers and employers in
an organisation
Appropriate continuous professional development will benefit the workforce and
management in Hilton hotel to enjoy numerous benefits. Some of these benefits are stated below:
 In case of Hilton hotel, on-going development process will benefit individuals in
developing their skills and capabilities according to the required standards. Due to this, a
worker will become more efficient and organised while performing its work related
duties. It will enhance the working potential of employees due to which overall
organisational productivity will also enhance considerably. This will result in enhanced
revenues and profit margins (Hallam, 2012).
 This development process will help a person in sustaining a strong base for futuristic
opportunities. Timely and professionally completion of task will benefit employees and
employers in achieving predetermined goals and objectives in a proper manner. Due to
this, a healthy work environment will be sustained at workplace. This process will help in
creating new possibilities and advantages for workforce in Hilton hotel.
On-going Professional development also lead other stakeholders of Hilton Hotel, like
managers in getting high contribution of skilled staff members in offering best services to
customers, in less period of time. Along with this, it also aid investors in getting high return
on investment.
2

Expectations of employers related with professional skills and standards
While working within an organisation, an employee is expected to deliver its best
performance so that organisation can achieve its expected outcomes in an efficient manner. In
this regard, every employer have some expectations form their workforce. These expectations are
associated with the early and appropriately completion of task, achievement of targets etc.
employers in Hilton hotel also posses some expectation form their workforce regarding their
professional skills and capabilities which are stated below:
 High confidence: The management and manager in Hilton hotel want that employees
which works under them must posses high confidence while delivering their business
duties (Shortland, 2010). This will motivate them in performing well in difficult and
changing situations. High confidence will include high confidence & attitude in the
behaviour of an individual that will benefits the organisation in achievement of their
targets and objectives in an appropriate manner.
 Eagerness to learn: Another expectation of employers of Hilton hotel is that the
workforce works for them needs to be interested in learning new and modern skills. This
will benefits them in satisfying the requirements of customers in a different and new
manner due to which satisfaction level and experience of customer enhances which
results in repeated visits (Huston, 2013).
 Coordination and cooperation: To perform business activities in a proper manner, it is
essential of workforce in Hilton hotel to perform work related activities in proper
coordination so that tasks can be accomplished in a unified manner. An employer expects
form its employees to cooperate with each other while performing their duties so that
mismanagement of work do not takes place and all the tasks will be accomplished in a
desired manner.
Evaluation of importance associated with on going professional development and associated
professional skills requirements
On-going professional development possess great significance as it helps an employee in
enhancing their work performing standard so that competitive advantage can be gained over
other individuals which expertise in same field. Also, the skills of employees for gaining
attention of customer will increase which will result in increased customer base for company.
Hence, it can be stated that on-going professional development will benefits workforce in Hilton
3

hotel to expand their existing skills and capabilities (Jasper, 2011). This will benefit the company
in attaining their desired goals and objectives in an expected manner. Also, it will incorporate
confidence and positive attitude in the behaviour of employees due to which they will try to
accomplish organisational goals along with sustaining their personal interest. Along with this,
on-going professional development also give opportunity to staff members and other
professionals in reducing weaknesses and enhance skills. It would help in making their career
more bright in hospitality sector.
Critically evaluate own skills and competencies to meet the employer expectation of professional
skills
As my entire emphasis is on to be an effective manager at Hilton hotel. For this, I require
to have specific skills and capabilities that will differentiate me form my rival. Evaluation of
skills and competencies posses by me is carried out below:
Skills
 High confidence: In case of this skill, I would like to rate myself 9 out of 10. This is
because I feel that I do not face any difficulty in working challenging work and I always
motivate my subordinates to perform with positive attitude so that all the work can be
completed in a timely manner.
 Eagerness to learn: In this aspect, I would aid me 8 from 10. I have interest in
understanding new and different concepts which will allow me to perform a single work
in alternative way according to the requirement of situation. This is going to assist me in
achieving high advantage over complex situations
 Coordination and cooperation: In context with this skill, I will give me 6 from the total
of 10. This is because I face some problems while working in a group or team. One
reason for this is ideological differences due to which I faced difficulty in coordinating
and cooperating while working.
 Competences – It includes effective communication and management skills that aid me
to develop strong relations with associated people, so that business objectives can be
achieved. Therefore, I will give my competence level 8 out of 10.
 Time management: Here, I am going to give me 8 from 10. This is because I am
punctual and prefer to accomplish my work in a timely manner.
4

 Customer service: In context with this competency, I will rate me 9 from the total of 10
as I am very efficient in understanding the needs & requirement of customers and tries to
provide them service in accordance with that only.
 Leadership skills: in this regard, I will rate myself 6 out of 10. As I am new in this work,
I face issues in providing right direction to my subordinates and employees.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2
Evaluate systematically of own abilities, competences and skills using appropriate techniques
As a manager in Hilton Hotel, to acknowledge my skill, abilities and competences I have
formulated an effective personal skill audit. This will benefit me in performing personal analysis.
In accordance with that, I will identify my strengths and weaknesses that will helps me in
improving myself so that I can appropriately manage my duties as a manager in Hilton hotel.
This personal skill audit of my own abilities, competencies and skills, I have identified
that I possess efficient capabilities to be a manager in Hilton hotel. This skill audit helps me in
realising that I need to carry out improvements in my leadership skills, team work, cooperation
5

and coordination as these are my weak points. Beside this, my positive points are high
confidence, willingness to learn, customer service, time management, research and analysis
which will help me in qualifying as a manager in Hilton hotel. It has also been evaluated from
above personal skill audit that the area where I need to work more in order to perform entire
responsibilities as an operational manager includes – leadership, team management, coordination
and cooperation. By developing these abilities I can manage workplace more efficiently to offer
best services to customers.
Range of theories and approaches used to evaluate personal and professional development
process
It is known that hospitality sector changes at a fast rate due to constant changing needs of
customers. It is essential for a person related with this sector to have both professional and
personal skills so that all the work within hotel or other business sector can be performed in a
desired manner (Thi Tran and Thi Nguyen, 2013). In this scenario, there are some learning
theories and approaches which are mentioned below:
Learning cycle theory
Kolb's learning theory: As per this theory given by Kolb, learning is a four stage
continuous process in which the individual is required to gain knowledge form every new
experiences. This theory treats learning as a holistic procedure in which new ideas are
implemented on a continuous basis so that required improvement can be carried out in working
pattern of Hilton hotel (John Wiley & Sons.Cooke, 2012). Different aspects related to this theory
are specified below:
 Concrete experience: In this stage, a person is observed on the basis of experience that
will assists in new learning. To attain good capabilities, it is not sufficient for employees
in Hilton hotel to read or observe, they need to learn from new experiences.
 Reflective observation: It is essential for an individual to reflect on experience before
taking any decision or judgement. Employees in Hilton are required to review situation in
a proper manner so that right decision can be taken in a timely manner.
 Abstract conceptualisation: Here the theories are developed on the basis of experience.
In this stage, employees in Hilton can introduce new idea or modify the existing process
to perform business operations.
6

 Active experimentation: During this stage, an individual try to apply the aspects which
are learned from other experiences. They take their own decisions to solve a problem or
take decision. Here goal of employees in Hilton hotel will be to discover new ways to
tackle a situation.
VARK model: It is a model which specifies that learners are of four types i.e. auditory
learners, visual learners, kinaesthetic learner, reading learners. This model is best representation
of learning styles. All these factors and strategies can be implemented by manager in Hilton hotel
so that workers can enhance their abilities, skills and capabilities in a desired manner (McNiff,
2012). Visual learning strategy can be implemented when employees were teach strategies
through charts, maps or diagrams etc. Auditory strategies are used when information is spoken or
heard. In this regard, employees in Hilton hotel can acquire information form lectures,
discussions etc. in Kinaesthetic learning style, employees of Hilton can learn with the help of
experiences and practices.
Evaluate of skills & competencies along with appropriate developmental approach
With the assistance of above prepared personal skill audit of my own competencies and
skills, I have understood that for the job profile of manager in Hilton hotel I am well suitable.
Although, I need to be perfect in every sector but in those fields where I am lacking, I am ready
to improve so that I can achieve desired career growth. With the help of willingness to learn,
high confidence, research capabilities and customer service, I will become a successful manager
that will help Hilton to attain competitive advantage over rival companies .
In this regard, I have analysed that Kolb learning cycle is a best approach that will helps
me in reaching towards my best working potential due to its reflective and observatory approach.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3
Construct a professional development procedure to increase chosen skills & competences in
work context
A PDP plan is formulated so that my competencies and skills can be enhanced which is
mentioned below:
Target Action to achieve Evidence of
completion
Target date
7

Sustain good relation
with consumers and
other staff through
high confidence
 Spending more
time in
acknowledging
the preference
of customers.
 Enhancing
interaction
skills
Customer will
acknowledge me with
my job position and
name
Within 80 days
Improvements in
learning process
 Learning and
understanding
new skills and
capabilities
with the help
of books,
journals
By updating my
knowledge about rules
and decisions
formulated by
company
Within 90 days
Enhanced motivation
for work
 Try to perform
every task in
an efficient and
timely manner
by preparing a
time schedule.
Accomplishment of
task according to time
period.
Within 120 days
Detailed development plan that applies underpinning learning and development theory
Serial
no.
Learning
objective
Current
proficien
cy
Targe
ted
profic
iency
Development opportunities Time scale
1 High
confidence
9 10 I already posses this skill but I
further need improvement so that I
2 to 3 months
8

can deliver my best performance
without facing any complexity.
This will help me in dealing with
difficult situations without any
complexities.
2 Willingness to
learn
8 10 My learning abilities are good but I
need to develop them more so that
I can guide and direct employees
working under me in a proper
manner. It will help me in
performing work in a more
efficient manner.
1 to 2 months
3 Coordination 6 10 My coordination level is low due to
which I am not efficient to work in
a group or team. It can be
improved by more interaction and
communication with my
colleagues.
4 to 5 months
4 Cooperation 6 10 I lacks cooperation while
performing business operations due
to ideological differences. For this
I need to listen opinion of everyone
without considering my own
assumption.
4 months
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4
Job interview in a controlled environment
Job interview process is a multistage process which is used to recruit new employees. It
includes different steps such as posting a job, writing a description of job, conducting
9

preliminary interview, scheduling interview, making a hire etc. In case of Hilton hotel, there are
different elements associated with interview process which are mentioned below:
Job Portfolio
Organisation: Hilton Hotel
Division: Front desk Department
Job Title: Manager
Job Location: Crawley, London, UK
Working conditions : 8 Hours
Job Summary
Hilton hotel is a repudiated hotel and is recruiting a manager for their organisation. Company
requires a person which can perform multi tasking and manage the requirements of guest in a
proper manner.
Role
 Provide information to customers about different services offered by Hotel management.
 Guiding and training of staff members
 Assure that guests experiences luxurious satisfaction from services offered.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Organisation: Hilton Hotel
Job Title : Manager
Qualification – MBA with a recognised university
Essential Criteria:
 Have good knowledge about services and facilities for customers
 Appreciable communication skills
 Able to queries of customers in a proper manner.
Desirable criteria:
 At least one year of experience as a manager
 Quick learner with fast decision making capabilities.
10

CURICULAM VITAE
Curriculum Vitae
Name: Jones Smith
Address : 12th Street, Crawley, United Kingdom
Phone No. - 3456789012
Profile summary: I have done MBA in marketing department with 1.5 year of experience of
working as a manager. I wish to be a part of an organisation where I can appropriately enhance
my career opportunities along with capabilities and skills.
Specialisation:
 Managing work in a timely and organised manner. Offering high satisfaction to customers by considering their requirements that will
enhance their staying experience
Educational qualification: -
 BBA MBA
Declaration:
I hereby declares that above details and information about me is correct according to
certificates which are issued by university.
Date : March 27, 2019
Place : United Kingdom
Evaluate the key strengths & weaknesses associated with job interview process
Strength in relation with job interview process
Main strength of this process is that if an applicant do any mistake, a time will be given
to improve it. In Hilton hotel, interview processes are effective as it helps in selecting desired
candidate. Managers and management authority can ask different questions and the desired
candidate will get selected according to the talent and capabilities it posses.
Weakness of job interview process
11

Weakness of job interview process is that senior manager of Hilton Hotel ask complex
questions due to which candidate feel nervous while answering them. Also this whole process is
very time consuming & requires high investment which can impact profitability of hotel.
Evaluate job interview procedure with main emphasis on the challenges faced
Job interview process of Hilton hotel can help them in hiring desired candidate but this
will take some time and requires high investment due to which profitability of company will
suffer. Along with this, hotel management have to give training to new employees due to which
expanses will further increases. In case of interviewee, obstacle will be passing different rounds
and proving capabilities to acquire this job position (Mwalongo, 2011).
Detailed and coherent critical reflection of interview process and abilities during the process
After passing this job interview process, I realised that I need to further improve my
capabilities and skills so that I can be more advantageous for company. This will directly helps
me in sustaining a good career growth and opportunity. But this interview process is required to
be less time consuming and interviewer must ask specific questions which will help them in
understanding my qualification level.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, it is concluded that there are different benefits of on-going
professional development to a company. It will helps in enhancing the working capabilities of an
employee due to which firm became capable to achieve its desired outcomes in a timely manner.
There are some expectation of employers form employees that will be beneficial for company. A
development plan helps an individual in identifying those areas where further improvement can
be carried out in a proper manner. There are different merits and demerits which are associated
with job interview process but it is an efficient way to recruit and hire workforce.
12

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in Teaching and Teacher Education over
ten years.Teaching and teacher education,27(1), pp.10-20.
Hallam, J., 2012. Nursing the image: media, culture and professional identity. Routledge.
Huston, C. J., 2013. Professional issues in nursing: Challenges and opportunities. Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Jasper, M., 2011.Professional Development, Reflection and Decision-making for Nurses(Vol.
17).
John Wiley & Sons.Cooke, N.A., 2012. Professional development 2.0 for librarians: Developing
an online personal learning network (PLN).Library Hi Tech News,29(3), pp.1-9.
McNiff, J., 2012.Action research for professional development: Concise advice for new action
researchers. Dorset: September books.
Mwalongo, A., 2011. Teachers' perceptions about ICT for teaching, professional development,
administration and personal use. International Journal of Education and development
using information and communication Technology,7(3), p.36.
Perry, C. W., 2012. Constructing professional identity in an online graduate clinical training
program: Possibilities for online supervision. Journal of systemic Therapies. 31(3).
pp.53-67.
Shortland, S., 2010. Feedback within peer observation: continuing professional development and
unexpected consequences.Innovations in Education and Teaching International,47(3),
pp.295-304.
Thi Tran, L. and Thi Nguyen, N., 2013. Mediating teacher professional identity: The emergence
of humanness and ethical identity. International Journal of Training Research. 11(3).
pp.199-212.
Thomas, L., 2012. New possibilities in thinking, speaking and doing: Early childhood teachers'
professional identity constructions and ethics. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood.
37(3). p.87.
Zepeda, S.J., 2012.Professional development: What works. Eye on education.
Zinn, W. and Goldsby, T. J., 2014. Logistics professional identity: strengthening the discipline as
galaxies collide. Journal of Business Logistics. 35(1), pp.23-28.
13

14