Professional Identity and Practice

This document discusses the concept of professional identity and its importance in career development. It explores the benefits of ongoing professional development and provides guidance on evaluating and improving one's own skills and competencies. The document also includes a professional and personal development plan for the role of a general manager in Sheraton hotel. Subject: Professional Identity and Practice, Course Code: N/A, Course Name: N/A, College/University: N/A, Document Type: Study Material, Assignment Type: N/A

Professional identity
and practice

Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................3
LO1 An evaluation of the key benefits and importance of on-going professional development....3
LO2 Critically evaluation of own skills and competencies...............................................................6
LO3 Professional and personal Development Plan...........................................................................8
LO4 Plan and undertake a job interview for general manager of Sheraton hotel........................11
Conclusion..........................................................................................................................................12
References..........................................................................................................................................13

Introduction
Professional identity is one’s personality as supposed in relative to a career and to
one’s association of it. Professional identity is formed through one’s opinions and attitudes,
standards, purposes and knowledges through which persons describe themselves, in their
present or expected specialized life expectancy. Intended for an individual, acquisition of
professional identity is identical significant as this primes them to improve their standard of
living. By increase in employment openings and profession development it is vigorous for
employees increase in value of the precise skills and capabilities anticipated by employers in
competitive economy (Bogrek, M.F., 2017). In an individual goals are acknowledged and
new education skills is communicated in them which centrals to achievement as it includes
the component of generating vision, information required and formal and informal valuation
for the accomplishment. Sheraton Park tower hotel been taken for the report and the role of
general manager. It is a 5-star hotel in London, England. It is located at 101 Knightsbridge
near Hyde Park. The hotel was established in 1973 and designed by Richard Seifert. In 1977
the hotel was renamed and owned by Mahdi Al Tajir. This report is connected with self-
learning and directed method so that persons may analyse their own skills for acquisition
development approaches.
LO1 An evaluation of the key benefits and importance of on-going
professional development
Professional development describes a procedure where individual and organization
are elaborate in learning course for assembly the difficulties and purposes to accomplish
anticipated goal. Professional development is a guidance providing to an individual for the
knowledge and progress. Various steps are taken in Sheraton Park tower hotel so that
professional development can be condensed which benefits in acquisition competitive
advantage.
Importance of professional development- It is important in preserving the self-esteem and
first-class staff is concerned by the hotel. It is a generous of learning which receive and
upholds professional identifications. It is an endless procedure which denotes to
continuousness professional development by providing numerous benefits of
network opportunities. It is also significant as it safeguards proficiencies by
possession current standards, bringing a specialized service to customers, clients

and community as information and skills are conveyed in employees of the hotel.
the employee retention is increased which gives the shape for future planning on
time (Chang and et.al., 2019).
Benefit to employees- Employees are observed as the utmost imperative feature inside
business and they are performing several operative activities. Through the benefit of
development process manifold benefits can be acknowledged by employees. The intrinsic
motivation can be rendered to have high engagement aptitude skill in the employees of
Sheraton hotel. The employees of the Sheraton hotel add high value in employee portfolio
through development program which leads in providing positive career direction and future
opportunities. The employees are empowered to learn new and advance skills which helps in
lifting morale and work capacity is improved. It helps in teamwork learning which improves
the efficiency of the hotel.
Benefit to employer- the professional development process is also linked with the employers
directly as they organise the organisation aspects. In the context of the Sheraton hotel various
benefits an employee has through this development (Corradini and et.al., 2019).
Skilled workforce: In the Sheraton hotel there was skilled workforce as employee are
consider an essential asset which helps in providing growth opportunities and objectives are
accomplished by the workforce through professional development.
Competitive edge through human capital: In the organisation human capital is considered
as the backbone as they are the frontier and contract with all the complications in the
business. In the context to Sheraton hotel competitive edge is facilitated to attain the goals
and leads to market identity through professional development.
Employee engagement through development opportunities: Employee engagement is
observed as the foremost aspect inside business through which prominent communication
channels can be condensed in organisation. For Sheraton hotel with the support of employee
engagement innovative business statures can be established by them and improves
marketability.
Organisational brand image: In an organisation brand image is playing important character
in which purchaser choices are associated. The professional development helps in attaining
momentous edge in the market. In context to Sheraton hotel the brand image has great role in
achieving high profits and leads to customer satisfaction (Furnham, A., 2020).

Professional standards and expectations- The professional standard defines set of practices,
ethics and behaviour of the staff whereas the professional expectations are set by the
employer for the employees and liable to follow the standards and meets the expectations. In
context to the Sheraton hotel the employer evaluates the attitude where person is willing to
take responsibility, and competent. The standards and expectations are met with the
appearance in the terms of the dressing style by having proper dress code of the person and
the way of communication in respect to language and behaviour (Grealy, F., 2019).
Importance of projecting the brand image- In the framework of the Sheraton hotel the
standards are maintained which increases the brand image in the market. The employee
strengthens its commitment in the environment as exclusive effort of the employee is
appreciated. The employees and shareholders bring the standards of service excellence and
motivates the hotel for the future development.
Investigation of Professional Employer Expectations of Skills and Competencies- In every
organisation to gain achievement of the goals and objectives the employee’s skills and
competencies plays a great role. In the context to the Sheraton hotel sophisticated
expectations are being established by having suitable business opportunities which leads to
the contribution in the success through direct and indirect manner. The numerous skills and
competence required by the employee are- (Jenkins, B., 2020)
Skills- The projecting expectations of Sheraton hotel are associated with developing
imaginative thoughts within employees so that creativities can be occupied by them. Besides
this acquaintance of information technology and computers are obligatory to be apprehended
so that operative working can be presumed. The communication skill requires the
collaboration with the others so that new words or language can be learnt and the person
should be clear with idea what to communicate. The customer skills help in achieving the
customer expectations and determines the needs.
Competence- It is a set of skills required to improve the efficiency of the organisation. For
Sheraton hotel numerous competencies are mandatory in the employees so that functional and
operational faults can be mitigate and advanced efficiency can be achieved. It requires the
team working by delegating the responsibilities to achieve the objectives. Working in a team
improves the harmonization by generating the understanding of the work and increases the
efficiency of the business and leads to betterment of the individual skills and abilities. it also

requires the business skills developed by the individual to meet daily activities. The business
skill comprises of the financial management, sales, marketing, leadership skills etc.
LO2 Critically evaluation of own skills and competencies
In the situation of present job role of general manager in Sheraton hotel, it is
mandatory to analyse the skills and capabilities in efficient manner so that task and selected
roles can be allocated. Before appearing for the interview, it is essential to access my skills
and competences to complete the task within time period. Self-assessment is the technique
where the individual has an opportunity of self-evaluation and passes the judgements regards
to learning process. In the self-evaluation it involves various skills and competencies and own
SWOT analysis (Longan, P.E., 2017).
Hard skills- It exhibit the dynamic material and considerate of the employees equally in
practical and non-technical relation. I developed the hard skills by taking training, and
teaching. The hard skills are-
 Use of technology: It in the present time various advanced technologies have emerged
which is used by several organisations to finish their task efficiently. In this skill I have
good knowledge of the internet and computer which helps me in solving various
problems in suitable manner and time which provides the opportunity of the competitive
edge in the Sheraton hotel.
 Statistic: I have good knowledge of the statics so that current trends prevailing in the
market can be easily understand. As general manager in the Sheraton hotel it is essential
to analysis the trends which is highly required to compete with other and provides good
quality services according to customer preferences. it gives me advantage of managing
customer expectations (Manuel and et.al., 2018).
 Time management skill- It describes the balancing and planning of the time among
different activities. I have this skill which helps in completing and achieving the goals
and objectives in acceptable time period effectively as having the role of general
manager in the Sheraton hotel. By having this skill, it is easy to allocate the activities on
time and tasks are organised systematically
Soft skills- It benefits in persuading the purchaser and customers which primes to profit
maximisation. The soft skills which I have are-
 Communication skill- In the present time of forceful competition, communication
skills are essential to be reserved. The skill helps me communicating in a better way

and roles and responsibilities can be delegated in the appropriate manner. It improves
the performance level and builds the confidence for performing task in the context of
general manager of Sheraton hotel.
 Customer service skills: The needs and demands of the customer is dynamic which
is essential for the hospitality to understand as a prime aspect leads to growth in the
business. I have the capability of this skill where I easily understand the needs and
requirements of the customers and providing them according to their preferences
which also helps in retention of the customer in the role of Sheraton hotel (Musson,
A., 2017).
 Decision making skill- It is the essential skill in obliging the better decision making.
I posses this skill which provides the rationality in the decision and helps me in taking
effective decision through which I am able to accomplish my goals in the role of
Sheraton hotel.
Personal SWOT Analysis-
Strengths Weaknesses
 By acquiring the leadership skills, I
can manage and guide the persons.
 I can solve various problems
regarding the employees,
organisation as I have problem
solving skill.
 My weakness is in time management
where the tasks are not organised on
time.
 In various circumstance I have the
weak point in lack of decision-
making skills.
Opportunities Threats
 By considering on my weakness, I
have the opportunity to improve my
decision making and time
management skill to gain the
efficiency.
 I have the opportunity to take
feedbacks from the employees that
will help in more improvement in
my capabilities.
 The threat I face is the increase in
the competition and customer
retention for the organisation.
 The threat I face is not getting any
kind of promotion for higher
position in the organisation
(Pfingsthorn and et.al., 2019).

Belbin Team Theory- For the Sheraton hotel it can be useful in forming the impactful team to
accomplish the overall objectives. With regards to this Tuckman model is also helpful in the
group development. The stages are-
 Forming: The employees of the Sheraton hotel are dependent on leaders and direction
is provided by the leader in each and every step to perform the task effectively.
 Storming: In context to the Sheraton hotel there is a facilitator providing guidance to
attain the objectives by defining the clarity in the purpose of employees.
 Norming: In the framework to the Sheraton hotel the decision regarding the employees
is taken as the team is removed to know the strength and weakness of each employee so
that overall objectives can be align in impactful manner.
 Performing: The tasks are divided among the team members by using delegation
process which helps in resolving the conflicts and for Sheraton hotel business objectives
are achieved (Raatikainen and et.al., 2017).
 Adjourning: In this stage success of team is celebrated by completing the task and
provides the appreciation to each team member in aim of promotion for future roles in
the Sheraton hotel.
Range of Learning Theories and Approaches
 Behaviourist approach- In this the change in behaviour is observed to gain the
information and learning is adopted in Sheraton hotel.
 Cognitive Approach- It depends on the internal processing of the data and information
having emphasis on metal process and used for problem solving in the Sheraton hotel.
 The Humanist approach: This is a learning model which benefits personnel of
Sheraton hotel to align their condensed efforts with administrative objectives.
VAK Learning Style:
Visual: This measurement is connected with directing finished on videos so that employees
of Sheraton hotel can understood concerning total purposes.
Auditory: This style is associated with guaranteeing audibility as guiding principle on
matters within Sheraton hotel which is understood by audience.
Kinesthetics: This is linked with actual learning openings within Sheraton hotel.

LO3 Professional and personal Development Plan
It is written interpretation concerning the strategic action of self-reflection and development
which achieves academic, profession and personal goals.
Professional development plan-
Learning and
development
Type of
development
Timeline Who is responsible?
The general manager in
the plan of hotel includes
the problem-solving and
decision-making skills to
resolve the conflicts and
for learning and
development.
In this it requires the
self-development and
job shadowing with
the project work for
problem solving and
decision-making
skills
six months The staff members and manager are
responsible for the learning and
development of the problem -solving
and decision-making skills to work in
the team.
The communication
skills and commercial
awareness are included
in the professional
development plan as a
general manager of the
hotel so that
collaboration with
customers and
stakeholders can be
impactful to get the
understanding of the
happenings.
It is mandatory to
have courses,
coaching, mentoring
and conferencing in
the plan of
communication and
commercial
awareness.
six to eight
months
The employees of the hotel will be
responsible for the development of
skills and learning (Rochon, C., 2019).
Professional
development plan of
general manager
This plan requires
onward planning
with strategic
one or two
years
The manger is responsible for
implementation, learning and
development of the plans and strategic

contains the advance
planning and strategic
thinking for knowledge
and growth so that
effective planning could
be completed by tactical
thinking skills.
thinking having job
scheduling and
project
implementation
thinking
Personal development plan
Current Skills and
Competencies used in
personal and
professional plan
Goals Personal and
Professional
Development Plan
ACTIVITY (Use
SMART targets)
Indicate how you
have monitored
your progress,
underpinning.
learning and
development theory
Evaluate the effectiveness of
your personal development
plan
In the development of the
personal and professional
the skills and
competencies comprises of
soft and hard skills
involves time
management, decision-
making and computer
skills (Schubert and et.al.,
2021).
Short term goals
comprise the
responsibility of the
documentation
course of general
manager laterally
with the
improvement in time
management,
decision skills.
The behaviourism
theory is taken
which measures the
learning and
behaviour changes
of person to acquire
stimulus and
response for short
term goals.
The effectiveness is for short
duration and easy to achieve
the activities.
The Skills and
competencies which are
castoff to advance the
personal and professional
plan consists presentation
skills which includes the
It includes the
medium-term goals
to attain the
professional degree
regarding the
general manager of
It uses the
cognitivism theory
which is described as
internal processing
and new information
The effectiveness will lead in
future career and personal
growth by attaining the goals.

communication skills and
appearance skills.
the hotel to improve
the skills.
is organised.
In the plan of personal and
professional development
the skills and
competencies are used of
technical and analytical
skill
it includes long term
goals which
comprises of great
experience in the
general manager for
job profiles and
leadership,
mentoring skills
It uses the theory of
constructivism
described as
knowledge is
constructed by
adopting progressive
information created
on the past
experiences
Effectiveness of personal
development plans in long
term goals are that they will
give good quality standard of
living with better personal
achievements.
LO4 Plan and undertake a job interview for general manager of Sheraton
hotel
The HR manager of the company has screened the CV and short listed me for the job
interview process for the role of general manager. In the interview various questions were
asked by the HR. first question was regarding why you are interested in the company and in
such I replied that I am interested in your organisation because you deliver great customer
service and with research, I learned that you are an interdependent team of people leading
values by examples. The next question asked was to describe your leadership style and I
replied having experience as swim coach and worked as assistant manager I can lead the staff
effectively by providing various examples, guidance and being consistent participative will
help in promoting unity and productivity within the team. The third question asked by the HR
was talking on successful project including multiple task and what role was mine for such my
answer was in the previous job the manager leave early due to family emergency and the
store was new and most of them were closed. Instead of waiting I incorporated the role of
leader by organising and involving other employees for team work and delegated their roles
and responsibilities to diverse groups (Shanshan and et.al., 2018).

Review the key strengths and weaknesses of an interview process
In the interview process the HR provide the feedback in respect to my strength and
weakness. The positive points which I have the experience, communication and
demonstration skills. The HR also told me that I posses’ organisational skills which will
benefit in handling the customer service attitude and multitasking successfully. I also have
critical thinking and with the training I am fast learner which brings the value in the
workplace. The weakness was lack of cooperative and leadership skill they told to work more
on the skills to became effective in leading the people. The feedback helped to know that I
am good in management theories but require more training and development on some aspects
(Zembylas and et.al., 2018).
Reflection of own abilities during the job interview process
The interviewer gave the feedback on my strengths and weakness by analysing and
evaluating the interview process with my answers. I totally agree with the points which will
help me to make improvements for future growth and working more on leadership skills,
thinking skills and on more subject matters required to become and effective general
manager.
Conclusion
It has been concluded that Professional identity called as such procedures that remain
supportive in evolving skills and capabilities of individual so that their information can be
heightened and individual goals can be achieved. This procedure is supportive for the
business to accomplish overall objectives so that importance can be acknowledged.

References
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Zembylas and et.al., 2018. Conceptualizing ‘teacher identity’: A political approach.
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