Career Development Report: Personal Reflection and Planning

This report provides a detailed analysis of career development, focusing on self-reflection and personal development planning. It begins with an introduction to personal reflection and its importance in understanding one's skills and career goals. The report then delves into the author's career journey, highlighting the strategies employed, such as effective planning, setting goals, and conducting skills audits using SWOT analysis. The author reflects on a role-play exercise, evaluating their performance using the Gibbs model, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and outlining an action plan for improvement. Furthermore, the report includes a self-evaluation review, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) relevant to the role of an excavator operator. The author concludes by presenting a personal development plan (PDP) designed to address skill gaps and achieve career aspirations, outlining specific learning objectives, timelines, and proficiency levels. The report emphasizes the importance of continuous self-assessment and strategic planning for professional growth.

Professional Career
Development
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 2 REPORT............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Personal reflection can be defied as a method though which evaluation of one’s own
behaviour, thoughts, attitude etc. can be done. There are various ways though which personal
reflection can be done. Personal reflection helps an individual to think about themselves evaluate
their own skills and qualities so that they can understand what they want, skills that are required
to be developed by them in order to get their desired goals and objectives. This task will be
focusing upon personal reflection on the role play and career development planning,
demonstrating an understanding of the skills and knowledge.
TASK 2 REPORT
How did you get to where you are today?
I think that in order to work effectively it requires to develop an effective plan. This is
because effective planning enable in finding out what are goals, skills possessed, skills which
lacks, etc. Thus, on basis of that planning is done that how to improve skills to achieve goals.
The planning is useful in proceeding in specific direction with proper set goals. So, accordingly
changes are made into plan with change in goals.
However, to achieve my career goals I did a lot of things (Galustyan, Berezhnaya and
Beloshitsky 2017). I analysed that there required a lot of efforts and proper planning for
reaching career goals. Thus, I also developed and effective plan. In this I identified my career
goals and objectives. This provided me aim which I want to achieve. So, I did planning in which
I formed short, medium and long term goals. With that it was easy for me to pursue my career
goals. Then, I developed a plan and strategy that how I will attain those goals. It enabled me to
proceed in systematic and step by step way. Besides, I also set some criteria on basis of which I
measured outcomes. Then, I did skills audit after accomplishing goals that is self evaluation. In
this I used SWOT which helped me to identify my current strength and weakness. Furthermore, I
got to know about what are further areas of development which I need to develop for job role.
On basis of that I identified my weak areas. After it, I developed SMART goals. Thus, I
developed a PDP that is based on my self evaluation. The PDP was prepared to attain SMART
goals. It was easy for me to progress in my career by developing skills which is mentioned in
PDP. In that I included several things that were target, current, time scale, etc. In addition, I took
feedback from others by which I got to know what my weak areas are. This also I included in
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PDP and improve my skills. Thus, in this way I was able to progress and develop skill one by
one. Besides that, sometime I took feedback from others to find what are my strong areas. I also
evaluated my own performance through which I was able to measure my performance with set
goals. I made some expectation as well of skill which I enhanced.
Alongside, I used lifeline exercise as well to find out what are ups and downs in my
career (Hirschi 2018). Thus, I interpreted patterns in life and experiences which I faced. I wrote
down what values I gained and on basis of that I made decision about my career. I wrote down
my clear thoughts on education, work, etc. it enabled me to pursue in step by step way. For every
goal I followed same process. I analysed my learning style as well from it and then made
changes into it. The main role was of PDP and self evaluation by which today I am here where I
want to be.
Reflection on role play
Here, with help of Gibbs model I evaluated my performance in role play. It is explained
as below:
Description- I took part in role play and performed role of interviewee. In that the interviewer
asked a question to me for job role of excavator (Khousa and Atif 2018). There were other
student as well who took part in role play. My role of interviewee was good as compared to
others. This is because I was highly active in my role and confident as well. Furthermore, my
role of interviewer was not good. I was not able to perform it properly as I did not have
experience in it.
Feelings – I felt that I could have performed role of interviewer properly. I realise I could have
searched on internet about how to take interview. So, I was highly dissatisfied with my
performance. I felt that other people performed better than me. They put more efforts in doing
role play. I could have been acted in more professional way and manner. I realised that I lack
confidence in my act due to which I was not able to perform well.
Evaluation- I evaluated that there were many things which was good and bad in role play. So,
the things which went well was that I effectively communicated during interview. I practiced
role of interviewee several times (Valerievna 2020). Also, my role play went for more time.
Besides, I gave different expressions during my entire act. On contrary things which do not went
well was that I assumed that questions are not necessary to prepare. So, I did not write down it
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on paper. During interview I forgot what question to be asked. Hence, I faced issue in this and it
hampered my performance.
Analysis- The things which went well was due to my confidence level and acting. I did not got
nervous during role play. I did take quick decision and did changes as per my role. I analysed
that things that went not well was due to my mistake. I took role play lightly and did not
performed properly. Also, I was not having experience of taking interview so I did not worked
on it. So, I think that I must do practice of role play. It will help me in analysing my role and
accordingly I will perform in it.
Conclusion- I learned that in role play expressions and confidence level play vital role. It helps
in performing well (Wolniak 2017). Besides that, I learned that I require more practice and put
efforts. This will help me to do role properly. I could have asked normal question and noted
down on paper. I need to develop critical thinking skills so that I can perform better in this. I
could have not get nervous in taking interview.
Action plan – I will practice role of interviewer which will help me to do role play properly.
Moreover, I need to enhance critical thinking skills by which I can remember what question to be
asked. I must improve listening skills so that I can evaluate what interviewee is saying. In this
way I will ensure and act differently.
Self evaluation review-
I did a self evaluation of myself so that I able to identify what are my strength and
weakness. Besides, it will enable me to find out gap or required skill or knowledge which I need
to develop for role of excavator operator. This will also help me in matching job role with
required skills. So, I found that for doing self evaluation review there are various ways which it
can be done. Self evaluation helped me to assess where I stand and where I want to go. It shows
my abilities and capabilities. I get in depth review of what my overall skill performance. Hence, I
used SWOT analysis in it which helped me to identify my current strength and weakness.
Furthermore, I got to know about what are further areas of development which I need to develop
for job role of excavator operator
Strength-
 I found that my strength is time management skills. I am able to manage my time and
complete my work in effective way. Also, I know how to manage time in critical
condition. Besides, I prepare schedule and work as per it.
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 Another strength of mine is I am highly confident. I remain confident in all situations.
Thus, with that I am able to do tasks and attain goals (Yarbrough Martin and McNeill
2017).
 I am also creative in my work. I bring creativity in my work due to which my efficiency
increases. With creativity I am able to finish my work before time.
Weakness
 I lack leadership skills as I am not having enough knowledge about leadership styles. I
am not able to lead even 2 person. Also, I am not having traits and characteristics of
leader. This has hampered on my performance.
 Also, I am not able to take effective decisions. I do not know on what basis decisions
must be taken. Moreover, I am not aware of criteria of decisions to be taken. Most of my
decisions are ineffective. It affect on my performance.
Opportunity
 I need to develop oral communication skills so that I am able to communicate with others
in effective way. Along with it, I need to be aware about various types of oral
communication and how it is used in job role. This will help me to communicate freely
with others in verbal way, face to face etc. (Yoon 2021)
 I can improve self motivation skill which will help me to initiate things and pursue goals.
I will be ready to take action to complete tasks. Also, I will develop goals and put more
efforts in attaining it.
Threats
 I can face threat from people who are having experience in job role of excavator operator.
This is because they possess advance and high skills. So, they will give a tough
competition to me.
 I may also face threat of covid 19 as there can be lack of job opportunities in construction
sector. This will make it difficult for me to get job in this.
 There is also threat of use of technology in future. Robots will replace humans in many
areas and job roles. Therefore, I may get lay off as there is lack of job security in it.
Personal development planning
It is necessary for me to enhance my weak areas so that I can compete with others. In
order to attain my career goals and aspiration, I need to develop and improve my skills. By doing
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self analysis I found that there are certain skills in which I lack (Craps, Pinxten and Langie
2020). So, they are skills gaps which I need to overcome. This is because without developing
skills I will not be grow in my career. Also, for future growth opportunities as well I must
possess relevant skills. It will help me to pursue my career aspirations. Thus, for that I decided to
develop a personal development plan. The plan will enable provide me direction to develop my
skills. Also, I can evaluate my progress as well with help of PDP. Thus, it is as follows :
Learning
Objective
Current
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
Development
Opportunities
Time Scale
Leadership skills I am not having
leadership skills as
I can not lead a
team
I must learn some
leadership styles
so that I can lead
team
I can analyse case
study that will
help me in
gaining some
leadership style
3 weeks
Team working
skills
I am able to work
in team but not to
in effective way. It
hamper my
performance and I
am not able to
attain goals.
I need to work in
team so that I can
achieve goals in
effective way.
I will read various
books to
understand how to
coordinate with
people in a team
and work together
effectively. I will
try to work in
team.
4 weeks
Oral
Communication
skills
I am not able to
interact orally with
others as I get
nervous. It hamper
my performance
as I do not
understand things
I must know about
various ways of
oral
communication
such as verbal,
face to face, etc. It
will enable me to
I will attend
communication
classes. Also, I
will learn from
internet as well. I
will freely interact
with my friends
2 weeks
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communicate
freely with others.
Decision making
skills
I am not able to
take decisions in
critical situation
I must improve
this as it will help
me in taking
effective decisions
I must take the
help of expert and
get some training
from him
4 weeks
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Galustyan, O.V., Berezhnaya, I.F. and Beloshitsky, A.V., 2017. Professional and career
development of teachers. Journal of Contemporary Educational Studies/Sodobna
Pedagogika, 68(4).
Hirschi, A., 2018. The fourth industrial revolution: Issues and implications for career research
and practice. The career development quarterly, 66(3), pp.192-204.
Khousa, E.A. and Atif, Y., 2018. Social network analysis to influence career
development. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, 9(3), pp.601-
616.
Valerievna, M.L., 2020. THE SPECIFICS OF THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN
THE TEACHERS'CAREER DEVELOPMENT. Kant, (1 (34)).
Wolniak, R., 2017. Selected problems of professional career development of employees. Zeszyty
Naukowe Wyższej Szkoły Humanitas. Zarządzanie, (2), pp.9-20.
Yarbrough, S., Martin, P. and McNeill, C., 2017. Professional values, job satisfaction, career
development, and intent to stay. Nursing Ethics, 24(6), pp.675-685.
Yoon, J.H., 2021. Professional Career Development in the Arts Management of Supported
Studios in Australia. The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society, 51(1), pp.19-
36.
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APPENDIX
Excavator Operators Job description
Job title: Excavator Operator
Duties and task:
 Perform daily maintenance and safety checks of equipment
 Remove dirt from the building area
 Unload excavator in the appropriate area
 Coordinate with other workers to determine dig sites
 Conduct routine maintenance on your equipment\
Requirements and Qualification:
 Diploma or GED certificate
 Completed apprenticeship
 Heavy vehicles or equipment maintenance experience
 Communication skills
 Physical stamina
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Interview questions
Question 1 Why have you chosen this field as your career?
Question 2 Describe a situation in which you have used your experience?
Question 3 Why you think you are fit for this job role?
Question 4 What are your strength and weakness?
Question 5 What value will you bring to our organisation?
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