Career Futures; Employability Skills Report, Northampton Uni

This report, submitted by a student, explores employability skills and placement goals within the context of a Business Administration and Law degree at the University of Northampton. The report is structured into three sections, with an introduction and references included. Section 1 focuses on identifying placement goals as a financial analyst and a human resource manager, justifying these choices based on personal skills and market demand, with a preference for the hospitality industry and Manchester as the preferred location. Section 2 outlines the professional development needed to achieve these goals, including personal reflections, interviews, and participation in volunteer activities, highlighting the importance of innovation, communication, and technological skills. Section 3 emphasizes the significance of decision-making processes in both personal and professional growth, referencing interactions with industry professionals and job fairs. The report concludes by stressing the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and cross-cultural understanding in the competitive UK market.

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Title: Career Futures; Employability Skills
Assignment Name:
Student Name:
Course Name and Number:
Professor:
Date:

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Section 1..........................................................................................................................................2
Roles I am Seeking......................................................................................................................3
Placement Goal that I have finalized...........................................................................................3
Preferred Industry........................................................................................................................4
The Best Part of UK....................................................................................................................4
Section 2..........................................................................................................................................4
Various Professional Development to successfully attain Goals................................................5
Section 3..........................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................9
Appendix........................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
The reflective report presented below exhibits an examination of employability skills and
placement goals, which have to be improved by an individual so as to survive and sustain in the
current competitive environment of the market. The report explores the skills that an individual
might need so as to offer an organization with a high standard of productivity. The first section
of the report explores placement goals and the different roles, which demand an individual to
fulfill. In addition to this, the knowledge of the industrial sector and the market is paramount, as
it will help in performing functions that are goal-oriented. In section two, the report explores and
highlights, the different personal and professional objectives that an individual needs to learn and
acquire so as to ensure that the planned initiatives are accomplished successfully. In addition to
this, an individual also needs to ensure that with the aim of achieving professional and personal
objectives, they also need to successfully fulfill the organizational goals and objectives. In the
last section of the report, the decision-making process has been evaluated. The decisions that
have been taken through different stages and the skills that have been utilized for making
appropriate decisions have been analyzed in this part of the report.
Section 1
As I am undergoing my degree in Business Administration and Law, therefore, for the
future my main focus is on accomplishing a prestigious job in this sector. I would like to work
for an organization that offers me the opportunities to exhibit my skills to the best, so I can attain
professional and personal development (Borissov and Hellier, 2013).

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Roles I am Seeking
The two placement goals that I have decided on, to seek are of a financial analyst and a
human resource manager. According to my abilities and skills, these two goals are appropriate.
In addition to this, it is my zeal to build a strong career in any of these fields. In the current
market conditions, also both these placement goals have attained a huge prominence, with the
role of a financial analyst and human resource manager, becoming more crucial day by day.
Furthermore, I like work that requires more technical skills, so I consider both these placement
goals to be the best options for me to build a career in (Carlson, 2016).
Placement Goal that I have finalized
The placement goal that I have finalized is a financial analyst and a human resource
manager. The role of a human resource manager is paramount, as he has to manage the
workforce of an organization, which is the main asset of any organization. It is a highly
competitive job, especially with the increasing challenges of employee retention and employee
satisfaction. In saying that, I feel that this is also the main driving force of this placement goal, as
it keeps an individual on the edge and forces them to learn new, multiple, and latest skills, to
improve their productivity. As a human resource manager one needs to function according to
different aspects that are associated with the internal and external environment of the
organization (Collin, Van der Heijden and Lewis, 2012).
In the case of a financial analyst, which is an extremely technical job, I will be offered
opportunities to learn new technical skills, to function in an appropriate manner. This placement
role will also prepare me for foreseeing things, like risks, uncertainties, market changes, and
many other aspects that can impact the functioning of the organization immensely (Del Valle,
2013).

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Preferred Industry
The sector which I plan to work for in the future is the hospitality industry. With the
increasing industry of tourism and the different demographics and psychological changes that are
witnessed in it, the hospitality industry is flourishing, which has made the role of a human
resource manager and a financial analyst, important more than before. In addition to this, the
contribution that the hospitality industry is making to the economy is increasing with each year,
therefore, there is a huge potential in this field. Thus, this sector will help me in learning
different and multiple skills that will shape me as a better professional (Evans, 2012).
The Best Part of UK
The best place in the UK to work in Manchester. The place has one of the best hotels and
resorts, which are extremely competitive. In addition to this, the place will offer multiple growth
opportunities, along with improving my different employability skills.
Section 2
After identifying my placement goals, a while ago, I explored the different personal
developments that I need to make to build a strong career in the hospitality sector. Initially, I
initiated by communicating with some of the professionals of the hospitality industry, that is, the
financial analyst and the human resource manager of the hospitality industry. From the different
interactions that I had with the professionals, I was able to understand that adapting changes is
the main aspect, to survive and sustain in this sector. In addition to this, I also participated in
many interviews, which also helped me in identifying the different skills that are the main focus
of this industry. It enlightened with the latest skills and capabilities that an individual needs to
have to excel in this field. The interviews informed me about the skills that are crucial to
functioning in an organization, both individually or in teams (Filipe et al., 2014).

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Various Professional Development to successfully attain Goals
I have also participated in various volunteer activities, so as to identify the different
professional developments that I need to make. With my participation in various psychometric
tests, I was able to effectively measure my behavioral style and mental abilities. This also helped
me in measuring my cognitive abilities. Therefore, from the psychometric test, I was able to
measure my different abilities and thus, was able to identify the different areas, where I need to
improve my skills, both cognitive and behavioral (Foster, McCabe and Dewhurst, 2010). As a
human resource manager or a financial analyst, there are many behavioral skills that I need to
work on so as to become a stronger professional in the hospitality industry.
From the interviews, it was also evident that I need to make certain professional
development, which is paramount, as to adapt to the culture of the hospitality industry. With the
sector becoming extremely competitive day by day, I realized from the communication that I had
in the interviews that to survive in this field, continuous improvement is paramount (Garwood,
2012). This will offer me a sustainable career in the field, and with the growth that I will make in
this field, I will be able to attain various rewards and incentives.
According to the placement goals that I am seeking, which are human resource managers
and a financial analyst in the hospitality industry, one professional goal that I need to excel on is
innovation. From the different job fairs that I have attended, the majority of the recruiters and
employers are seeking innovation. The recruiters have been pressing the importance of
innovation in the field of hospitality and the different ways a potential employee can enhance
their innovation abilities. As a human resource manager, the struggle to retain employees in the
hospitality industry is intense in comparison to other sectors. Therefore, human resource
managers have to utilize approaches that are innovative, so as to increase the employee retention

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rate of the organization. In addition to this, with the environment being extremely competitive,
job satisfaction and growth opportunities are also aspects that a human resource manager has to
deal with. These two aspects also require innovative approaches (Gore et al., 2017). Furthermore,
with the working environment of each and every organization is diverse, the human resource
manager also faces many challenges associated with conflict management. As the human
resource manager cannot take sides, they have to ensure that they resolve conflicts that create a
win-win situation for both the parties involved in the conflict (Harris and Clayton, 2018). The
job fair has been the biggest source of enlightenment to me, as they informed me about the
different skills that I will require to sustain the hospitality industry, along with the high level of
uncertainties that are associated with the environment of this sector.
On the other hand, as a financial analyst, I realized that though my analytical skills will
be very helpful, I need to improve my communication skills. In addition to this, it is extremely
important for me to learn new technologies that will be helpful in improving my performance as
a financial analyst (Hunzicker, 2012). The role of a financial analyst is humongous. They are
connected with almost all the activities of an organization directly or indirectly. Therefore, I
realized that knowledge is the only key, to manage the different aspects associated with this job.
As an individual, it is paramount that I need to acquire multiple skills that are associated with my
place3ment goal and also, some others that are not, as I have the responsibility of almost every
operation in the organization, directly or indirectly.
With all these different activities, the personal developments that I need to make are in
my communication approaches. The sector which I am planning to build a career in requires me
to have high standard communication skills, so as to deal with diverse individuals appropriately.
On the other hand, I also need to improve my innovation standards. Innovation is the key to

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success for any organization or individual in the current competitive environment. It is an
inevitable aspect and an ignorant attitude towards it can lead to massive negative repercussions
(Phelan and Mills, 2010).
Section 3
The most important thing that governs personal and professional development is
decisions. Along with this, as an individual the decisions that are taken, while functioning in an
organization, governs the survival of the individual in the market. Therefore, the most important
aspect that one needs to focus on is the decision making process (Shereni, 2019).
As I have made a decision about different placement goals that I am seeking in the future,
I need to make multiple decisions, which are governed by my skills, abilities, and personal
aspects too. Furthermore, in perilous times, the importance of making effective decisions
enhances, as many a time, it is a situation of doing or die. Therefore, this can be concluded that
making correct decisions is vital for personal and professional growth, along with the growth of
the organization.
The different professional development decisions that I have made, are also supported by the
different individuals that I have interacted through interviews or in the job fair. In addition to
this, they have helped me in showcasing different perspectives, which have further highlighted
the skills that I might have not even explored. Therefore, the various professional decisions that I
have made through the volunteering activities, will help in offering me knowledge and skills that
are crucial for survival in the hospitality industry (Sokolov-Milovančević, Živanović and Kitić,
2019).
The current environment of the UK market is highly intense. From uncertainties at every
corner and competition intensifying day by day, I realized that learning and knowledge is the key

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to survival and sustainability. In addition to this, I need to develop skills in the understanding
cross-cultural working environment, problem-solving skills, and conflict management. These
three skills are needed in any organization.
From the past few weeks, I have explored different new aspects in which innovation can
be introduced in an organization, by a human resource manager and a financial analyst. I have
learned the art of utilizing innovation for resolving issues and thus, exhibiting great conflict
management skills. Furthermore, I have also learned the art of utilizing innovation for
encouraging individuals, so as to push them to perform their best. This also helped me in
utilizing the specific skills of individuals from different cultures (YATSENKO, 2019). All these
different aspects have helped me in understanding the skills and abilities that I need to focus on
learning and improving, so as to function effectively.

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References
Borissov, K. and Hellier, J. (2013). Globalization, Skill Accumulation and the Skill
Premium. Review of Development Economics, 17(2), pp.220-234.
Carlson, E. (2016). Lifelong Learning and Professional Development. Journal of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery, 74(5), pp.875-876.
Collin, K., Van der Heijden, B. and Lewis, P. (2012). Continuing professional
development. International Journal of Training and Development, 16(3), pp.155-163.
Del Valle, a. (2013). Tourism Policy Makers and Managers as Generators of Meaningful Leisure
Experiences Knowledge, Skills and Values Needed by the New Professionals. Journal of
Tourism Research & Hospitality, 02(04), pp.5-10.
Evans, P. (2012). So you want to be an interim manager in pharma. Human Resource
Management International Digest, 20(2), pp.35-38.
Filipe, H., Golnik, K., Silva, E. and Stulting, A. (2014). Continuing professional development:
Best practices. Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology, 21(2), p.134.
Foster, C., McCabe, S. and Dewhurst, H. (2010). Management Development Skills in the
Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Needs and Issues from a Regional Perspective. Tourism and
Hospitality Planning & Development, 7(4), pp.429-445.
Garwood, R. (2012). Supporting the underperforming manager. Human Resource Management
International Digest, 20(1), pp.39-42.
Gore, J., Lloyd, A., Smith, M., Bowe, J., Ellis, H. and Lubans, D. (2017). Effects of professional
development on the quality of teaching: Results from a randomised controlled trial of Quality
Teaching Rounds. Teaching and Teacher Education, 68(1), pp.99-113.

Career Futures; Employability Skills 10
Harris, R. and Clayton, B. (2018). Editorial: the importance of skills – but which
skills?. International Journal of Training Research, 16(3), pp.195-199.
Hunzicker, J. (2012). Professional development and job-embedded collaboration: how teachers
learn to exercise leadership. Professional Development in Education, 38(2), pp.267-289.
Phelan, K. and Mills, J. (2010). An Exploratory Study of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
(KSAs) Needed in Undergraduate Hospitality Curriculums in the Convention Industry. Journal
of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 10(1), pp.96-116.
Shereni, N. (2019). The Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in
Restoring Hospitality Sector Specific Skills in Zimbabwe: A Students’ Perspective. Journal of
Hospitality & Tourism Education, 1(1), pp.1-9.
Sokolov-Milovančević, N., Živanović, N. and Kitić, A. (2019). New skills needed for managing
the health care sector. Ekonomika, 65(4), pp.75-86.
YATSENKO, S. (2019). MANAGEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY
FORMATION OF MANAGER OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATUIONAL INSTITUTION. ТHE
SOURCES OF PEDAGOGICAL SKILLS, 0(23), pp.243-247.

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Appendix
Personal SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
 I have a high standard of analytical
skills, which are extremely important
in the sector that I have chosen for
myself.
 I have designing skills, which will
help in organizing my work
appropriately and will be a great asset
in the hospitality industry.
 I have innovation skills, which are not
up to the mark, in comparison to the
need in the hospitality industry.
 I do not have great communication
skills, which is paramount to function
in the hospitality industry, as I will
have to communicate with diverse
people
Opportunities Threats
 The various different learning
activities that I will participate in. This
will help in improving my skills and
abilities, which will help in delivering
a high level of performance.
 The advancements in the field of
technology, which will build higher
opportunities for growth.
 The bad communication skills can
impact my performance in the
organization, as it is the key aspect of
any activity or role in an organization.
 The competitive environment of the
hospitality industry, along with the
different latest requirements needed
for growth. Ignoring them can be a
humongous threat.

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