Employability Skills and Professional Development Report - Module 1

This report delves into the critical aspects of employability skills and professional development, focusing on the roles of team leader and general manager within an organization, specifically British Telecom. It begins with a skill audit, assessing the author's strengths and weaknesses in areas such as communication, confidence, flexibility, and team working, while also identifying areas for improvement like public speaking, problem-solving, and time management. The report then explores tools and techniques for enhancing interpersonal and transferable skills, including communication, empathy, time management, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making. A personal SWOT analysis is conducted to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats relevant to the author's professional goals. Furthermore, an individual appraisal is performed to evaluate the author's performance and identify areas for improvement. Finally, the report concludes with a personal and professional development plan, outlining career aims and objectives.

Employability Skills and
Professional Development
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
TASK A...........................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Skill audits for personal roles and responsibilities as team leader and general manager within
an organization.............................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
a) Tools and techniques for enhancing interpersonal and transferrable skills.............................5
b) Personal Swot analysis............................................................................................................6
c) Individual appraisal.................................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
Personal and professional development plan with career aim and objectives.............................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16
TASK B Reflective essay..............................................................................................................17
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INTRODUCTION
An individual requires different types of employability skills in their professional
development. the skills required vary on basis of role and responsibilities performed by
individual in organisation. However, it is necessary to gain and improve skills so that
professional development and growth can occur. Moreover, a person is required to enhance skills
which boost confidence and career goals and objectives are attained. furthermore, in recent
times, there is high demand of young talent. so, individual needs to possess varied skills to
handle and manage critical conditions. also, the development of skills leads to bring in creativity,
effectiveness and flexibility in performing all types of roles.
In this report it will be described about skill audit of role of general manager and roles and
responsibilities in British telecom. Also, interpersonal and transferable skills will be discussed
and how it can be enhanced. Alongside, personal SWOT analysis will be done and individual
appraisal as well. besides that, a PDP will be explained and reflection is included in report.
MAIN BODY
TASK A
TASK 1
Skill audits for personal roles and responsibilities as team leader and general manager within an
organization
Skill audit plays an important role in selecting valuable job role as it is a process of
measuring and identifying skills within an individual. By identifying skills people can compare it
with their desired job roles for which they want to work and selecting a career path on which
they want to go ahead. As an individual and working for team leader and general leader there is
requirement of having several skills. Here are some skills which an individual should posses and
I have some skills which can help out in identifying some areas which need to be improved for
getting desired job roles and working at BT in an effective manner.
Communication: It is one of the main skill which is important in having in team leader,
general manager and in all employees for working any type of role. It is the basic and important
skill which is my main strength. It is not limited to oral communication but it includes: active
listening, oral communication, written skills and understanding human behaviors or body
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language (Ting and et.al., 2017). This is one of the main strength area which can make an
individual able to influence others and also allow them in accomplishing goals.
Confidence: Confidence is other main skill which is required in having team leader in
order to make followed believe on their actions and directions. Due to lack of confidence, people
do not believe on others and has negative impact. Confidence can make an individual and
employee able to improve performance and working hard without having a fear of failure.
Improved confidence also allow people and me as well to convey message to clients with
effectively.
Flexibility: Flexibility and ability to adapt changes is also important because lack of
flexibility can create several problems. Business environment including internal and external like
changes in political stability, economic condition, changes in customers needs and for working in
an effective manner it is important for people having this ability and changing own way of
performing according to changes. It makes me feel refreshed and stress free. Lack of flexibility
can increase stress which affect performance directly.
Team working: Team working is the main key of the success of general manager and
team leader. For working in any organization it is important having ability of working in a team
with different type of people. It has several benefits as it allows employee in reducing errors,
improving productivity as well as improving relation with others. It is believed that for working
in an organization in an effective manner there is requirement of having an effective working
environment which is being made by improved relationship with each other. When we have
improved relationship with others then it allows all employees in feeling refreshed at workplace
which direct affect performance (Conti, Arcuri and Simone, 2018).
Rather, strengths there are some areas which are not good and in which I am lacking
behind such as:
Public speaking: It is a part of communication as I can interact with colleagues and
people who are known but having fear of speaking in front of audience is main weakness which
can create problems. Public speaking is important as it increases confidence and also have great
impact on others. For presenting ideas it is important to develop this skill (Arnold, 2018).
Problem solving: Problem solving skill is also important as when employee solve
problem then it makes them feel energetic and stress free. People who do not have this ability are
more likely to feel stressed which affect their productivity. For boosting confidence of working
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under pressure and any type of situation it is important developing this skill. This skill is related
and connected to decision-making and critical thinking as due to lack of problem solving skill
people face problem in taking better decision.
Time management: For having a good impression on employers and manager it is
important for employees of working tasks in a timely manner. When customers get qualitative
products in a timely manner or before given deadline then it motivates them to retain with the
company. So, for getting promotional and other opportunities there is requirement of
development this skill.
TASK 2
a) Tools and techniques for enhancing interpersonal and transferrable skills
It is necessary to analyse interpersonal skills so that it becomes easy to find out weak areas
and for skills needs to be gained. Alongside, in role of general manager and team leader there are
distinct skills required. however, there are some basic interpersonal skills which is required in all
types of roles in British telecom. besides that, there are some transferrable skills as well. it
enables in managing time and working in effective way within various roles. they are defined as
below :
Communication skills – It is most common skill which is required in role of GM. It is known as
the mutual interaction between two or more than two people. Strong communication skills helps
all aspects of life from personal to professional life. it allows in communicating with others and
sharing info, express ideas, opinions, etc.
Empathy – this skill refers to understanding feelings of others. Also, to understand their view and
perception and then communicating with them. this skill is required to become a leader and
respect emotions of others.
Time management- It is a procedure of planning as well as controlling regarding how much time
to spend on particular activities. Time management aids a person to complete their task within
shorter period. It is considered as an ability to manage it in more effective way as it leads to
brings the efficiency as well as productivity. there is required to follow a schedule in it.
Leadership – this interpersonal skill enables in leading a team or person. it allows in giving
direction or guiding them to achieve goals. for a GM this skill is vital as it allows in becoming a
leader and attaining goals in effective way. also, with this staff is motivated as well.
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Problem solving- It aids to regulate origin of a problem and willing to find a fruitful solution. In
other words, it is all about solving issues logically and with imagination in order to make sense
regarding a situation and at the same time come with intelligent and creative solution.
Decision making – this is also skill of taking effective decision. here, it decision are taken on
many thing like assigning roles, developing plan, etc . thus taking of efficient decision helps in
solving problems. it include involving others as well in this process.
There are different tools and techniques which can be used to improve these skills. the
use of tools depends on individual choice and to what level skills needs to be enhanced. thus,
tools are explained as
Use of internet- this is common tool to improve skills. here, a lot of info can be gained and
learned. here, various software are available that can be used to improve skills. it can be used in
personal and professional life to gain knowledge about many things.
Taking feedback – in this feedback can be taken of others that what are areas which needs
improvements and how effective skill was. thus, by taking advice from others it increases
learning and development.
PDP- this is a tool which can be used to develop and enhance skills. here, short and long terms
goals can be developed and it provide framework that through what activity skills can be
improved.
Reading books – with help of it, communication and reading skills can be improved. also, it
enables in enhancing decision making skills by reading books on history and case study.
Thus, these are the tools and techniques through which skills can be enhanced. an
individual can gain and learn knowledge on various skills as well. this makes it simple to
improve skills and gain more knowledge about it.
b) Personal Swot analysis
A personal SWOT analysis helps in analysing strength and weakness. Along with it, area
of opportunity and threats are identified from it. similarly, for role of GM I did personal analysis
which is as below:
Strength –
I am easily able to communicate with people in both formal and informal way. I am good listener
as well as I listen and then interact. I know how to communicate and various ways of it. I am
having in depth knowledge of this skill.
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I can easily lead a team as I have knowledge about various types of leadership styles. I know
which style needs to be applied. I am having experience of leading large teams as well. I posses
skills of leader.
Weakness
my weakness is that I am not able to solve problem. in critical condition I get nervous in solving
problems. thus, I take wrong and ineffective decisions which impact on my performance. I do not
have any idea about how to solve problems
another weakness is that I am not able to manage work. i am not able to maintain balance
between personal and professional life. thus, I lack time management skills.
also, i am not able to take effective decisions for complex problems. my level of decision making
is weak as I do not process of decision making to be followed.
Opportunity
I can improve my emotional intelligence skills. this will enable me to control my emotion in
critical situation and solve problem. I will be able to control my anger.
I can gain knowledge about decision making skills so that I can take effective decision. it will be
useful for me to solve problem as well. I will be able to analyse solutions of problem. it will
improve my performance and help in my professional growth.
Threats
I may face threat from other people who are highly experienced and skilled than me. they can
easily get desired role.
Another threat is due to covid 19 there I may lose my job as British telecom can hire candidate
based on low salary.
Also, threat is increase in use of robots in future which can lead to rise in unemployment. the
robots will perform job role in more effective way.
c) Individual appraisal
This appraisal helps in evaluating own’s performance to find out whether goals and
objectives were attained or not. So, on basis of that it becomes easy to find out areas in which
improvement is required. therefore, I also carried out a self appraisal in abc. it was useful for me
to evaluate my effectiveness and skills as well as knowledge. thus, it is as follows
Evaluation area Unacceptable Up to
expectation
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Building trust
I found that my behaviour towards other staff and manager
was honest
I found that I easily share info with other people in effective
way
I followed all policies and procedures properly during my
performance
I did communicate and inform in time and there was no delay
in my work.
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Up to
expectation
Up to
expectation
Delivering results
I delivered good and effective outcomes for my goals and
tasks assigned
I stayed focused on my role and tasks given
I managed my time to complete my work in effective way
I highly posses relevant job skills and knowledge to perform
my role in efficient way.
Unacceptable
Up to
expectation
Up to
expectation
Up to
expectation
Collaboration
I respected values and ethics of other people
I helped other when they needed support from me.
I listened to other problems and provided them solutions.
I worked in team with other staff and contributed in efficient
way
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Up to
expectation
Up to
expectation
Communication
I shared important information to others in proper way
I listened carefully to manager and then ask question if I was
confused
My communication was precise with punctuation and
grammar.
Up to
expectation
Up to
expectation
Up to
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expectation
TASK 3
Personal and professional development plan with career aim and objectives
After analysing and identifying areas of strengths and weakness people require improving
those areas in which they are not good for performing functions in organisation in an effective
manner and also for career development. With the help of personal and professional development
plan, people can improve their identified areas as it allows them to set goals, requirement and
reasons for improvement along with activities from which they can improve their skills (Grit,
2019). It can also help in taking several opportunities at workplace and also developing career
path as well as remaining satisfy and happy at workplace. Some areas in which I am not good ad
need improvement include:
Skills need to
be improved
Aim and objectives Resources and
actions for
improvement
Importance in the future Time
frame
Public
speaking
To increase
confidence.
To motivate change.
To have good
impression on others.
Public speaking is
important as it
can allow in
influencing
decision and
putting ideas in
front of others
(Apriyanti and
Ramadhan,
2018). For
reducing fear of
speaking in front
of public,
This skill can help at
professional and personal
level in the future of
influencing other and in
the process of negotiating
or reducing situations of
conflict. This skill and
ability of speaking in front
of people also can boost
confidence and reduce
conflict of interest
situation.
30 days
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practicing in front
of mirror by
imagining public
are there this skill
can be improved.
By thinking
positively, taking
permission from
manager of
conducting
weekly meeting
and taking chance
of speaking in
meeting can
improve this area
and boost
confidence in
speaking front of
audience.
Time
management
To feel stress free at
workplace.
To retain customers
by completing
projects in timely
manner.
Time
management
plays an
important role at
both personal and
professional level.
There are several
tools available
which can help in
improving this
skill such as:
priority matrix
It will allow me out in
improving quality of time
and releasing stress and
anxiety. I can also take
more opportunities in the
future like promotional
opportunities and others.
15-20
days
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and Toggl plan
These tools allow
prioritizing tasks
which needs to be
completed in a
timely manner
and are important
(Khatib, Al
Khudir and De
Luca, 2020).
Rather, these
tools, by making
a time table by
adding all tasks,
estimated time of
completion, time
can be managed.
One of the other
main thing which
can help in
improving time
management at
both level is
removing
procrastination
and completing
tasks at that time.
Problem
solving
To take better
decision.
To work under
pressure.
There are some
tools and
resources are
available which
Problem solving skill show
that employees have
creativity, imagination,
determination and lateral
20-25
days.
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To remain stress free
and improving
productivity.
can help in
improving this
problem-solving
skill. It is
believed that for
solving problem
in an effective
manner, there is
requirement of
having ability of
critical analysis
for analysing
situation in both
positive and
negative manner
and then take
decision of
solving problems.
Drill down
technique is
known as the best
way of improving
problem-solving
skill as it allow
people in
breaking down
components or
narrowing down
problems In small
part by which it
becomes easier in
thinking skills which can
allow in becoming stress
free at workplace and
improving performance.
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