Personal Development Portfolio: Analysis of Professional Settings

This portfolio assignment delves into personal development within a professional context, focusing on the role of an HR assistant in the finance sector. The assignment begins by outlining the student's career goals, referencing a job advertisement for an HR Assistant and providing an overview of the financial services industry, specifically ETX Capital. The student then conducts a self-assessment through surveys, gathering feedback from friends, family, and colleagues to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. A SWOT analysis is performed to evaluate internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on job opportunities. The analysis highlights the student's strengths in problem-solving, multitasking, and communication, while also identifying weaknesses in saying 'no' and a lack of experience. The portfolio aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the student's current standing and future development within a professional environment.

PORTFOLIO:
Personal Development in
Professional Settings
STUDENT NAME: _________________________________
STUDENT NUMBER: _________________________________

Project
SECTION 1: CAREER GOALS
A: POSITION OF INTEREST
EXAMPLE JOB ADVERTISEMENT:

REFERENCE:
Indeed, (2020), HR Assistant Jobs [Online] Available at:
<https://www.uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=hr%20assistant&I=London%2C%20Greater
%20London&vjk=ea777dc5d7d1056b>
Accessed on: 12.03.2021
B: INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
EVIDENCE OF INDUSTRY OVERVIEW:
SUMMATION OF SOURCE A & B:
Requirement from Project Brief: Information from Sources:
 company background
information
ETX Capital is a company which deals in
financial services and provide financial
derivatives trading like financial spread
betting, contracts for difference and corporate
brokerage services. It is headquartered in
London and was founded in the year 1965 as

Dusrolgraph Ltd
 the physical, psychological,
educational and emotional
characteristics and demands of
the role, ie. Person specifications
 Requires a applicant who has Bachelors
degree in Business and management
with specialization in Human Resource.
 Must have the past experience of at
least 1 year within HR, specifically in
recruitment and on boarding of the new
starters.
 Someone who can maintain the HR
database system.
 Someone who can assist the HR
manager with the administration of HR.
 Capable of doing administrative task.
 Candidate must be calm, organized and
capable of handling the pressures.
 Must possess with communication
skills which includes verbal and
written.
 Capable of delivering the external and
internal service.
 remuneration, opportunities for
personal development and
benefits
 Salary- £25000- £29000 per year.
 geographical location
 London
 an overview of the health of
industry (job opportunities in the
current market)
(SOURCE B)
 With the present disruption in the
economy which comprises of all
industry, it is important for HR to
revamp all the policies and the

processes in order to comply with new
normal. Every sector requires an
Human Resource and after the Covid
19 pandemic, many sectors like finance,
healthcare, etc have positive impact
while other sectors have negative
impact.
 The current job is in the finance sector
for the post of Human resource, so
there is positive impact in this as this
sector has been working completely
during lock down. The finance sector
have been impacted only 4% so there is
positive response from this industry.
Project
SECTION 2: CURRENT REALITY
SOURCE 1: ASK 5 PEOPLE SURVEYS - PERSONAL
Personal Development in the Professional Setting
Ask 5 People
The following questions provided below are to be answered by you according to your
perception for me. I have chosen you for this survey as I value and trust your opinion. I
hope and expect that you will answer me with full honesty. It will probably take two
minutes to answer these questions.
Thank You.
Name: Marius Serban
Q1. Any one word which can define me ?
Talented
Q2. According to you, what is my best quality ?
Hard working
Q3. What is the one thing which you value about me ?

Opinion
Q4. What is the one thing which I can change about myself so that I can get benefit
from it ?
Stay calm, don't panic
Personal Development in the Professional Setting
Ask 5 People
The following questions provided below are to be answered by you according to your
perception for me. I have chosen you for this survey as I value and trust your opinion. I
hope and expect that you will answer me with full honesty. It will probably take two
minutes to answer these questions.
Thank You.
Name: Andreea Oana Zamfir
Q1. Any one word which can define me ?
Sincere
Q2. According to you, what is my best quality ?
Dedicated
Q3. What is the one thing which you value about me ?
Talent
Q4. What is the one thing which I can change about myself so that I can get benefit
from it ?
Don't be introvert, be confident.
SUMMATION:
Personal Feedback Data:
My friends and family believe that I must become a little social and have some patience in
myself. This matches with the feedback received from the colleagues from the survey, as
per the survey, I need to be confident about my work as I am hard working towards it and
on other side, they value my talent and opinion as I am sincere towards whatever I do. The
best quality in me according to the survey is that I dedicated and hard working.

SOURCE 1: ASK 5 PEOPLE SURVEYS – PROFESSIONAL
Personal Development in the Professional Setting
Ask 5 People
The following questions provided below are to be answered by you according to your
perception for me. I have chosen you for this survey as I value and trust your opinion. I
hope and expect that you will answer me with full honesty. It will probably take two
minutes to answer these questions.
Thank You.
Name: Ana Visescu (manager)
Q1. What word best describes me ?
Hard working
Q2. What is the skill or trait which you value most for me as the colleague or
employer?
Ability to take challenges
Q3. What is the one thing in my work performance which I can improve ?
Learn to say NO
Q4. How will you rate me on the following-
1 – Excellent
2 – Fairly Good
3 – Competent
4 – Needs Improvement
5 – Needs Attention
Self management
(the ability to work without the supervision)
1 2 3 4 5
Team working
(Get on well and works collaboratively with the other
people)
1 2 3 4 5
Business and customer awareness
(Understands industry and customer needs)
1 2 3 4 5
Communication and literacy 1 2 3 4 5

(oral and written both communication)
Application of Information technology
(able to use technology relating to work)
1 2 3 4 5
Personal Development in the Professional Setting
Ask 5 People
The following questions provided below are to be answered by you according to your
perception for me. I have chosen you for this survey as I value and trust your opinion. I hope
and expect that you will answer me with full honesty. It will probably take two minutes to
answer these questions.
Thank You.
Name: Xavier Nunes(colleague)
Q1. What word best describes me ?
Sincere
Q2. What is the skill or trait which you value most for me as the colleague or
employer ?
Multi tasker
Q3. What is the one thing in my work performance which I can improve ?
Nothing
Q4. How will you rate me on the following-
1 – Excellent
2 – Fairly Good
3 – Competent
4 – Needs Improvement
5 – Needs Attention
Self management
(the ability to work without the supervision)
1 2 3 4 5
Team working 1 2 3 4 5

(Get on well and works collaboratively with
the other people)
Business and customer awareness
(Understands industry and customer needs)
1 2 3 4 5
Communication and literacy
(oral and written both communication)
1 2 3 4 5
Application of Information technology
(able to use technology relating to work)
1 2 3 4 5
Personal Development in the Professional Setting
Ask 5 People
The following questions provided below are to be answered by you according to your
perception for me. I have chosen you for this survey as I value and trust your opinion. I hope
and expect that you will answer me with full honesty. It will probably take two minutes to
answer these questions.
Thank You.
Name: Veronica Popara(colleague).
Q1. What word best describes me ?
Honest
Q2. What is the skill or trait which you value most for me as the colleague or
employer ?
Trustworthy
Q3. What is the one thing in my work performance which I can improve ?
Be social
Q4. How will you rate me on the following-
1 – Excellent
2 – Fairly Good
3 – Competent
4 – Needs Improvement
5 – Needs Attention

Self management
(the ability to work without the supervision)
1 2 3 4 5
Team working
(Get on well and works collaboratively with
the other people)
1 2 3 4 5
Business and customer awareness
(Understands industry and customer needs)
1 2 3 4 5
Communication and literacy
(oral and written both communication)
1 2 3 4 5
Application of Information technology
(able to use technology relating to work)
1 2 3 4 5
SUMMATION OF NUMERICAL COLLATED DATA:
Self-management- Strength My manager gave me fairly good score for this
skill. It is my strength as I am able to work on
my own. And my both the colleagues gave me
excellent score on this skill.
Team Working- Strength
All the three respondents have given me
excellent score in this. It is my strength as well
as I am able to work in the teams
collaboratively.
Business and Customer Awareness-
need improvement
All the three respondents have given me
competent score in this so I need to make
improvement in this.
Communication and Literacy- strength

All the three respondents have given me
excellent score in this as I uses both my
communicating skill in my best way possible.
It is noted in my strength as well.
Application of Information
Technology- need improvement
All the three respondents believe that I am not
good in using the information technology. I
need to improve this skill for my future career.
Q1. What word best describes me ?'
Honest, Sincere, Hard working (personal Quality)
Q2. What is the skill or trait which you value most for me as the colleague or
employer ?
I like to take challenges (Personal quality), Multi tasker (skill), Trustworthy (personal
quality)
Q3. What is the one thing in my work performance which I can improve ?
Learn to say no (Personal Quality), Be social (Personal quality)
SUMMATION OF QUESTIONS 1-3
From above analysis, my positive things include that I am honest, sincere and hardworking
towards my work. My strength is that I am a multi tasker and I like to take challenges.
To improve my over all performance, I need to become more social so that in can easily
ask questions and I must learn to say NO so that I can focus on my work as a priority.
SOURCE 2: SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths Weaknesses
Internal
 My major strength is that I have
a problem solving skill where I
mainly concentrate on the
finding the solution in order to
solve it.
 I am a multi task player where I
do multi work altogether so that
 My biggest weakness is that in
have a trouble in saying NO. I
cannot deny any person about
anything which sometimes
becomes problematic with me.
 Another weakness is that I feel
stressed while working when
my work goes beyond the

I can finish my work before
deadline.
 I am very disciplined person
and likes to do work before
deadline by managing work as
per the time limitation.
 I have a high determination
level where I work with full
dedication and hard work.
deadline. That's why I try to
compete my work before
deadline. I am unable to handle
the pressure.
 I have a lack of experience as an
HR which is problematic for me
as I have little and very less
practical knowledge to under go
this job role.
 I am less social which becomes
hurdle for me as I am unable
ask for help from others. This
sometimes results in lack of
clarity.
Opportunities Threats
Externa
l
 My current industry has a scope
of more job opportunities as the
role of HR involves recruitment
and selection.
 My current job role requires me
to work under the HR manager
so I have a scope of learning a
lot from it.
 The job covers many job
benefits which will help me in
motivating myself.
 The current market conditions
require more talented and
dynamic candidate for fulfilling
the job responsibilities so it is
my major threat.
 The Covid 19 pandemic have
affected the jobs of many
people which is also the biggest
threat as I am on temporary
basis.
SUMMATION OF SWOT ANALYSIS:
Strengths and Weaknesses:
My manger and colleagues have pointed almost the similar points for me as my strength.
My strengths are important for my linked job role as I am a multi tasker and the job role of
HR requires me to do many things at one time like providing training, recruiting the right
person, resolving conflicts and many other. I also have the strength of problem solving

where I can resolve the issues of my employees in an efficient manner.
My weakness lies in my inability to handle pressure as I am also unable to say NO. But my
strength helps in overcoming my weaknesses.
SOURCE 3: DEGREE RESEARCH
DEGREE PROSPECTUS:

REFERENCE:
Anglia Ruskin University, 2020 [Online] Available Through
<https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/business-management>
Last access on: 12.03.2021
SUMMATION OF DEGREE RESEARCH:
Degree Title and
Duration: Bsc (Hons)Business and Human resource management- 4 Years
Pathways into
Employment: The website here indicates that there are following jobs associated
with the degree. Human resource management is one of the option
available here. This states that I am studying for the correct degree.
 Human resource manager
 Human resource assistant
 Human resource administrator
Skills Developed:

 Knowledge of the industry
 Communication skills
 Problem solving skills
 Human resource practices
 human resource theories
Modules of
Interest: Leadership and management are my core interest. Apart from this,
information and technology is also one of the key interest of mine as I
need to learn the basics of the IT in order to perform my roles and
responsibilities in an effective manner. This will help me in
maintaining the HR database system.
Overall
Comment:
This degree fits best for me. With the practical knowledge and
theories, exposure to industry and the location of the campus, all these
factors are suitable for me and contributes in my future career and
success.
Project
SECTION 3: OPTIONS FOR
PROGRESSION
SOURCE 1: MY NETWORK PROFILE/LINKEDIN
MY HEADLINE AND SUMMARY:

ASSESSMENT OF HEADLINE AND SUMMARY:
Profile Picture
The picture is useful for both personal and professional context and
gives the idea that I am happy, sincere and determined towards my
work.
Headline
I need to make the headline of my profile a little catchy and interesting

so that the employers can get interest in my profile.
Summary
(About) My Linked in profile has my about which is short and to the point. My
college and qualification are stated in my about. This gives insight
about my future goal and career.
Suggestions for
Improvement
I need to amend my about and headline.
EXPERIENCE:
ASSESSMENT OF EXPERIENCE:
Jobs included I have past experience of a jobs which are relating to hospitality
Relevance of
jobs This job does not relate to the HR department and finance industry.
Information
included I have included the duration of my job which is 3 years and 8 months.
The skills and knowledge required to perform the job role does not
relate to my current profession but one responsibility which was
common was to train and develop the employees which is an essential
practice of HR.

Suggestions for
Improvement I have no past experience in similar field as have worked previously as
waiter in a five start hotel. So I need to gain experience as HR so that I
can add work experience in my life.
EDUCATION:
ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATION:
Institutions
Included Anglia Ruskin University.
Information
The name of my degree is clear which is Human resource
management with the specialisation in personnel administration and
general.
Relevance
My degree is very much specific to my job that in am hoping to get in
future. I have included my degree name so that the employers can get
to know my educational qualification.
Suggestions for

Improvement I may include the number of years I have spend in completing my
degree.
SKILLS/EDORSEMENTS:
ASSESSMENT OF SKILLS/ENDORSEMENTS:
Relevance of
skills listed
The skills mentioned in SWOT analysis relate to the HR department and
every HR must posses with these skills in order to fulfil its roles and
responsibilities effectively.
Range of skills
I have the communication and problem solving skills but I do not have
enough knowledge about the information and technology which is
important to perform the job role of HR.
Endorsements
I do not have any endorsements so I need to make sure that I have some
endorsements so that the employers can take interest in my profile.
Suggestions for
Improvement I need to have a connection with my colleagues so that I can be social. I
am an introvert so I need to become extrovert in order to gain external
knowledge. I must reach out to other people so that I can know the
exact requirement of what employers need.
I have to better in the range of skills as from my career zone it is
reflected that I need to add more of my skills.
SOURCE 2: EMPLOYABILITY SCHEME

Assessment of
Resources:
The industry exposure timetable shows that the session have began
from May 2020 and is useful for me. As I am trying to become HR
assistant. This session shall help me in taking a good sight of the
industry in order to perform my job role effectively.
The webinar on the industry exposure shall help me in gaining all the
knowledge relevant to the industry.
It helps in building the strong CV and prepares for the interviews so
that the best impression is placed on the recruiters. E Learning shall
help me in preparing myself for the professional life.
SOURCE 3: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES VLE
Examples of Resources:

Assessment of
Resources: This resource is very helpful for me as in the learning resources tile
on VLE, there are various learning and training options available
through I can use excel for beginners workshop. This will help me in

learning all the formatting and formulas of Excel. The sessions shall
be in the evening and there are around three levels for the
certification and I have planned to begin with Beginners course from
April.
REFERENCE:
ARU, (2021),Learning Resources: Excel For Beginners.
[online] Available through: <https://learnarul.uk/course/view.php?id=65615>
(Accessed on: 12.03.2021)
SOURCE 4: DIGITAL LIBRARY
Example of Resource:
Assessment of
Resource:
I am very anxious as to how to use references but the website of
university explains a lot for the guidance. The guide explains the

usage of the different sources for references. I was not aware that
there are so many ways to cite and reference the work. In my
academic style, it is very essential to write so this resource is very
helpful for me as I will be able to learn how to structure the
references in an effective manner. The picture also reflects how to
take the reference for making the source relevant and authentic.
SOURCE 5: CAREER ZONE
Example of Resource:

Assessment of
Resource: On the career zone, there is a very useful and authentic section which
is called E Learning. I really need to improve this. The options on the
left helps in gaining the knowledge as to which skill and preference
is required, what are the career possibilities and insights of the
industry. This will give me clearer idea about the aspects of my
rpofile as to how I need to improve in my Linked In profile so that
employers can find it in my online profile.
SOURCE 6: SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths Weaknesses
Internal
 I have excellent
communication skill both
verbal and written.
 I am able to multi task at a
same time.
 I have insufficient experience as
HR.
 I am less social and introvert
which is problematic for me.

 I have strong problem solving
skills.
Opportunities Threats
Externa
l
 I will work with HR manager
which will help me gaining a
lot of knowledge about the
field.
 There are many job benefits
attached with my job in order
to motivate me.
 The current industry have
high scope for new jobs.
 The covid 19 have impacted
many jobs and I have a threat of
loosing the job as I am on
temporary basis.
 The changing market conditions
are another threat.
Assessment of
SWOT Analysis: There is a high chance of loosing the jobs in the industry due to Covid
19 pandemic so there is no guarantee in the jobs. The University
allows us to meet the leaders of this industry and I have also followed
them from my Linked profile which will help me in making new
contacts.
I have been given the privilege to work with the HR manager so it will
help me to gain all the practical knowledge about it. Due to lack of my
experience, it will contribute in my success.
Project
SECTION 4: WAY FORWARD
SMART STEPS:
STEP 1:

SMART Objective:
To increase knowledge of
industry by gaining
experience.
ETX company deals with financial services. It is important
for HR to recruit such people in the organization who have
knowledge of the financial sector. I will take some
professional classes in order to learn the brief of this industry
so that I can recruit the skilled and knowledgeable staff.
I will try to implement my knowledge while evaluating the
knowledge of people so that I can recruit talented people.
The success of this can be measured by the workforce which
I will recruit. It will meet the SMART criteria.
STEP 2:
SMART Objective:
To learn information
technology in order to
maintain HR database.
It is essential for me to learn the basics of information
technology so that I can maintain the database of the
employees. I can develop this by undergoing a diploma
course so that I can improve myself and perform my job role
effectively. I will make sure that I will learn this and
regularly repeat this practice so that I can become expert in
this. I will develop this skill within 3 months and it will meet
my SMART objectives.
STEP 3:
SMART Objective:
To become organized, calm
and build ability to handle
pressure.
It is important for me to learn how to handle pressure and
work under the pressure with full efficiency. For this, I have
to gain patience level so that I can become calm and
composed with my work. My judging criteria shall be my
performance during the stress as this will only truly reflect
my overall development of this objective.

Portfolio Checklist
Section 1: Career Goals
1. EXAMPLE JOB ADVERT
Reference
2. INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDUSTRY
Reference
Summary of job advert and sector
Section 2: Current Reality
3. ASK 5 PEOPLE SURVEYS – PERSONAL
Summary of personal feedback
4. ASK 5 PEOPLE SURVEYS – PROFESSIONAL
Summary of professional feedback
5. SWOT Analysis
Summary of your Strengths and Weaknesses
6. DEGREE RESEARCH
Reference
Summary of degree
Section 3: OPTIONS FOR PROGRESSION
7. LINKEDIN PROFILE
Summary of heading
Summary of experience
Summary of education
Summary of endorsements
8. COPY AND PASTE EMPLOYABILITY SCHEME DETAIL
HERE
Explanation how this source will help you
Reference
9. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (e.g. VLE)
Explanation how this source will help you

Reference
10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (e.g. DIGITAL LIBRARY)
Explanation how this source will help you
Reference
11. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (e.g. CAREER ZONE)
Explanation how this source will help you
Reference
Explanation of how you will tackle your opportunities and threats
Section 4: WAY FORWARD
12. RELEVANT RESOURCES
SMART Objective 1
SMART Objective 2
SMART Objective 3