Professional Portfolio: Career Action Plan and Toolkit Analysis

This professional portfolio showcases a student's career action plan and toolkit, designed to facilitate job readiness and career development. Section A focuses on a career action plan, encompassing self-assessment, ideal job research, and the creation of SMART goals for 6 months, 12 months, and 5 years. The plan includes SWOT analysis, skill development plans, and resource identification. Section B presents a career toolkit, including a sample job advertisement, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, demonstrating the practical application of job search strategies. The portfolio highlights the student's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for development, providing a comprehensive approach to career planning and preparation.

Professional Portfolio
Date: ________________
Section A: Career Action Plan
A Career Action Plan helps you to focus on your goals and plans for the future. It helps you to
work out how you are going to achieve what you want relating to study, work and life. A
Career Action Plan lets you work out your career capabilities and how they relate to your
preferred career option.
Part 1: My profile
Summarise your self-assessment
If you have completed the quizzes in Module 1 you can return to them to help with this
section. These sections of your action plan mirror the questions asked in these quizzes and in
Assignment 1.
My greatest
strength and
biggest weakness
I possess sound knowledge of the recipes. Practical experience in the
reputed coffee shop is one of my strengths, which enhances my
preconceived skills, expertise and knowledge. Adherence and
compliance to the key legislations, safety and hygiene acts
assistance for me to avert the illegal instances. I feel that evaluation
of the exposed performance proves beneficial for me to detect the
areas in which modification is needed for transforming the standards
and quality of the performance.
I am specifically concerned about the incompetence, which exists in
my attentiveness towards the changes in the food processing
techniques. This deprives me from the knowledge of using the latest
technologies for processing the foods in accordance to the orders.
What I value in
the workplace
According to me, the core values of honesty, integrity, accountability
and transparency are crucial for preserving the workplace culture.
Among these, transparency is most important value, which improves
the stability in the relationship with the clients and customers.
What I am
passionate about
I am passionate about trying new dishes and experimenting with the
culinary skills. In my leisure time, I search for new items from the
internet and try them out. The new recipes enhances my
preconceived, skills, expertise and knowledge of the recipes.
My top three
work/life
priorities
 Maintaining safety and hygiene in the kitchen
 Using correct ingredients in right proportion for producing the
items according to the orders of the customers
 Conducting lab tests for the prepared foods for detecting the
presence of adulterants
The top three
employability
skills I bring to
the workplace
 Resource management
 Organizational skills
 Collaboration
Name: ____________________________

Part 2: My future
Summarise your research into your ideal job
The information in this section of your plan is a summary of the research you compiled in
Assignment 2: Research report
Ideal Job profile
My ideal job is that of a chef. My primary duty is to prepare delicious
items for luring large number of customers. Being the senior chef, I
assist the juniors by informing them the day’s special menus. I also
assist the staffs in using the ingredients in appropriate levels and
proportion for living up to the expectations of the customers. Along
with this, I also help the juniors to conduct evaluation of the prepared
dishes by checking the amount of the ingredients.
Job prospects in the profession of chefs :
 Bachelors’ degree in Hotel and Hospitality Management
 Salary- AU$64869
 Working hours- 50 to 70 hours per week
 Career development- food trucks, stalls in the events, lectures,
seminars and TED talks
Future trends:
 Innovative technologies, which would escalate the sales revenue
to 11.7% by 2023
 Quality controls and checks would upgrade the standards and
quality of the food items
 Advice from the dieticians would be effective for making
effective use of the organic ingredients for preparing the dishes.
This approach would seem to be effective for catering to the
health conditions and issues of the customers.
Key attributes
(e.g. personal
characteristics such
II
I possess inquisitive skills, which I think is productive in terms of
learning new concepts in the discipline. I love to indulge in
discussion with the experts, which helps me to assess whether the

as personal
presentation
and
motivation)
plans, strategies and assumptions are
appropriate for accomplishing the identified
goals and objectives. I prepare routines and
schedules with the action plans, which evokes
systematic approach towards completing the
tasks and responsibilities. I personally believe
that motivation is a key element, which
generates urge towards effective use of the
learnt skills in completing them according to the
requirements.
Key skills
(e.g. technical,
academic and
employability
skills)
After undertaking personality test, I came to
know that, I possess organizational skills,
resource management and collaboration. Self-
organizational skills helps me to evaluate my
performance for upgrading the standards and
quality of the performance. Resource
management skills and competencies highlights
my focus towards making judicious use of the
resources and sustaining them for the future
generations. Collaboration skills improves my
stability with the colleagues, reflecting the trait
of adjustability.

Part 3: My Plan
Goals are things that you want to achieve in the future. They are things that will help you to
be prepared and ready for change at university or in your life. It is important that you think
about goals early because then you can work out how to achieve them. Thinking about goals
means that you will be prepared to study the subjects you like, do the types of occupations
you prefer, and keep your future options open. If you meet a goal throughout the year, set
another new one for yourself – maybe a more challenging one.
1. My Career SWOT
Reflect at where you are currently in your career and brainstorm the strengths, weaknesses
opportunities and threats in your position.
Strengths Weaknesses
 Prior knowledge of the kitchen
equipment
 Awareness of the health and safety
regulations
 Resource management
 Self-organizational skills
 Collaboration
 Incompetence towards variations in
the food processing technologies and
mechanisms
 Dissatisfaction from the customers and
the resulting complaints

Opportunities Threats
 Attention towards the lectures,
seminars and practical classes of
using the food processing techniques
 Internet search for gaining insight
into the new recipes and fusion foods
 Spontaneous decision-making skills
 Negligence towards disproportionate
ratio of the ingredients
 Adulterants
 Fluctuating prices of the raw materials
2. My SMART goals
Create one goal each for 6 months, 12 months and 5 years
Current goal:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
For the time period: 6 months
Objectives Support/
Resources
required
Potential
barriers/difficulti
es
Problem
solving
strategies
Review
date
To gain
competence in
Internet search Inadequate Evaluation After 1

the food
processing
techniques
information month
Current goal:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
For the time period: 12 months
Objectives Support/
Resources
required
Potential
barriers/difficulti
es
Problem
solving
strategies
Review
date
Complete
apprenticeship
and attain Red
Seal
Training Low grasping
speed
Evaluation After 3
months
Current goal:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
For the time period: 5 years
Objectives Support/
Resources
required
Potential
barriers/difficulti
es
Problem
solving
strategies
Review
date
Sous chef
position in
leading
restaurants
Supervisory
training
Differentiation of
opinions
Group
discussions
After 1 year
Resources I need to help me achieve these goals

Sources of
information
(e.g. myfuture, Job
Guide, career
websites)
 Search engine optimization for the kitchen
items and dishes
 Websites of the restaurants, coffee shops
and others
 Personality test scores
Who can
help me
(e.g. friends, family,
careers
practitioners etc.)
 Expert chefs
 Seniors
 Colleagues

3. My skill development plan
Review the level of skills, attributes and qualifications you need for your ideal job against your
current levels. Identify where you may need further development and outline a basic plan for
how you will achieve this and by when.
Areas I need to develop to achieve my ideal job
Attribute to develop
(i.e. personal
characteristics such as
personal presentation and
motivation that are highly
prized in your ideal job)
How? By when
Competence with food
processing techniques
Collecting information on the
recent technological trends
1 month
Collaboration Groups discussions 2 months
Self-organizational Routines 3 months
Job specific skills to
develop
(technical., academic and
employability skills
specific to your ideal job)
How? By when
Technical skills Practical tests for upgrading
the skills of operating the
latest food processors and
devices
3 months
Problem solving skills Consideration of the problem
solving skills
1 month
Self-organisational skills Scheduling the activities,
evaluations and audits for the
exposed performance
2 months
Qualifications I need How? By when
Culinary school diploma Hiring the employees who are
dedicated and committed
towards their work
2 months
Practical work experience Practical examinations for the
available equipment
1 month
Certificate degree Applying for the higher
positions
1 month

Section B: Career Toolkit
Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________
Part 4: Sample job advertisement
Position Title: Sous Chef
Company: Song Hotel, Sydney
Expectations:
 Minimum 3 years’ experience in preparing fast foods in restaurants
 Creative, attentive and passionate towards the evolving trends in
food processing
 Need to possess sound knowledge of recent trends in the food and
beverage industry
 Strong and flexible communication skills
 Need to take challenging and enduring tasks
 Must be readily available at all times
Competencies:
 Problem solving skills
 Resource management
 Collaboration
 Accountability
 Ability to work under pressure
Benefits:
 Gross basic pay
 Incentives
 Rewards
 Free parking
 Open kitchen facilities
The interested candidates can send their detailed resume along with
two recent passport size coloured photographs to the website,
https://songhotels.com.au/.

Part 5: Sample cover letter
January 2, 2020
Jessica Peterson
Sous Chef at Mecca Coffee, King Street, Sydney
Subject: Recruitment
Respected Sir/Madam,
This is in reference to the job advertisement of the sous chef on Sunday
Morning Herald, that I express my interest for the post. I am trained at
the culinary school on the use of the kitchen equipment. Along with this,
I have gained effective knowledge, skills and expertise on the health
and hygiene, which is to be maintained in the kitchen. Taking guidance
from the celebrity chefs have added to my preconceived culinary skills,
expertise and knowledge. I can also state that work experiences, which I

have gathered from serving the guests at the four
star restaurants.
Be it a corporate event, birthday party or marriage, I
intend to give my best in attracting the customers
through lip smacking delicacies. Every action is an
opportunity for me to improve my performance in
the future. I create routines and action plans with
time frames, which helps me to complete the tasks
within the stipulated time. I can mention one of the
events in which I was entrusted with the order of
preparing fusion foods for the guests. The demand
from the customers reflected the need for using
organic ingredients for averting the health issues
and complexities. The event was a grand one with
the guests appreciating the cuisine.
I am inquisitive towards learning new items, which I
think would be effective for you to expand the
customer base. Trying out my skills, expertise and
knowledge in your esteemed hotel would result in
my professional development. I would be obliged if I
get the expert advice and guidance of the senior
chefs in your hotel.
For further details, please feel free to contact me on
the number 012345678.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely
Regards
Jessica Peterson

Part 6: LinkedIn profile
Your Name: LinkedIn Profile
This template helps you complete a LinkedIn profile (www.linkedin.com)
by presenting your CV information in the format of a LinkedIn profile. You
do not need to create a LinkedIn profile or include a link to your profile for
this assignment.
BASIC INFORMATION
Name: Jessica Peterson
Address: Kings Road, Sydney
Professional headline:
Inquisitive nature, is to me, the key towards attaining success. .
Industry:
Food and beverage industry
SUMMARY
Professional Experience & Goals:
 Worked in coffee shops of the four star restaurants at the coffee
shops
 Goal is to attain competence in the evolving trends of the food
processing mechanisms
EXPERIENCE
 Sous chef in a coffee shop
 Senior chef in a hotel
 Executive chef at an inn
INTERESTS
 Passionate towards trying new recipes
 Taking guidance from senior chefs
 Learning new food processing techniques
RECOMMENDATIONS
I think senior manager would be the immediate
person to report the issues, because he is in charge
of the issues. I also feel that executive chefs would
also be the adequate person to report, as they are
the ones to be contacted when the budgets need to
be prepared for gathering the additional resources
for meeting the needs, demands and expectations of
the customers.

Part 7: Sample interview
responses
Question 1 : __Why do you think you should be
hired?
____________________________________________________
Response:
Well, I think hiring me would enhance the standards
and quality of the meals, which would help in
expanding the customer base.
Question 2:
_What do you think is the most important skill for
attaining personal development?
______________________________________________
Response
Well, I think that problem solving skills and
evaluation are the key elements, which acts as an
agent towards attaining personal development.

Part 8: Elevator pitch
I, Jessica Peterson, serves a coffee shop as an executive chef. I intend
to achieve growth in career by applying for the post of sous chef in
Songs Hotel, Sydney. I have planned to upgrade my skills, abilities and
competencies in the evolving trends in the food processing. This is
through the means of training and practical tests for making effective
use of the kitchen equipment. Now, I would show some pictures, which
would reflect the dedication and commitment, with which I perform the
allocated duties and responsibilities.
Part 1: My profile