MN5F11FB: Employability Skills and Professional Development Report

This report, prepared for the Fairfield School of Business's Employability Skills and Professional Development module, analyzes the essential skills required for professional success, focusing on the context of an Assistant Manager role at Harrods. It begins with an evaluation of a skills audit, assessing performance objectives, roles, and responsibilities. The report then delves into interpersonal and transferable skills, offering tools and techniques to enhance them. A personal SWOT analysis is presented to identify strengths and weaknesses, followed by the application of a proforma for individual appraisal. The report also includes a reflective essay and concludes with a comprehensive overview of professional development strategies, making it a valuable resource for students seeking to improve their employability.

EMPLOYBILITY
SKILLS AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 .....................................................................................................................................1
Evaluation of Skills Audit ..........................................................................................................1
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................4
A) Key interpersonal and transferable skills and analyse tools and techniques to enhance the
skills............................................................................................................................................4
B) Personal SWOT analysis to identify the strength and weakness...........................................5
C). Applying proforma for analyse individual appraisal............................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
Reflective Essay ............................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERNCES ................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Employability skills are the essential skill which enable an individual to thrive in any
workplace. However, employability skills can be defined as the transferable skills needed by an
individual to make them employable. Along with good technical and subject knowledge,
communication and initiative skills and many more which every employer requires from
subordinates for the enlargement of company in an effective manner. Employees are the asset for
company who contribute towards organisational goal by putting their full effort which improves
productivity and profitability(Adams, Akyol and Verwijmeren, 2018). Therefore, employability
skills are the traits and talents which makes an individual attractive candidate for job, so it is very
important for every employees to improve their employability skills through education, training
and practical application etc. By this, it enable them to stand firmly among competitive market
and can achieve pre determined goals(Sumanasiri, Yajid and Khatibi, 2015). Hence,
employability skills plays a vital in professional development because labour market is intensely
competitive, and employers looking for people who are flexible, take initiative and have the
ability to undertake a variety of tasks in different environment. In context to Harrods, a most

famous department store which is established in the year of 1849 and it is located in London,
UK. It offers wide ranges of products and services like clothing, electronics, jewellery, bridal
accessories, housewares etc. in with a good quality which satisfy and improve the morale of
customers. This report covers evaluation of skills audit, tools and techniques for enhancing
interpersonal and transferable skills, preparing personal SWOT analysis and imply appropriate
proforma to analyse individual appraisal. Finally, developing personal and professional
development plan and reflective essay(Bilsland, Nagy and Smith, 2014).
TASK 1
Evaluation of Skills Audit
A skill audit is essentially a process for measuring and recording the skills of an
individual or groups. The main purpose of conducting skill audit in an organisation is to identify
skills and knowledge which company requires, as well as skills and knowledge which an
organisation currently has. Skill audit are also usually done top determine training needs so firm
can improve employees talents and capabilities. However, it is also completed for other reasons
such as recruitment and deployment(Travers, Morisano and Locke, 2015). The outcome of skill
audit process is a skill gap analysis a it enable Harrods to identify its employees potentiality and
provide proper training and encouragement to overcome or tackle their skills gap. For analysing
and evaluating my performance as an Assistant Manager at Harrods, London which is one of the
leading department store in retail industry. As I am posted in this profile, I have several roles,
responsibilities and performance objectives which is described below:
Performance Objectives
Performance objective state what skills, knowledge and experience or behaviour results
from training intervention(El-Choueifati and et. al., 2014). In other words, it's a milestone on the
path to attain preparedness program goals for that objective should be developed for all aspect of
program like include hazard prevention or deterrence risk reduction, respond in an emergency
situation and effort towards business continuity. However, as an Assistant Manager in Harrods
my performance objective is ' This position displays leadership and cautionary behaviour and
also fulfil the duties in absence of general manager. I am responsible for design, develop and
implement an efficient, fair and transparent management system within retail store. Along with
this, ensuring sales team meets its goals of efficiency and customer satisfaction'. Therefore, with

the help of this objective , it will enable me to create a positive working condition among sales
team and direct them to achieve their target in appropriate time in order to attain high
profitability(Tsitskari and et.., 2017).
Role of Assistant Manager
As the job title suggest my role is to supervise the team, providing training to team
members, scheduling employees and assign them to handle customer complaints as they often
work in a customer facing role. Some of the roles are discussed below:
 Monitoring the team: In this role, I supervised or observe the employee day to day work
and provide proper guidance so that they can work without any ambiguity. Along with
this, identify the potentiality and weakness and provide proper training to develop their
skills in order to achieve high productivity(Frese, Hass and Friedrich, 2016).
 Handling employees complaints: In Harrods, there is a process for employees to report
their problems to assistant manager. So, I have to listen their grievances or complaints
carefully and understand proper channel for getting them resolved quickly and
professionally.
With the help of these roles, it enable me to improve the overall performance of Harrods and
gain competitive advantage by monitoring the employees performance and take corrective
course of actions(Wang and Tsai, 2014).
Responsibilities as an Assistant Manager
As an Assistant Manager, I am responsible to help organise and run Harrods retail store
as well as ensures that the sales team meets their objectives or targets on time effectively and
efficiently. Some of the responsibility as an Assistant Manager are as follows:
 Hiring and training sales associate of Harrods so that its business operation function
smoothly and productively(Guilbert and et. al., 2016).
 Monitoring inventory and ordering merchandise based on demand so that there will less
wastage of product and maximise profit.
 Identify competitive product in market and analyse consumer behaviour to ensure that
Harrods meets or exceeds client expectations.
From the above mentioned responsibilities, it help me to understand the capabilities of
employees or staff and assign the work based on their skills which increase employees
satisfaction and enhance their morale. Along with this, it enable Harrods to retain their existing

employees and hire effective personnel in order to attain target on stipulated period of
time(Johnson, 2017).
I apply skill audit to evaluate my own performance and identify shortcoming in order to bring
productive and effective outcome for the betterment of Harrods business function which is
described below:
S.No Competencies
and Skills
Beginning Ending Variance
1 Training and
development
5 3 -2
2 Working to
deadline
4 3 -1
3 Decision making 3 4 1
4 Leadership skill 3 4 1
5 Communication 4 4 0
6 Problem solving 4 4 0
From the above mentioned table it shows several variance of my performance from the
beginning of the year to ending of year. In this negative variance are my weakness and positive
variance are my strength.
TASK 2
A) Key interpersonal and transferable skills and analyse tools and techniques to enhance the
skills.
Inter personal skills are generally related with the skills present with in the individual.
These types of skills generally motivates the individual to perform better. As this helps in
improving and developing the overall personality of the individual. Having a strong inter
personal skills will be lead actively taking part in the work of the organisation. So inter personal
skills in very much essential for the individual(Kusnadi and et. al., 2016). The various inter
personal skills necessary for the Assistant manager are discussed below-
Interpersonal skills

Communication skills- This is the most important skill required for exchanging ideas
and necessary information. With the help of this skill chances of conflicts and problems can be
reduced and better working environment can be created. So the Assistant manager manager must
have proper communication skills in order to achieve the desired task and objectives.
Empathy skill- This skill generally help the Assistant manager of the organisation in
understanding others situation or problem. As with the help of this skill individual's perception or
feeling can be easily taken into consideration. If the Assistant manager of Harrods have this skill
than the problems of subordinates can be easily known and individuals can be retained in the best
possible manner(Wilkins, Bernstein and Bekki, 2015).
Transferable Skills
Time management skills- This skill helps in planning various activities in the proper
order so that time can be saved. This skill directly helps in maintaining the efficiency and
productivity by managing the time. If time management skill is not present in the Assisant
manager than there will be mismanagement in the activities and due to this productivity will be
decreased(Law, Perryman and Law, 2015). So the manager must try to manage the time and
activities of the organisation in the best possible manner.
Leadership skills- This skill is related to leading or guiding the employees of the
organisation so that they perform better. Leadership skill is one of the most important skill which
the Assistant manager must have. As with the help of this skill better guidance can be given to
the subordinates which will directly result in retaining and motivating the employees.
Problem solving skill- This skill is related with solving the problem in the best possible
manner. The Assistant manager of the Harrods must know how to solve the problems and
disputes of the organisation. As in the absence of problem solving skill the chances of
miscommunication will be increased and the productivity will be affected.
Tools and techniques to enhance the skills
There are various tools and techniques can be used by the individual for improving and
enhancing the desired skill. Some of the major techniques are discussed below-
 The communication skill of Assistant manager can be improved by taking part in group
discussion or by addressing the gathering. As by doing this the individual will gain
confidence in communicating the goals and objectives of the organisation to the
employees(Lenz and Hahn, 2015).

 Empathy skill can be enhanced by listening to the problems of others and also by treating
the individuals in the right manner. Building proper relation with the employees will also
help in improving empathy skill.
 Time management can be improved by preparing time tables for each and every
activities and operation of the organisation whereas problem solving skill can be
improved by deeply analysing each and every aspect of the problem and leadership skill
can be improved by getting the goals and targets and making plans to achieve it.
B) Personal SWOT analysis to identify the strength and weakness.
The SWOT analysis will help in knowing the strength and weakness of the individual so
that necessary steps can be taken for the improvement. SWOT Analysis is the strategic planning
process which helps the individual in knowing the probable areas of improvement so that
individual goals are achieved in the best possible manner. With the help of SWOT analysis I will
be able to make plans for improving the set of skills. As a assistant manager it is very much
essential for me to know my weakness and opportunities(Messum, Wilkes and Jackson, 2015).
Personal SWOT analysis is discussed below-
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
 One of my biggest strength is the
ability to take better decision at the
workplace. I can take appropriate
decision for completing the work on
time and in the desirable manner.
 Another major strength is leadership
skill. I can lead and guide people in the
best possible manner. As with the help
of this better guidance can be given to
the subordinates. I can also motivate
people to work in the desirable manner.
As with the help of this organisational
as well as individual goals are easily
 One of my biggest weakness is lack of
communication skill. I am not able to
communicate with the employees in the
appropriate manner. Due to this right
information is not delivered to the right
person at the right time.
Communication skill is considered as
the major skill required for the post of
Assistant manager. So this skill needs
to be improved.
 I am not able to complete the work
within the given time frame. This is
because of the lack of coordination in

achievable. the tasks and activities.
 The problem solving skill is also not up
to the mark. The problems and issues is
not able to solved by me in the best
possible manner(Mishra, 2014.). The
problems of employees are also not
solved in the appropriate manner.
OPPORTUNITY THREAT
 Proper training programmes can
attended to improve the skills and
knowledge. As this training will
directly help in improving the overall
performance in the coordinated
manner(Phadermrod, Crowder and
Wills, 2019).
 Motivational lectures and seminars can
be attended to boost the morale and to
achieve the goals.
 Uncertainty and risk might be a hurdle
in the achieving the targeted and set
goals
 unwillingness to communicate and
work will also be a threat. As due to
this work will be affected and chances
of duplication might increase.
C). Applying proforma for analyse individual appraisal.
Performance appraisal is one of the integral component in company which is related to
periodic assessment of employees job performance(Ridzuan and et. al., 2018). It is understood as
a act of comparing employees input and output with pre-established criteria and objective of an
organisation. Moreover, to examine the performance, a proforma of individual appraisal enable
them to evaluate their skills and potentiality in order to attain organisational goal in an effective
and efficient manner. This performance review offers employee skills and qualities, rating
system from poor to excellent. It is not an in-depth, qualitative review, but it provide a
framework of employee performance and can help or guide conversation between employer and
employee. Along with this, it include a separate section for additional comments or notes as it
include significant achievement or future goal(Sherwani, 2014). For evaluating or analysing my

performance of working as a Assistant Manager, I developed a proforma to analyse my
potentiality and compare those with the goal of Harrods are as follows:
Employee Name John Henry
123456
Assistant Manager
Department HR
George DavidEmployee ID Reviewer Name
Position Held Reviewer Title
Last Review Date - 10/04/18 Today's Date 15/04/19
Characteristics
Quality Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Good Excellent
Training and
Development
√
Working to
deadline
√
Decision making √
Leadership skill √
Communication √
Problem Solving √
GOALS
Achieved goal set in previous review?
In previous review I was able to meet my targets which was set by Harrods company but there
was issues during process in aspect of handling employees behaviour and finishing work on
stipulated period of time.
Goals for next review period
In next review company asked me to take corrective course of action and not be bias in nature
which improves the morale of employees and increase their satisfaction level.
Comments and Approval
Comments

Communication skill is necessary for the growth of Harrods and enable them to attain high
competitive advantage.
Employee
Signature
Reviewer
Signature
From the above discussed performance review, It enabled me to analyse and identify me
potentiality as well as shortcomings which was hindering my work process with employees. By
this, I came to know abut my weakness and help me to take corrective course of action which
improved working environment and build healthy relationship between me and with my team
members(Sherwani, 2015).
TASK 3
Personal Development Plan- It is the continuous process of creating and implementing a
action plan on the basis of values, skills, goals, objectives, etc. of the individual. With the help of
this plan individual can increase the skills and knowledge and better relationship at the
workplace can be maintained. The plan can be made after analysing various things in a
sequential manner. This plan will directly help the Assistant manager in knowing the strength
and weakness and ways by which it can be improved(Singh, 2014). Personal development plan
of the Assistant manager is mentioned below-
S.no Learning
objective
Current
proficiency
Target
proficiency
Developm
ent
opportunit
ies
Criteria
for
judging
success
Time scale Evidence
1 Communicati
on skills
The
communicati
on skill of
the Assistant
manager is
not up to the
mark. Due to
The given
target is to
communic
ate the
future
goals and
objective
To
improve
the
communic
ation skill
I have
attended
General
manager
2-3
months
General
manager

2 Working on
deadlines
this the
chances of
miscommuni
cation and
misunderstan
ding is
increasing.
As the
assistant
manager of
the Harrods I
am not able
to complete
the work on
or before the
deadline.
Due to this
the work is
not
completed
on time.
of Harrods
in the
board
meeting.
The
assigned
target is to
complete
the project
on time.
This also
includes
planning
each and
every
activity of
the project
after
analysing
various
task.
various
seminars,
workshop
s and also
taken
lectures
regarding
the
improvem
ent of the
communic
ation skill.
For
completin
g the
project in
the given
time
frame.
Time
table and
schedule
for the
activities
is made so
that work
can be
completed
in a
sequential
order.
General
manager
3-4
months
General
manager
and
colleagues