Examining Professional Identity and Practice at the Hilton Hotel

This report examines professional identity and practice within the context of the Hilton Hotel, focusing on the role of an event planner. It begins by outlining the benefits of ongoing professional development for various stakeholders, including employers and employees, and investigates the skills and competencies expected by Hilton. The report then evaluates the importance of continuous professional development and analyzes the author's own skills and competencies, culminating in a SWOT analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses. It explores learning theories such as Behaviorism and Cognitivism and discusses their application to personal and professional development. Furthermore, the report details the construction of a professional development plan and includes a review of a job interview experience, assessing strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and recommendations.

Professional Identity and Practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Examine Key benefits of on-going professional development for different stakeholders....3
P2. Investigation of Professional Employer Expectations of Skills and Competencies.............4
M1 Evaluation of the importance of on-going professional development and the associated
professional skills requirements .................................................................................................5
D1 Critically evaluation of own skills and competencies to meet the employer expectation of
professional skills........................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Assess own abilities, skills and competencies for the role of event planner.........................6
P4: Range of learning theories and approaches that are used for personal and professional
development process...................................................................................................................7
Evaluation of own skills and competencies and appropriate developmental approach..............8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5, M3 & D2 Construction of a professional development plan to enhance chosen skills and
competences within a specific work context...............................................................................8
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
Job interview for event planner.................................................................................................11
Review of key strengths and weaknesses of the job interview process....................................11
Evaluation of job interview process emphasising on the obstacles and the challenges............12
Detailed and coherent critical reflection of interview process and abilities during the process
...................................................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Professional identity and practice can be defined as a concept that describe about how
individuals percieves themselves for a specific profession. There are various capabilities and
learning skills which are required by individuals for executing roles and responsibilities in
desired manner. It is very essential for individuals to acquire some specific skills so that they can
retain in the firm for a long time period. Chosen firm for this assignment is Hilton Hotel which
provides hospitality services across the world. The firm was established in 1919 and now it has
approximately 570 branches in more than 80 nations in all over the world. This report will
describe benefits of on-going professional development for stakeholders in the firm and
expectation of employer from employees in terms of skills and capabilities. In addition, learning
theories along with professional development plan will also constructed in this assignment. At
last, job interview along with strength and weaknesses will also covered under this project.
TASK 1
P1. Examine Key benefits of on-going professional development for different stakeholders
In present competitive hospitality business, only those individuals can work who are
ready to adopt changes or learning new things along with outcomes. Therefore, it can be said that
ongoing development is very important for each employee because through it, they can ensure
that firm in getting growth and sustainability in market. There are several stakeholders who can
take benefits from ongoing professional development of Hilton. These benefits are given as
below:
Employer:
It includes board members, managers etc. who have to handle top management of Hilton.
These stakeholders get little benefits from on-going professional development such as when
employees performs their duties in well manner then it will beneficial for firm in taking growth
and development in marketplace.
Employees:
These are backbone of each firm whose efforts decide growth and development of
organisation. On going professional development is also beneficial for employees such as it
increases future opportunities for them like increased skills and efficiencies directly leads them
in taking growth in their professional career.

P2. Investigation of Professional Employer Expectations of Skills and Competencies
Professional employers of Hilton have made some expectations from their staff members
that is essential for ensuring growth and sustainability of organisation in market. Some skills and
competencies are given as below:
Skills: Communication: Employers in hospitality sector such as Hilton have some expectations
from the employees such as they wants good communication skills from an event planner
so that they can deal with different customers and fulfils their requirements effectively
which leads the business towards growth and success.
 Problem-Solving: Another expectation of skills of employers at Hilton from the
employees that they can perform their duties with solving complex situations. This
expectation is essential because several complex situations arise in an event related to
maintenance, electric supply, room services etc. Therefore, this expectation is essential
from the event planner so that through managing these problems event is going on
successfully.
Competencies: Commercial Awareness: Employers of Hilton expected from the event planner that they
should have good knowledge about new trends and needs of customers so that through
using this knowledge and awareness, they can easily organise events in Hilton.
 Teamwork: Another competency which is expected by Employer from event planner is
teamwork. Each task like lighting system, decoration, stage management etc. of an event
requires high team work so that event would be organise effectively. Team work is an
essential competency because it not only maintain cooperation among the workplace but
also incorporate healthy between management and employees.
All these skills and competencies should be required in event planner at Hilton. Along
with this, such kind of skills set parameters for new skilled applicants for the job position of
event planner within an organisation.

M1 Evaluation of the importance of on-going professional development and the associated
professional skills requirements
Continuous professional development is very important for an event planner in
identifying current market trends and requirements of customers. Enhanced knowledge about
market trends along with needs of customers will helpful for managmeent of Hilton in
successfully organising events like reward ceremony, marriage functions etc. It is also evaluated
that ongoing professional professional development not only helps the event planner in
enhancing their learning and professional skills but also supports them to work in a team so that
tasks would be performed in an effective manner. CPD helps individuals in their career growth
and the associated professional skills helps in performing their job roles in an effective and
efficient way.
D1 Critically evaluation of own skills and competencies to meet the employer expectation of
professional skills
In current scenario, i have to kept my focus on becoming an event planner in Hilton so
that it would be required for me to make an evaluation of my skills so that i would easily fulfill
expectations of Hilton that they wants from event planner. Evaluation of these skills and
competencies of myself are given as below:
 Problem Solving and commercial awareness : I will give 8 out of 10 to myself as i can
take good decisions in complex situations. Along with it, i have lower knowledge about
the market trends and needs of customers which can restrict me in successfully
organising events.
 Communication and Teamwork – 9 /10 is the rating that is given to me by myself
because it has been analysed that i have good communication skills and i have ability to
convey necessary informations to the potential teammates so that each task should be
performed in teamwork and cooperation.
As per the given situation as an event planner at Hilton it is very important for me to
increase my skills and competencies so that desired results would be provided to organisation
effectively. In current scenario, competition is highly increasing in hospitality industry due to
which each organisation wants to hire those employees who have ability to work under pressure
and complex situations. Therefore, it is very important for me to develop my skills and
competencies so that i can retain my self in this competitive environment. As an event planner it

is vital for me to understand effectiveness of event planner within the hospitality industry and by
acquiring knowledge about it. I have identified that several roles are played by an event organiser
for organising an event such as managing lighting system, decoration, stage management etc.
After doing this, i have started to taking support of on-going professional development in which i
have evaluated my weak skills and competencies that should be developed by myself for
remaining as an event planner within Hilton. Ongoing professional development programme also
facilitates me in acquiring knowledge regarding the job responsibilities and capabilities of an
event planner that is used by them in organising events successfully. It also benefited me in
developing my knowledge and skills about the expectations of hospitality industries from event
planner so as to successfully organise events and programmes. Another benefit which is gain by
me from this programme is that, it always encourages me in improving my weak skills and
knowledge so that I can perform my each task by using these developed skills. Through
developing these skills i will be able in making adjustment and modifications in whole
arrangements which are important for organising events. My willingness of learning and adopt
changes will be beneficial for me in future because through acquiring knowledge regarding latest
trends of events and needs of guests i will be able in executing all future events in Hilton in
successfull manner (Bleach, 2014). Through developing these skills i will be able in performing
my role and responsibilities appropriately. Most of skills such as problem solving and
communication skills of myself are very good that helps me always in carrying out given tasks
effectively. With the help of ongoing professional development i have also identified that some
skills and competencies such as commercial awareness would be require to develop by me which
will be helpful for me in gaining competitive edge over my rivals.
TASK 2
P3 Assess own abilities, skills and competencies for the role of event planner
For assessing my own abilities, skills and competencies i have decided to do SWOT
analysis so that my strengths can be develop and weaknesses can be improve for becoming Event
planner in Hilton Hotel. Analysis is given as below:
Strength Weaknesses
 My communication skills along with
customer service are very strong which
 I have only knowledge regarding
English language that can become

is strength of myself and can use by me
in getting job of event planner.
 Good Problem-Solving and
Commercial awareness are my major
strength which can lead me in taking
growth in my personal career.
weakness of myself during
communicating with different people of
other regions.
 My analytical and calculation skills are
weak that can restrict me in managing
expenses during an event.
Opportunities Threats
 Through learning other languages like
Spanish, French, Russian etc. I will be
able in understanding and satisfying the
needs of individuals of different region.
 By engaging myself in high level
educational programmes I will be able
in getting high growth in my personal
and professional career.
 Unsupportive nature of my family
members can become threat for me and
can restrict me in taking professional
growth.
P4: Range of learning theories and approaches that are used for personal and professional
development process.
Hospitality sector is becoming more competitive because needs and demands of
customers can change at any time (Sharif and Cho, 2015). Therefore, it is very essential for
employees who are performing their jobs under hospitality sectors to adapt changes according to
the market trends and customer's needs so that desired goals and objectives of organisation can
be achieved successfully. Some of the learning theories are mentioned beneath which can be
used by Hilton for personal and professional development.
Behaviourism: Behaviourism is an effective approach that can be used by Hilton for
their employees in terms of developing their personal and professional career. Through this skill,
I will be able in improving my skills and capabilities for performing role of an event planner in
Hilton. With the help of it, I will also able in providing my maximum contribution in
development and growth of firm.
Cognitivism: It is also an another learning theory which is used by individuals for
acquiring knowledge regarding new things on the basis of their internal interest not an external

pressure. This theory can prove beneficial for me as an event planner because through it, i will be
able in learning new things by using my full efforts that was not possible in behavioursm theory
of learning.
Evaluation of own skills and competencies and appropriate developmental approach
From the above SWOT analysis, I have evaluated that for the job profile of Event planner
in Hilton I have to improve my all weaknesses and turns them into strength. By doing this, my
problem-solving skills and awareness regarding the market trends and customer's needs would be
increase which will be helpful for me in sustaining myself at workplace for a long period of time.
I have also analysed that cognitivism is an appropriate approach which will be helpful for me in
taking growth in my professional career.
It has been summarised from the above discussed statements that making assessment of
own skills is important because it provides identification of weknesses and threats to individuals
which can be used by them for taking professional and personal growth. Along with this,
learning theories are also important because it enables the individuals for adapt changes
according to market trends (Zepeda, 2012).
TASK 3
P5, M3 & D2 Construction of a professional development plan to enhance chosen skills and
competences within a specific work context
What are your
goals
What are your
specific career
goals
Key skills
needed for
goals
Skills to be
work on
Action taken Time period
Event Planner Complete a
degree
Planning and
organising
skills
Yes Finish HND
college
2020
Take an event
course
Creativity Yes Volunteer for
event planning
and took an
event course
2020-2021
Experience Knowledge Yes BY

developing
portfolio and
self studies
Assistant
planner
Team building Yes HND
It skills Yes HND
Problem
solving
Yes Online courses 2022
Negotiation Yes Work
experience
Good business
sence
Yes Work
experience
Ability to
motivate and
lead
Yes Work
experience
Teamwork Yes HND
Market
research
Yes Digital
marketing
course

Sales skills Yes Digital
marketing
course
Communicatio
n
Yes Work
experience
Management Yes Online course
Networking Yes BY taking
new
opportunities
Time and
project
management
Yes HND
It is visible from the above plan that I possess these required skills such as Planning and
organising skills, Team building, Problem solving, Ability to motivate and lead, communication,
Time and project management etc. however I need some improvements in these skills which can
be done by taking the help from different types of courses as well as by taking work experience.
These skills can also be developed by self studying through which I can gather more knowledge.
For increasing knowledge regarding the different roles Belbin's team role has been used. This
theory includes 9 roles which are monitor evaluator, shaper, completer finisher, teamworker, co-
ordinator etc. Through using this theory, i will able in completing each task with team work
along with coordination of my teammates which will beneficial for me in sustaining myself
within Hilton for a long time-frame.
Through this above discussed personal and professional development, it is evident that in
order to achieve my goals, several skills are needed by me so that I can develop my career as a
event planner (Williams, 2014).

TASK 4
Job interview for event planner
In current scenario, a job interview process includes several elements like job description
short-listing of resumes, interview process etc. so that desired candidate can be hired for vacant
positions. Interview process for event planner is given as below:
Me : May I come in sir.
Interviewer : Yes, please take your seat.
Interviewer : Briefly introduce yourself ?
Me: Yes sir, myself John and in present I am working in ABC at the position of event planner. I
am performing my job within the firm from 2 years because of which I have good experience of
event planning.
Interviewer : That's great, but as you said you are working nicely with your previous firm. Then
why you wants to join our firm ?
Me : Respected Sir, Hilton is the largest hospitality industry having operations across the world.
Previous firm in which I am working is small in size so that for gaining growth I have decided to
join your firm with same role.
Interviewer : OK, but why should we hire you instead of anyone who have need of job ?
Me : Sir, main reason behind choosing me for the role of event planner is that I have good
experience of event planning due to which I can make all arrangement in an event as per the need
of client. Apart from that, I have good knowledge regarding understanding multiple languages
because of which I can provide good efforts in development and growth of organisation.
Review of key strengths and weaknesses of the job interview process
Strengths Weaknesses
 Interview is very time saving process
because it selects best candidate in a
minimum time period.
 A list of questions is use by interviewer
for identifying skills and capabilities of
interviewee so that vacant position of
event planner can be filled by desired
Employees of HR department of Hilton are not
experienced due to which more time is
consumed by HR manager in interview
process.
Another weakness of this process is that it
requires high investment of funds which can
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candidate. negatively impact on the profitability of Hilton.
Evaluation of job interview process emphasising on the obstacles and the challenges
Process of job interview can help the management of Hilton in recruiting right candidates
but not at correct time because whole process needs time and training is needed by the new
candidates for understanding their roles and responsibilities. As company is operating its
functions globally therefore, it is essential for them to make investment of training but it can
become challenge for the firm in terms of managing funds (Mwalongo, 2011).
Detailed and coherent critical reflection of interview process and abilities during the process
After analysing job interview process of Hilton, I have analysed that HR managers have
good knowledge regarding recruiting and selecting of employees. Apart from that, it should be
recommended by me to the HR managers that they have to develop short questions regarding
knowledge and experience of myself which is beneficial for me and interviewer both in
completing process within a shorter period of time.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that personal development plan and ongoing
development programme are very important because it helps the invidudals in meeting
requirements of firm in more effective manner. In addition, learning and development theories
like cognitivism an behaviourism is also important to consider by individuals effectively so that
desired growth and development can be taken by them in a short span.
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