Professional Development Report: Unit 2, HND Tourism, Skills Audit

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of professional development within the context of the tourism and hospitality industry, specifically focusing on the Marriott International. It begins by outlining the key benefits of continuous professional development, emphasizing its impact on employability, adaptability, and overall performance. The report then investigates the expectations of professional employers regarding skills and competencies, particularly for roles like Hotel Manager. A significant portion of the report is dedicated to self-assessment, where the student evaluates their own abilities and skills against the requirements of a Hotel Manager role. Furthermore, it reviews various learning theories, including behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, experimentalism, and social/contextual theories, and their relevance to personal and professional improvement. The report concludes with a development plan using SWOT analysis to enhance chosen skills and competencies, demonstrating a practical approach to career advancement in the service industry. Finally, the report mentions the key strengths and weaknesses of an applied interview process.

Unit 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P 1. The key
benefits of ongoing
professional
development...............................................................................................................................1
P 2. Investigation of professional employer
expectations of skills
and competencies.......................................................................................................................2
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................3
P 3. Assessment of own
abilities, skills, and
competences for a
specific job role..........................................................................................................................3
P 4. Reviewing a range of
learning theories for
personal and
professional
improvement
processes....................................................................................................................................5
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................6
P 5. Development plan to
enhance chosen skills
and competencies.......................................................................................................................6
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................9
P 6. Job
interview for a suitable
service industry role...................................................................................................................9

P 7. Key
strengths and
weaknesses of an
applied interview
process........................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Professional development is a process of learning new things and develop various skills
professionally.
This study will highlight, the importance of professional development and the benefit of
self directed learning in order to enhance the career opportunities and professional development.
This study will also demonstrate and access to own skills with the help of various development
and learning approaches. Furthermore, it will also highlight professional development plan and
also demonstrates various range of service industry and skills needed for job application.
Marriott International is a diversified multinational hospitality company. It was
established in the year 1927 and was founded by J. Willard Marriott and Alice Marriott. It
manages its operations all across the globe by providing various luxury facilities and services to
the customers.
LO 1
P 1. The key
benefits of ongoing
professional
development.
Professional development is a process of learning new things and develop various skills
professionally. It helps in developing various professional skills which leads to high career
growth and opportunities (Darling-Hammond, Hyler, and Gardner, 2017). On- going
professional development attracts attention of both employer and employee which helps in
developing professional skills in order to compete effectively in a multinational market.
Continuous professional development helps individual in meeting the capabilities with the
current standard in the particular field (Kooij, Tims and Kanfer, 2015). There are various
benefits of On- going professional development to different stakeholders of the company mainly
includes:
Greater employability: The employees of the Marriott company are seeking for skilled,
professional and knowledgeable individuals which helps them in continuous development and
growth (Darling-Hammond, Hyler, and Gardner, 2017). On- going professional development
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helps in increasing employment opportunities for the individual. The employees must possess
various skills such as communication, teamwork, self- management, technology, learning, etc.
Increased adaptability and flexibility: There is large number of competition in this rapid
changing dynamic world. On- going professional development helps owners of the company in
adapting to changing environment with ease.
Improved performance, competitiveness and productivity: On- going professional
development helps owners and managers in developing skills and gaining wider set of
knowledge (Kennedy, 2016). It also helps in developing trained, skilled and educated workers
who have the capability to perform the task with utmost accuracy efficiency (Importance of On-
Going Learning and Professional Development, 2015). Trained, skilled and educated workers
helps in increasing the profitability and competitive position of the Marriott company. The
owners and managers of the company should have various professional skills such as technical
and interpersonal skills, flexibility and adaptability, etc.
High chances of promotion and salary: On- going professional development helps
employer and employee in continuous advancement of knowledge and skills which results in
high salary and promotion (Kooij, Tims and Kanfer, 2015). The employees should possess
effective problem solving skills, good communication and team building capability, leadership
skills, organized, positive attitude, etc. for high chance of promotion (Korthagen, 2017).
P 2. Investigation of professional employer
expectations of skills
and competencies.
The hospitality industry has a complex and diverse structure which helps in developing
necessary skills in order to generate higher operational efficiency, performance and productivity
(Ritzhaupt and et.al., 2018). The employers of the Marriott company focuses on developing
necessary skills in order to give excellent customer service to the company in order to attain
higher professional standards and accuracy.
A good communication skill is very crucial to transmit the right and important
information from one person to another. Time management is very crucial as it helps in
performing all the activities on a timely manner without nay delay. Attention to detail and
innovative and creative skills helps in delivering the excellent customer experience which leads
to happy customers (Carpenter and Krutka, 2015). Delivering of high quality customer service
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by examining the needs and wants of the individual helps in attaining higher operational
standards. Interpersonal skills mainly includes empathy, listening, patience, creative thinking,
tolerance in order to deliver the best possible results. An effective problem solving skills helps in
dealing various multiple problems and also helps in finding the best possible solution to the
problem. Commitment to the industry helps individual in performing the best possible services
which eventually results in higher growth prospects and also leads to higher operational
standards and efficiency (Kang, and Ritzhaupt, 2015). Multitasking capabilities helps individual
in performing various different task in a systematic manner which results in attainment of goals
and objectives (Voogt, and et.al., 2015).
In a particular job role of Hotel Manager where the employer of the Marriott company
has certain expectations of competency skills which mainly includes:
 Effective communication skills, interpersonal skills and team building capability.
 Higher flexibility and adaptability to change (Macià and García, 2016).
 Enthusiastic and have a positive attitude.
 Commitment to the industry.
 High quality customer service and understanding the need of customers.
 Cultural awareness and multitasking capabilities (Knobel and Kalman, 2016).
 Effective leadership and management skills.
 Capability to work under stressful situation.
 Orientation to detail and better operational knowledge.
 Financial and marketing skills.
 Customer handling and understanding.
 Time management and problem solving capability.
 Creative, innovative and attention to details.
 Knowledge about various laws, rules and regulations.
LO 2
P 3. Assessment of own
abilities, skills, and
competences for a
specific job role.
Job Role: Hotel Manager
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The Manager of the Marriott company focuses on overseeing day to day activities and
operations of the hotel which mainly consists of ensuring guest satisfaction, well maintained
positive environment, planning, organizing, managing personnel and assigning task, handling
conflicts and grievances, coordinating, monitoring and administrating etc. (Kyndt and et.al.,
2016).
SKILLS, ABILITIES AND
COMPETENCIES FOR
THE ROLE
SELF EVALUATION REASON FOR YOUR
SCORE
Effective customer service
capability.
5 I am a very introvert and shy
person. I have never interacted
with customers earlier which
makes it difficult for me to
handle the need of the
customers effectively. I think I
have the capability to deliver
the best customer service, if I
practice this on a continuous
basis.
Team building capability,
Interpersonal skills to work
well with others.
10 I have an effective team
building capability in order to
build strong network. I also
have the set of better
interpersonal skills which
helps me in delivering the
desired skills and outcomes.
Patient, flexible and calm in
stressful situation.
7 I am very calm and composed
which helps me in critically
analysing the particular
situation effectively. I am very
patient and flexible which
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helps me in taking strategic
decision in any particular
problem. I am a very flexible
person and is open to dynamic
changing environment and can
easily adapt to such changes
effectively and efficiently.
Creative, innovative and
attention to details.
10 I like everything to be perfect
which helps me in paying
attention to details in order to
deliver the best possible results
and outcomes. I am innovative
and creative which helps in
finding the best solution in
order to carry out or perform
particular task with utmost
efficiency.
Ability to take initiative. 8 I have the capability to take
initiative which encourages me
in sharing my viewpoints and
ideas. This helps me in sharing
my insights and ideas which
leads to higher professional
development. I have self
promotional capability.
Good communication skills. 7 I have an effective
communication skills both
verbal and written which helps
me in sharing the information
and taking necessary decision
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with utmost accuracy and
efficiency.
P 4. Reviewing a range of
learning theories for
personal and
professional
improvement
processes.
Learning theories is an effective learning and teaching process which helps in developing
necessary skills and knowledge in order to perform a particular task with utmost accuracy and
efficiency (Harasim, 2017). There are various range of learning theories and approaches which
are classified as:
Behaviourism Theory: This approach helps in defining and measuring the predetermined
goals and objectives of the company (Arghode, Brieger, and McLean, 2017). It helps in
determining and evaluating the behaviour or response of the individual in relation to various
environmental factors. This theory takes into consideration the response of the individual to
stimuli in the environment. This helps in observing the behaviour of the individual within
various environmental conditions.
Cognitivism Theory: This theory is based on some conservation, conscious thoughts,
decision making, and mental process which is very crucial for the cognitive development. It
focuses on the process of developing a learning skills (Bates, 2019). There is a change in the
behaviour which helps in development of various cognitive abilities for the individual.
Constructivism Theory: This theory states that the learning is a contextualized and an
active process which helps in constructing knowledge rather than to acquire it. Knowledge is
built up on the basis of hypothesis and personal experience of the environment. In this theory,
learner acquires the knowledge from the individual which helps them in carrying out and
learning certain set of instructions (Harasim, 2017).
Experimentalism Theory: This theory states that the learning is based on concrete
experience by engaging individual in certain set of activity. The individual or learner gain
knowledge from reflective observations and active experimentation by effectively trying and
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testing new skills and abilities (Arghode, Brieger, and McLean, 2017). The learner can also
wider the knowledge by abstract conceptualization which helps in developing new skills from
experience.
Social and contextual Theory: This theory states that social and contextual theory help in
social interaction among employees which results in gaining wider set of knowledge and
experience (Bates, 2019). The social and contextual learning states that it helps learner gain
knowledge and also helps individual in learning from their own experience.
LO 3
P 5. Development plan to
enhance chosen skills
and competencies.
SWOT Analysis
It is an effective tool which helps in analysing and identifying internal strengths
weakness, opportunity and threat.
STRENGTHS WEAKNESS
 I have an effective capability to deal
with pressure effectively in order to
reach greater heights and attain specific
skills and knowledge. I have the
capability to provide clear set of
direction in order to attain desired goals
and objectives.
 I have the capability to work under
pressure and achieve desired goals in a
timely and systematic manner. I have
the capability build good team and
communicating effectively by setting
clear set of direction.
 I have good and detailed knowledge
about the Marriott company which
 The major weakness is that, it is very
difficult to maintain work life balance.
It is very difficult maintain physical
fitness which adversely impact the
body.
 It is very time consuming for me to
plan a task which are to be assigned to
the subordinates.
 I also need to boost up my confidence
in order to build up more experienced
team which results in better team
management and higher productivity.
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makes it very comfortable for me to
commit towards the organization.
OPPORTUNITY THREAT
 I have immense capability to explore
various areas and get proper training in
order to maintain better organizational
structure.
 Prevention of activities which act as a
threat to the company.
 Identification of various internal and
external environmental factors which
helps in attainment of higher
operational efficiency.
SMART Objectives
It is an effective tool designed to set clear set of objectives which are specific,
measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound.
What do I want to
learn?
What do I have to
do?
What support
and resources
will I need?
How will I
measure
success?
Time bound
To gain wider set of
knowledge in order to
attain goals in a
systematic and accurate
manner and also gain
wider insight on the
external activities of the
business.
I have to complete
the M and L course
and also carry out a
training as young
manager in
Marriott.
Training of
young
manager
course from
specified
centre.
Assessment of
the course.
01/08/19
I have to develop
confident among
my team members
in a department.
I will take
advice and
feedback
from the line
managers.
Formal and
informal
appraisal.
07/08/19
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Widening my
understanding on
management and
leadership.
Work under
experienced
employees and
observing and
gaining knowledge
from experienced
person (Ritzhaupt
and et.al., 2018).
Taking
feedback.
Monitoring the
performance.
10/08/19
Improving my personal
fitness.
I will focus on
developing work
life balance and take
out time for proper
training.
Feedback from
instructor.
Analysing
personal
health
benefits.
Every 4
months.
LO 4
P 6. Job
interview for a suitable
service industry role.
Job Role: Hotel Manager
Interviewer: What motivates you to go in a Hotel industry?
Interviewee: I am very passionate about this work as I have good communication skills and
know how to deliver best services to the employee (Peng and Mao, 2015). I have a capability to
maintain good relations and an effective networking team which helps in catering large number
of people from across the globe.
Interviewer: How would you build trust and confidence of guests towards company?
Interviewee: I will focus on critically understanding the needs and demand of the guest. It will
help me to understand the basic needs and deliver the same to the client. I will also focus on
making them feel special by delivering the best possible services and giving them relishing
experience at the hotel. In this way, I will be able to build trust and confidence of guests towards
company.
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Interviewer: On what basis would you evaluate the performance of your subordinates?
Interviewee: I will take critically examine whether the task assigned to the individual has been
performed with utmost accuracy or not. I will also keep a track about their performance and take
feedback from guest about their experience which helps me in effectively evaluating he
performance of my subordinates.
Interviewer: How would you resolve the issue of the guest?
Interviewee: I would focus on critically examining the various issues of the company. I will ask
the guest the issues faced by them and critically find the solution by discussing the same with the
head. It will help in resolving the grievances of the candidates which leads to higher professional
standards and efficiency.
P 7. Key
strengths and
weaknesses of an
applied interview
process.
Strengths: The key strengths of my interview was I have good communication skills
which helps me in effectively communicating the ideas and insights (Sanghi, 2016). I have an
effective analytical, leadership and communication skills which are very crucial for the manager.
I was very confident which helped me to attract the attention of the interviewer and also lead to
smooth communication process (Jackson, and Wilton, 2016). I was a good communicator which
helped me in sharing new information the person. I was expressive, enthusiastic and very
ambitious about this job role.
Weakness: In was not able to make an eye contact with the interviewer as I am very shy
and conservative. I am shy which made it difficult for me to freely share data and information
with the interviewer. It was very difficult to solve the problem which results in ineffective public
speaking. I am a very self centred person which makes it difficult for me to express my
viewpoints to the interviewer (Jackson, and Wilton, 2016).
The major challenges faced by the interviewee during the interview process is that:
 Interviewer asking tricky questions to confuse the interviewee (Darling-Hammond,
Hyler, and Gardner, 2017).
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 Inadequate preparation: Inadequate preparation and experienced interviewer may act as a
biggest challenge for the interviewee which results in lower operational standards.
 More talented candidates: There are various other talented competitors which leads to
higher competition and becomes very challenging to perform better (Hepworth and et.al.,
2016).
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that, Professional development helps in
developing various professional skills which leads to high career growth and opportunities. On-
going professional development helps in developing professional skills in order to compete
effectively in a multinational market. It leads to greater employability, improved flexibility,
performance, competitiveness and productivity, high chance of promotion. This study also
concludes, professional employer
expectations of skills
and competencies in a Hotel manager job role and will further assess the own
abilities, skills, and
competences for a
specific job role. This study further includes various learning theories such as behavioural
theory, Cognitivism Theory, Constructivism Theory, Experimentalism Theory, Social and
contextual Theory. This study further develops a strategic plan to
enhance chosen skills
and competencies with the help of SWOT analysis and SMART objectives. Furthermore, this
report highlights, Job
interview for a suitable
service industry role and the key strengths and weakness of an interview.
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REFERENCES
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Knobel, M. and Kalman, J. eds., 2016. New literacies and teacher learning: Professional
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Sanghi, S., 2016. The handbook of competency mapping: understanding, designing and
implementing competency models in organizations. SAGE publications India.
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Online
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development.html>
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