University Business Management: Employability Skills Assignment Report

This assignment delves into the critical aspects of employability skills within a business development context. It begins with a self-assessment using the Johari Window and Clifton Gallup Strengths theory to identify personal strengths and weaknesses. The assignment then analyzes the professional qualifications needed for the sector, emphasizing the value of qualifications like a Master's in Business Management. It includes a reflection on current skills, a review of a CV and LinkedIn profile, and research on relevant interview questions. The student provides answers to interview questions using the STAR method, demonstrating their ability to handle various scenarios. Finally, the assignment includes a professional development plan with objectives aligned with self-knowledge, sector knowledge, and professional presentation. Appendices include supporting documents such as a job description, CV, LinkedIn profile, and a completed STAR template for interview preparation.

Employability Skills
Student Name: Student ID:
Subject Name: Subject ID:
Date Due: Professor Name:
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Table of Contents
1.0 Know Yourself.....................................................................................................................2
2.0 Know your sector.................................................................................................................5
2.1 Analysis of professional qualification..............................................................................5
2.2 Having the qualification would add value to an employer and make you the preferred
candidate.................................................................................................................................6
2.3 Reflect on current skill set in relation to the professional qualification and developing
them further............................................................................................................................6
3.0 Let them know you...............................................................................................................7
3.1 Current Skills in CV and LinkedIn Profile.......................................................................7
3.2 Research and identify 3 relevant questions for a job interview........................................7
4.0 Professional Development Plan.........................................................................................10
5.0 Appendices:.......................................................................................................................12
A: List of (Gallup) strengths.................................................................................................12
B: Screenshot or copy of a current job description and specification (this must relate to
your programme of study)....................................................................................................12
C: Current Professional CV (this must be tailored to the job description and specification
outlined in A)........................................................................................................................12
D: Current LinkedIn Online profile......................................................................................12
E: Current Professional Development Plan (including objectives which relate to the three
themes: Know yourself; Know your sector; Let them know you).......................................13
F: Completed STAR template for interview preparation (tailored for an interview for the
job description outlined in A)...............................................................................................13
6.0 References:.........................................................................................................................13
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1.0 Know Yourself
In professional development, it becomes imperative to understand personal and
professional skills. All personal and professional qualities can be evaluated on the basis of
self-reflection, which can be conducted using Johari Window and Clifton Gallup Strengths
theory. Johari Window is used for reflection from self and reflection regarding personal
characteristics from others (Gillespie, 2007). Applying Clifton Gallup Strength theory, I was
able to understand my attributes related to being an achiever, empathy, context, activator
and communication. Elements of these Gallup Strength helps determining how can achieve
one’s personal and professional goals in life. Each elements of Gallup’s Strength was
assessed using reflection from self as well as from friends.
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Achiever: I am extremely hard working and committed to my professional goals. Ones I
determine that I will achieve certain goals in my life, I pursue them without any hesitance. I
am a student of Business Management and have performed roles as Business Development
Manager in the past. But in the future, I aim at becoming Departmental Manager and I know
with my sheer determination I will be able to achieve the same. When I asked my colleagues
regarding this attribute of mine they also reflected that I possess immense determination.
Empathy: I worked as a Business Development Manager in the past and I carried out the
role with high pressure. I had to achieve targets and deliver outcomes related to variables
provided to me. I feel that I lack the sense of empathy as I am very hard working person
with no empathy towards myself. Though some of my colleagues feel that I have some
sense of empathy towards them when they could not perform. But hearing this feedback I
really felt that this attribute of mine had been hidden from myself.
Context: This is an attribute which would help me adjust to any professional settings. I am a
person, who is capable of working in a varied environmental context and contribute towards
the same (Boud, 2013). However, my friends feel that I cannot really get adjusted to any
context. Therefore this attribute of mine had remained hidden to me as I felt it was known to
me. But this area of understanding remained unknown to me.
Activator: I am a highly energetic person, and I feel that I can achieve anything. I have high
levels of determination and can become an activator. I have capabilities to be an activator in
the role of a business development manager. My friends and colleagues feel that I can
become an Activator and contribute towards any goals.
Communication: For any professional and personal development, it is critical that one is
capable of communicating in an effective manner. I lag in effective communication skills,
though I can speak well and have positive body language, but my written communication is
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not good. I lack in writing skills immensely and am not able to document official letters
easily. I make tremendous grammatical errors and punctuation errors that have deterred my
capabilities into writing suitable letters for official purposes. I am not able to clearly express
myself through writing, therefore I need to work hard in this skill and hence the same. My
colleagues have helped me often document critical and important letters, hence they also
know regarding my incapability to write appropriately. I will need to work diligently on this
attribute of mine to make sure that I do not face any troubles in the future related to this.
2.0 Know your sector
2.1 Analysis of professional qualification
Professional Qualification is critical to success related to any profession. In my
profession as well I need to undertake several courses and attain highest levels of skills for
promotions. Currently I have undertaken a course in BSc Business Management and worked
as Business Development Manager in the past (Ekebergh, 2007). In my domain of experience
it is critical that Business Management topics are well understood and studied. This course I
have undertaken is a professional course and has capability to help me maintain my current
profile as well as apply for promotions. My qualification has allowed me to understand
various domains related to my interests and concepts that I apply regularly in my work. My
professional qualification is appropriate for continuing service in the field that I operate.
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2.2 Having the qualification would add value to an employer and make you
the preferred candidate
My qualification in Business Management is appropriate for undertaking my current
role as a Business Development Manager. This is a professional qualification and has topics
that are related to Business that can be applied in day to day life. However, if I am able to
take a course in Masters of Business Management, it would add tremendous value to my CV.
In the job profile that I work most candidates are Undergraduates, undertaking a Masters
level program will make me a preferred candidate in my job role. As a Masters in the job
profile, it will allow me to apply for higher position and contest for managerial role in senior
levels as well (Fook, 2007). This qualification will increase my knowledge and skill levels,
allowing me to apply greater concepts within my work domain. I would be able to undertake
roles easily which other candidates might not be able to perform, making me the preferred
candidate.
2.3 Reflect on current skill set in relation to the professional qualification
and developing them further.
Current levels of skill set are critical for success in professional areas as Business
Development Manager. My current skills in relation to my professional qualification include
leadership skills, problem solving skills, hardworking, diligence and honesty. I possess
tremendous leadership capabilities, which is demonstrated through my capabilities in
undertaking projects and then making the team understand ways to perform them (Lanxiao,
2007). My team readily accepts my suggestions and recommendations related to performance
of tasks that are provided. Moreover, my team members follow me as I have immense
capabilities in problem solving techniques. I am easily able to arrive at root cause of any
problem and then provide solution or recommendation to it. I am hardworking and have
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capabilities to deliver projects in time as per schedule, therefore I am assigned more tasks
than I can perform. While working I have proved my worth of diligence and honesty. My
bosses like me immensely as I am able to deliver tasks with high level of diligence.
3.0 Let them know you
3.1 Current Skills in CV and LinkedIn Profile
My current job position is that of Business Development Manager. This job I had
undertaken for quite some period in this area as it requires hard working skills, diligence and
business management capabilities (Elliott, 2008). The job requires skills of leadership,
hardworking, diligence, honesty and capabilities to communicate well orally. My CV
includes these skills in skills area and my LinkedIn profile also demonstrates similar levels
of skill set.
3.2 Research and identify 3 relevant questions for a job interview
Questions to be answered as per the following categories;
a)Experience: How many years of relevant job experience do you have in the field?
Verification question
b) Opinion question: Why is client communication integral in Business Development role?
c) Behavioral question: How would you tackle an aggressive customer?
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STAR METHOD INTERVIEW
Prepare 3 questions for an interview answer them using the
STAR method
Q
Exam
ple
“Can you tell me about a time that you went above and beyond your expected
duties?”
S
I was a part of a team working on a presentation meant to help us secure a
major new client for our company. The weather was bad, and as a result my
supervisor got caught in a snowstorm and was unable to make it back in time.
It looked like we were going to have to cancel the meeting and potentially lose
the client.
T I had been looking for ways to take on more responsibility, so I volunteered to
finish up the presentation.
A I worked with my supervisor via the phone and between the two of us, we
were able to go ahead with the scheduled meeting.
R As a result of my initiative, we not only landed the client, but I was also
recommended for a promotion.
Q1 Can you reflect on your role in a situation when customer was aggressive and
wanted to get a refund?
S
I was working in Business Development Team with a new product launch. The product
was not manufactured on large scale and various client’s ordered the product. While
the marketing and sales team was able to deliver products to some, many people
were not provided the product. We were going to call off the large scale
demonstration and lose some of our potential clients.
T Apart from handling Business Development, I was configured into handling some of
the customers.
A
I handled several client calls and was arrange meeting with some of them. Some
customers became very aggressive in the meeting and started abusing the planning
method of our company. I was able to handle some of the clients I n an effective
manner.
R My immediate manager was extremely happy with my way of dealing with customers.
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Q2 Reflect on a time when there was imposed a tight deadline for completing a task.
S
Multiple orders were booked with the company and there was a high rate of staff
absenteeism. It was almost impossible to complete tasks on deadline. I was in Business
Development assigned responsibility to complete tasks as per requirements.
T
I had to cater to orders of several clients at the same time. Some of my colleagues
orders were also pending. I central focus was to complete the task within given time
period.
A I worked overtime for one week, arranged the tasks and assigned each of the tasks to
individual staffs. Staffs were allowed to take work home and perform accordingly.
R I was able to complete the tasks successfully and got huge credit for my behaviour.
Q3 What is your role when a team member refuses to complete his portion of work?
S
I was the team leader of a team where multiple staffs had left their work portions
incomplete. I had to make sure that all tasks were completed before schedule and
delivered to clients in time.
T
All of us had to provide services to clients related to the product. I was assigned the
role to coordinate with staffs as well as suppliers to ascertain that work was
completed in time.
A I arranged work in terms of schedule to complete them at appropriate timing. I also
developed a time frame where each of the staffs needed to contribute.
R All my staffs along with me was able to achieve high needed results with completion
of their work role.
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4.0 Professional Development Plan
Student Name: Date:
Goal/Objective
What is it that
you want to
develop or
achieve?
(e.g. skills
development/
career
development/
future plans)
Specific
 State exactly what
you think you
need to do in order
to achieve your
goal
(e.g. coaching /
mentoring /
shadowing /reading /
training /
research
/conferences
/supervisor support)
Measurable
 How will you
know you have
achieved your
goal?
(e.g. achieved goal /
speak
knowledgeably
about subject /
mastered new
technology/feel
more
confident/received
good feedback)
Achievable &
Realistic
 You have
the
resources,
time,
opportunity
and support
to succeed
 Goals can be
challenging but
must be achievable
and relevant to your
role
Time bound
 With a clear end
date or timescale
 Use realistic
deadlines, to
allow time for
progress to have
been made
Short term
To cater to
customers of my
niche segment
Supervisor support
along with client
calls and meeting
customers on regular
basis
Feel more confident
with development of
new networks with
client
Telephone connection
and vehicle of the
office to visit client
offices and chambers
Within 3-6 months
of deciding on the
work
To take up a
professional
communication
course
Enrolment with
professional courses,
university, college
Feel more confident.
Become more
acceptable for more
roles.
Support needed from
Senior colleagues and
family members
Within 6 months
To undertake
skill
development as
per requirements
of Business
Development
goals
Conduct activities as
a business manager
diligently
Achieve self-goals
Support from
customers and
company members
Within 6 months to
1 year
Medium term
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To become
middle level
manager
Conduct activities as
a business manager
diligently
Achieve self-goals
Support from
customers and
company members
Within 3 years to 5
years’ time
To develop good
relation with
team members
Conduct regular
meetings,
developing sense of
empathy and
conducting roles
accordingly
Receive cooperation
from junior
colleagues
Support from staff
members Within 1 year
Developing
professional
network
Meet professional
circle in clubs and
offices regularly
Enrolment in local
professional clubs
Receive good
feedback and
professional
development
Within 1 year to 2
year
Long-term
Become senior
level manager
Conduct activities as
a business manager
diligently
Achieve self-goals
Support from
customers and
company members
Within 5 year to 10
year
Complete MBA Complete MBA with
high grades Self-Goals
Support from
customers and
company members
Within 5 years
Attain
professional
relationship with
colleagues and
senior levels
Conduct regular
meetings and
provide un-
professional support
as well.
Good feedback
Support from
customers and
company members
Within 2 years
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5.0 Appendices:
A: List of (Gallup) strengths
Achiever
Context
Communication
B: Screenshot or copy of a current job description and specification (this must
relate to your programme of study)
C: Current Professional CV (this must be tailored to the job description and
specification outlined in A)
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D: Current LinkedIn Online profile
E: Current Professional Development Plan (including objectives which relate
to the three themes: Know yourself; Know your sector; Let them know you)
F: Completed STAR template for interview preparation (tailored for an
interview for the job description outlined in A)
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6.0 References
Boud, D., Keogh, R. and Walker, D. eds., 2013. Reflection: Turning experience into learning.
Routledge.
Ekebergh, M., 2007. Lifeworld‐based reflection and learning: a contribution to the reflective
practice in nursing and nursing education.. Reflective practice, pp.331-43.
Elliott, I. and Coker, S., 2008. Independent self‐construal, self‐reflection, and self‐rumination: A
path model for predicting happiness. Australian Journal of Psychology, 60(3), pp.127-134.
Fook, J. and Askeland, G.A., 2007. Challenges of critical reflection:‘Nothing ventured, nothing
gained’. Social work education, 26(5), pp.520-533.
Gillespie, A., 2007. The social basis of self-reflection.
Lanxiao, L., 2007. Reflection and Research. Publishing Journal, p.001.
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