Personal Audit & Development Plan - Assignment Example

Personal Audit & Development Plan Skills Audit Intellectual (thinking) skills Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree I am a creative person who can adapt my thinking to circumstances √ I am able to organise my thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise situations √ I can identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately √ Comments: Creative thinking is something I have really trained myself to acquire. Because of this, I have gained the skill of becoming highly adaptive to changing circumstances whereby I am able to apply different dynamic thinking principles to ensure that I easily fit into any new environment. I am a very analytical person, whose academic and professional background has given the opportunity to carefully outline all my thoughts, after which I am able to organize these thoughts according to prevailing situations, as and how they affect me. Because of this, analysing, synthesising and critically appraisal situations is never a challenge for me. In most cases however, I am not in a rush to make my opinions known. My background in having come into contact with many different people, each of who have their own personalities and appreciation about life has given me reason to constantly evaluate different situations based on evidence rather than assumptions. The need to be evidence based thinker has given me ability to detect falsehood and make accurate decisions on values. Professional/Vocational skills Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree I use a wide range of techniques in approaching and solving problems. √ I am comfortable with a range of research techniques √ I am able to analyse and interpret quantitative data √ I am able to analyse and interpret qualitative data √ My leadership skills are well developed and I can adapt them to different situations √ I am able to manage people effectively √ Motivating myself and others comes easy to me √ I am aware of my responsibilities to myself, the organisation and other people √ I treat people with respect and consideration √ Comments: I have a philosophy that problems are there to be solved but to do this effectively, one needs a wide range of techniques, strategies and approaches. Because of this, I am always looking for alternative techniques and strategies to solving single problems. In effect, I can describe myself as a person who uses convergent thinking (Montgomery, 2008). The act of engaging in academic research was one of my greatest fantasies while pursuing my first degree. Because of this, not only did I attend to my own research work with diligence but happily supported others, giving me vast experience with both quantitative and qualitative research analysis. Leadership is something I have so much believe in as a tool necessary for ensuring that a group of people are able to achieve their goals. But before becoming an effective leader over others, I hold the school of thought that I must first show exemplary and effective leadership over my own self and myself desires (Zenger and Folkman, 2009). Self discipline is the result of this characteristic of mine. Key/Common skills Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree I am able to use mathematical techniques to analyse data √ I can effectively interpret numerical data including tables and charts √ I am able to use a wide range of software on a PC √ I use a range Information Technology devices to communicate and access information √ I am a good listener √ I am able to communicate my ideas well in a face-to-face situation √ I can adapt my written style to suit an audiences needs √ I am comfortable presenting my ideas to an audience √ Whenever I have completed a task I always reflect on the experience with a view to seeking continuous improvement √ I manage my time effectively √ I am always prompt when asked to complete a task √ I am aware of the need to be sensitive to the cultural differences to which I have been exposed √ I am keen to learn about other people and their country and culture √ I enjoy working with others to complete a task √ I know my own character and am sensitive of this in a group situation √ I understand that a group is made of individuals and I am sensitive to the needs and preferences of others √ I will always ensure that I get my views across in a meeting √ I am willing to accept the viewpoint of others √ I always give 100% in a group task √ Comments: Having taken up the learning of mathematics right from the beginning of my academic studies, I am able to adequately handle any fundamental to complex mathematical tasks With the growing importance of information technology, I have made sure I am not left behind in this new global revolution. This notwithstanding, there are some upcoming and new software that I still need to master as part of my academic and professional needs. I have learnt with my interaction with others that communication is two-way affair, which require both listening and speaking. Because of this, I have trained myself to be both a good listener and a good speaker. I appreciate the dynamism of culture and thus make myself accommodating to the cultures of other people without looking down on others whose cultural variables may be different from mine. I have come to develop the philosophy that to know more, I must be ready to take from others also. Because of this, I am always willing to accept the views of other people, knowing that these may contain very important lessons for me to learn from. Personal SWOT analysis Personal Force Field Analysis Personal Objectives (over the next 2.5/3 years) Personal Objectives Area What I am going to do. How I am going to do it When I am going to do it by IT skills Acquire skills in IT software needed to carry out professional and academic tasks Acquire new software programmes and take up software classes With immediate effect Leadership skills Become effective leader with little leadership roles assigned to me Begin by reading about leadership With immediate effect Academic success Earn a 1st class in area of studies Undertake extra learning schedules With immediate effect Post-Graduate Professional opportunities Find as many job openings that meet my area of study as possible Start reading about job specifications of companies and directing my professional life towards meeting these 2 semesters before graduation Interpersonal relationship Learn the skill of better interacting with others and making my opinions sold out to them Expand my social network Started CURRICULUM VITAE: Address: Phone: Email: PROFILE MSc Candidate of (name of university) currently studying (course) and having very unique skills and abilities in the areas of analytical thinking, cross-cultural integration, creative thinking skills, manipulation of situations to finding lasting solutions, data handling skills and ability to take up responsibility with very minimal supervision. Have taken up intensive studies in IT and specialized in key areas of IT including Word Processing and Excel. A very unique communicator who both listens and speaks with unique ability. Very open to new learning and ready to expand knowledge in new IT software and leadership. EDUCATION MSc Programme (Name of University) (Completion Date) First Degree (Name of University) (Completion Date) Other major Professional Course (Name of Institution(s)) (Completion Date) Other Major Diplomas (Name of Institution) (Completion Date) SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE  SSCE (Name of School) (Completion Date) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ASSISTANT ANALYST June 2010 – March 2013 SHELL NIGERIA LIMITED An oil and gas company with several years of reputable service in the exploration, drilling and refinery of crude from offshore Delta basins in Nigeria. My duty was to report to the Assistant Projects Manager with a sole responsibility of finding new market research analysis that favoured the course of the company’s business operations. Key tasks included Market trend analysis Consumer behaviour analysis Corporate governance management Tracking of competitor trends and recommending appropriate benchmarking Evaluation of company strategic option ALPHA MICRO FINANCE (INTERN) June 2008 – January 2009 A renowned micro finance company with over 25 years of quality customer focused service. KEY DUTIES: Answering to customer queries Keeping record of attendance of employees Tracking on customer product trends Introducing new products to customers Undertaking cash retract services Recommending new customer satisfaction modules to management SKILLS DEVELOPED: Human resource management Customer relations skills Communication skills Team work Market survey analysis Data management and analysis skills OBJECTIVE The ultimate growth and development agenda of any reputable international company can be entrsuted to me due to my experience on market trend analysis. I therefore aspire to be at the top management position of multinational companies, especially those in the customer focused services sector. INTERESTS AND ADDITIONAL SKILLS Interests: Researching, Reading, Mathematical Analysis, Solving Puzzles, Writing Languages: English References and letters of recommendation available on request. Covering Letter 04/03/2014 Mr. Isaac Cudjoe Mind-field Research And Solutions Management Consulting (human Resources) Suite B16, 2nd Floor, Chembian plaza, 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja,Nigeria, Gwarinpa, Abuja, FCT Dear Mr. Cudjoe, I came into contact with your company’s advertisement for a Marketing Executive in the Nigerian Yellow Pages and given my in-depth academic and professional knowledge in market management, I was prompted to apply. I have provided a full list of all relevant experiences and skills gained through my years of academic and professional life. Through these years, I have gained superior competence in areas of analytical thinking, market research, customer relations, cross-cultural integration, creative thinking skills, manipulation of situations to finding lasting solutions, data handling skills and ability to use a variety of computer programmes and software. What I find particularly interesting in this job is that it meets my very professional aspirations and objectives of taking up a market management position at a top multinational company and I am hopeful this is the time to exhibit what unique qualities I have to offer. Such a highly competitive position would therefore help in bringing out the best in me as a person. Over the past years, I have proven myself to be an excellent executor of duties, especially those that focus on the growth of a group and I am sure it is time to expand my expertise to this new group, which is your esteemed company. As a creative thinker, I shall bring to the fore of the company competitive creative thinking skills that is directed at finding alternative solutions to problems and applying the very best of interventions to solving problems. Once I am considered eligible for the position, I shall make myself available for any personal discussions and inquiries on my academic and professional competence. Thank you for considering my application and I hope to be part of the winning team you are building in your reputable organisations. Sincerely yours. Job Advertisement Reflective Journal entries Name Enrolment Number Course SEMINAR 1 Q1 What do you consider were the three most important things (planned or unplanned) that you learned in this session? Briefly describe how they were learned 1 How to play my roles effectively in a team by taking up roles within the group 2 Having a better understanding of gender and ethical differences through my interactions with others 3 Completing a lot of work within very little time frame and thus becoming efficient Q2 Summarise the value that you will add to an organisation by this aspect of your professional development As part of my professional development, I am going to add a great deal creativity to any organisation I join as I have acquired the skill of a creative thinker Q3 How else will you gain from this learning? Most of the topics learnt about in the course are very important for practical application in any professional setting and so I am going to adequately implement topics on leadership, management, and corporate governance SEMINAR 2 Q1 What do you consider were the three most important things (planned or unplanned) that you learned in this session? Briefly describe how they were learned 1 I had the opportunity of developing my crative thinking skills 2 I gained a better understanding of what innovative team player is due to the fact that I was assigned a lot of roles I had to innovatively deliver 3 I gained deeper understanding of my personality in terms of what I can do with myself as a professional Q2 Summarise the value that you will add to an organisation by this aspect of your professional development As someone who has adequately discovered his potential, I am going make this reflective in an organisation I join by helping others to develop their competences as well Q3 How else will you gain from this learning? I am also going to have an intensive moment of understanding for the evaluation and assessment of events and programmes. SEMINAR 3 Q1 What do you consider were the three most important things (planned or unplanned) that you learned in this session? Briefly describe how they were learned 1 I have gained very practical knowledge in basic office management especially when it comes to the handling of office documents 2 My self confidence has increased tremendously as a result of my constant interaction with other people 3 I have increased my communication skills due to the times I shared exchanging ideas and knowledge with other people Q2 Summarise the value that you will add to an organisation by this aspect of your professional development I shall be effective in office roles Q3 How else will you gain from this learning? I have also gained knowledge in adequately accomodating other people and meeting their needs SEMINAR 4 Q1 What do you consider were the three most important things (planned or unplanned) that you learned in this session? Briefly describe how they were learned 1 My learning style has tremendously changed as I have now come to add group learning approach to my original style of learning 2 I have not gained the skill of using different modalities in solving the same problem 3 I now have a better appreciation for the strenght and weaknesses of other people Q2 Summarise the value that you will add to an organisation by this aspect of your professional development I am going to be a team player who is concerned about developing other people’s competences Q3 How else will you gain from this learning? I have gained an additional learning in areas of oral and aural skills Reference Montgomery, C. A. (2008). Putting leadership back into strategy. Harvard Business Review, 86(1), 54–60. Zenger, J., & Folkman, J. (2009). Ten fatal flaws that derail leaders. Harvard Business Review, 87(6) 18. Read More