Employability and Consulting Skills - Personal Statement Example

EMPLOYABILITY AND CONSULTING SKILLS ANALYSIS By Analysis of the Feedback in Week One and Week Two The feedback received on this piece of work was good. It suggested that I made good use of the procedure required in getting the right information arranged. The feedback especially lauded the arrangement of the three companies under scrutiny and in that short presentation; valid information was able to be shared. It also lauded the use of resources especially the specific websites from which the information was obtained from. My way of expressing the different tasks done by the different stakeholders was also clear and could bring out the differences in the tasks that they perform. This was also integrated in the theories and models that were used. On cross checking the information with the sources used, the accuracy could not be disputed as every source equalled the required level of information it gave. There was however an issue with some spelling mistakes that they pointed especially the inability to differentiate British from American English. Though the meaning remained the same, there was a difference in the spellings which was a back step. Moreover, they also pointed out that the need to include just a degree in my education is not overly important as the expression would have been left open. This would have established a thought towards indicating that the required level of education would go to a doctorate qualification. In response to them, I cross-checked their views and appreciated their level of analysis and concern about my work. I especially was thankful to them after lauding the company’s sections. I was confident about my ability to do an in-depth research and present information about a company, compare it to others and present a general idea about the three of them. I also learnt that effective work requires attention to content and language it is presented in. Not being a native speaker should not be an excuse for not presenting clear work to make it as meaningful as possible (Duval-Couetil & Mikulecky, 2011, p. 22). Moreover, the comments opened up my minds on the levels of qualifications required in this kind of work. One can get an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree or a doctorate for efficiency. The few changes were made especially on the spelling of essential words. I also noted that not all names are English names and do not therefore need to be changed. However, I am still to change the language from US to British so that the flow can be maintained as original as required in that language. This can have a purely negative impact on the work done if not treated with utmost care. Analysis of the Feedback in CV According to initial information as obtained from the works of Taylor Cathy (2011:305), preparation of curriculum vitae entails a lot of information, both personal and professional. According to the feedback I got from them, the format was well prepared and contained all the essential sections that are required. The personal statement was catchy especially with that expression of excellence and ability to generate ideas from what I have so far learnt in school. They were however very critical of the arrangement of the education information. First, they indicated that I had arranged the information from former to current yet it is supposed to be current at the top and former at the bottom. Secondly, in relation to the languages, they indicated that my English cannot be accepted as fluent when initially I had spelling and grammar issues earlier on. Moreover, they also indicated that the cover letter had no signature to indicate full validity as well as the addresses of the designated companies. Further research from Robert (2004: 17) proved them right. Once again I had lost out on specified details. I appreciated that there was need to balance personal information for the sake of consistency. I was a bit sad that I had been specific on information about myself but again thankful that I had the opportunity to correct some vital information before sending it out to market myself as a potential employee. What I learned from their feedback is that although a CV or a cover letter is conventional documents, he information contained in them speaks volumes about the personality and ability. I also learned that formats may differ but it has to have effective information that accredits my ability to effectively carry out a certain duty. Due to the feedback received, a collection of corrections were required. First, I had to work on the format of both the CV and the cover letter. The cover letter is still missing on some information which I hope to include immediately. Moreover, I changed the education information indicating the latest centre of learning which is Coventry, then moving to the former learning centres. I then had to change the language efficiency throughout the paper to reflect the “fluent” nature s expressed in the CV. The missing signature in the cover letter will also be included as soon as possible to reflect ownership of the document. Signatures also reflect acceptance and eventual responsibility of the information indicated (Marinette, 2011, p. 21). Analysis of the Feedback in Interview Questions This section had a collection of questions to be answered and the feedback received on the responses was overwhelming, direct and straight to the point. The feedback complimented me for the good story telling techniques that I used to pass the information over to the interviewers. Apart from the good method, they also lauded the answers that I gave as very mature. They also noted that I mentioned things with much authenticity and clearly related ideas as expected. The idea that I needed to relate what I was expressing to the job skills was a timely response from them. There was a note that I did not include an action plan in the second question so that my weaknesses are covered is also important. Every response from the perspective of a professional interviewee or interviewer requires a classical consideration. The aspect of English being a problem is perhaps more recurrent than I thought and I consider changing the status in the CV from the one indicated as fluent to a moderate speaker. The personal accomplishments were also lauded as being mentioned very well regardless of the grammatical errors that engulfed the whole process. In view of the personal characteristics expressed, the feedback that was received also need consideration because the truth is that I lack experience. However, tying me to the requirements of the company culture would be very important in understating the requirements by the company. What I learned from this feedback is that relating of the different skills and requirements of a company is important in learning the right way to develop myself as a stronger candidate for the job. Weaknesses are supposed to be worked on as challenges and not as areas that pull someone down. For instance, my lack of effective English cannot be taken as point of jeopardy to effectively carrying out my duties. The recommendation that I read and write more still stands. A SMART action plan is also important in generating a categorical definition of how I intend to carry out my plans (Mulder & Ellinger, 2013, p. 341). In terms of verbal exchanges in the interview, there can never be changes at that instance. Once the interview is over, that marks the end of that process but it does not mark the end of the action plan (Joe, 2010, p. 12). On paper, the inclusion of all the missing issues is in the offing. For instance, taking English writing and reading more often is an instant issue that must be undertaken with immediate effect. Analysis of the Feedback in Consulting Summary In this section, I was lauded for using the right theory of PESTLE analysis to examine the external business environment. It was the best way as it takes to account use of the six external effects that can affect a company’s operations. On the customer base, the information given was specific and directly related to the exact customers for the company. The examples given as the markets for the magazines are the correct. In any case, it would be important to mention the specific areas that the company has its highest market as opposed to just saying women. Market performance indicators have been rightfully lauded correctly mentioned in the piece of analysis. My response on this issue was also a bit critical. Telling me not to mention the specified areas that the company has market is tantamount to having to generate all the information about the market when the requirement was a situation of necessity to have me mention the requirement as briefly as possible. However, on the use of the theoretical concepts to examine the external environment, I was happy they were able to recognise my efforts and equally noted the same. What I learnt from the feedback amid other researches is that a company’s outside perspective can also be looked at from other perspectives such as the theoretical concept of Porter’s Five Forces Analysis (Hill & Jones, 2011, p. 213). Moreover, although I used the right procedure, there was also a different way I could also do the same piece of work and keep the same meaning as plausible as possible. The last thing I learnt is that I also need to work more on my English. This was not drastically mentioned at this level having been mentioned in each of the previous sections but it is important that it remains an issue. What I changed was the fact that I had not clearly developed a plot that would stand at the stage of the competition. I had not noted that most, if not all of the women’s magazine focus on fashion. Therefore, it would have been important to equally include it in my development. I actually changed that section and it is looking lineated to development of the right criteria in spelling out information about competition. Analysis of the Feedback in Consulting Experience My feedback and reflection had critical points which were well noted. A consultative forum including a meeting as stated by professionals is supposed to be orderly right from the time prior to its day of being held. The feedback noted that it was very fine to have stated that organization of the meeting was done before the actual day of the meeting. The mention of strong leadership, development of goals and anticipation of open dialogue was a welcome idea to the analysis. Feedback information that was received secondly was that it was effective and in order to communicate to the concerned people by email. This would ensure that they have prior information about the meeting so that they prepare their ideas systematically (Robert, 2008). This was done through distribution of the agenda of the meeting. Making of the structure would ensure order at the meeting and also save time (Handford, 2010, p. 83). The third step where there was proposal for the team leader to own the meeting was however criticised for not being overly democratic. They cited that a team leader is just supposed to be part of the meeting and develop new ideas that would be substantial in development of the right steps to be decided on in the meeting. That would ensure good flow. Lastly, the idea that minutes of the meeting need to be taken is a sure thing as the feedback states. Grammar was equally mentioned as an issue in the piece of work. I concurred with all the information given by the feedback team. Grammar cannot be mentioned at this time because it has already been mentioned in all the other areas. A management perspective concurs with the idea of prior arrangement of the ideas as indicated in the feedback (Martin & Weiss, 2006, p. 21). This is because, as am aware, when a meeting misses order, there will be lack of objectivity and resolution. I learned that order in a meeting is the most important thing and it does not just start on the day of the meeting but it has to be arranged beforehand. This ensures sanctity. The way the group emphasised on the importance of the plans means that planning results to good order (Larry, 2013, p. 34). References Cathy, T. (2011). Improving CV and interview techniques for practice. Practice nursing, 22(6), 304-306. Duval-Couetil, N., & Mikulecky, L. (2011). Immigrants, English, and the workplace. Journal of Workplace Learning, 23(4), 231-233. Handford, M. (2010). The Language of Business Meetings. London : Cambridge University Press. Hill, C., & Jones, ‎. (2011). Essentials of Strategic Management. New York : Cengage Learning. Joe, K. (2010). The feedback-seeking personality: Big Five and feedback-seeking behavior. Journal of leadership & organizational studies, 17(1), 331-333. Larry, B. (2013). Bringing opportunity oversight onto the boards agenda. MIT Sloan management review, 54(3), 51-61. Marinette, F. (2011). Governing through career coaching. Organization, 31(12), 32. Martin, R. D., & Weiss, L. M. (2006). Mapping the value of employee collaboration. Retrieved 4 8, 2014, from McKinsey Quarterly: Mulder, R. H., & Ellinger, A. D. (2013). Perceptions of quality of feedback in organizations. European Journal of Training and Development, 37(1), 101-122. Robert, K. (2004). CV GUIDE. American medical news, 47(16), 17. Robert, N. .. (2008). Management control system Tata. Journal of Management, 13(1), 37-97. Read More