module specification

Employability Skills and Professional Development (Module code MN5F08GN) provides students with an opportunity to develop and hone the skills required for prospective employment. It will enable students to identify their own responsibilities and enhance their performance in a business context. They will develop and strengthen their interpersonal and transferable skills, for example how to present themselves in formal business meetings and in group business pitches using a variety of methods.

This module aims to:
• Enable students to have a broad knowledge and understanding of the skills required for study and employment.
• Facilitate students in developing a set of personal responsibilities and performance objectives in a business context.
• Help students to develop the ability to communicate in a variety of styles and in an appropriate manner at various levels.
• Enable students to identify and develop effective time-management strategies and problem solving skills.
• Help students to present and conduct themselves in formal business meetings.

• Personal responsibilities & Performance objectives
• Interpersonal skills & Time management and problem solving
• Preparation, conducting and recording (minute taking) of formal/business business meetings
• Individual appraisal systems & Skills audits
• Personal development plan
• Job Search techniques, CV, LinkedIn Profile, Recruitment Agencies, Job Portals (Indeed, Monster, Reed)

This module will be taught over 15 weeks and the students will have the opportunity to attend scheduled seminars, workshops, and presentations, and undertake individual tasks/group discussion.  In addition, there will be activities to encourage students in self-reflection and self-evaluation including directed self-study, peer observation and feedback.

Industry experts from recognised accredited professional bodies and successful  business entrepreneurs
with relevant student workshop experience will be invited as guest speakers during the one workshop session with a focus on career skills, employability issues and emerging trends.

On completing the module students will be expected to be able to:
1. Analyse, evaluate, organise and take ownership of own learning and development for work.
2. Use a range of tools and techniques to identify, analyse and enhance interpersonal and transferable skills.
3. Implement and critically review own personal and professional development plan.
4. Organise and manage formal business meetings.
5. Plan, organise and participate in group meetings.

Core Textbooks:
• Bovee, C., and Thill, J., (2014), Business Communication Today, 12th ed, Prentice Hall
• Cottrell, S., (2015), Skills for Success: Personal Development and Employability, 3rd ed. Palgrave, London

Recommended Textbooks:
• Bolton, G., (2010), Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development, 3rd ed, Sage Publications
• Bovee, C., and Thill, J., (2013), Business Communication Essentials, 6th ed, Prentice Hall
• Sangster, C., (2000), Planning and Organizing Personal and Professional Development, Gower Publishing

Other Learning Resources:
• Education + Training (Education + Training Journal)
• Career Development International(Career Development International Journal)
• http://forlearn.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guide/4_methodology/meth_swot-analysis.htm - SWOT analysis uses and methods
• https://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/s/employability/skills/audit/ - Durham University Personal Development Planning and Skills Audit
• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/ldc/plan/identify/ - University of Warwick Learning and Development Centre