module specification

The overall aims of the module are to:

1. Develop employability skills in interview skills, writing and completing job applications;
2. Encourage students to reflect critically on their own performance in management and employability tasks, and identify gaps in their employability skills; and
3. Develop research skills in employability

Content:
• The right approach to employment skills; (L02, L04)
• How to complete role playing in job situations; (L02)
• Presentations for interviews; (LO1, L02)
• How to pass employment skills tests, such as work prioritisation tests; (LO1, LO2)
• Writing for employment; (L01, L03)
• Job application skills; (LO1, LO4) and
• Interview skills (LO1, LO2, LO3)

Teaching and learning is based on short lecture sessions, and a range of employability related activities in class. The main focus of learning is through workshop activities; students engage in for example job applications, group discussions, prioritisations tests, presentations, web-based networking and role play. For each of these activities, feedback is provided, which the students reflect on. Learning also takes place independently through web-based skills tests

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Write for employment, perform in interviews and prioritise workloads (L01);
2. Critically reflect on their employability skills, and identify employment-related skills gaps; (L02)
3. Develop a structured plan to improve their employability; (L03) and
4. Carry out research into employability opportunities and skills (L04).

There are two elements to the assessment. The first is a reflection on the range of employability activities completed during the semester (1750 words, 70 per cent of mark). The second is a reflection on the professional interview completed at the end of the semester (750 words, 30 per cent of mark). The summative assessment builds on activities, reflection and formative assessment during the semester,

Significant amounts of background material will be placed on Weblearn.

Core reading

Amos, Bennett,  D., Dunne, E., and Carre, C. 2000. Skills development in Higher Education and employment. Milton Keynes: OUP
Trought, F (2011) Brilliant employability skills: How to stand out from the crowd in the graduate Job Market.  London: Prentice Hall

Additional reading
J. 2008. Handling tough job interviews. Oxford. How to Books.
Archer, W. and Davison, J. 2008. Graduate Employability: what do employers think and want?. London: Council for Industry and Higher Education

Cohen, D. 2007. How to Succeed in Psychometric Tests. London: Sheldon, available in Calcutta House library.

Confederation for British Industry. 2009. Fighting fit: preparing graduates for the world of work. London: CBI
English, P. The Succeeding at Interviews Pocketbook. Arlesford: Management Pocketbooks Ltd

Cottrell, S (2010) Skills for success: Personal development and Employability, Palgrave Study Skills 

Kirton, B (2011) Brilliant workplace skills for students and graduates. London: Prentice Hall

Lowden, K., Hall, S., Elliot, D., and Lewin, J. 2011. Employers’ Perception of the Employability Skills of New Graduates. London: Edge Foundation.

Marshall Land Rowland F. 1998 (3rd ed). A guide to learning independently. Open University Press.

Websites:

Kent University. 2018. Careers advice. Available at: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/
London Metropolitan University. 2018. Careers and employability advice. Available at: http://student.londonmet.ac.uk/jobs-and-employment/career-and-employability-advice/.
Prospects. 2018. Careers advice. Available at:  http://www.prospects.ac.uk/index.htm
Target Jobs. 2018. Assessment centres. Available at: http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/assessment-centres