Developing Business Practice – 302LON Preparing for a Successful Work Experience Unit: 9 Knowledgecast: 1

In this Knowledgecast, we will: Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and present a plan for developing skills Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a successful work experience Develop an effective employment and career development strategy Module Learning Outcomes

Module Overview Unit 1Developing as a learner 2Working independently and with others 3Academic writing 4Critical thinking, reading and taking notes 5Using data in your studies 6Business and management research 7Career development strategies 8Effective self marketing tools 9Successful work experience 10Personal Development Planning

’Employers are likely to be looking for graduates who can demonstrate softer skills such as team working, cultural awareness, leadership and communication skills, as well as academic achievement (Carl Gilleard, Chief Executive of the AGR) Increases your employability Enhances your CV Develops your skills and eases your transition into the business world Demonstrates you are interested in a certain type of work Increases your networking opportunities Source: CU Careers and Employability Service Benefits of Work Experience

Based on: Cameron (2009) A 6 th Strategy for Career Success Know your skills and strengths Contact potential employers Present yourself professionally Present yourself successfully Demonstrating your skills, knowledge and qualities in the workplace Positive Thinking

Work Experience Preparation “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don't much care where,” said Alice. “Then it doesn't matter which way you go,” said the Cat. Lewis Carroll – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Work Experience Preparation Your Preparation Work Experience Goals Personal Objectives Learning Goals Evidence Sought

Work Experience Preparation SWOT STRENGTHS What are you most confident about? What are you looking forward to most? WEAKNESS What don’t you feel confident about? What skills or knowledge do you need to develop before you begin? OPPORTUNITIES What’s coming up where you can try new things out? How will your work experience help you develop your CV and profile? THREATS What may prevent you from achieving your goals? What may affect your confidence and motivation?

Agree Objectives & Measures of Success Specific S Measurable M Achievable A Relevant R Time Defined T ObjectiveMeasure of Success 1. Develop my confidence in building rapport with new colleagues over the duration of the work experience Positive feedback received from a sample of colleagues Observations from line manager about how I fit into the team Use your SMART objectives to clarify what you need to achieve Use your Measures of Success to clarify how you will know that you have achieved your objectives

Getting a Realistic Job Preview Arrange an informational interview Use your network of contacts and alumni Shadow a colleague for a day Come in to meet your colleagues Connect with colleagues What will it be like? Web research on the company Web research on the role

Some of the details to find out before Day One: 1.Start and Finish times 2.Dress code 3.Breaks and meal options 4.Transport links 5.Contact details for your office 6.Working relationships with your line manager How Things Work Around Here…

In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at: Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and present a plan for developing skills Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a successful work experience Develop an effective employment and career development strategy What are we going to cover next?

In this Knowledgecast, we have looked at: Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and present a plan for developing skills –Review and revise your profile to formulate your preparation for your work experience Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a successful work experience –Identify the needs of the organisation and visualise the working environment to help you fit in and get on Develop an effective employment and career development strategy –Benefits of using well prepared work experience to gain career building evidence for your professional profile and self marketing tools Knowledgecast Summary

Share reflections and feedback on Regular Assignment 2 Details of the End of Module Assessment: Reflect on what you have personally learned during this module. How will this affect the way you will study in the future? Prepare your Personal Development Plan and account for the actions you have identified. Plenary and Q&A Seminar: End of Module Assessment

‘Unfortunately, most of us have little sense of our talents and strengths, much less the ability to build our lives around them. Instead, guided by our teachers, parents and managers we become experts in our weaknesses and spend our lives trying to repair these flaws, whilst our strengths lie dormant and neglected.’ Buckingham (2005) Revisit the range of self awareness tools used in this module and review how you have developed your strengths. What has been most helpful? Have you identified evidence of how you have developed skills? What are the areas of strengths and areas to further develop? Group Activity: Self Awareness Audit