CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY
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Table of Contents
Analysis of the Business Sector 3
Application of a graduate job, internship or placement 4
Justification of short term career goal 4
Analysis of the Business Sector
An individual can be employed as a self-employed, in the public sector or private sector. Several factors determine the rate of employment, especially in the private and business sectors. Graduates and other job seekers need to understand that the employment world has changed in the recent past and that employers need more than just academic qualifications (Gakhorst et al. 2017, p. 149). For example it is necessary to understand the job application and the requirements. Graduates completing an MBA course in HR need to identify business sectors that provide employment to fresher candidates so that they can gain experience and work for better companies in the future. In this case focus can be provided in the retail sector such as Tesco, in which the company provides opportunities for fresher candidate to develop talents in the business.
Fluctuating economic trends
Most industries in the private and business sectors experience fluctuating performance during different times of the year depending on whether the economy is on the boom or recess. For example, in the case of Tesco, a retail sector organisation, the financial conditions can have a negative impact as with the loss or profit of the companies; demand for employees may increase or decrease. Hence, a company like Tesco is to experience huge loss in its sales for a year, it may consider laying off some employees so that the cost may be retrieved. There is generally an increase in demand for employees during an economic boom while the demand decreases during recess. Other factors like the infamous global financial crisis may lead to the layoff of many workers.
Technological Inventions
The continued improvements in technological innovations have both positive and negative effects on the number of employees absorbed in a given industry. If the technological invention improves production in a company, more workers would be required while a technology that replaces the human workforce reduces the number of employees. This can help in relaxing the work load of the employees. For example, in the retail sector, the application of technology can help in managing effective communication with the students that have potential to quality in any department of the organisation.
Application of a graduate job, internship or placement
Justification of short term career goal
As a young person from college seeking to join the job industry or as an experienced worker, short-term career goals need to be made so that one can built up experience and continue to evolve in the business (Konsgen et al. 2018, p.173). For this reason, some rules need to be followed. Some of the rules include the following:
- Be Simple and Clear
Presenting yourself to a panel may be a challenge mostly to a new job seeker; whether through writing or oral. Having excellent communication skills means being able to express and explain your work etiquette, an advantage to those applying for jobs in marketing, consultancy and other careers that need a lot of communication (Cummings & Dennis 2018, p. 701). Communication is one of the central considerations in many jobs as it voids miscommunication and misunderstandings among workmates or with clients. People do not need to memorize all they write about themselves in resumes but have the information and ability to explain using different words. This ability makes the employers believe in your ability to communicate in future assignments.
- Careful use of Social Media
In the recent past, social media has proved to be one of the fastest growing platforms that make it easy to communicate and interact with employers. Most companies and employers use social media to communicate available vacancies in their institutions; some use recommends job seekers to use the same platform to express their interests in the vacancies. However, social media has one disadvantage that job seekers must address; this is a distortion of professional language. Social media kind of communication and writing is concise and do violate some rules of proper and professional communication etiquette.
Common Mistakes during Job Application
- Not applying enough
One of the mistakes many job seekers make is narrowing their application area restricting themselves to a few jobs (Zolkepli, Kamarulzaman, & Kitchen 2018, 426). It is recommended that an applicant try jobs even in other areas of study and apply for every opportunity available.
- Only applying online
Job seekers are advised to apply for one job using several different platforms. Making application through one channel, online, lessen chances of being selected and therefore should be backed by other forms (Voorveld et al. 2018, p. 49). It should be noted that employers use different criteria to choose their preferred applicants for appointment, they may decide to choose only applicants who used a given method of application. Some employers believe that online application does not showcase the real person in details and therefore opt for other channels of application.
- Not enough networking
Many people tend to keep to themselves and avoid socializing with other members of society. Students and job seekers are advised to keep in contact with as many people as possible as they may help when searching for jobs. It should be noted that some companies do not use external means of advertisements, this means that only employees within the organization would know of the availability of a vacancy (Plouffe 2018, p. 250). Another advantage of having an extensive network is that they may assist with tips on how to apply and behave during the process of job searching.
- Using the wrong social media
There are several social media platforms available in the world today; however, it should be noted that most of them are not beneficial when it comes to job hunting. One of the recommended social media platforms for those in search for jobs is LinkedIn, and students are advised to have and start building their profiles in such platforms as early as possible (Johnston et al. 2018, p. 59). This platform accommodates people of different pedigree who students would need when they are searching for jobs. Some of the people in this social media are employers or individuals with experience in handling job searching process.
- Giving up too early
Another mistake graduates and other job seekers make is giving up after a few unsuccessful attempts to get a job. Individuals need to understand that many other applicants apply for the same job and this means competition. Getting a job involves many stages many stages, and one may not know when he or she would fail. This process involves the identification of a vacancy in an institution and applying according to the job instructions (Cranmer, Goldman, & Booth-Butterfield 2017, p. 70). Successful candidates get shortlisted for an interview after which the successful interviewees get appointed for the job. Graduates need to know that this process involves many other applicants with different qualifications and therefore appointments are in most cases based on merits. If one is not successful at whatever stage of the job search process, applicants are advised to make more other applications to increase their chances of getting a job.
Going to school is one of the main activities that occupy people’s time and other resources across different ages. Some of the reasons why people go to school include identification of one’s talent at an early age and nurture it; such skills or majors help students become professionals when they become adults (Gerken, Beausaert, & Segers 2016, p. 136). School helps prepare one for the management of events in the real world such as stress management, time management, and prioritizing. The homework given to students to complete within some time frame helps them manage time and take priorities on what should be done first. School helps students socialize which improve their relationship with other members of the society (Lin, Chen, & Lai 2018, p. 1000) Another reason of going to school is the acquisition of some specific skills and knowledge that enables an individual becomes a professional in a given industry. All the above reasons help individuals develop their career and get employment for a better living standard in future.
Career development is a process that covers one’s entire life, and it involves the management of the learning process, work, leisure, and some personal life transitions towards the desired experience. An individual’s career development occurs in different levels namely personal career development, educational career development and organizational career development (Çakmak-Otluoğlu & Burton 2018, p. 252). Several factors influence an individual’s career development, the nature, and significance of work they do. Such factors include physical, educational, sociological, economic, psychological, and luck or chance. The combination of these factors has far-reaching effects on the type of career and work an individual does. For instance, people in the same profession and with same education level may end up doing different jobs due to the difference in their psychological mindset or the chances available. Career development also includes the accumulated experience an individual has in a given field of profession and the ability to communicate with other people.
The term employability refers to an individual’s set of achievements that increases his or her chance to gain employment and achieve personal success, benefit the employer, workmates, and the community. According to Fontina et al. (2018, p. 869) such skill may include the level of education, experience, and personal attributes like honesty and trustworthiness.
It is recommended that graduates make good use of the internship opportunities they get in companies to make and build their networks and engage people who would assist them in job searching mission (Brooks & Youngson 2016, p. 1570). Most students get jobs in firms where they attained their attachment depending on how they handle themselves in those institutions. During the internship, one needs to make use of various available career development services. There are various career development programs and services that assist people to understand and explore the available careers depending on the prevailing circumstances. It should be noted that there are many individuals with various qualifications but cannot achieve meaningful career development and acquire a job.
At a personal level, career development is believed to include a person’s creativity in career pattern, how one makes decisions, integration of life responsibilities and roles as well as self-value. At the education level, career development enables people, mostly students, to choose the subjects leading them to the profession of their choice (Lin, Chen, & Lai 2018, p. 999). Most education institutions constitute career counseling departments to assist students in making such decisions. Most of the education systems in the world are structured such that as children grow, they become more specific in what professions they want to venture in. The earlier stages of education are general and narrow as the student progress in the education ladder.
At the organizational level, career development focuses on factors like management of career within and between organizations. The ability of an individual to manage career tools like time and professionalism is an example of the factors considered at this stage (Dunleavy et al. 2018, p. 1605). Organizational career development also covers the structures put in place by organizations and employers to manage the career progress of the employees. These structures may include the process of promotion of employees and succession plans ones a worker retires, resigns or dies.
There are various career development programs and services that assist people to understand and explore the available careers depending on the prevailing circumstances. It should be noted that there are many individuals with various qualifications but cannot achieve meaningful career development and acquire a job (Tremblay et al. 2017, p. 99). These programs assist such people in exploring and finding solutions on challenges related to skills development, personal development and progression, professional direction, and employability. Such programs also enable the affected individuals to make changes in their perception and decisions concerning their qualifications and the available job opportunities. It should be noted that there is a developing trend of people working in areas that they did not necessarily study due to the high unemployment rate (Lapan et al. 2016, p. 130). A person may fail to achieve career development and secure a job due to his or her concentration in an overcrowded industry yet the qualifications can guarantee a position in other sectors.
These programs assist such people in exploring and finding solutions on challenges related to skills development, personal development and progression, professional direction, and employability. Such programs also enable the affected individuals to make changes in their perception and decisions concerning their qualifications and the available job opportunities (Qian et al. 2018, p. 178). It should be noted that there is a developing trend of people working in areas that they did not necessarily study due to the high unemployment rate. A person may fail to achieve career development and secure a job due to his or her concentration in an overcrowded industry, yet the qualifications can obtain a job in other sectors.
Reflective Essay
Reflection
It is after school when most people realize that career development is a lifelong process that starts at a tender age in one’s life. How a student socializes with classmates, time management during school, and how one reacts to both positive and negative events in life are all part of career development (Hwang, Hong, & Hao 2018, p. 457). In general, I have come to realize that the entire career development process has different importance to both the individual graduate or jobseeker and employer. To the employee, well guided and proper career development positions him or her in employable status for available opportunities. A qualified employee will always be ready to take the chances that may be present in the workplace or other organizations. To the employer, availing useful career development structures and opportunities for workers helps in achieving several milestones within and outside the organization.
Organizations that provide well-structured career development to the employees retain highly skilled workers who would otherwise seek greener pastures elsewhere. Training employees to take promotional opportunities make the employees feel valued and given a chance to grow and would, therefore, remain within the organization (Ovenden et al. 2018, p. 599). Lack of career growth and development in an organization would lead to mass exodus of skilled workers, a fact associated with several adverse consequences. Hiring external experts to replace the quitting skilled labor is expensive, and there would be disruption of the firm’s operations as the new employees bring different cultures. Another disadvantage of losing employees due to a lack of career development structure is the reduced productivity of the remaining workforce. They feel demoralized given that there is no space for personal and professional growth and development.
Research studies have shown that employees of the current generation need to get meaning and some direction in what they do on a daily basis, not just a matter of working and get paid; they want to see the possibility of personal growth and achievement of career goals. Accessing tools, resources, and processes of career development feel more engaged and become more productive (Stosich, Bocala, & Forman 2018, p. 879). The feeling of being supported by the organization to achieve personal career and professional growth motivates them to work harder; which is an advantage to the employer.
Taking employees through well-structured career development helps them be ready to take the vacancies left when their seniors retire. Research studies indicate that the determining factor of effective succession in an organization is the availability of well-prepared talents within the organization to succeed the seniors (Hilton et al. 2016, p. 211). Presence of employee-driven career development initiatives in the workplace helps top talents gain the required skills and knowledge to apply for the superior roles that may be vacant and need replacement. The visibility and availability of such opportunities motivate workers to develop their career life as they know the most qualified would take the chance.
Research studies indicate that many countries like The United States are experiencing current and anticipated retirement large numbers, workforce mostly referred to as Baby Boomers. This workforce exhibits a lot of expertise, knowledge, and experience in their areas of specialization and therefore their retirement means loss of experience and expertise. A well-structured career development system in an organization would promote a smooth transfer of such wealth of knowledge and skills to the younger generation of employees (Gamrat et al. 2014, p. 1140). Career development initiatives in such firms would aim at retention of experienced talents through knowledge sharing among the skilled aging workforce and the younger workforce. Such sharing of knowledge programs enhance and tap skills from the aged workers and ensure such valuable knowledge and experience are not lost through retirement.
Other advantages of career development systems in an organization include filling internal skill and competency gaps that exist between the elderly high-level roles. In the recent past, it has been established that there are increasing knowledge gaps within a critical senior role in many organizations (Arif, Nunes, & Kanwal 2018, p. 599). The amount of knowledge held by company leader is so much as compared to the young, low-level employees. Excellent career development within an organization makes employees feel appreciated and supported; the system, therefore, attracts some of the best skills in the industry. This process leads to an improved organizational brand in society, a fact that may lead to customer loyalty hence increased sales.
Based on the above facts, I have come to realize that the concept of employability covers more than just getting and maintaining employment. Graduates and anyone seeking a job should consider the following facts.
One needs to know he or she started developing the ability to be employed from early ages when they were learning to communicate, socialize, cooperating with authorities and adjusting to changes in the environment. These are the simple stages in life that start the process of growing skills.
Graduates and other job seekers need to understand that the employment world has changed in the recent past and that employers need more than just academic qualifications (Gaikhorst et al. 2017, p. 149). The fluctuating economic trends, technological inventions, increased competitiveness, and improved consumer knowledge are some of the factors that complicate employment industry. These factors cannot allow an employer to gamble with taking a weak worker.
Other factors one needs to include a teamwork mentality. A job seeker may not be experienced and do not have all the skills required in a job advert, but by employing teamwork, he or she may become one of the best employees in a company. Effective communication is another main factor determining how employable one is. You may be more employable than you think.
Career plan
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