This module offers you a structured and supported framework to critically reflect upon and evaluate your skills, your career motivations and your development needs. It will introduce and apply career choice and development theories as well as provide an opportunity to understand the role of HRM in recruitment and selection processes (such as CV screening, and interviewing techniques). You will develop skills such as self-reflection, career management and planning from an individual perspective as well as from the employer's viewpoint (HRM). You will also develop research skills and will have the opportunity to build upon the knowledge you have learnt in other modules regarding different business functions and environments.
The module will comprise a total of 300 learning hours, with 69 hours of formal class contact. The class contact hours will include skills workshops and individual tutorial support.
The remaining 231 learning hours will be used for independent study, supported by appropriate resources via Moodle and including the completion of on-line exercises.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Seminars, lectures, group/individual workshops | 128 |
| Guided independent study | 172 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Students will be required to submit the following tasks focusing on employability skills and career planning:
1. A reflective journal and initial Personal Development Plan focusing on self-analysis of key competencies and behaviours (2400 words) (35%)
2. Group presentation based on the role of HRM within the organisation. (30%)
3. Reflective journal entry (2400 words) on conducting recruitment and selection processes. (35%)
All required topics will be covered in class sessions to ensure students know exactly what the requirements are for each part.
Students are required to present each part of the Portfolio in a professional business manner appropriate for relevant graduate employers and marks will be allocated for this. Advice and guidance on how to do this, together with options for commonly used templates will be provided in teaching sessions.
Students must reference research materials appropriately.
Because of the reflective nature of the work and practical elements such as plans and job search tools wordcount given is an indication and should be adhered to where possible, but there will be no penalties regarding the 10% tolerance rule.
Electronic hand-in only via Turnitin is required for all assessments.
Formative assessment will be regularly carried out in workshop sessions - learning recap questions and directed questioning will be used by tutor to assess progress prior to moving on.
Marked portfolios with feedback will be returned to students within 4 weeks of submission and after return, students will attend an individual feedback session, during which planning for using feedback to improve the next portfolio will take place.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Explain the benefits of Personal Development Planning (PDP) and how it links to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in the workplace. | Portfolio 1 |
| 2) Understand and apply career choice and development theories (i.e. motivation, personality, skills, interests) to assess potential career choices and plan personal development for improving potential in the current graduate employment market. | Portfolio 1 |
| 3) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of HRM within an organisation. | Portfolio 2 |
| 4) Demonstrate an understanding of effective competency based application tools used in the graduate selection process. | Portfolio 3 |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A reflective journal and initial Personal Development Plan | Coursework 1 | 35% |
| Reflective journal entry | Coursework 2 | 35% |
| Group Presentation | Practical exam | 30% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Cottrell, S. (2015), Palgrave Study Skills: Skills for Success Personal Development and Employability, 3rd Edition, Palgrave Macmillan
Fagan A., (2011), Brilliant job hunting. Your complete guide to getting the job you want, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall
Foot M and Hook C (2011) Introducing Human Resource Management 7th ed, Harlow, Pearson ISBN-13: 9781292063966
Rook, S. (2013), Palgrave Study Skills: The Graduate Career Guidebook, Palgrave Macmillan
Cameron, S., (2010), The Business Student's Handbook: Skills for study and employment, (5th edition), FT Prentice Hall
Horn, R., (2009), The business skills handbook. Everything you need to know in your studies and at work, Charted Institute of Personnel Development
Trought F., (2011), Brilliant employability skills. How to stand out from the crowd in the graduate job market, Prentice Hall
Winstanley, D., (2005), Personal Effectiveness, CIPD