Personal Development Plan September 2013 September 2014

IMPORTANT PERSONAL GOALS In the context of your whole life where are the challenges and opportunities? What are you trying to achieve? What do
you really value? Your PDAP should reflect both intended (PLANNED) and unintended (NOT PLANNED) opportunities for learning and development. Update it each month 1 To achieve my full potential in the first semester of my Masters course, passing all units; HRM in Context, Professional Development part 1, Leading, Managing and Developing people and Learning & Development (within next 6 months) 2 To make considerable progress with my Lifewide Development Award 3 To keep a strong CPD log 4 To gain my masters in Human Resource Management to my full potential (within next 12 months) 5 To gain my CIPD professional qualification to my full potential (within next 12 months) 6 To develop myself enough for an employer to want to invest in me upon completing my masters course 7 To develop my self-confidence skills further so that I will be confident in myself when attending interviews after my masters course In respect of these personal goals, Your motivations & values With reference to your lifewide activity map

WHAT aspects of yourself do you want to develop?

1 Self-confidence skills

WHY? is this important to you?

HOW do you intend to develop yourself ?

What activities will you undertake to develop, apply and demonstrate these aspects of yourself During my first year of University, I lost In order to develop myself in reference to these skills, I will try to take these skills completely but have every opportunity that comes at me with both hands, specifically those managed to build them up somewhat, opportunities that will enable me to develop myself professionally for

2 Reflection skills

3 Communication skills

however there is still room for development. Self-confidence skills are key when attending job interviews as you need to be confident in yourself in order to sell yourself effectively and to come across professionally. Also, sometimes I find that when faced with a large group of people, I tend to take a back seat ride and let others host the discussions. I would like to be able to confidently participate in group discussions and initiate conversations. In order to be able to continually develop and professionally develop during my future career, it is important to be able to reflect on learning and experiences to enable me to identify development needs to build on. At present, I feel that I lack the ability to reflect in an effective way. Although I feel that I have relatively strong communication skills, this is a particular skill that I feel can always be improved. Although I feel relatively confident in my IT skills and listening skills, it would probably benefit me to develop these further also. Communication skills have considerable importance in everyday lives and even more some when it comes to the

example, completing the Lifewide Development Award, attending HR networking events that will allow me to interact with other individuals, boosting my self-confidence and communication skills. Also, when completing group assessed work during my MA course, I will try to take a front row seat in terms of leading the group, putting my thoughts and ideas across, initiating discussions etc. Capabilities; 1,2,5,8 and 9. I will also try to coach and mentor new employees when at work at Next. Capabilities; 5,7,8,9 and 10.

In order to be able to develop the skill of reflection, I will ensure that I keep a regular development record and add to my CPD portfolio on a regular basis too. Within this I will include experiences and learning from being at work, networking events, significant events within my studies and hobbies for example, baking. Capabilities; 1,5 and 12.

In order to further develop these skills, I will practise my written skills through the writing of my business reports, essays, management research report and dissertation during my MA course. In terms of verbal skills, I will develop these further during presentations and pitches that I will be doing during the course of my MA course. I will also have a chance to develop these skills further during my working day at Next and also at any interviews that I may attend over the next year or so. With regards to IT skills, I feel that I will continually develop these each time I use a computer and also if I carry out work placements, which I will

professional lives of individuals.

4 Leadership skills

5 AND to be responsive to new and unexpected opportunities

be required to do in May 2014, I could potentially be using new software programs which will enable me to develop these skills. Capabilities; 1,3,4,5,8 and 11. Due to the nature of the career that I In order to do this, I will try to take a leadership approach to some of the wish to pursue, that of HR, it is group assessments that I will be completing during the course of my MA important to hold strong leadership course. I will also try to take on, as mentioned earlier, a more of a coaching skills. I will need these to ensure that I and mentoring role within Next to ensure that I am leading people to meet can professionally develop within the the targets of the department and store during that time. world of HR and develop myself In order to be a good leader, I will need to ensure that I am an effective through the CIPD qualification. communicator and listener. I will need to show confidence in order for the team to want to follow me and cooperate, whilst also showing significant degrees of honesty. Capabilities; 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9 and 10. It is important that individuals are able I will ensure that I take on any opportunity that is put to me, to a degree. to adapt themselves to new For example, I will take on opportunities related to learning and opportunities or situations that they development and related to HR and my future career. This will enable me are faced with and work through these to strengthen my existing and develop further, my adaptability and efficiently and effectively. This is confidence skills. Capabilities; 1,3 and 12. important because it demonstrates that Notice I mentioned that I would grasp opportunities to a degree, I feel that individuals are able to work effectively I back away from some opportunities that come my way as I am, you could as a leader and work with others to get put it, scared. This is due to my lack of self-confidence. through situations. Also, it shows that individuals are able to manage themselves effectively and develop where needed.

WHICH of these qualities, capabilities, dispositions and values will be developed through the activities involved in pursuing your personal goal?
These aspects are considered to be important in lifewide learning and development. In any complex activity all of these are likely to be relevant. They are intended to provide you with a set of prompts to help you think about and record your learning and personal development. Delete any that you believe are not relevant and add any additional prompts. 1. Managing myself

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Dealing with and creating situations to solve problems, work with challenge and take advantage of opportunities Developing the knowledge needed to deal with new situations Being creative, resourceful and enterprising Being an effective communicator Being aware of and sensitive to cultural difference Behaving with empathy and compassion Working collaboratively with others Providing leadership

10. Behaving ethically and with social responsibility

Any other aspects of personal development, new skills or capability - please add
11. Being able to conduct presentations, especially business presentations, confidently and effectively 12. Being able to reflect on past experiences and learning to enable me to develop myself further

WHERE ARE YOU RECORDING YOUR EXPERIENCES, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT? Personal Lifewide Development Award Website My Blog My Mentor: Jenny Willis