Name – Mehul Jain

Student Number – 17066379

Module Code – 7BSP1317-0905-2018
Module Title – Preparation for the Workplace

Word Count (Introduction) – 100 words

Word Count (Reflection) – 465 words
Introduction:

This report is based on the personal development I have experienced during this
module and how it is making me better prepared for the placement. This is
summarized in two sections; The Reflection and career and personal development
plan. This module has helped me to gain confidence and be better prepared for work
placement. The teaching staff was very helpful throughout the module and was
helping us with the practical implications of placement. The aim of reflection is to
work on my weaknesses and utilize my strengths to the fullest. The appendices
attached to this report include the personal SWOT analysis and the assessment
center feedback.
Reflection:

As per my SWOT analysis that I have attached in the appendix, I have a number to
areas to work on to be better prepared for the work placement and how to utilize
my strengths to make full use of them. The things I need to do to secure a work
placement include being updated about the market and the business world in
general. Since I have a previous experience of more than 3 years and a strong
education base as well as I am a Chartered Accountant and pursuing Chartered
Financial Analyst along with post graduation in MSc Finance and Investment
Banking, having a better idea of the current issues in the business world would give
me an edge in securing a work placement. And regarding the one threat that I have
mentioned in my SWOT analysis about the lack of applying to as many number of
positions, be it in finance or any other business related fields, I am also working on
the same, as now I am applying to as many number of positions in any business
related field.

Considering the professionalism in the workplace, the previous experience of

working in a corporate would help me, as I am a bit familiar with the corporate
environment and how big corporate operates. The ethics that is required to be
followed. But the most important professionalism I consider is how hard working
and dedicated a person is in the workplace. And I consider this skill is there in me.
And I can capitalize in the workplace by these skills.

The skills that I possess are the biggest asset that I have to offer to a placement
employer. And with the strong base of knowledge and experience, these skills will
add value to my CV as a whole. The help being provided by the Careers team and the
skills that I have gained in this module will definitely going to help me secure a
placement and be a good and desirable candidate to the employer.

The areas I need to work upon to get a placement and get it in the field of area I
want will be to improve my network. I am working on creating a network of
investment professionals and students who can help me in better placement search.
I am quite active on professional sites such as Linkedin. I am getting to interact with
a lot of new professionals while being active on Linkedin. Apart from being part of a
network, the other most important area of improvement is the updated knowledge
of the current economic and business issues and scenarios prevailing. As I have
mentioned earlier, I am working on this weakness of mine and trying to improve
myself and become a better-prepared candidate for securing the work placement.
Personal and Career Development Plan:

Goal What actions What When will I Success Progress so

do I need to resources / do this by? criteria – far
take? support do I Set a date - how will I Add a
There may be need? be specific know I have comment
several actions Who can help though be been when you
linked to one you? Who do realistic successful? have
goal i.e. to get you need an about your Employers completed
better at appointment other often ask how something or
interviews, you with? What commitments you know when you
may access websites can too something has have needed
online support, you use? What been successful to change
attend a resources can – this is good your plan.
workshop and you use from practice at This will help
book a practice UH? What capturing how with your
interview. events are you will reflection
coming up? measure the
impact of your
actions
Better I need to be a The I am By giving a
Interview bit more Assessment working on mock
specific in center has it and by interview,
what I say. I helped me a the next and
can book a lot in this and interview analysing it.
mock support from that I will
interview as a careers team be facing, I
support will help me will
provided by with the improve.
the Careers same.
team.
Network I am more Online In a month. I am quite
Creation active on websites such active now
professional as linkedin on Linkedin
sites such as can help me and I am
Linkedin. I with the getting some
need to same. positive
interact more responses
with people. from some
employers.
Updated I need to start I can use By the time I am now a
about the reading more websites such of next bit more
current and be active as Financial interview updated as I
economic on Times, previously
issues professional Economic was.
sites. Times etc

Secure a Attend The career In a month I am getting

placement workshops fair organised or 2 months some
and practice by the time positive
 sessions. University. responses
The Career from
Hub website employers.
of the
University
Improve my I am working As part of our By 2 I am getting
skills on many module, we months a bit of idea
especially accounting are learning E about the
the (Xero, SAP) views. accounting
software and software and
skills investment we are being
banking taught E
software (E views in our
Views) module only.
Appendix 1:
Personal SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS
1. I am a confident and keen learner
person. I have many skills including the IT
skills that will help me to perform better
in the work placement.
2. I am a team member and love to work in
coordination with the team.
3. My employers about the hard work and
dedication to complete a task in a given
period of time have previously
appreciated me.
4. I am a qualified Chartered Accountant
from India. I have a 3 years internship
experience, which was part of my
Chartered Accountancy degree. Apart from
that I have a working experience with
Deloitte.
5. I want to pursue my career as a
Financial Analyst or Investment Banker.
For which I am also doing Chartered
Financial Analyst degree, which will help
me get a job in the respective field.
OPPORTUNITIES
1. As I have told in my weakness that I
don’t read business news on a
regular basis, which makes me
unaware of the economic issues
going around the world. I have
started to work on it, as I have
downloaded the Financial Times
app in my phone and try to read the
latest news in my free time.
2. I am trying to have as many
contacts as I can, as it will help me
to find a work placement.
WEAKNESSES
1. There is a gap in my work
experience, as I worked with
Deloitte from December 2017 to
March 2018, after which I have
no work experience at all.
2. I received a feedback from Emma
regarding the interview that was
conducted at the Assessment
Centre. Where she told me to be
specific in what I say. I consider
this as my weakness and
working on improving it.
3. One another weakness of mine is
that I don’t read business news
that often and a bit unaware of
what is happening in the
business world.
THREATS
1. The threat I have is the lack of applying to
as many numbers of positions available. I
have missed many opportunities in the past
just because of my laziness. But now I am
improving on that part.
Appendix 2:

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