Professional development in IT handbook 2019 - 2020 - BCS Educational Affiliate

IN2015 Professional Development in IT
Module Handbook
2019 - 2020

Contents
Purpose .................................................................................................................................................................................4
Module Learning Outcomes..................................................................................................................................................4
Total Hours for the Module ..................................................................................................................................................4
Assessment Overview ...........................................................................................................................................................5
Feedback & Grades...............................................................................................................................................................5
Extenuating Circumstances/Extension Policy .......................................................................................................................5
Your Professional Development in IT Tutor..........................................................................................................................5
Placements............................................................................................................................................................................6
Contact..................................................................................................................................................................................6
Discussion Forums ................................................................................................................................................................6
Career & Skills Development Service....................................................................................................................................6
Lecture and Workshop overview..........................................................................................................................................7
Portfolio ................................................................................................................................................................................8
Portfolio Development Options............................................................................................................................................8
Assessment Guidance .........................................................................................................................................................11
Assessment 1 – Professional Development Plan & Application Form Questions...............................................................11
Assessment 2 – Professional Presentation .........................................................................................................................20
Assessment 3 – Summary of Professional Development...................................................................................................23
Useful Self Assessment Tools..............................................................................................................................................26
How to Write a Professional CV..........................................................................................................................................26
SWOT Analysis.....................................................................................................................................................................28
Values and Motivations ......................................................................................................................................................30
Prospects Planner ...............................................................................................................................................................31
TARGETjobs Careers Report: Career Planner......................................................................................................................31

4
Purpose
The focus of this module is you. It is designed to support your professional development and to enhance your employability
in accordance with the national agenda on PDP1
for students in Higher Education.
We will cover the following areas:
 PDP
- Professional development including planning goals, capitalising upon opportunities, monitoring performance
with the support of your PDIT Tutor and reflecting upon progress.
 Employability
- Skills assessment, identification of strengths and opportunities for improvement.
- Development of career management skills2
.
- Familiarisation with recruitment processes, and articulation of skills.
 Legal, ethical, professional and social issues affecting IT
- Awareness of legal, ethical, professional and social issues that affect working in the IT industry3
.
Module Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module you should be able to: Lectures Workshops Assessment
Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses against a set of criteria for
employability knowledge and skills.
1 All All
Utilise PDP resources and tutor guidance to build a CV, PDP and a
record of self-directed development.
All All All
Investigate opportunities for professional development and
incorporate these within professional development activities.
All All All
Demonstrate the ability to identify and prioritise elements of a
personal development plan.
1 All All
Reflect upon experiences and development needs and articulate these
in the vocabulary of employment.
All All All
Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement/enhancement
of skills, achievements, curricular and extra-curricular engagement.
All All All
Correctly identify the legal, ethical, professional and social issues that
arise from working in the IT industry.
All 9 & 10 All
Communicate effectively in a format appropriate for professional
presentations and reports.
All All All
Total Hours for the Module
Contact Hours 2 x 2 hour lectures
7 x 1 hour lectures
9 x 2 hour workshops
9 x 2 hour employer lectures
(Lecture and workshop 11 are replaced by Assessment 2)
Independent Study 100 hours
Professional Presentation (Assessment 2) 2 hours
One-to-one Tutorials (optional) 1
Total 150 hours
1
PDP stands for Personal Development Planning, at City University London our PDP focuses on professional development.
2
Self awareness, opportunity awareness, decision-making skills, transition learning.
3
Understanding of this is a BCS requirement

5
Assessment Overview
Assessment Description Weighting Deadline
Assessment 1 Professional Development Plan & Application form
Questions
30%
20/10/19 5pm
Assessment 2 Professional Presentation 40% 02/12/19 all day
Assessment 3 Summary of Professional Development 30% 05/01/20 5pm
Draft versions of assessments will not be reviewed.
Where submission dates fall on a Sunday, you should ensure that you direct any queries about your assessment to the PLU
before 5 pm on Friday.
Assessments 1 and 3 should be uploaded to Moodle by 5pm on the submission date. Please note that Moodle will automatically
stop accepting submissions after 5pm. Therefore, it is essential that you leave yourself enough time to upload to Moodle by
the 5pm deadline. A copy of your A2 presentation slides must be uploaded to Moodle by 9am on 2nd
December.
If you have any issues with submitting via Moodle, please contact the IT service desk (https://cityuni.service-now.com/). If you
have any issues submitting your work via Moodle over the weekend, when staff are not contactable, please e-mail your work
to your PDIT Tutor by the required deadline.
Feedback & Grades
All written summative feedback and grades will be provided via Moodle. Feedback will be provided within 3 weeks of
submission, except during the December vacation period when the University is closed. Feedback for A2 will be provided
when City University re-opens following the December vacation period.
IN2015 marks are not final until they have been moderated and agreed at the assessment boards.
If you would like to request a review of a decision made by the Assessment Board (known as an appeal) this must be made
within 28 days of the date of the release of results following the Assessment Board and must satisfy specified
grounds. Information on appeals can be found in City’s Appeal Regulations at
http://www.city.ac.uk/adu/dps/senate_regs/s20.doc. and online: https://www.city.ac.uk/about/education/academic-
services/student-appeals-and-complaints/academic-appeals. Support for students considering making an appeal is available
from the Union Support Service at http://www.culsu.co.uk/advice
Extenuating Circumstances/Extension Policy
There is a strict no extension policy. Any late submissions will be awarded a mark of zero.
If you experience Extenuating Circumstances (EC) which prevent you from submitting your assessment on time, EC applications
can be submitted. Please submit EC application forms to the Programmes Office. Applications will be reviewed by the EC Panel
and recommendations passed to the IN2015 Module leader for action.
Resit assessments will be capped at 40%.
Your Professional Development in IT Tutor
You will be assigned a Professional Development (PDIT) Tutor who will deliver your workshop sessions and who will work with
you to plan, action and reflect upon your professional development and who will support you whilst you engage with
employability-enhancing activities such as applying for placements. Each PDIT tutor is a Work-based Learning Advisor from the
Professional Liaison Unit (PLU). This gives you unparalleled access to highly-skilled professionals to assist you with your career
development and learning. This is your opportunity to tap in to the wealth of knowledge these individuals have regarding
work-related learning (including placements and internships), and how to build a portfolio of skills to enhance your
employability.
You are encouraged to capitalise upon the support provided by your PDIT tutor through one-to-one meetings outside of the
PDIT module contact time. Your PDIT tutor will contact you during Term 1 to arrange an individual meeting with you. We
strongly recommend you attend this meeting to discuss your professional development plans.

6
Placements
Throughout this module you will learn techniques that can be applied to your placement search. Your PDIT Tutor will also be
a valuable resource in learning about the scheme and how to effectively approach the recruitment process.
Resources and links to help you in your placement search will be available on the Placements & Internships Section of the UG
resource centre. The PLU will also send you a weekly e-mail listing key vacancies which you may wish to apply to. In addition
to this, we encourage you to use your own methods (i.e. external recruitment websites, LinkedIn, networking events and your
own contacts) to source a placement.
Contact
Your PDIT Tutor is your main point of contact throughout this module; please refer any queries to this person after you have
checked the module resources on Moodle. Contact details are as follows:
PDIT Tutor Email Phone Number Room
Laura Blatchford Laura.Blatchford.1@city.ac.uk 020 7040 3816 C102
Hannah Bright-Wood Hannah.Bright-Wood@City.ac.uk 020 7040 8408 C102
Becky Jenkinson Rebecca.Jenkinson@city.ac.uk 020 7040 8333 C102
Mohson Khan Mohson.Khan.1@city.ac.uk 020 7040 4055 C102
Anne McCabe Anne.McCabe@city.ac.uk 020 7040 3212 C102
Emma Peynado Emma.Peynado.1@city.ac.uk 020 7040 0200 C102
Discussion Forums
Students are encouraged to use the discussion forums in a professional and constructive manner to post queries and to
request more information about module materials and assessments. We welcome you supporting your peers by answering
the queries.
If you have any specific queries regarding the course or assessments, please direct them to your PDIT Tutor.
Career & Skills Development Service
The Career and Skills Development Service provides a professional, high quality careers and information service for students
and recent graduates of City, in collaboration with employers and other University academic and service departments. Their
aim is to support and develop students by providing the tools they need to enhance their employability.
Key services they offer include:
 Individual careers advice - Receive professional one-to-one support related to interviews, job searching techniques
and career options.
 Access to a comprehensive range of career resources - Discover resources online and in the Careers Library.
 City Job Vacancy Board - View part-time, placement and graduate jobs online.
 Careers events - Attend events, including fairs and employability skills workshops that run all year on campus.
 Volunteering – gain invaluable work experience and show employers you are committed to gaining professional
skills, and that you like to get involved!
 Professional Mentoring & Work Shadowing – receive support, advice and guidance from a professional mentor to
enhance your personal and professional development. This is a great way to compliment your studies, developing
your confidence, employability and professional network.
Contact Careers at:
Careers, Student Development & Outreach
Level One, Drysdale Building
T: +44 (0)20 7040 8093
E: careers@city.ac.uk
http://www.city.ac.uk/careers

7
Lecture and Workshop overview
Date Lecture Workshop Afternoon Lecture/Events
23/9/19
(Double lecture)
Introduction to IN2015
The 21st
Century IT Professional
Understanding Career Management & Professional
Development Planning
Employer presentation
30/09/19 IT Placement Panel (Students) CV Writing Employer presentation
07/10/19
Pursuing an IT Career
Starting the job search & successful applications
(including cover letters)
14/10/19 IT Employer Panel (Employers) Networking Speed Networking
20/10/19 5pm Submission deadline for Assessment 1
21/10/19 Working in the IT Industry: Multinational or SME? Commercial awareness Tech@City
04/11/19 The IT industry – an International perspective Assessment Centres & Psychometric Testing Employer presentation
11/11/19 The Start-up of You Mastering an Interview Employer presentation
18/11/19
(Double lecture)
IT careers for now and the future – maintaining a competitive edge
IT Legislation
Professionalism & Ethics
25/11/19 Leadership in the IT industry – A journey to success Presentation Skills Employer presentation
02/12/19 all day Professional presentations
05/01/20 5pm Submission deadline for Assessment 3

8
Portfolio
Throughout your academic career, it is important that you take advantage of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge
and experience to enhance your employability and to support your career management. These opportunities can be part of
your degree, they can be accessed through the university or they can be external to your studies.
Engaging with a range of opportunities is advisable, and through this you will be able to establish a portfolio to evidence your
skills, knowledge and experience.
A portfolio can be a combination of tangible and intangible evidence. Tangible evidence can include coding, a game or a
website, and intangible evidence can be competencies that you develop through working/studying such as problem solving
and leadership, which you can use examples to demonstrate.
The assessments for this module will require you to work consistently on your portfolio throughout the duration of the
module. The more activities you engage with, the higher your marks are likely to be.
Portfolio Development Options
Each student should select ONE of the following Portfolio Development Options to engage with. Your chosen Portfolio
Development option should be included in your Professional Development Plan which will be submitted for assessment 1.
It is unlikely that you will complete your chosen Portfolio Development option before the end of the PDIT course so this should
be a long-term goal.
The Portfolio Development Options below are generally online tutorials which you are required to work on in your own time.
This time is factored in to the recommended self-study hours for this module.
All of the Portfolio Development Options below will develop your technical skills and will be a fantastic addition to your CV.
Undertaking one of the Portfolio Development Options below will give you a competitive advantage over other placement and
graduate job applicants – it will make your CV/applications stronger and give you more to talk about at interviews.
You can find an online list of all Portfolio Development Options here.
Microsoft Virtual Academy: http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/
Free online IT training & Learning of Microsoft Technologies through courses designed by industry experts. There are hundreds
of courses to choose from such as:
 Cloud Development
 Game Development
 Mobile App Development
 Web Development
 Database Development
 Programming Development
 Visual Studio Development
 Beginner Courses
This portfolio option allows you to continue developing your skills; either through learning a new skill or by developing a
previous skill.
W3Schools Web Programming Certification: http://www.w3schools.com/cert/
Train online to qualify as a W3Schools web developer or use the knowledge gained to build a portfolio of websites (preferably
for real clients). W3Schools allows you to become certified in a number of different languages, such as:
 HTML
 HTML 5
 CSS
 JavaScript
 jQuery
 PHP
 Bootstrap
 XML

9
As the tutorials are online, you can study when it is convenient for you. Once you have completed the tutorials, you can take a
test to become certified. The tutorials are free. If you wish to become certified, you need to pay an exam fee of £62. However,
if you fail or want to improve your score, you can take the exam one more time at no extra cost.
Unity Games Engine: http://unity3d.com/learn
Learn all the skills you need to make great games and interactive content. Supported by documentation, tutorials and high
quality assets to inspire and educate you. In tutorials you’ll find videos and article based content. In addition, you can access a
complete written manual and scripting reference and if you would like some time with their experts, you can even sign up for
a live Q&A session.
Windows Dev Centre: https://dev.windows.com/en-us/
You’ll find everything you need to create great apps and make them available to customers. You can access tutorials to help
you target all Windows devices from a single project, in the language you prefer. They also provide guidance, references and
code snippets to help you build your apps. You can even build apps for Windows 10.
Apple Developer Program: https://developer.apple.com/support/compare-memberships/
The new Apple Developer Program combines everything you need to develop, distribute and manage your apps on all Apple
platforms into one single program. They provide support from the development stage, where you’ll find various resources from
documentation to sample code. They also provide support during the distribution stage to ensure everything is running
smoothly. To join the Apple Developer Program a yearly fee of £65 is required.
Android Developers: http://developer.android.com/develop/index.html
This includes everything you need to start developing apps for Android; from the Developer SD, API documentation and design
guidelines to information about the current device landscape and how you can distribute and monetise your apps. They also
provide training tutorials and sample projects to help give you everything you need to build incredible app experiences.
edX: https://www.edx.org/how-it-works
These are free courses designed specifically for interactive study via the web, provided by MIT, Harvard and Berkeley. From
their think tank to your screen, they help you learn through cool tools, videos and game-like labs. You can take any course at
your own pace, and even earn a certification of achievements.
Codecademy: http://www.codecademy.com/learn
Codecademy is the easiest way to learn how to code as it is interactive and fun. If you are a BCS/IS student, you may want to
consider this option as many placements and graduate positions require some basic understanding of code. There are a number
of language skills you can gain, such as:
 HTML & CSS
 JavaScript
 jQuery
 PHP
 Python
 Ruby
Codecademy allows you to keep track of the skills you are currently learning and skills that you have learnt, making it easier
for you to track your development. You can even set your own goals and learn how to use popular APIs to make your own
applications.
Code Club: https://www.codeclub.org.uk/about
Volunteer to teach code to primary school children from the ages of 9-11 at a school of your choice. Each Code Club lasts for 1
hour and happens once a week. Code club teaches children how to program by showing them how to make computer games,
animations and websites.
Treehouse: https://teamtreehouse.com/
Treehouse’s unique online teaching style makes learning easy for everyone. Whether you are trying to land a new job, brush
up on your skills or learn how to build your ideas, Treehouse has the right content for you. They provide courses ranging from
beginner level to advanced. A monthly fee of £16 is required.
Stanford Engineering Everywhere: http://see.stanford.edu/
An online portal offering ten courses from Stanford’s School of Engineering – including the three-course introductory sequence
in Computer Science and advanced courses in artificial intelligence and electrical engineering. This is free of charge and is
available through online video tutorials.

10
UDK: https://www.unrealengine.com/education
Unreal Engine 4 is a complete suite of game development tools made by game developers, for game developers. From 2D
mobile games to console blockbusters and VR, Unreal Engine 4 gives you everything you need to start, ship, grow and stand
out from the crowd. Unreal Engine 4 has features such as:
 Mobile – Develop mobile games for both iOS and Android devices
 Blueprints – Blueprint visual scripting enables you to rapidly prototype and build complete games.
 Tools – The Unreal Editor is a fully integrated suite of tools for building every aspect of your project.
 Source Code – Every Unreal Engine 4 developer has access to the complete C++ engine and editor source code.
 Virtual Reality – Visual fidelity combines with high performance to create engaging, immersive VR experiences.
 Marketplace – Buy content to add to your project, or create and sell your own.
Unreal Engine 4 provides educational materials such as template games, tutorials, documentation and three million lines of
complete C++ code.
Udemy: https://www.udemy.com
Udemy is a global marketplace for learning and teaching online where students are mastering new skills and achieving their
goals by learning from an extensive library of over 55,000 courses taught by expert instructors.
They have a huge variety of courses ranging from programming languages to using Microsoft Office tools such as Excel. In
addition, Udemy offers courses in a variety of categories such as photography, graphic design and music. Udemy regularly cut
their prices of courses from approximately £200 to £15.
Tizag Tutorials: http://www.tizag.com/
Tizag Tutorials are designed to provide the skills for beginner web programmers on how to use HTML and CSS. Additionally,
tutorials are also provided in scripting languages such as JavaScript. These tutorials are in the form of written notes and are
also free of charge.
Future Learn: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/global-workplace/1
This course provides students with the skills needed to make a positive start in the global workplace. The course covers topics
such as team working, making a good first impression, developing confidence as well as learning about the elements that
make up an organisation’s culture.
CitySpark: https://www.city.ac.uk/cityventures/start/cityspark
CitySpark is a business ideas competition open to all City students and recent alumni. CitySpark focusses on finding problems,
identifying real gaps in the market and building evidence based startups from day one. Unlike other University business plan
competitions, CitySpark encourages students to gain real life insights and feedback on their ideas, demonstrating how they
will gain traction in the real world. The competition is split into two challenges taking place throughout the academic year
and an intensive startup summer school to help you develop your business skills and get your business venture off the
ground.
erp4students Online Courses: https://www.erp4students.eu/
erp4students offers various online courses in the field of SAP software which are aimed at students. Through e-learning
courses, you will gain practical skills in working with different SAP software products, as well as the theoretical and
methodological background that is required in the official SAP certification exams. After completion of each course,
participants received a certificate from the University of Duisburg-Essen. This certificate states the course contents, the
workload and your practical work on the SAP system. All courses take place online and courses last around 3 ½ months. The
fees for the courses can be found here: https://www.erp4students.eu/live/Course-Offer/course-offer.aspx
thenewboston: https://thenewboston.com/
This was an online website that provided video tutorials in a huge variety of courses including object oriented languages
(Java, C++, etc.), web development languages, iPhone development and more. The website has now been removed, however,
a large number of tutorials are available on the web.

11
Assessment Guidance
Assessment 1 – Professional Development Plan & Application Form Questions
Professional Development Planning is ‘a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their
own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development’ (QAA
2001).
‘Application forms are an essential part of the job search’ (Totaljobs.com). Application forms normally require candidates to
answer competency based questions to assess their skills.
This assessment is designed to provide you with the tools and processes in order to:
 identify the skills you need to develop
 plan your professional goals and the development of a portfolio
 highlight the opportunities available to you to meet these objectives
 articulate your skills and experience to an employer
Planning your professional development is an essential part of achieving your goals and managing the process in terms of
setting realistic objectives, recognising strengths and weaknesses, and identifying resources/opportunities available to you.
Assessment 1: Professional Development Plan & Application Form Questions
Deadline: 20/10/19 by 5pm
Submission: Moodle > IN2015 Professional Development in IT > Assessment Submission Areas > Assessment 1
Submission Area
This assessment consists of 2 tasks. You must complete and submit both parts of the assessment to Moodle by the
deadline. Use the template provided on Moodle (in the Assessment Submission Area).
Assessment 1
Professional Development Plan:
 Refer to the Professional Development Plan section of the Assessment 1 template (you can find this in the
Assessment 1 Submission Area on Moodle).
 The Professional Skills Analysis form (which you will complete in workshop 1 of the IN2015 course) should
help you determine what goals to include on your Professional Development Plan. Refer to the skills analysis
form before starting your PDP. You may wish to include the Professional Skills Analysis form as an appendix
to your PDP.
 Complete the Professional Development Plan form by writing short, medium and long-term goals for your
professional, academic and personal development. Note that all goals should relate to employability and
professional development over the next 12 months.
 The minimum word count for your Professional Development Plan is 800 words.
 Ensure you use the SMART technique when writing your goals, each goal should be:
Specific – have you added specific detail?
Measurable – are you able to measure progress towards your goal?
Achievable – can you achieve your goal given resources available to you?
Relevant – have you set yourself a relevant goal?
Time bound – have you set a deadline to complete your goal?
Your goals should cover areas such as: career planning, industry research, enhancing your employability,
harnessing strengths, working on weaknesses, gaining professional experience e.g. securing a placement or
internship, commercial awareness & achieving academically.
 Add the milestones you will need to meet before you achieve your main goals – could these be additional
goals?

12
 Note the available resources/opportunities which you will draw upon to reach your goals.
 Add a deadline by which you aim to achieve each goal.
 Each student should select ONE Portfolio Development Option to engage with. Your chosen Portfolio
Development option should be included in your Professional Development Plan (see the list of Portfolio
Development Options on page 8 – 10 of this handbook)
N.B Ensure you monitor your progress and collect evidence of your engagement and achievements, this will
be useful to you for Assessment 2 and 3.
Assessment 1 Tips & Advice
 You should refer to the Professional Skills Assessment form (which you will complete in workshop 1 of the IN2015
course) before you write your Professional Development Plan.
 Use the Self Analysis Tools within this handbook to help you do this (at the back). You can add these as appendices if
you wish.
 Devise an effective planning technique that will enable you to plan out the tasks you will need to carry out each
week/month to meet your objectives.
 Seek advice from your PDIT Tutor to help you make the most of the opportunities and resources available to you.
 Monitor your progress towards your goals, try to identify what works for you and what doesn’t, so you can replicate
success and avoid failure.
 Keep a record of your progress towards your goals – this will be helpful for Assessment 2 and 3.
 It is vital that you collect evidence to demonstrate your professional development, your success and your
achievements.
Types of Evidence:
 Lines of code
 A game demo
 A website or web pages
 Screenshot of your LinkedIn profile
 Certificates
 Placement applications
 A job offer
 Confirmation of voluntary work
 Screenshots of passing online tutorials
 Completion of self-analysis tools e.g. SWOT analysis, Prospects Planner etc
N.B This is not an exhaustive list, if you have any queries please discuss these with your PDIT Tutor.
Application Form Questions
 Refer to the Application Form Questions section of the Assessment 1 template (you can find this in the
Assessment 1 Submission Area on Moodle).
 For the purpose of this exercise, please refer to the mock job description included in the Assessment 1
template. Please choose 1 of the 3 roles within the job description and tailor your application form answers to
your chosen role.
 The 10 questions listed are common questions asked on job application forms. All students must answer
question 1 and then choose a further 4, out of a possible 9, questions to respond to.
 Write your answers to the 5 questions exactly how you would if you were applying for a job. Refer to the
guidance provided in workshop 3.
 Your answers should be 300 words each.
 Pay particular attention to the presentation of your work. Proof read your work before you submit, to check for
spelling and grammar mistakes.

13
IN2015 Professional Development in IT
Assessment 1
Student Name:
Group (A-F):
You must complete all of the elements for this assessment:
Professional Development Plan – Minimum word count 800 words. Please note that your PDP goals should only relate to employability & professional development.
Application Form Questions
Scroll down to access a template to complete for the Professional Development Plan and Application Form Questions. Once completed, you should submit the template to
Moodle by the deadline.
Deadline: Sunday 20th
October 2019 by 5pm.
Submission: Moodle

14
Assessment 1 Professional Development Plan Template (minimum 800 words)
Name PDIT Tutor Date
Professional SMART Goals, including the related milestones. All Goals should be SMART:
Specific – have you added specific detail?
Measurable – are you able to measure progress towards your goal?
Achievable – can you achieve your goal given resources available to you?
Relevant – have you set yourself a realistic goal?
Time bound – have you set a deadline to complete your goal?
Short term goals (e.g. this term)?
Milestones to be completed to reach
goal.
Available resources/opportunities to develop the
skills (e.g. library/events/careers websites)
Deadline for
completion of
goal
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Medium term goals (e.g. by the end of term 2)?

15
7.
8.
9.
10.
In the longer term (e.g. by Oct 2020)?
11.
12.
13.
Portfolio Development Option:
Refer to the PDIT handbook to see the list of Portfolio Options you can choose from. Identify which Portfolio Option you plan to engage with (it is recommended you select only one).
Justify your choice of Portfolio Development Option in the box below stating why you chose it and how it will feed in to your goals above.
Use more pages if necessary.

16
Assessment 1 Application Form Questions
The 10 questions listed below are common questions asked on job application forms. You must answer question 1
and choose a further 4 questions to respond to. NOTE: you do not need to answer all 10 questions.
Write your answers to your chosen 5 questions exactly how you would if you were applying for a job. Refer to the
guidance provided in workshop 3.
Use the template below for this assessment. Your answers should be no more than 300 words each.
When applying for jobs, you should tailor your application to the specific role that you are applying for. For the purpose
of this exercise, please refer to the mock job description below. Please choose 1 of the 3 roles within the job
description and tailor your application form answers to your chosen role. Please clearly state which role you are
applying for.
Pay particular attention to the presentation of your work. Proof read your work before you submit, to check for
spelling and grammar mistakes.
1. Outline your long term (i.e. within the next 5 years) career plans. Reflect on how you can ensure you
achieve these? (300 word limit) Note, all students must answer this question.
2. Why have you chosen to pursue a career in IT? (300 word limit)
3. Describe a situation where you have been required to develop a software solution, what were the steps
involved and, on reflection, what would you have done differently? (300 word limit)
4. Explain the steps you took to solve a technical programming problem, what was the issue and how did
you go about solving it? (300 word limit)
5. Provide evidence of your ability to demonstrate self-motivation and a drive to succeed. (300 word limit)
6. Provide evidence that you can communicate clearly, in particular your ability to explain or teach difficult
concepts to a wide range of audiences, either written or verbally. (300 word limit)
7. Provide evidence of your ability to work alongside other people to contribute to and achieve a shared
objective. (300 word limit)
8. Provide evidence of your ability to adapt to unforeseen situations and overcome problems. (300 word
limit)
9. Write about your experiences of working with a client focus. (300 word limit)
10. Write about any achievements you are proud of that set you apart from your peers. (300 word limit)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Holland & Smith
Placement Schemes
Company Details:
Holland & Smith is a leading technology consultancy employing over 450 employees. Founded in 1989, the
company has grown significantly and now operates globally. We have a proven talent for generating new
ideas for our clients and all of the placement vacancies will offer the opportunity to work within a highly skilled
and professional workforce.
We have built a strong client base and work with clients to ascertain the most appropriate technology for their
projects. This involves front-end development as well as back-end integration. We offer a full range of
frameworks, database and vendor technologies, and digital strategies.
We are offering 3 roles and the job description for each role can be found below. In all cases, we are looking
for people with a passion for our technology and the hunger to learn. Of equal importance to your technical
knowledge are your communication and problem solving skills, the ability to work in a team and your focus on
achieving results.
When applying, please state which role you are applying for.
Salary: £16,000-£20,000 depending on experience.
Location: London
Length of Placement: 12 months starting July 2020

17
To Apply: Please answer 5 out of the possible 10 (see instructions above) application form questions and
please ensure you tailor your application to the specific job role that you are applying for.
Business Analyst Helpdesk Assistant Software Engineer
Job
Summary: The Business Analyst intern
will provide support to the full
life cycle of IT projects.
You will work with Business
Relationship Managers to keep
track of Business Demand for
IT initiatives, and provide
support, such as requirements
analysis and managing change
requests.
You will support the Design
and Technology team,
maintaining IT standards and
policies as well as analysing
project reports and
communicating the results.
You will work closely with our
team of data analysts to
understand customer
behaviour and use data to
continually improve customer
experience.
The IT Helpdesk assistant will
provide prompt and efficient
helpdesk support to
approximately 450 users across
the business.
You will work in a small team of
helpdesk staff who act as the first
point of contact for all IT related
issues. Where possible you will
resolve the issues independently;
taking charge of each query. If
necessary you will need to
escalate calls to 2nd line support
where necessary.
You will need to log IT queries
and keep updated records whilst
the issues are resolved.
On occasion, you will be required
to provide desk side assistance.
You will also work as part of the
team to complete scheduled
maintenance tasks, IT training
and upgrades.
As a Software Engineer, you
will support the development
of strategies to ensure that
software is designed and
integrated to fully satisfy the
customer and business
needs/requirements. You will
facilitate the successful
integration of software;
identifying and managing
interfaces and dependencies.
To succeed in this role you
will need to be able to write
and test code, refining and
rewriting it as necessary. You
will also test both hard and
software systems to
diagnose and resolve system
faults.
The role also covers writing
diagnostic programs and
designing and writing code
for operating systems and
software to ensure efficiency.
When required, you'll make
recommendations for future
developments.
Skills
Required:
*To be studying towards an
Undergraduate degree in
Computer Science or related
subjects.
* The ability to document
requirements using structured
techniques
* The ability to understand and
use application architectures
* Experience or knowledge of
SQL
* Good influencing and
decision making skills.
*Excellent written and verbal
communication skills.
*The ability to explain complex
technical issues clearly both
verbally and in writing.
*The ability to work as part of a
team as well as being able to
work independently with
minimal supervision.
*Experience of keeping
accurate records.
*Excellent attention to detail.
* Organised manner with
ability to prioritise workload.
*Motivated and pro-active with
a 'can-do' approach.
subjects.
*The ability to explain complex
technical issues to a variety of
audiences with differing levels of
technical understanding.
*The ability to work as part of a
team as well as being able to
work independently with minimal
supervision.
*Ability to work calmly under
pressure.
*Experience of keeping accurate
records.
*Excellent attention to detail.
* The ability to pick up new
systems and procedures quickly.
* Organised manner with ability to
prioritise workload.
*Motivated and pro-active with a
'can-do' approach.
subjects.
* Experience in writing
applications using JavaScript
and different JS Frameworks.
* Experience in building
apps.
* Motivation to continually
update technical knowledge
and skills.
*Experience in one or more
programming languages.
*The ability to work as part of
a team as well as being able
to work independently with
minimal supervision.
*A pro-active and methodical
approach to work.
*Capable of working under
pressure and able to work on
own initiative.

18
Name:
Which role are you applying to:
Question 1 (insert your chosen question here). Max 300 words.
Question 2 (insert your chosen question here): Max 300 words.

19
Assessment Scheme – Assessment 1: Professional Development Plan & Application form Questions
IN2015 Assessment 1 Assessment Scheme - Professional development Plan & Application Form Questions
Student name: Marked by:
Total Mark: 0.0
Content Professional Development Plans Application Form Questions
35% 65%
85-100%
Outstanding
Professional development plans are incredibly well
considered, exceptionally relevant and comprehensive.
Outstanding answers to questions which expertly identify and
evidence strengths. STAR technique used where appropriate.
Outstanding spelling, grammar and formatting.
70-84%
Excellent
Professional development plans are extremely well
considered, very relevant and comprehensive.
Excellent answers to questions which identify strengths which
are fully backed up with examples. STAR technique used where
appropriate. Excellent spelling, grammar and formatting.
60-69%
Verygood
Professional development plans are very well considered,
relevant and detailed.
Very good answers to questions, demonstrating strong self-
awareness through identifying strengths which are fully backed
up with examples. STAR technique mostly used where
appropriate. Very good spelling, grammar and formatting with
few mistakes.
50-59%
Good
Professional development plans are well considered,
however some improvements required with regards to
milestones, relevance and detail.
Good answers to questions. Good demonstration of self-
awareness and identification of strengths and/or evidence with
some improvements needed. Good spelling, grammar and
formatting with few mistakes.
40-49%
Satisfactory
Professional development plans are satisfactory, many
improvements required with regards to milestones,
relevance and detail.
Satisfactory answers to questions. Some demonstration of self-
awareness. Some identification of strengths and/or evidence
with improvements needed. Improvements needed to spelling,
grammar and formatting.
30-39%
Poor
Professional development plans are poor, numerous
improvements required.
Poor answers to questions. Lacking evidence, examples and/or
self-awareness. Many improvements needed.
0-29%
Verypoor
No or very poor professional development plans. No or very poor answers to questions. No demonstration of
self-awareness. Numerous improvements needed.
Mark /100 0 0

20
Professional Presentation
Identify a technical employer that you would like to work for. You are required to research the employer
and present about why you would like to work for them. Your presentation should last for 5 – 7 minutes and
should include the following content:
• Introduction: Brief information about yourself e.g. your name, course etc.
• An overview of the employer you would like to work for; what they do, the sector they operate in, an
overview of their size, main competitors and the company culture etc.
• A summary of why you would like to work for them.
• Explain why you think you would be an asset to the company (you should evidence your skills e.g. you
may wish to demo some code or demo a game or a website that you have developed, you may refer to
your PDO).
• An overview of a technology or project that the company uses or is involved with. Why does this interest
you?
• Identify a Legal, Ethical, Professional or Social issue which impacts this organisation, explain how this
might affect the company and any associated risks (refer to the week 9 lecture and workshop).
 Use technology to support your presentation. Suggestions include PowerPoint, Prezi and Google
Presentation. You can also use technology to evidence your strengths and experience e.g. you may wish to
demo some code, a game or a website that you have developed, or you may wish to show evidence of
volunteering projects or certificates gained.
 Information about the company (why you want to work for them and the technology they use) should be
referenced (i.e. gather information from the company website, their social media accounts etc).
 See the ‘Presentation tips’ section below.
Assessment 2 – Professional Presentation
Articulating your strengths, experience, ambitions and professional knowledge to employers is an essential part of the
recruitment process. You must be able to sell yourself. Often a presentation may be part of this, regardless, it is highly likely
that you will have to present at some point during your career, so presentation skills are highly desirable to employers.
The recruitment process for all roles will require you to research the employer, the work they do and the sector they operate
in. Aligning your skills and experience to those required for vacancies is a key part of the application process.
Awareness of the legal, professional, ethical and social issues that affect IT and the IT industry is an essential part of becoming
an IT professional. At some point during your career you will come across these issues, they may affect you, your job, the
company you work for or the sector you operate in, so appreciation of the broader issues will be attractive to employers.
This assessment is designed to provide you with the techniques in order to:
 identify and evidence your strengths and achievements
 reflect upon your development, identify your interests and your motivations
 articulate your skills and experience to an employer
 prepare for job interviews and any associated presentations
 submit well researched job applications
 understand the legal, professional, ethical and social issues that affect IT and the IT industry
The ability to do this will be useful for your long term career when you participate in company appraisal processes.
This assessment consists of 1 task.
Assessment 2: Professional Presentation
Deadline: 02/12/19 N.B. Keep all day free until your PDIT tutor confirms your time. A copy of your presentation
must be uploaded to Moodle by 9am on 2nd
December 2019.
Submission: Your Professional Presentation is delivered in person during your allocated time slot.
This assessment will be delivered in place of the final workshop.

21
Presentation Tips
• Capture your audience with your introduction – identify the theme.
• Structure your presentation – enable your audience to follow the presentation easily.
• Enthuse your audience – demonstrate passion for your subject.
• Use visuals etc in context – add meaning to them.
• Use simple materials – add value, do not overwhelm your audience.
• Emphasise the main points – ensure your audience remembers them.
• Practise, practise, practise – perfect your style, know your content, be confident!
N.B Perfecting the ability to articulate your strengths and abilities in a confident and convincing way will benefit you at
interview and when networking in a professional arena.
The Assessment Scheme can be found on the next page.

22
Assessment Scheme – Assessment 2: Professional Presentation
Content Content Use of Technology/Supporting evidence Delivery
40% 20% 40%
85-100% Outstanding Outstanding coverage of all requirements with very
interesting content and exceptional supporting
examples. Outstanding self-awareness and industry
awareness demonstrated.
Outstanding use of technology and evidence to
demonstrate strengths and achievements.
Outstanding delivery, professional standard in
relation to engagement, pace, body language,
articulation and timing.
70-84%
Excellent
Excellent coverage of all requirements with
interesting content and high-quality supporting
examples. Excellent self-awareness and industry
awareness demonstrated.
Excellent use of technology and evidence to
Excellent delivery, high-quality standard in relation
to engagement, pace, body language, articulation
and timing.
60-69%
Verygood
Very good coverage of all requirements, strong
content and supporting examples. Very good self-
awareness and industry awareness demonstrated.
Very good use of technology and evidence to
Very good delivery, strong standard in relation to
engagement, pace, body language, articulation and
timing.
50-59%
Good
Good coverage of requirements, however some
improvements are required in relation to content,
supporting examples self-awareness and/or industry
awareness.
Good use of technology and/or evidence to
demonstrate strengths and achievements,
however some improvements are required.
Good delivery, however some improvements are
required in relation to engagement, pace, body
language, articulation and/or timing.
40-49%
Satisfactory
Satisfactory coverage of requirements, many
improvements are required in relation to content,
supporting examples self-awareness and/or industry
awareness.
Satisfactory use of technology and/or evidence
to demonstrate strengths and achievements,
many improvements are required.
Satisfactory delivery, many improvements are
required in relation to engagement, pace, body
language, articulation and/or timing.
30-39%
Poor
Poor coverage of requirements, a severe lack of
content, supporting examples self-awareness and/or
industry awareness.
Poor use of technology and evidence to
Poor delivery, a severe lack of engagement, pace,
body language, articulation and/or timing.
0-29%
Verypoor
No or very poor content. No or very poor use of technology and evidence. No or very poor delivery.

23
Summary of Professional Development
 Write a summary of your professional development by addressing the 4 discussion points in the Assessment 3
template.
 Ensure you follow the word count
 Ensure your discussion includes investigation, analysis, exploration and justification of your statements to fully
explore your subsequent learning.
 You must include evidence of your skills development, progress towards your goals, and engagement with
professional development activities that you have engaged with throughout this module to support your
answers. Evidence might include: lines of code, a screenshot of your LinkedIn profile, proof of an appraisal
meeting with your PDIT Tutor, certificates, placement applications or completed self-analysis tools e.g. SWOT
analysis, Prospects Planner.
 Where you include evidence, it should be included as an appendix and you must refer to your appendices,
where appropriate, throughout your report.
 Where you refer to external sources, these should be properly referenced using the Harvard referencing
method.
N.B 25% of the overall mark for this assessment relates to the evidence which you include in your appendices. We
expect to see a wide range of evidence which is linked to your assessment questions. The relevance and quality of
your evidence is extremely important and must demonstrate a wide range of professional and technical skills. To
achieve a high mark for the evidence section of the assessment criteria, we would expect to see at least 10 pieces
of relevant evidence of your skills development included as an appendix and referred to throughout your report.
Assessment 3 – Summary of Professional Development
Write a 2400 word reflective account of your professional development by answering the following 4 questions.
1. Reflecting on the IN2015 lectures and workshops, which has had the most impact on your professional development and
why? Through your own research, source alternative or similar views to any of the topics discussed (reference these
appropriately). 600 words
2. State what you have learnt about yourself during your time at City (e.g. your learning style, what motivates you or even de-
motivates you) by reflecting on your successes and achievements (e.g. progress/completion of goals and skills development).
State whether or not your future plans have changed as a result of your self-awareness or of your industry awareness. This
should be backed up with evidence which might include evidence of an updated CV, proof of an improved application form,
interviews or attendance at events etc. 600 words
3. Summarise your selected Portfolio Development Option (PDO), including what you learnt, challenges faced and the impact
of your PDO on your professional development 600 words
4. Imagine you are working in industry as an IT professional. Drawing on the LEPSI content covered in your PDIT lectures and
workshops (week 9) write about the types of legal, ethical, professional and social issues that you may face in the workplace.
You should include at least three issues and their possible consequences (reference these as required). 600 words
This assessment consists of 1 task.
Assessment 3: Summary of Professional Development.
Deadline: 05/01/20 5pm
Submission: Moodle > IN2015 Professional Development in IT > Assessment Submission Areas > Assessment 3
Submission Area
Presentation: Present assessment 3 as a report including: Front cover and contents page, answers to the 4
reflective account questions and appendices (label your appendices individually).

24
Assessment 3 Template – Summary of Professional Development
Student Name:
Group (A-F):
Deadline: Sunday 5th
January 2020 by 5pm.
Submission: Moodle
Students are required to write a 2400 word reflective account of their professional development by answering the 4
questions below.
Where you refer to external sources, these should be properly referenced using the Harvard referencing method.
You should include evidence of your skills development, progress towards your goals, and engagement with
professional development activities that you have engaged with throughout this module. This might include: lines of
code, a screenshot of your LinkedIn profile, certificates, placement applications or completed self-analysis tools e.g.
SWOT analysis, Prospects Planner etc. Where you include evidence, it should be included as an appendix and you
must refer to your appendices, where appropriate, throughout your report.
N.B 25% of the overall mark for this assessment relates to the evidence which you include in your appendices. We
expect to see a wide range of evidence which is linked to your assessment questions. The relevance and quality of
your evidence is extremely important and must demonstrate a wide range of professional and technical skills. To
achieve a high mark for the evidence section of the assessment criteria, we would expect to see at least 10 pieces
of relevant evidence of your skills development included as an appendix and referred to throughout your report.
Present assessment 3 as a report including a front cover and contents page, answers to the 4 reflective
account questions and appendices (label your appendices individually). Present your report using the format
below:
Front cover
Contents page
Answers to the 4 reflective account questions below:
1. Reflecting on the IN2015 lectures and workshops, which has had the most impact on your professional
development and why? Through your own research, source alternative or similar views to any of the topics discussed
(reference these appropriately). 600 words
2. State what you have learnt about yourself during your time at City (e.g. your learning style, what motivates you or
even de-motivates you) by reflecting on your successes and achievements (e.g. progress/completion of goals and
skills development). State whether or not your future plans have changed as a result of your self-awareness or of
your industry awareness. This should be backed up with evidence which might include evidence of an updated CV,
proof of an improved application form, interviews or attendance at events etc. 600 words
3. Summarise your selected Portfolio Development Option (PDO), including what you learnt, challenges faced and
the impact of your PDO on your professional development 600 words
4. Imagine you are working in industry as an IT professional. Drawing on the LEPSI content covered in your PDIT
lectures and workshops (week 9) write about the types of legal, ethical, professional and social issues that you may
face in the workplace. You should include at least three issues and their possible consequences (reference these as
required). 600 words
Appendix (label your appendices individually).

25
Assessment Scheme – Assessment 3: Reflective Account
Student name: Marked by:
Total Mark: = 0
Content Q1 - Reflection Q2 - Self Awareness Q3 - PDO Q4 - LEPSI Evidence
15% 30% 15% 15% 25%
85-100%
Outstanding
Outstanding reflection on the lectures
and workshops including coverage,
justification and analysis of the
subsequent learning. External views
critically analysed.
Outstanding demonstration of self-
awareness and subsequent learning by
expertly identifying strengths and by
highlighting areas in need of
development.
Outstanding engagement with chosen
PDO. Progress with chosen PDO
demonstrated expertly including a
through summary of subsequent
learning and impact on professional
development.
Outstanding demonstration of knowledge
relating to the legal, ethical, professional
and social issues covered during the
IN2015 course.
Outstanding evidence of a wide range of
engagement with professional
development activities that links
seamlessly to professional development
plans. Numerous pieces of evidence
included as appendices and referred to
throughout assessment.
70-84%
Excellent
Excellent reflection on the lectures and
workshops including coverage,
evaluated and analysed to an excellent
standard.
Excellent demonstration of self-
awareness by professionally
identifying strengths and by
development.
Excellent engagement with chosen PDO.
Progress with chosen PDO
demonstrated professionally including
a detailed summary of subsequent
learning and impact on professional
development.
Excellent demonstration of knowledge
IN2015 course.
Excellent evidence of engagement with
professional development activities that
links extremely well to professional
development plans. Multiple pieces of
evidence included as appendices and
referred to throughout assessment.
60-69%
Verygood
Very good reflection on the lectures and
workshops including coverage,
discussed well with some further depth
and exploration required.
Very good demonstration of self-
awareness by appropriately identifying
strengths and by highlighting areas in
need of development.
Very good engagement with chosen
PDO. Progress with chosen PDO
demonstrated well including a detailed
summary of subsequent learning and
impact on professional development.
Very good demonstration of knowledge
IN2015 course.
Very good evidence of engagement with
professional development activities that
links very well to professional
development plans. Many pieces of
evidence included as appendices and
referred to throughout assessment.
50-59%
Good
Good reflection on the lectures and
workshops including some coverage,
subsequent learning. Further discussion
regarding external views needed.
Good demonstration of self-awareness
by identifying strengths and by
development. Some areas are in need
of improvement.
Good engagement with chosen PDO.
Progress with chosen PDO
demonstrated including a summary of
subsequent learning and impact on
professional development. Some areas
in need of development.
Good demonstration of knowledge
IN2015 course.
Good evidence of engagement with
professional development activities
however evidence and/or relevance could
be further developed. Some evidence
included as appendices and referred to
throughout assessment.
40-49%
Satisfactory
Satisfactory reflection on the lectures and
workshops with some coverage,
subsequent learning but more detail
needed. Further discussion regarding
external views needed.
Satisfactory demonstration of self-
awareness, many areas are in need of
improvement e.g. identifying strengths
and/or highlighting areas in need of
development
Satisfactory engagement with chosen
PDO. Some demonstration of progress
with chosen PDO. Some discussion of
subsequent learning and impact on
professional development but many
areas in need of development.
Satisfactory demonstration of knowledge
IN2015 course.
Satisfactory evidence of engagement with
professional development activities,
lacking in evidence to support this and/or
relevance to professional development
plans. Some evidence included as
appendices and referred to throughout
assessment but more needed.
30-39%
Poor
Poor reflection on the lectures and
workshops with no coverage, justification
or analysis of the subsequent learning.
Much more detail needed.
Poor demonstration of self-awareness. Very limited engagement with chosen
PDO with limited associated
discussion.
Poor demonstration of knowledge relating
to the legal, ethical, professional and
social issues covered during the IN2015
course.
Poor evidence of engagement with
professional development activities,
severely lacking in evidence to support
this and relevance to professional
development plans. Limited evidence
included in assessment.
0-29%
Verypoor
No reflection on the lectures and
workshops and no coverage, justification
or analysis of the subsequent learning.
No or very poor demonstration of self-
awareness.
No engagement with chosen PDO. No or very poor demonstration of
knowledge relating to the legal, ethical,
professional and social issues covered
during the IN2015 course.
No evidence or very poor evidence of
engagement with professional
development activities. No evidence
included in assessment.
IN2015 Assessment 3 Assessment Scheme - Summary of Professional Development

26
Useful Self Assessment Tools
How to Write a Professional CV
Content
Essential information to include:
 Your full contact details including address, a professional sounding email address and working/current telephone number
(make sure you also have a sensible voicemail!).
 Education section – detail your qualifications (including current qualification i.e. BSc (Hons) Computer Science), plus place
of study, course title and dates. Include module information where appropriate.
 Employment History section – detail your work history as well as work experience and voluntary work, including job title,
name of organisation, dates and main duties/responsibilities.
 Professional Skills – document your skills (both technical and non-technical), stating your level of expertise i.e. Beginner,
Intermediate, Advanced or by using adjectives i.e. excellent communication skills. Tip – enhance your Skills Profile by
stating where you have developed/used these skills effectively.
 A References section – state “references available upon request”.
Value adding information to include:
 An ‘Achievements’ or ‘Awards’ or ‘Projects’ or ‘Portfolio’ section (the title is up to you) – here you could include details of
projects you have participated in or your greatest achievements, both personal and professional. If you have created any
websites or games, add details here.
 A ‘Profile’ – a short statement that summarises you core strengths, experience or expertise. Only include this if you have
something impressive to say, that will make you stand out (position at the top).
 An Interests section – include this if you feel you can add value to your CV by telling an employer a bit more about you.
Click here for a good example. Avoid using generic entries such as socialising with friends.
Format
 Create your CV using Word.
 Present your CV over no more than two pages. If you do not have enough content to fill 2 pages, display your CV over one
page.
 Ensure you use consistent font types and sizing – this aid the structure of your CV.
 Use professional alignment of text (eg use of tabs and not the space bar for aligning text) – ensure your CV is aesthetically
pleasing.
 Use a sensible layout of sections (ordering) – ensure your CV flows well and that the most valuable sections appear on the
first page.
 Ensure your full name appears of both pages – in case the printed pages become detached.
 Ensure information within each section appears in reverse chronological order i.e. most recent information first.
 Ensure your CV is absent of large areas of white space – this can be resolved by displaying bullet points/lists as columns.
Spelling & Grammar
 It is essential that you check the spelling and grammar of your CV. Employers could disregard you immediately based on
poor spelling and grammar. Also ensure your CV reads well, that you have written in correct English.
Things to Avoid
 Do not add 'Curriculum Vitae' to the top your CV.
 Do not add any personal details that do not promote equal opportunities i.e. date of birth, gender, race, religion, sexual
preferences.
 Do not add a photo.
 Do not use logos or pictures for organisations or societies that you may have worked for/been member of.
Tips
 Take a look at sample CVs online to get some ideas on how your CV should look (Google “CV template”).
 A CV should be two pages long, do not confuse a CV with a resume which is only one page long.
 Remember to sell yourself; your aim is to jump off the page so ensure you comprehensively cover everything that makes
you an asset to any company.
 Avoid repetition of content.
 Use convincing adjectives like ‘confident’, ‘strong, ‘excellent’, ‘keen’. See below for further examples.
 Express your enthusiasm, drive and desire for a challenge!
 When supplying referees, use your Personal Tutor as your academic referee. It is professional etiquette to ask other
individuals i.e. your line manager, if they would agree to be your referee before you pass on their contact details.

27
CV Terminology
Action Words for CVs and Applications (verbs)
Using active, positive words (these are normally verbs) in a CV or an application form can increase its impact and make a
stronger impression on potential employers. In addition to stating what you did, use action words to articulate what you
have achieved through employment, academia or in your personal life.
For example, rather than writing:
"For my team project, I had to carry out some user requirements. This involved analysing what the client needed from the
software. A database was used to keep track of data collected. This project was finished on time and was awarded a 2.1
grade."
You should instead write:
"Devised and prepared a study of user requirements for an airline booking software as part of my team project. Conducted
significant research and created a database to analyse and interpret this material. Completed this project two weeks ahead
of schedule and achieved a 2.1 grade."
Examples of words to use:
Achieved
Administered
Advised
Analysed
Budgeted
Calculated
Completed
Conducted
Controlled
Co-ordinated
Created
Designed
Developed
Devised
Diagnosed
Discovered
Evaluated
Evaluated
Explained
Instructed
Liaised
Managed
Monitored
Negotiated
Organised
Performed
Persuaded
Planned
Presented
Prioritised
Promoted
Recommended
Represented
Researched
Sold
Solved
Supervised
Taught
Tested
Trained
Describing Words for CVs and Applications (adjectives)
Using powerful language to add weight to your skills and abilities is also an effective way of demonstrating the level of your
ability. Adding examples adds even further conviction.
For example, rather than writing:
 Communication skills
 Team working skills
 Analytical skills
You could instead write:
 Strong communication skills: able to convey information and share ideas in a timely and professional manner, this skill
has been essential when communicating with clients.
 Effective team working skills: able to work efficiently and effectively with others as demonstrated throughout an excellent
team project result. Strong leadership were also proven through the understanding of others’ skills set and the division of
work.
 Proficient analytical skills: proven ability to analyse problems or data, and to determine sound solutions to the success of
projects.
Examples of words to use:
Able
Accomplished
Attentive
Capable
Confident
Conscientious
Consistent
Determined
Diligent
Dynamic
Effective
Efficient
Energetic
Enterprising
Enthusiastic
Hard-working
Industrious
Loyal
Methodical
Motivated
Organised
Passionate
Persistent
Professional
Proficient
Reliable
Self-starter
Skilful
Strong
Studious

28
SWOT Analysis
You are most likely to succeed in life if you use your talents to their fullest
extent. Similarly, you'll suffer fewer problems if you know what your
weaknesses are, and if you manage these weaknesses so that they don't
matter in the work you do. SWOT Analysis is a useful technique that helps you do this.
What makes SWOT especially powerful is that, with a little thought, it can help you uncover opportunities that you would not
otherwise have spotted. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that might
otherwise hurt your ability to move forward.
If you look at yourself using the SWOT framework, you can start to separate yourself from your peers, and further develop
the specialized talents and abilities you need to advance your career.
How to Use the Tool
To perform a personal SWOT analysis, print out our free worksheet, and write down answers to the questions in each area
below.
Strengths
 What advantages do you have that others don't have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)?
 What do you do better than anyone else?
 What personal resources can you access?
 What do other people (and your boss or tutor, in particular) see as your strengths?
 Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
 What values do you believe in that others fail to exhibit?
 Are you part of a network that no one else is involved in? If so, what connections do you have with influential
people?
Consider this from your own perspective, and from the point of view of the people around you. And don't be modest or shy –
be as objective as you can.
And if you have any difficulty with this, write down a list of your personal characteristics. Some of these will hopefully be
strengths! You can also learn more about identifying your strengths in our article on "Your Reflected Best Self™".
Tip:
Think about your strengths in relation to the people around you. For example, if you're a great mathematician and the people
around you are also great at maths, then this is not likely to be strength in your current role – it may be a necessity.
Weaknesses
 What tasks do you usually avoid because you don't feel confident doing them?
 What will the people around you see as your weaknesses?
 Are you completely confident in your education and skills training? If not, where are you weakest?
 What are your negative work habits (for example, are you often late, are you disorganized, do you have a short
temper, or are you poor at handling stress)?
 Are you ensure of what career path you want to pursue?
 Do you have personality traits that hold you back in your field? For instance, if you have to conduct meetings on a
regular basis, a fear of public speaking would be a major weakness.
Again, consider this from a personal/internal perspective and an external perspective. Do other people see weaknesses that
you don't see? Do peers and co-workers consistently outperform you in key areas? Be realistic – it's best to face any
unpleasant truths as soon as possible.
Opportunities
 What resources are available to you to learn, develop and understand?
 Are you able to gain experience in your chosen field?
 Is your industry growing? If so, how can you take advantage of the current market?
 Do you have a network of strategic contacts to help you, or offer good advice?

29
 Are any of your peers failing to do something important? If so, can you take advantage of their mistakes?
 Is there a need in your company or industry that no one is filling?
You might find useful opportunities in the following:
 Networking events, educational classes, or conferences.
 Placements, internships, volunteering.
 A new role or project that forces you to learn new skills, like public speaking or international relations.
 A company expansion or acquisition. Do you have specific skills (like a second language) that could help with the
process?
Also, importantly, look at your strengths, and ask yourself whether these open up any opportunities – and look at your
weaknesses, and ask yourself whether you could open up opportunities by eliminating those weaknesses.
Threats
 What obstacles do you currently face at when entering the job market?
 Does your degree enable you to develop the ‘full package’ of skills?
 Do your peers have more relevant experience than you?
 Are any of your peers or colleagues competing with you for projects or roles?
 Does changing technology or globalisation e.g. off-shoring, threaten your position?
 Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats?
Performing this analysis will often provide key information – it can point out what needs to be done and put problems into
perspective.
Key Points
A SWOT matrix is a framework for analysing your strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats that you
face. This helps you focus on your strengths, minimize your weaknesses, and take the greatest possible advantage of
opportunities available to you.
For full information see http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05_1.htm

30
Values and Motivations
Understand what is important to you professionally; this should have an effect on the career you pursue as feeling motivated
and valued in your work will have a huge impact upon your job satisfaction and career progression.
Use the tool below to determine what your values and motivations are.
Rate each value/motivation according to its importance to you professionally. This will help you to make informed choices
about the roles you should pursue.
Unimportant
/Neutral
Somewhat
Important
Essential
Team membership: work in close co-operation and have close working relationships
with people as a result of my work activities
Professionalism: work in a professional corporate environment
Competition: engage in activities which pitch my abilities against others where
there are win and lose outcomes
Making decisions: have the power to decide courses of action
Working under pressure: work in situations where time pressure is prevalent
and/or the quality of my work is judged critically by others
Advancement: the opportunity for promotion and career progression
Authority/leadership: control the work activities of other people
Working alone: work on projects by myself without any significant amount of
contact with others
Creativity: the opportunity to create new ideas, programmes, innovations
Friendships: develop close personal relationships with people as a result of my work
activities
Discipline related: actively use my degree disciplines, or aspects of them
Precision work: work in situations where there is very little tolerance for error
Helping others: help, advise or care for others in face-to-face work situations.
Stability: a work routine and job duties that are largely predictable and not likely to
change over a long period of time
Develop knowledge, skills and experience: engagement in the pursuit of knowledge
and having the ability to develop professionally
Variation: change and diversity in my work content, personal contacts or location.
Security: be assured of keeping my job and of a reasonable financial reward
Fast pace: work in circumstances where there is a high pace of activity, where work
must be done rapidly
Prestige: be recognised publicly for my job, status or for the quality of my work
Challenge: have work duties which involve frequent risk-taking and excitement
Material gain: have a strong likelihood of accumulating large amounts of money or
material gain
Independence/Autonomy: freedom to determine the nature of my work without
significant direction from others, make my own decisions, plan my own work
Moral fulfilment: feel that my work is contributing significantly to a set of ethical or
moral standards which I feel are very important
Trust: an environment where I can trust and be trusted for the work I produce
Helping society: do something to contribute to the betterment of the world I live in

31
Prospects Planner
Prospects Planner is a job exploration tool which aims to help you identify your skills, motivations and interests and then to
match yourself to relevant job types. Prospects Planner has been developed in close consultation with university careers
services who recommend Prospects Planner as a valuable tool for exploring and planning your job and future career.
To access Prospects Planner quickly, bookmark http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm
What it can do:
• Identify what you want out of a job.
• Generate and evaluate job ideas.
• Identify what you can offer to the job/employer.
• Compare options and identify the right types of jobs to apply for.
• Provide useful and relevant information sources.
What it can’t do:
• Tell you what you should do - choosing a job or career is a complex and personal process.
• Make sense out of nonsense - you need to clarify your thinking about what you want. This may take time and effort
but Prospects Planner can help you get there.
• Come up with a list of ‘the Top 10 best graduate jobs’ - your list will be a personal one. Your ‘ideal job’ may not be a
widely popular choice but it is the right one for you.
• Get you a job - finding vacancies and marketing yourself effectively is another vital part of the process. Prospects
Planner provides a sound basis for convincing yourself and an employer that you have made the right choice.
TARGETjobs Careers Report: Career Planner
The TARGETjobs Careers Report uses questionnaires and psychometric tests to explore your interests, strengths, personality
and abilities and matches you to jobs that would suit you. The questionnaires and psychometric tests take approximately 30
minutes to complete, but...
 ... you don't have to do everything in one sitting: you can return to the Careers Report tools and assessments as
many times as you wish.
 You can download your own personal Careers Report and action plan to take away and review: download an
example Careers Report.
 You can use the Career Report to practise psychometric tests and see where you stand against other graduates and
students.
Sign up with TARGETjobs and access to Careers Report here: https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report

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