How To Be More Employable

University of East Anglia
Norwich Business School
Management Skills and
Personal Development
NBS-7114A
SEMINAR 2
19 October 2021
Dr. Fahri Karakas
F.Karakas@uea.ac.uk

Treat 2021 as the year of ASSET CREATION
In your individual project, you will be creating assets for your
future.
1. SEVEN I PROJECT (Kickstarter type project)
2. ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL (Shark Tank type
project)
• Think about the assets you want to
create for your future
• Do not think like a student. Do not
treat this as assignment.
• Do this for your own future.
• Do something real – create something
real and fresh.

3
You will choose Seven I or Entrepreneurial Proposal.
Start working on your asset creation project.
Remember: You need to implement it and share it with
the world.
You will include your asset creation project (3000 words)
in your individual portfolio due on Dec 9, 2021.

4
 25% of your individual portfolio is “Your
Asset Creation Project”.
 The word limit for this part of your portfolio
is 3000 words (The other parts are not
counted).
 Decide which option you will be doing for
the 25% of your individual portfolio
◦ Option A: Seven I Project
◦ Option B: Entrepreneurial Business Proposal

5
 Top 10 Employable Skills
◦ Create Your Own Evidence
 Self Directed Learning Evidence Table
 Job Applications
◦ CV
◦ Cover Letter

6
https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/you-face-a-very-tough-job-market-now-but-
you-can-still-thrive-2277bbc99660?sk=13fdd31c3d14a3f485d025abd53f36dd

7
1.Take a deep breath and cultivate your inner strength. Your morale, health, and wellbeing
are of utmost priority right now.
2.Stay in top shape. Develop your competitiveness for the job market.
3.Go creative in your job applications.
4.Keep a journal to reflect, learn, develop, and make progress.
5.Be flexible and adaptable. Pivot as needed. Do not give up your hope and rise from your
own ashes like a phoenix.
6.Make sure you take a long term perspective on your life and career.
7.Sharpen your toolkit, knowledge, skills, and perspectives. Invest in your personal
development, learning, and growth. This is the biggest investment you can ever make.
8.Develop rare and valuable skills that are in demand.
9.Establish a system of being creative and productive for yourself.
10.Create your assets for the future.
11.Think and act like an entrepreneur.
12.Find your blue oceans and establish your own game.
13.Take up some hobbies and interests.
14.Use your imagination to escape boredom and surprise yourself every day.
15.Remember that the world needs your creativity, contribution, and curiosity.
15 smart strategies to navigate the economic depression
You face a very tough job market now — but you can still thrive
https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/you-face-a-very-tough-job-market-now-
but-you-can-still-thrive-2277bbc99660?sk=13fdd31c3d14a3f485d025abd53f36dd

9
 Decide which job will you be applying for as
part of your coursework
◦ Search for jobs at sites such as www.monster.co.uk
◦ Find the job advertisement and attach it in your
coursework
◦ Entry level job
◦ Which department/position?
◦ Customise your job application for this job.
 How will you customise your job
application?
◦ A) Think about the job requirements
◦ B) Think about your own KSAs (Knowledge, Skills,
Abilities) and experience
◦ C) Think about Evidence of Fit between A and B
◦ D) How will you demonstrate this evidence of fit in your
CV and Cover Letter?

 Think of your “dream job” after graduation (your career
objectives, your ideal position, your ideal company).
◦ Suppose your instructor is the HR director of your company. Prepare
and submit a job application package for this job. Differentiate
yourself from hundreds of other job applicants.
 Integrate and apply module learning to your job application.
 We want to see how you progressed since the start of this module
(i.e. in terms of skill development, integration and application of
knowledge, demonstration of learning, depth of self-reflection,
personal branding, creativity)

 1) Job Advertisement
 2) Updated CV
 4) Cover letter (statement of interest, explaining your skills,
knowledge and fit for the job)
 4) Poster: On one A4 page, design a poster that will reflect your
personal brand.

 The advert for the job you will apply for
 A CV
 A cover letter
 Poster (such as a creative CV)
 Consider preparing and submitting a range of
supporting material, including
◦ Your Optional appendices:
 Completed job application forms (if needed)
 Appendix: Short summary of successful projects
 Appendix: Any awards or distinctions

 Familiarize yourself with what the firm does. The web site will
give you info on their strategies, projects, what type of
employees they are looking for
 Customize your application for that specific firm and position.
 Write for that particular position– aim for the reader.
 Always make sure that you include relevant job experience and
knowledge related to that company and position. Converse
with professionals working there. Get their opinions and
advice.
 Need to become familiar with the firm: know the department
itself, its people, what they are doing, what they are up to,
their application guidelines

Workshop@HOME
Job Application Package:
CV & Cover Letter
Please study at home

16
 Nearly half (48.1%) of UK workers do not know how
to write a stand out CV that would boost their
chance of an interview, with a further 16.4%
admitting that they wouldn’t be able to write a
good CV at all.
 New research reveals that 98.5% of recruiters
believe that traditional CVs still hold an important
place in today’s recruitment process

17
 Actively manage your career at all times – not just when you need to.
It’s essential to keep on top of this and not let it fall by the wayside.
◦ Keep one eye on the market, company activity and emerging trends to ensure you are
always up to date.
◦ Spend some time regularly developing your network and keeping in touch. Tap into
networking groups or form your own.
 Follow other people’s careers, learn from their journeys and introduce
yourself to new contacts.
 Being seen to be proactive with your career will get you noticed.
◦ Motivation and support during a time of change is the key to not losing focus so meet
with others who are experiencing the same changes to swap tips, contacts and ideas.
 Have a clear and definite career vision.
◦ If you have a career goal, use a time of change to assess how realistic this is and what
your ‘plan b’ may be. If you don’t have a vision, try thinking about what you want from
your career and how you might achieve this.
 Always ensure that your ‘marketing toolkit’ is up to date.
◦ Keep your CV current and regularly review your LinkedIn profile to reflect your
experience. You never know when you may need these.
 Mel Barclay, Head of Career Transition at LHH Penna

18
 I sent out CVs. I heard nothing. I sent out more CVs; still nothing. I
began to feel that the market was against me – this was before the EU
referendum and hiring managers were holding their breath. It became
obvious that finding a job was going to be a lot harder than I’d
expected.
 If your CV is ignored, the best thing you can do is to take a long hard
look at reality. Don’t blame recruiters for failing to respond; don’t
blame the market for not wanting your skills – repackage your
experience into something the market will want. Go with it, you never
know where it will take you.

19
 Do not give up even if you get multiple rejections.
Learn from rejections. If they do not kill you, they
will make you stronger.
 Do not worry if you do not get any response.
Follow up. Then move on.
 Revise, revise, revise your job application. Send for
friendly review to your colleague.
 The fit between your skills and the position
requirements: Hugely important.

20
 Thousands of British job applicants are
limiting their work prospects by failing to
mention volunteering experience on their CV,
research released today has discovered.
 More than half (54 per cent) of job applicants
in the UK have carried out some form of
voluntary work, yet only eight per cent
mention on their CV

21
 Photos – 25.8%
 Jargon – 18.6%
 Generic Hobbies – 10.8%
 Outdated employment history – 9.9%
 Unnecessarily big words – 7%
 School grades – 5.3%
 Personal interests – 4.3%
 Acronyms – 3.1%
 Generic objectives and aims – 2.7%
 Social media links – 2.5%

22
 "My interests include cooking dogs and interesting people"
 "I was responsible for dissatisfied customers"
 "I am a prooficient typist"
 "Socially I like to dine out with different backgrounds"
 "I was responsible for fraudulent claims"
 "While working in this role, I had intercourse with a variety of
people"
 "Experienced sheet mental worker"
 "Highly adept at multi-tasting"
 "I am a pubic relations officer"
 "Left last four jobs only because the managers were
completely unreasonable"

 Name and contact information
 Work Interests or career objective
 Education
 Honors and Awards
 Experience (Job, part-time, NGO, internship)
◦ Point out employable skills (with evidence)
 Courses/seminars/workshops/training/certificates
 Extracurricular activities

 Sample projects
 University Clubs/Leadership
 Professional Memberships
 Appearance in media
 Consulting or executive education or
industrial projects
 Additional Information
 References

32
Checklist for your CV
Please update and
prepare your CV
Apply checklists to
make sure you are on
the right track

33
- Good CV writing tips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYVwhLChAG8
- Making your CV different
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX-RWkveBYg
- Phrases to avoid on your CV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeuQrK_DEXk
- Make your CV more effective
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGU-xIEnaCE

36
http://www.simplyzesty.com/advertising-and-marketing/the-most-
creative-job-applications-in-social-media-and-tech/#
http://print24.com/blog/2011/05/32-amazingly-creative-job-
applications/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmaureenhenderson/2012/06/01/how-
a-creative-job-application-can-land-you-or-lose-you-your-dream-
job/
http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/06/30/6-wickedly-creative-
job-applications-for-the-digital-age/
http://jobmob.co.il/blog/most-creative-designer-resumes/
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/dream-job-with-innovative-resume-
ideas/

37
 Prepare your CV – make it updated
◦ Check out web sites on how to prepare a successful CV
◦ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15573447
◦ Lool at example CVs and prepare yours
◦ https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-
cover-letters/example-cvs
 Apply CV Checklists to make sure you are on
the right track

 Salutation: Dear (Specific Name) or Dear
Committee Members of (Specific Firm)
 1st paragraph: mention how you learned
about the job
 Body: use the structure of the ad to guide
you in your discussion of your qualifications
 Final paragraph: offer to submit additional
information. Let them know how to meet
with you

40
◦ Cover letter is not a cut and paste of your resume. It must be
customized for each and every job you apply.
◦ Cover letters are short and usually must not be beyond one
page view of your email.
◦ Format – no fancy fonts, use around 3 paragraphs and not
more to convey your suitability for the position.
◦ Use bullet points and few highlighted words and phrases –
writing the usual cover letter with lots of paragraphs and
wordy explanation is boring – “everyone else does it and we
don’t have the time”.
◦ Always include the job title or ID as it appears in the job
description in the subject line of the email, you may also
include it in the main text.
◦ At the end of the letter write your full name and contact info.

 Good cover letter is interesting, compelling, focused
 Unique Selling Proposition
 Positioning makes a huge difference
 Find the lead – grab the reader’s attention from the
beginning.
 Demonstrate why you are the perfect employee and
why you are uniquely qualified for this position

43
Match Skills to Job Description Cover Letter
Job Description:
•Successful recruiting, hiring and on-boarding will be this position’s number one
priority.
•Develop and execute recruiting plans and also coordinate and implement college
recruiting activities.
•Perform day-to-day operations of the HR function and duties in employee relations,
training and development, executive administration and employment, employee safety,
workers compensation, welfare, wellness, maintenance of employee files and the HR
filing system, etc.
Requirements:
•Bachelor’s degree preferred; with 3+ years recruiting experience.
•Demonstrated proficiency in applicable computer software.
•Demonstrated excellence in customer/employee service; responds promptly to
employee needs; solicits employee feedback to improve service.
•Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communications.
Now match your skills and experience to the above job description responsibilities:

44
Dear Recruiter,
In response to the advertised position of Human Resources Specialist (Job ID: HR32459) on your website, I present to you
some strong reasons to validate my suitability for this position.
Please see how my skills and experience offer a good match to the job requirements:
•Bachelor’s degree preferred; with 3+ years recruiting experience.
I have a Masters in Human Resources Management and with 4 plus years of experience in a 400 employee firm, I
have diverse experience in recruiting, employee management and have contributed to developing college recruiting
programs.
•Demonstrated proficiency in applicable computer software.
I am proficient at PeopleSoft HR software – Human Resources, HCM Warehouse, HRMS Portal Pack, Employee
Benefits and Compensation Modules and UltiPro Recruitment, UltiPro Onboarding software applications. With 3 years of
expert level experience I also exhibit fast learning skills to get on speed with any new software.
•Demonstrated excellence in customer/employee service; responds promptly to employee needs; solicits employee
feedback to improve service.
I initiated a smart employee feedback process at my last employment which was very well accepted and resulted in
10% increase in employee retentionover a year (as compared to previous years). I sincerely value excellence in
employee and customer service and have implemented in every aspect of my job so far.
•Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communications.
I have strong communications and writing skills. In my last employment I worked with the HR director in revising the
new edition of the HR manual and Employee Handbook for year 2010. Please find some writing samples links in my
LinkedIn profile.
I hope you are satisfied with the skills match I bring to this position and my resume (attached here in PDF format) would
highlight other abilities to present my suitability to this position.
I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to speaking with you further about my qualifications. You may
reach me at (123) 456 7890 or email me.
Sincerely,
ABC XYZ
LinkedIn profile: http://linkedin.com/abcxyz
Ph: (123) 456 7890

45
 Outside Sales Rep
Our client, a fast-growing, Staten Island, NY-based software company has an opening
for an outside sales professional.
Requirements:
◦ A minimum of 3 years' outside business-to-business experience selling enterprise
software
◦ The ability to develop a list of prospects, build a pipeline of opportunities and close
business
◦ A proven background working within a quota and exceeding sales targets
◦ Ability to demonstrate software and manage a complex sales cycle
◦ Strong verbal and written communication skills
◦ Availability to travel at least 50%
◦ Bachelor's degree preferred
 Compensation:
◦ Competitive base salary plus commission and company car.
◦ Average first year income $85K+.
◦ Full benefits
◦ Quarterly sales contests
 If you are a true sales hunter and an energetic self-starter with the desire to
be part of a fast-growing software firm, submit your resume and cover letter
to Brandon Marks at BMarks@somedomain.com. Reference #28903888.

46
October 28, 2016
Re: Outside Sales Rep Opening (#28903888) advertised on Monster
Dear Mr. Marks:
Your client's need for a top-performing, results-proven outside sales "hunter" caught my attention -- the position is an
excellent match to my qualifications. As an award-winning technology and B2B sales specialist, I offer:
•Five years of outside B2B sales experience selling enterprise software solutions. In my current position as an
outside sales representative for XYZ Company, I sell their full suite of enterprise software solutions to businesses
throughout the northeast territory.
•Adept skills in prospecting, pipeline building and closing business. I am one of the top-ranked outside sales
professionals within the region (ranked #5) and the only B2B sales professional to earn top 10 placement while
launching a new territory. My ability to capitalize on new opportunities and close deals enabled me to build my account
portfolio from zero to 257 within one year.
•Proven success working within sales quotas, with a history of awarded recognition for delivering excellent revenue
results with minimal ramp-up time. I always meet and frequently exceed monthly quotas at XYZ, surpassing goals by
as much as 150%.
•Expert abilities in demonstrating software and managing complex sales cycles. I am equally successful
conducting presentations and demos for technical and nontechnical audiences, with a talent for translating technical
concepts into easily understood terms and powerful benefit statements.
•Persuasive communication skills, with strengths in responding to RFPs, negotiating deals and articulating the value-
added benefits of my represented solutions. I also possess a bachelor's degree in communications from New York
University.
•A strong network of business contacts throughout the NY metro region.
Currently a "road warrior" sales rep, I am comfortable and experienced with extensive travel. I would welcome the
chance to discuss this opening and ways in which I would contribute to your client's sales operation. My resume is
enclosed, and you may call me at 718-555-5555 or send an email to susanmills@somedomain.com to arrange an
interview. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Susan Mills

47
From: BLOCKED
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 1:14PM
To: BLOCKED
Subject: Summer Internship
Dear BLOCKED
My name is (BLOCKED) and I am an undergraduate finance student at (BLOCKED). I met you the
summer before last at Smith & Wollensky’s in New York when I was touring the east coast with my
uncle, (BLOCKED). I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to talk with me that night.
I am writing to inquire about a possible summer internship in your office. I am aware it is highly
unusual for undergraduates from average universities like (BLOCKED) to intern at (BLOCKED),
but nevertheless I was hoping you might make an exception. I am extremely interested in
investment banking and would love nothing more than to learn under your tutelage. I have no qualms
about fetching coffee, shining shoes or picking up laundry, and will work for next to nothing. In all
honesty, I just want to be around professionals in the industry and gain as much knowledge as I can.
I won’t waste your time inflating my credentials, throwing around exaggerated job titles, or
feeding you a line of crapp (sic) about how my past experiences and skill set align perfectly for an
investment banking internship. The truth is I have no unbelievably special skills or genius
eccentricities, but I do have a near perfect GPA and will work hard for you. I’ve interned for Merrill
Lynch in the Wealth Management Division and taken an investment banking class at (BLOCKED), for
whatever that is worth.
I am currently awaiting admission results for (BLOCKED) Masters of Science in Accountancy program,
which I would begin this fall if admitted. I am also planning on attending law school after my master’s
program, which we spoke about in New York. I apologize for the blunt nature of my letter, but I hope
you seriously consider taking me under your wing this summer. I have attached my resume for your
review. Feel free to call me at (BLOCKED) or email at (BLOCKED). Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
BLOCKED.

48
Checklist for your
Cover Letter
Please update and bring
your Cover Letter to your
next seminar!
We will have a Cover Letter
clinic in our next seminar.

 Do multiple re-drafts.
 Writing style matters – edit and reduce.
 Have several people (both professors and
colleagues) review it before you submit your job
application.
 Solicit pre-submission reviews from colleagues
and authorities in the field.
 Pay close attention to spelling, grammar, and
punctuation
 Make sure references are comprehensive and
accurate
 Avoid careless mistakes
 Read and conform to job application instructions

Cover Letter Tips and Samples
Please study at home

53
Bad Example:
I have 10 years of experience in domestic and foreign procurement
in the consumer products sector.
Better fit:
My 10 years of procurement experience in the consumer products
sector, especially in sourcing goods from foreign counties, can be of
immense help with your expansion into Asian markets.
Bad:
I have excellent communication and team work skills.
Good:
In 2007, our CEO John Smith said my "dedication, attention to
detail, and strong communications skills with our Asian suppliers
were instrumental in helping us gain 15% in market share in that
region."

55
GOOD
Cover letter
Sample 1

56
GOOD
Cover letter
Sample 2

57
GOOD
Cover letter
Sample 3

61
 Please download and look at sample Cover
Letters on Module Blackboard (Seminars 2021
Section).
 See the ‘bad’ and ‘improved’ cover letter
sample (this was a real-life example)
 See good student coursework (Cover Letter
Matched Evidence)

62
Checklist for your
Cover Letter

63
 Choose your job advertisement and copy-paste
it at the top of your portfolio
 Update and customize your CV
 Update and customize your Cover Letter
 Add your CV and Cover Letter to your portfolio
 Both your CV and Cover Letter should
demonstrate a very good match for the job
requirements.

64
64
Michael Goldhaber, Wired

66
http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/06/this-guy-dressed-as-a-courier-to-hand-deliver-cv-disguised-as-a-box-of-doughnuts-6174378/
RESULT:
Landed about 10
interviews with creative
agencies

67
Read more at http://www.look.co.uk/list-for-life/work-life/cv-amazing-gq-intern-without-interview-33245#ZEcP6p8XZYfKMBUf.99
Instead of just
mirroring the style
of the magazine,
Sumukh turned his
CV into an actual
20-page magazine
complete with
features about his
accomplishments,
life and education.

Seminar Activity 1
Top 10 Employable Skills

 Looking at samples, come up with your own
evidence for each skill
 Think of specific examples/cases for skills you
have used in and outside classes
 Make your evidence rigorous and specific
 Try to incorporate numbers, the context, and your
role
 Write them down – take notes quickly

 Each team: Share your evidence with one another
 Discuss the following:
◦ 1. Is the evidence credible, rigorous and specific?
https://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/cv-and-cover-
letter/application-sample
2. Does evidence address context and specifics; such as questions of who,
what, where, when, why, how, how much
◦ 2. How can your friend improve the evidence?
◦ 3. Compare and contrast your evidence

Seminar Activity 2
Evidence Table for Self Directed
Learning

77
 Listen to Desert Island Discs Episodes
 Watch TED Talks
 Read biographies of Time 100 People
 Draw inspiration/learning/lessons from
diverse experiences/walks of life
◦ Books, theatre, sports, computer games, movies, TV series,
music, stand-up comedies...
◦ Think about your interests and hobbies that you can draw
inspiration from (foreign languages, graffiti, sailing, Tai chi,
dancing, hiking etc.)
◦ Things that you love, such as the world of chocolate, coffee,
pets, crime novels etc.

78
Week Self-Directed
Learning Activity
(i.e. what you did)
Learning/Inspiration/Lesson drawn
1 Listened to
Desert Island
Discs episode
of Dame Zaha
Hadid
I reflected on the critical importance of courage to shake up
traditional practices and concepts of architecture through fluid and
futuristic thinking. Zaha Hadid was one of the most celebrated
architects in the world in a field dominated by men. Her triumph
was to turn the beautiful graphic visions of her sculptural approach
into reality. This is due to her rare courage, conviction, tenacity and
a free creative spirit – all qualities that I find extremely valuable in
my future career. I am inspired to learn more about the unique life
and career of this remarkable woman.
2 Listened to
Desert Island
Discs episode
of Cath Kidston
Known for her floral designs combining the vintage and the
modern, Cath Kidston achieved amazing business success with her
business and brand worth £50 million and 100 shops worldwide.
Japanese are crazy about the brand calling it ‘kawaii’ (cute), a
celebration of cheerfulness. I find it a remarkable success story
based on finding this universal appeal of ‘cheering people up’
through practical design. Listening to her story, including the
obstacles and her vulnerable feelings during growing up her
business, was refreshing and gave me hope. Like her, perhaps I can
nourish my entrepreneurial side one day – all it requires is the
courage and readiness to experiment/fail along with a niche
business idea/solution that makes cheers up people.

79
Week Self-Directed
Learning Activity
(i.e. what you did)
3 Watched TED
Talk of
Benjamin
Zander titled:
“The
transformative
power of
classical music”
Benjamin Zander is not only the conductor of the Boston
Philharmonic; but also an excellent educator and trainer who is
passionate about classical music. In this talk, he shared valuable
insights and lessons about leadership through his passion of
classical music. He started with the story of the two salesmen who
went down to Africa in the 1900s if there was any opportunity to
sell shoes. They wrote telegrams back to Manchester. One of them
wrote, "Situation hopeless. Stop. They don't wear shoes." The other
one wrote, "Glorious opportunity. They don't have any shoes yet”.
He used music to help people open up their minds, create joyful
harmonies, and bring out the best in people. I was deeply inspired
by his energy and enthusiasm – there is a lot to learn from him
about ‘The Art of Possibility’ – I will read his book with this title to
continue my journey or inspiration.
4 Watched TED
Talk of Elizabeth
Gilbert titled:
“Your elusive
creative genius”
Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk was one of the most interesting and
inspiring TED Talks I have watched. In this talk, she mused on the
impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses. Success is
not about the Eureka moments or a single flash of insight that
magically transforms our mediocrity into genius. There is no such
thing. Instead, we need to focus on showing up and working hard
(the good old-fashioned hard work) in order to be creative.
Persistently doing our job in the best way is the single most critical
success factor.

80
Week Self-Directed
Learning Activity
(i.e. what you did)
5-6 Read sections
from the best
selling
business book
titled ‘Give and
Take’ by Adam
Grant
Wharton’s young wonder professor Adam Grant’s best selling
classic gave me empirical insights on why generosity at work
continues to be more effective than selfishness in the long term.
Grant classifies the motivations of successful entrepreneurs and
leaders into three: People who give, take, and match. Grant
explains through his research how those who succeed in the long
run are givers. It was refreshing and exciting to read how givers are
not weak and naïve; but become very successful for the long run. I
have learned about strategies to be more generous and how giving
makes us both more fulfilled and more successful at work.
7-8-9 Read the book
titled “Watching
the English:
The Hidden
Rules of English
Behaviour” by
Kate Fox.
This book was one of the most interesting anthropology books I
have ever read. English anthropologist Kate Fox explores the
quirkiness of Englishness, English people, their strange habits, and
their foibles through everyday moments and examples from British
life. Fox illustrates how this complex set of unspoken rules and
codes of behaviour govern everyday dynamics and behaviours in
the UK; such as pub etiquette or weather-speak. As an outsider to
British culture, I had great fun in reading these (funny and satirical)
observations that capture the heart of Englishness.

81
Week Self-Directed
Learning Activity
(i.e. what you did)
10 Watched Matt
Damon’s movie
“The Martian”
In this inspiring movie, Mark Wattney accidentally gets stranded on
Mars during an emergency evacuation. With the communications
antenna break down, he has no way of letting NASA know that he
has survived. The next manned mission to Mars is in four years and
will land 3200km away. His food supplies will only last a third of
that time, and he’s on a barren, waterless planet with no
atmosphere or oxygen. Even though his situation is hopeless, he
never stops trying, hoping, and working hard. The movie is a
masterclass in perseverance and creative solutions; such as the
famous “Martian potatoes”.
11-12 Binge-watched
the classic
British drama
“Downton
Abbey”
Although I watched this classic period drama for a lot of hours (one
of my guilty pleasures), I think it was a worthy investment due to its
timeless lessons on humility, hope, honesty, kindness, and
perseverance. Narrating the adventures of the aristocratic Crawley
family and the servants who work for them throughout the 1920s,
Downton Abbey taught me numerous life lessons including how life
can be abrupt and fragile, how you need to hang in there in the
face of obstacles, how the world keeps changing in a scary way and
how you need to adapt continuously, how it is important to create
fond memories with loved ones and family members, and how
honesty and dedication to duty are increases one’s self-worth and
others’ respect.

82
 Events you attended during Employability Week
 Conferences and networking events you have participated in
 Inside Business Seminar/Talk series
 Music concerts or festivals that you have attended and been inspired
by
 Sports events that you have watched (you might draw lessons on
team work etc.)
 Theatrical plays you have attended
 Art galleries and arts-based events you have attended
 Trips that you might have organized and lessons learned during
these trips
 Different organizational contexts that you observed (e.g. hospitals
or charities)
 Lessons learned during roles you have undertaken as a volunteer in
NGOs or student societies

84
 Try to borrow from your experiences in the last 4-5 months (during
the course of this module)
 Come up with 12 activities in total.
 Try to diversify the SDL domains you are borrowing from (Desert
Island Discs, TED Talks, movies, books, various
hobbies/interests/life experiences)
 Write about life and career lessons that you can draw from diverse
walks of life – remember that everything can signify a learning
opportunity.
 Try to choose aspects/domains of life that you are passionate about

 Come up with ideas for your SDL Evidence Table
 Complete the SDL activities you can think of now
◦ What are the range of different domains/segments that
you draw your learning, lessons, and inspiration?
◦ How can you improve the range and quality of the
learning evidence?

 Choose the job that you will be applying for
 Attach the job advertisement
 Finalize your CV and Cover Letter
 Finalize your Top 10 Skills Evidence Table
 Finalize your “Evidence Table for Self-Directed
Learning Activities”
 You will attach them all to your coursework

How To Be More Employable

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