Review of Professional Identity and Practice — HR Assistant

Unit 17: Professional Identity and Practice

Review of Professional Identity and Practice: Assignment Brief

Assignment Brief

Important Dates

Assignment 1

Submission Format: Report format, two tasks. Concise, with headings, paragraphs and sub-sections. Harvard referencing required. Task one: 1,000–1,500 words. Task two: 750–1,000 words. No penalty for exceeding word limit.

Learning Outcomes:

• LO1. Explore the importance of on-going professional development and self-directed learning to enhance professional identity and career opportunities.
• LO2. Assess own skills, competences and the different learning and development approaches.

Vocational Scenario: You have recently joined the Human Resources Department of a large upscale hotel as an HR Assistant. The hotel is focused on improving staff retention, service quality and internal career progression, and your line manager has asked you to prepare a report on how ongoing professional development and self-directed learning can strengthen organisational performance and your own professional identity in hospitality.

Task One

1. Examine the key benefits of ongoing professional development for different stakeholders within your chosen hospitality organisation.
2. Investigate employer expectations of professional skills and competences for the role of HR Assistant.
3. Evaluate the importance of ongoing professional development and associated skill requirements.

Task Two

1. Assess your own current abilities, skills and competences in relation to the role of HR Assistant.
2. Review a range of learning theories and development approaches.
3. Evaluate your own skills/competences and identify appropriate development approaches.
4. Critically evaluate your own skills and competences against employer expectations.

Assignment 2

Submission Format:

• Task One: Structured development plan report (750–1,000 words)
• Task Two: Role play interview with supported notes (750–1,000 words)

Learning Outcomes:

• LO3 Design a professional development plan, within a specific work context
• LO4 Demonstrate a range of service industry and transferable skills for a job application

Vocational Scenario — Task One: Prepare a structured professional development plan to grow in the HR Assistant role.

Vocational Scenario — Task Two: Participate in a mock selection process role-play interview and develop reflective notes.

Task One Activities

1. Construct a development plan to enhance selected skills/competences.
2. Provide a detailed development plan applying underpinning theory.
3. Produce a comprehensive plan with SMART targets, strategies, support, monitoring, and outcomes.

Task Two Activities

1. Undertake a job interview for HR Assistant (or agreed role).
2. Review key strengths and weaknesses based on the interview.
3. Evaluate the interview process and challenges to overcome.
4. Produce a detailed critical reflection.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Recommended Resources

Textbooks:

• Cottrell, S. (2021) Skills for Success: Personal Development and Employability. 4th Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Loon, M. (2016) Professional Practice in Learning and Development; How to Design and Deliver Plans for the Workplace. London: Kogan Page.
• Scheele, P. and Bech-Anderson, N. (2023) 12 Universal Skills: The Beginner's Guide to a Successful Work Life. Independently published.