Question Details

Queries relating to the portfolio assignment should be referred to:

•	Ciara Elston, HRM Group Teaching Assistant: [email protected]

The portfolio is worth 25% of the total marks for the Introduction to HRM module and is assessed based on the completion of ALL of the elements detailed below. Marks will be deducted for each activity that is not completed, or for elements within an activity that are incomplete.


Part I: Career Management Skills Module: Identifying and Analysing Job Options

1.1	Identify and interviewtwosuccessful professionals in your area of interest (e.g. Marketing/ HR/ Finance/ Law/ IT). Collect information about their career path and the attributes and skills that make them successful in their career. You should include a written report that compare and contrast the profiles of the two persons interviewed. This section should be no more than one typed A4 page.

1.2	Compare the views of the two respondents on a selected HRM practice
Select one of the following three HRM practices:
-	Recruitment and selection 
-	Reward management
-	Employee voice
Define the selected HRM practice and identify two main alternative views on it based on the relevant literature. Collect information from the two respondents about their views on the selected HRM practice. Compare their viewsby analysing the empirical evidence provided by the two respondents. To what extent their views support the two alternative approaches identified in the literature? This section should be no more than one typed A4 page.

In addition, please include an appendix (at the end of the project) with all the questions that you have asked the two professionals and their answers. Ask up to 12 questions on the topics specified in Appendix 1.
Note: The failure to include the questions and answers in the appendix in your project will results in a 10% deduction of the grade for the entire project.


1.3	Explain why you would like to pursue a similar profession with the professionals interviewed byhighlighting six key attributes which would make you suitable. Please give supporting evidence of where you have demonstrated these skills. The information should be presented in a table as outlined below:

Skill	Example of an occasion when skill was demonstrated
	

Please note that you are expected to discuss your ability to work in team, based on your results from Belbin- SPI survey. 

Avoid the use of shorthand and include complete sentences when preparing this table.


1.4	Identify whether you would like to work within a Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) or a Multinational organisation.  You must also give reasons for your preference (200 words approx).




Part 2: What are My Options?

Please identify a job description for a position you would like to pursue as a summer internship, or following completion of your programme of study.Then, complete the following:

2.1	 Include the job specification/description for the position you wish to apply for as part of your portfolio.
2.2	 Prepare a 2 page CV &1 page Cover Letter for the above position. Both should be tailored to the job description.

The cover letter should incorporate the following:

•	Clearly identify the position applied for and state where you saw the position advertised.
•	Why you wish to apply for this position. What will be your biggest contribution in the role? 
•	Why are you interested in working for this company - relate your skills, experiences, DCU projects etc to the position applied for. 
•	Mention that you are including your CV for their review and indicate your availability for interview.

Please ensure that you format the cover letter correctly and include relevant addresses and the date.  The letter should also be addressed to a named individual.

2.3	Write a career action plan with four clearly identifiable objectives and outline how you propose to achieve them within a given timeframe. If you have identified skills gaps etc. which you need to improve on - please mention these here (300 words approx).

Note: To help you with this exercise you should research information relating to preparing applications, occupations, vacancies, employers and postgraduate study options through the recommended websites listed (see below).





Part 3: Reflection

Reflect on your experiences while preparing the personal portfolio. 

Once you have completed all of the exercises detailed above, you must write a report (500 words approx) in which you should reflect on what you have learned about yourself as a result of completing your portfolio.

*Students are strongly advised to read the chapter ‘The art of reflection’ in Cottrell, S. (2003) Skills for Success, Basingstoke: Palgrave.  Remember that simply describing a situation is not evidence of reflection.  Reflection is a challenging process that involves trying to make sense of experiences, standing back to gain a clearer perspective, striving for the truth about ourselves and opening up to learning and understanding at a deeper level.  Making judgments and drawing conclusions also forms an integral part of the process.

Remember, reflection will also be a vital component of completing your INTRA report. Please refer to guidelines http://www.dcu.ie/internal/intra/regs.pdf (pages 64 & 65)

Use the following pointers to guide your report:

•	Refer to the insights (expected and unexpected) that the exercises gave you about career options available and yourcareer aspirations.  
•	Detail how you think the exercises will help you to better plan your future personal and career development goals.  
•	Identifying your skills (strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement). Did you discover anything new about strengths/weaknesses/challenges? If so, how are you going to use this information to assist you make better career decisions?
•	What did you learn from your results of the Belbin- SPI survey? To what extent has it helped you to work in a team/group?
•	Refer to researching and reviewing career options and your decision-making process in relation to career choices. With hindsight, are you very happy with your chosen career specialism (HRM/Marketing/Finance/E-Commerce/Law).  Are you still unsure about what area of business you would like to pursue as a career? How will this information assist you in shaping your future career choices?
•	What strategies you will apply to achieve your career goals over the coming year. Regarding this assignment, did your input on this occasion differ from other similar projects/assignments, if so why?
•	Did you seek advice/guidance from others and if so, in what way?
•	Is there any area of your input/performance that needs to be improved upon?
•	Overall, what did you learn from completing the careers component of your assignment for this module?









Project Format

•	The project should be typed using Times New Roman Font Size 12 and 1.5 spaced.  Pay good attention to referencing and presentation of your work.  

•	The assignment should include a full bibliography of the sources that you have referenced (this not included as part of the word count).  

•	Title Page: The title page should contain the following information: Title, student name and ID number, qualification and year, module title and lecturer name and word count.  You must also include a signed declaration form confirming that the project is written in your own words. 



Submission Date

•	Projects should be placed in the project box on the first floor of the Business School before 4pm on Monday, November 14th (Week 8). 

Note: Assignmentssubmitted latewill NOT be accepted, except if there are extenuating circumstances

Plagiarism

Please note that plagiarism is a very serious offence.  Any instances will be immediately referred to the University Disciplinary Committee.   If you are unsure of how to reference material, you should equip yourself with a copy of the Library Citing & Referencing Guide.  This is available to consult and to purchase (€4) and should be your starting point for any project.  If you are unsure about what constitutes plagiarism, please read the guidelines posted on Moodle.  You should also familiarise yourself with the University- Regulations on Plagiarism, Copying and Collusion which can be found on the Registry website.

DCUBS uses a software tool called Turnitin to identify cases of plagiarism in coursework.  Prior to your final submission, you are required to submit your group project to the Turnitin website,www.turnitin.com, which will confirm the originality of your work.  This should only be done once.Projects that fail to undergo the originality test through Turnitin will not be accepted.


To submit your project for originality verification:

•	Upload your project into Moodle (HR201 Module) in the folder ‘Portfolio’ 
•	Click on ‘Submit’
•	Enter a title for your project
•	Click on the ‘Browse’ button to find your document
•	Click ‘Submit’ - this will display your document
•	Confirm by clicking on ‘Yes, submit’
•	You should print out a copy of the digital receipt as proof of your submission and include this as an appendix
o	Write on this receipt the percentage indicated under the sub-head ‘Contents’ (Assignment Box). This shows the extent to which your paper matches other papers. It generally takes few minutes (5-10 minutes) after you upload the file for this percentage to be available (the program checks the originality of your paper during this time). Make sure that you write the correct percentage (we also have access to the originality report).


Recommended Careers Information on Occupations and Skills Required

Reading List:

•	Cottrell, S. (2003), Skills for Success, Basingstoke: Palgrave. 
•	Bolles, Richard N (2000 or 1999) What color is your parachute? : a practical manual for job-hunters & career-changers,Berkeley, California: Ten Speed

General Careers Websites

www.gradireland.comA one-stop shop providing careers information and key closing dates for vacancies.
www.careers4graduates.orgThis website will help you identify the skills and experience you have gained through your academic studies, achievements, extra-curricular activities, interests, personal life, sport, voluntary work and work experience.

www.dcu.ie/careers/
 The DCU Careers website provides useful information on where DCU graduates from your course are employed. 

www.careerdirections.ie Self-assessment exercises available to get a better understanding of yourself, your preferred work activities and the sort of careers, which might suit you.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Use_your_subject/p!efedL  Prospects is a comprehensive careers web site for graduates with detailed information on options with your degree subject. 

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/p!elmjXTo explore types of jobs in a chosen category

www.windmillsprogramme.com The Virtual Career Coach will show you how to manage your career by using the unique new Windmills Programme.

Details on Job Vacancies

Online newspapers e.g. The Irish Times (Fri)http://www.ireland.com&

The Irish Independent (Thurs/Sun) http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent

www.dcu.ie/students/careers/jobs/vacancies.php DCU Careers Service lists vacancies for:

www.fas.ie and www.irishjobs.ie



Information on Employers

www.kompass.ie Source of information on over 18,000 Irish (both Republic and Northern Ireland) industrial companies and services. Can be searched by company, product, trademark or location.

http://www.dcu.ie/~library/Eresources/databases-az.htm   Business Source Premier & Factfinder (Available on the DCU library website).

http://www.businessworld.ie/cd/Top1000/ The Irish Times Top 1,000 companies in Ireland

http://www.idaireland.com/home/index.aspx  Provides detailed information on international companies operating in Ireland. 

Information on Postgraduate Study

www.dcu.ie/prospective/postgraduate.shtml  The DCU website provides detailed information on postgraduate degrees
www.postgraduate.ie
www.postgradireland.com

Breakdown of Marks: Guidelines

Portfolio (out of 100%): 
	Part I: Identifying and Analysing Job Options(60%)
	Identify and interview two successful professionals in your area of interest (e.g. Marketing/ HR/ Finance/ Law/ IT) and write a report that compares their profiles.  
	Compare respondents’ views of a selected HRM practice.
	Explain why you would like to pursue a similar profession by highlighting six key attributes which would make you suitable 
	Identify whether you would like to work within a SME, large firm or MNCs 

	Part 2: What are My Options? (30%)
	Identify a job description for a position you would like to pursue (5%)
	Prepare a 2 page CV &1 page Cover Letter for the above position.
	Write a career action plan with four clearly identifiable objectives and outline how you propose to achieve them within a given timeframe. 

	Part 3: Reflection (10%)
	Write a report in which you should reflect on what you have learned about yourself as a result of completing your portfolio. 




Appendix1 - Topics for interview

Develop a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 10 -12 questions about the following three topics:  

1.	Education and skills

2.	Advice to get a successful career in the chosen profession.

3.	Select one of the following HR practices:
a.	Recruitment and selection process
Example of alternative views: Traditional versus e-recruitment 
b.	Reward management system
Example of alternative views: Standard pay versus individual performance related pay
c.	Employee voice
Example of alternative views: Individual involvement versus collective representation in decision making


Breakdown of Marks: Guidelines

Portfolio (out of 100%): 
	Part I: Identifying and Analysing Job Options (60%)
	Identify and interview two successful professionals in your area of interest (e.g. Marketing/ HR/ Finance/ Law/ IT) and write a report that compares their profiles.  
	Compare respondents’ views of a selected HRM practice.
	Explain why you would like to pursue a similar profession by highlighting six key attributes which would make you suitable 
	Identify whether you would like to work within a SME, large firm or MNCs 

	Part 2: What are My Options? (30%)
	Identify a job description for a position you would like to pursue (5%)
	Prepare a 2 page CV &1 page Cover Letter for the above position.
	Write a career action plan with four clearly identifiable objectives and outline how you propose to achieve them within a given timeframe. 

	Part 3: Reflection (10%)
	Write a report in which you should reflect on what you have learned about yourself as a result of completing your portfolio. 




Appendix 1 - Topics for interview

Develop a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 10 -12 questions about the following three topics:  

4.	Education and skills

5.	Advice to get a successful career in the chosen profession.

6.	Select one of the following HR practices:
a.	Recruitment and selection process
Example of alternative views: Traditional versus e-recruitment 
b.	Reward management system
Example of alternative views: Standard pay versus individual performance related pay
c.	Employee voice 
Example of alternative views: Individual involvement versus collective representation in decision making.

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