So Why Do I Want To Develop These Particular Transferable Skills?

As I mentioned in my personal development aims post, I listed various transferable skills which I aim to develop during my time on placement. I believe that developing core transferable skills will increase my employability, which is one of the primary aims of this 'careers in sport module'. Skills are defined as ‘any component of the job that involves doing something’ (Harrison, 2003:269), and include manual, diagnostic, interpersonal or decision-making skills. There is little doubt that employers and employers organisations are probably one of the best places to provide this work based training and experience, which in the past they did. However, organisations are becoming increasingly reluctant to invest in developing the transferable skills of graduates due to economic pressures and beliefs about the lack of commitment, (Jackson, 2010). Therefore higher education institutions are expected to fill the gap and produce work-ready employees. This is why it's important for me, as part of my employability development, to undergo a industry-based work placement in order to develop my transferable skills so i'm ready for the real world of work once graduated. Below are some justifications as to why its important to develop particular transferable skills in preparation for full time employment.

Good communication and confidence - From a study investigating into self-confidence within salespeople, carried out by Swan and Futrell (1978), the findings showed that self-confidence is considered to be an important personality characteristic in sales work. A lack of confidence makes it difficult to deal effectively with customers. Another result in the study found that the salesperson's self-confidence is related to perceptions of the clarity of performance standards, goals, and results. The results have suggested that if sales supervision could clarify job accomplishments, results expected, and priorities then the job satisfaction and job security of their salespeople could be increased. Therefore its important for me as a graduate to ensure that I'm confident in a future sports marketing role and convey a positive personality which will help towards company sales.In addition, looking at the importance of communication, according to Mintzberg (1973), communication has been the subject of several studies, and is clearly a key issue for marketers and managers in general. Mintzberg concludes that business people spend between 60 and 90% of their time communicating. Therefore its essential for myself to convey effective communication skills to different target markets and audiences during a sport marketing communication type role.

Reliable and dependable - According to Lister (n.d) dependability is an important quality for a worker to possess, because it enhances a wide variety of job performance categories. A dependable employee not only shows up for work on time everyday but also produces consistent work and can apply company policies and business strategies evenly to each task and assignment. Dependability can lead to job security, which is all too important in tough economic times.

Enthusiastic and motivated - According to Dr Ilicak Aydinalp (2012), employee's who have have a high motivation level will carry out marketing communication tasks in a more effective way, and therefore will provide a positive value in success of establishment within its sector. This contribution of an employees motivation levels is required to set systematically this strategic marketing tool in motion. Therefore its essential that I show good motivation and commitment to my future roles to ensure that the tasks are completed successful and to a high standard.

In addition, according to Pegg, et al. (2012), it's important that I develop my creativity, organisation skills and time management, and develop my ability to use new technologies, as these are particular transferable skills which employers expect graduates to portray once applying for full time work.

References:

Dr Ilicak Aydinalp, S.G.. (2012). The effects of motivation on marketing communication: The example of public relations and communication specialists who work in five-star hotels. International Conference on Communication, Media, Technology and Design, p414.

Jackson, D. 2010. An international profile of industry-relevant competencies and skill gaps in modern graduates. International Journal of Management Education, 8 (3) p29–58.

Harrison, R. 2003. Learning and development. Trowbridge: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Lister, J. (n.d.). Why Is Dependability Important for a Person to Have in the Workplace?. Available: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/dependability-important-person-workplace-15463.html. Last accessed 3rd February 2015.

Mintzberg, H. (1973), The Nature of Managerial Work, NY, Harper & Row.

Pegg, A., Waldock, J., Hendy-Isaac, S., Lawton, R. (2012). Pedagogy for employability.Available: https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/pedagogy_for_employability_update_2012.pdf. Last accessed 4th February 2015.

Swan, J.D., Futrell, C.M. (1978). Does clear communication relate do job sanctification and self-confidence among salespeople?. The Journal of Business Communication. 15 (4), p40.