Assessing Professional Development

Determining the areas you need to develop to grow as a professional

Nov 30, 2006
Joni Rose

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Are you not sure how to spend your professional development funds? Do you know you need to take courses but you aren't sure which ones to take? Try this assessment quiz

Take the following professional development assessment quiz to help you determine the areas that you need to develop as a professional.

Rate each of the following using the following scale:

1 = My performance in this area is poor

2 = My performance in this area is below average

3 = My performance in this area is average

4 = My performance in this area is above average

5 = My performance in this area is excellent

PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE/MARKETING

When talking to potential clients/customers, I am confident answering any of their questions about the products/services our company/organization promotes.
I have kept on top of new developments/advances from our suppliers or in the industry in general such as new technologies.
I am aware of the challenges to our product/service delivery as I have spent time being part of or monitoring the front line i.e. direct contact with the target market.

TIME MANAGEMENT/ORGANIZATION

My projects are consistently completed early i.e. before deadline.
Papers are filed so that I can retrieve them with ease.
I keep a “to do” list of tasks that I update daily.
I consistently record any appointments or time sensitive tasks on one calendar.
My reports are thorough and give my boss the information he/she needs to maintain a good relationship with upper management.

OFFICE & TECHNICAL SKILLS

My typing speed is above 40 wpm.
I am an intermediate to advance user of (to test your technical skills, click here http://joni-rose.suite101.com/TechnicalTraining-a642):

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS/COMMUNICATION

I am not the topic of political discussions within the company.
I rarely have misunderstandings due to my communication style.
I give clear, concise directions that are evident by the accurate completion of the tasks I assign.
My written work is free from typos or spelling/grammatical errors.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

My projects are consistently completed under budget.
I can account for all of the money I spend in the course of business.
My financial decisions have saved the company money.
My budgets are well documented and easy to follow.

LEADERSHIP (if applicable)

My team is motivated and committed to the company and departmental strategic goals.
The turn over of staff (voluntary and involuntary terminations, sick/stress leaves, etc.) in my department is very low.
My department is a model of good team work and collaboration.
My latest 360 degree feedback demonstrated to upper management that I am a top leader in the company.

Look at your scores. Are there areas that you are scoring 3's or less on more than half of the statements? These are the areas that need your attention and professional development funds.