Tell us about IoIC’s new career development tools.
The IoIC Profession Map describes the key knowledge, skills and behaviours required to achieve our core purpose – to help people feel informed, connected and purposeful at work in order to drive organisational performance and contribute to good working lives.
The new online tool will enable members to assess their knowledge and skills against the Profession Map – helping them to identify gaps and supporting them to plan and focus their professional development.
There’ll be a tool for each level of the Profession Map so members can choose the level they’d like to assess themselves against. The IC Diagnostic tool will be hosted on a Careers Hub, which will give members a wealth of professional and career development content and support, including career assessments, e-learning, articles, coaching, CV/interview tools and career management and self-development pathways.
How will it work?
Members will be asked to rate their confidence against a set of statements covering all six Profession Areas. The statements will be accompanied by “hints” to provide additional context and to help them with their self-assessment.
Upon completion, members get a report showing their stronger and weaker areas, with recommendations for focusing their CPD. They’ll also have access to a learning programme signposting relevant resources and learning to help them get started.
What are your tips for using the IC Diagnostic tool?
Try to be as honest as possible when self-assessing. Take your time and use the hints to help with your responses.
Use the learning programme as a starting point, exploring other CPD opportunities based on your report, and use My CPD to track and log your learning.
And take an IC diagnostic every six-months to track your progress and keep you motivated.
Why is this a valuable tool for internal comms professionals?
The IC Diagnostic tool is designed to make it easier for members to take charge of their career development, enabling them to assess their current skills, knowledge and experience, set development goals, track progress, and achieve their professional ambitions.
The tools have also been mapped against IoIC membership grades meaning members can use the diagnostics to work towards membership progression.
Why has IoIC launched this?
We’re launching this as part of our 2024-26 Strategy Plan, through which we aim to lead the way in advocating effective communication and enabling the highest standards of practice.
The IC Diagnostic tool and Careers Hub will help us to champion professional standards by enabling members to more effectively use the Profession Map to guide their individual development and build skilled and confident IC functions.
This has also grown out of feedback from our members who join us largely to help develop their knowledge and skills.
Why is it important for IC pros to self-assess themselves?
Self-assessment enables individuals to consider where they are currently, where they would like to be and what they need to do in order to get there.
The process of self-assessment can help IC professionals identify areas for improvement, develop a reflective and questioning attitude, think critically, discover strengths and cultivate confidence.
There are of course limitations to self-assessment and many of us find it hard to reflect upon ourselves and our own practice - but like anything else practice and application can optimise our abilities, and developing a reflective mindset through self-assessment can support us to continuously improve, progress our practice and nurture our self-belief.
