Find a Better Job. Michael Dolan
2 skills should have a vocabulary appropriate for understanding and expressing sophisticated subjects.
Science skills. These skills refer to knowledge of the physical or life sciences. Science skills at level 1 require an understanding of the principles of the physical and life sciences - biology, chemistry, geology, and physics - and are used by jewelers and surveyors. Level 2 science skills require an in-depth, theoretical knowledge of one or more of the physical and life sciences; chemists and meteorologists must have this skill level.
Computer skills. Computer skills refer to the ability to operate a computer and process data. Level 1 skills include the ability to use a computer to enter and manipulate data, make calculations, compose and print documents, access the Internet, or send electronic mail; administrative assistants and financial managers are among the occupations requiring this level of skill. Level 2 computer skills require a thorough understanding of computer hardware and software and how they interact. These skills are important for systems analysis and industrial production managers.
Artistic and creative skills. These are the ability to form ideas to solve problems, communicate information, or express feelings, thoughts, and emotions. At level 1, they include devising original ways of approaching an issue or making progress; level 1 skills are required of teachers and recreational therapists. Level 2 skills are useful for accomplishing projects and dealing with problems in new and unique ways. Architects and designers must have these skills.
Persuasive and interpersonal skills. These are skills that allow positive interaction between people and the ability to sway the actions, opinions, or beliefs of others. Occupations requiring persuasive and interpersonal skills usually involve frequent contact with the public. Level 1 skills include the ability to deal with others courteously and are required of physicians and bank tellers. Level 2 skills, important for lawyers and insurance agents, include the ability to sell products, ideas, or services convincingly.
Mechanical ability. Mechanical ability is an understanding of the relationship between moving parts. It involves knowledge of how objects connect and operate, as well as ability to diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical failures. At level 1, mechanical ability requires skill in working with tools to assemble or repair equipment or machinery and is needed by telephone installers and opticians. At level 2, important for millwrights and mechanical engineers, it requires the ability to design or modify equipment or machinery.
Leadership and managerial ability. This is the ability to direct and organize others to achieve common goals. Effective communication skills are also essential. Level ability, required of property managers and counselors, includes accepting responsibility for the work and actions of others. Level 2 ability includes motivating and inspiring others to achieve a common goal; education administrators and general managers require these skills.
Work Characteristics
The next 10 criteria classify occupations based on how frequently or to what degree certain occupational criteria prevail. At level 1, the condition is an important or occasional characteristic of the occupation or is partially met. At level 2, the responsibility or condition is an essential or frequent characteristic or is completely met. For characteristics common to most occupations, no criteria are noted below or on the table.
Travel between worksites. These occupations require workers to visit clients outside the worksite premises. Often, workers drive to serve clients, but some jobs require workers to use other forms of transit including pubic transportation. Occupations at level 1 involve occasional, but not constant, travel between worksites; examples are photographers and respiratory therapists. Occupations at level 2, involving frequent, daily travel between worksites, include messengers and elevator installers.
Overnight travel away from home. Some jobs require travel away from home that includes staying overnight in a hotel. Level 1 occupations, such as lawyers an management analysts, involved overnight travel occasionally - perhaps a few trips per month or less of not many days' duration. Level 2 occupations involve more frequent overnight travel, usually several trips a month for an extended number of days or even weeks. Actors and pilots have level 2 requirements.
Hazardous duties or conditions. Occupations having hazardous duties and conditions require adherence to safety procedures to avoid injury or harmful exposure. On-the-job injury rates in these occupations may be higher than in others if employees fail to stay alert and take precautionary measures. Level 1 occupations that involve a minor degree of hazard, such as exposure to chemicals or unsafe worksite conditions, include construction inspectors and upholsterers. Level 2 occupations with a major degree of hazard, involving potentially life-threatening situations, include correctional officers and firefighters.
Operates equipment or machinery. These occupations require daily operation of equipment, machinery, or motorized vehicles, such as cranes, tractors, and trucks, as well as saws, printing presses, and x-ray machines. Many of these occupations require workers to follow procedures to avoid property damage and personal injury. Occupations that require occasional operation of equipment or machinery, such as janitors and plumbers, are designated as level 1. Occupations requiring frequent operation, including carpenters and printing press operators, are designated level 2.
Outdoor work. Occupations involving outdoor work expose workers to the elements. Level 1 occupations involve occasional outdoor work but also require that some work be performed indoors; examples are private detectives and automotive mechanics. Level 2 occupations that require such work frequently, with most of the workday spent outside, include groundskeepers and roofers.
Irregular work schedule. These occupations have schedules outside the standard 9 - 5, Monday-through-Friday workweek. Irregular schedules include shift, weekend, split schedule, and seasonal work, as well as work requiring employees to be "on call". Level 1 occupations, such as stock clerks and real estate agents, have somewhat irregular schedules - in other words, their day may extend beyond a standard workday and include weekends. Level 2 occupations, usually found in businesses and industries that operate around the clock, have extremely irregular schedules; examples are nurses and hotel desk clerks.
Job stress or pressure. Stressful occupations involve either tremendous pressure to complete work on deadlines or concerns over safety or other work related issues. This broad category, ranging from customer service to health care, includes jobs that can cause great anxiety both during and after work. Occupations that involve a minor degree of stress require constant attention to detail for a variety of reasons and are designated as level 1; examples are social workers and flight attendants. Occupations involving a major degree of stress, such as having responsibility for a large number of people in potentially volatile situations, are designated as level 2. These include air traffic controllers and physicians.
Physically demanding. Occupations considered physically demanding may require material moving, lifting, and handling. Workers in physically demanding jobs may also be required to be on their feet for long periods or may need manual dexterity and precise movement. Level 1 occupations that require occasional lifting and movement include chiropractic and recreation work. Level 2 occupations, such as logging or stonemason occupations, require a considerable amount of heavy lifting or constant movement.
Economically sensitive. These occupations have historically prospered or suffered along with the economy. Occupations at level 1 are somewhat affected by the U.S. economy - that is, employment increases or decreases with the economy, but not markedly so. Occupations with level 1 characteristics include taxi drivers and travel agents. Employment in occupations at level 2, such as truck drivers and retail sales workers, grows or contracts with economic upturns and downturns to a much greater degree than at level 1.
Geographically concentrated. Occupations with this characteristic have an unusually high proportion of jobs concentrated in parts of the United States. Occupations with employment in a few States or regions, such as nuclear engineers and aircraft mechanics, are designated as level 1. Occupations with employment in a small number of States or regions, including water transportation workers and aerospace engineers, are designated as level 2 - a higher level of employment concentration.
Occupational Characteristics
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