Question one
The specific occupation I was searching from the O*NET website is that of mental health counselors. It was relatively easy to find the occupation because of the clear instructions given by the website. The website has comprehensive information that can be used to lead the researcher to the occupation of interest without any problems. The steps given are also clear, and there can be no confusion because the options are well labeled. From the O*NET Online link, I traced the Next Move button, entered the occupation I needed (psychology), and then selected the browse button. There was a wide range of occupations related to psychology, and I selected the occupation that interests me, mental health psychology/ counseling.
The information provided on the mental health counseling occupation was very comprehensive touching on various aspects. There was a full report on the tasks that a mental health counselor must fulfill. The tasks are arranged in order of importance and are all relevant to the occupation. There was also information on the tools and technology that are necessary and are used in the occupation. The tools and technologies are all used to ensure proper examination of patients. Information about the knowledge an individual must possess to be a mental counselor was provided.
There was also full information on the abilities and skills as well as work responsibilities a mental psychologist must fulfill. The work contexts were also provided for easy understanding of the occupation. Finally, there was information on the job zone, education levels required, interests, work values and styles, wages and occupations related to mental health counseling.
Question Two
The occupations suggested by O*NET had different levels of matching with the skills I possess. I have good skills such as social perceptiveness, effective speaking, service orientation, active listening, good monitoring skills and persuasiveness. I also possess good skills in critical thinking, good decision making and judgment, solving complex problems and ability to read and comprehend. These skills matched with several other occupations such as teaching, industrial-organizational psychology, school and clinical psychology, counseling in marriage and family therapy among other occupations related to psychology. The skills I possess matched these occupations only that not all the skills I possess matched those needed for all occupations. However, with the close relationship between the different psychology occupations, I believe I could handle most of the occupations if I were required to work.
The occupation suggested matching my skills were all top job opportunities where only educated individuals qualify. The occupations were not scientific in nature because I have no scientific skills and knowledge. The occupations had common characteristics such as the work contexts, wages and employment trends and level of education. The work values also appear similar because they are all related to one another.
The occupation I selected, mental health counseling, is among those listed to match my skills and abilities. Therefore, this is a clear indication that O*NET searching tool demonstrates consistency and efficiency in matching skills and occupations. All the skills I possess were listed to match those of the skills needed for a mental health psychologist. This tool ranks different occupations based on the skills required to handle them.
Question Three
As a professional human resource manager, I would utilize O*NET as a tool in establishing the necessary skills, abilities, tasks, knowledge, tools and technology and work activities for every job. This will be helpful in linking the different jobs with the kind of abilities, skills and knowledge potential employees must possess. This will help in identifying the appropriate candidates to fill various occupations. Only people with the matching abilities, knowledge and skills should be selected to fill a vacancy because they will be the qualified individuals to handle the job.
HR professionals would also use the O*NET site to establish the work activities for every occupation and the work contexts. This helps the managers establish the roles and duties that a potential employee is supposed to fulfill. Therefore, job analysis would be made easy by the O*NET site because the necessary skills, abilities and knowledge are all outlined for every profession. The HR department will only need to link the occupation to each set of abilities, skills and knowledge. They will also be able to link every occupation with a set of work activities and work contexts in the job analysis process.
The data acquired from O*NET can be helpful in helping organizations identify appropriate potential employees. The organization can use the site to develop the qualifications of potential employees by identifying the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for the occupation in question. The organization can also establish a work plan where the responsibilities and work contexts for every occupation are defined. This will enable employees identify their roles.
Question Four
As director of human resources, I would advise my staff to utilize this site in establishing job analysis, definition of occupations, establishing wage brackets, establishing the relationship between different occupations and defining work roles for all occupations in an organization. This site has important information to help develop an efficient human resource system. The site contains information on the various requirements that potential employees must exhibit to work in a given capacity. The site gives information on the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities the employee must have to get a certain job. The site would be useful in job analysis because it defines and explains the different jobs and their requirements.
The site can also be used to develop the roles and duties of potential employees. For instance, the site provides information on various occupations, their work contexts and their work schedules. It creates a link between the skills, abilities and knowledge with the working contexts and duties. The site also shows the required levels of education for an individual to qualify to work in a given occupation. There are different working styles that can be used to ensure the employees work in line with the organization’s objectives. The HR department can use this site to set the occupational values for potential employees. The wage and employment trends help the HR department establish the amount of wages other employers do pay their employees and the number of employees one can employ to ensure they fulfill the necessary duties effectively.
References
O*NET ONLINE. (2013). Mental Health Counselors. Retrieved February 28, 2013, from O*NET ONLINE: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1014.00
