The Occupational Outlook Handbook
The occupational outlook handbook is one of the best guides for job seekers because it contains detailed statistics on hundreds of jobs that employ the vast majority of people in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is part of the US Department of Labor, has this handbook. The information provided is extensive, delving into the duties and responsibilities presented by specific occupation, the minimum requirements for that specific job, the training a prospective job seeker will need to qualify for the job, the work environment, the amount of remuneration provided for that job, and finally the job outlook in the coming decade(Gore and Jorie 383). All these information allows a job seeker to critically analyze and judge the viability of the occupation they are seeking. Additionally, it can be of benefit to students in deciding the career paths that would suit them and ones that would remain relevant in the coming years. Each profile present within the occupational outlook handbook is arranged within a standard format that allows one to easily compare between different occupations.
Nature of work
The occupational outlook handbook provides career planners and jobseekers with the typical workplace conditions, the expected physical activity level, the people one would be required to associate with, the work schedule and the work setting. This section highlights typically what will be expected of the worker within a particular occupation. For instance, it highlights if the job will require the employee to travel and if so the frequency of the travel. That notwithstanding this section delves to provide a description of the workplace and the safety of the workplace. For instance, it highlights if the workplace is hazardous such as a commercial fishing boat or safe like in most office settings. If the work environment is hazardous then the section will elaborate on the type of equipment the employee would be required to wear to protect them against exposure to harmful conditions or protection against accidents. Information in this section provides a typical work schedule of workers working in this occupation. In specific, it notes whether the majority are employed on part-time or a full-time basis. That notwithstanding it may provide the time of day and duration one would be expected to work. This is important as some occupations may require one to work during the weekends while some are seasonal such as agricultural jobs.
Entry requirement
In this section, a description of the education that workers will require to work in a particular occupation is provided. Some occupations don't need one to have formal education whereas others need one to have for instance a degree or doctoral level achievement. This section additionally describes the minimum workplace that a worker will be required to have prior to joining a particular occupation. For instance, many occupations require a worker to have at least some particular years of experience in a particular field (Hacker 34). The entry requirement can also provide a description of the training that may be required to ensure one is certified to be part of a particular occupation. The training may include both classroom and practical training that workers may need to undertake before they are hired. Finally some occupations such piloting requires the workers to have attained some licenses before they are hired and even promoted to the next level. Licenses are meant to ensure that an individual has attained a specific legal requirement.
Rewards and benefits
In this section, there is an in-depth description of the median wage for workers in that particular occupation. In specific wages are categorized in terms of the median wage of 10% of the best-paid workers and 10% of least paid workers in that field. Some occupations are commission based therefore the sections will provide a typical commission range of workers in a particular occupation. A detailed analysis of the leave days and sick days is highlighted as there are some occupations that require one to work during the holiday seasons while others throughout the year (Handbook, Occupational Outlook 22). The maternal and paternal leaves are also stipulated and are within the set time duration provided by the constitution. Some occupations are hazardous compared to others, therefore, a detailed analysis of the insurance coverage is provided. Other rewards and benefits that are part of this section may include the bonuses, the stock shares, psychological rewards, tuition reimbursement and price discounts on certain services and products.
Outlook for the job
This section outlines the future projections of the occupation in the years to come. In specific it provides a chart representation of the occupation's growth or decline rate in comparison with other occupations. Factors that are likely to affect the occupation's future prospects are provided. Some of these factors may include changes in demographics, technology, and business practices. It is important to note that based on the current changing business landscape propelled with the advent of new technologies, new trends that would likely influence the occupation are highlighted. The information provided in this section may help a job seeker to map their career paths based on the future opportunities that their occupations may provide.
Works Cited
Gore, P. A., and Jorie L. Hitch. “Occupational classification and sources of occupational information.” Career development and counseling. Putting theory and research to work (2005): 382-413.
Hacker, Andrew. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: 2014-2015.” (2015): 33-35.
Handbook, Occupational Outlook. “2017 ed., United States, Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Dec. 2015.” (2016).
