In-depth research of your nominated job title
Once you have decided on a short-list of jobs, you can do more in-depth research by going to the following websites:
(1) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
While they are U.S. websites, they contain valuable information that will give you great insights about jobs or occupation.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the U.S. economy.
As an independent statistical agency, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides products and services that are accurate, objective, relevant, timely, and accessible.
Go to https://www.bls.gov/ooh/, as shown in the diagram below.
If you want to find out more about being an “accountant”, insert in that job title in the search box and select “Go”. The detailed results are shown in the diagram below.
What you are looking for is the “Job Outlook”. Detailed outlook information up to 2028 will be presented, as shown in the diagram below.
For more projections for all jobs in the database, go to https://data.bls.gov/projections/occupationProj
O-Net resource center
The O*NET Resource Center is the U.S.’s primary source of occupational information. It contains hundreds of standardised and occupation-specific descriptors on almost 1,000 occupations covering the entire U.S. economy.
Valid data are essential to understanding the rapidly changing nature of work and how it impacts the workforce. It helps people find the training and jobs they need, and employers the skilled workers necessary to be competitive in the marketplace.
Go to https://www.onetonline.org/, as shown in the diagram below.
If you want to be an “accountant” (https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2011.01#Tasks), you can find out up-to-date information on the following categories, as shown in the diagram below:
(1) Tasks are specific work activities that can be unique for each occupation.
(2) Technology skills provide examples of software that workers may use at work.
(3) Tools used provide information on machines, equipment, and tools that workers may use at work.
(4) Knowledge is organised sets of principles and facts that apply to a wide range of work situations.
(5) Skills are developed capacities that facilitate learning and performance of activities that occur across jobs.
(6) Abilities are enduring attributes of an individual that influence performance.
(7) Work activities summarise the kinds of tasks that may be performed across multiple occupations.
(8) Detailed work activities provide information on the common work activities required across occupations that are less specific than tasks.
(9) Work context refers to physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.
(10) Occupations with similar experience, education, and training requirements are grouped into one of the five job zones.
(11) Summary data on the level of education required for this occupation.
(12) Credentials include relevant training programs, certifications, licenses, and registered apprenticeships.
(13) Interests indicate a person’s preferences for work environments and outcomes.
(14) Work styles are personal characteristics that can affect how well someone does a job.
(15) Work values are global aspects of work that are important to a person’s satisfaction.
(16) Related occupations are for individuals looking to change careers with minimal additional preparation.
(17) Wages and employment are summary of national wage and employment data.
(18) Job openings list potential job opportunities.
(19) Selected sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and industries.
You can either select “Summary” or “Details” to display the required information.
What others are asking about your preferred occupation?
Another valuable tool that I will use is Answer The Public.
This tool provides a simple visualisation of the job of interest. It helps you understand what kind of questions people are asking on the Internet that is related to your chosen search terms, as shown in the diagram below.
You may even come across questions that you have not considered.
Talking to a human
After doing all your desktop research, it is now time to talk to humans.
You should verify the information that you have gathered by talking with someone about it. You can playback some of your findings.
By talking to at least five people who are working in your chosen occupation, you can:
(1) Verify or validate your desktop research and due diligence.
(2) Meet people and network with them.
(3) Appreciate the struggles and challenges of people already performing the job.
(4) Obtain practical career guidance and advice.
(5) Understand the career potential over the next five years.
Studies have shown that there are a lot of unhappy workers in workplaces. Throughout your validation process with humans, beware that people will naturally discourage you from taking up their occupation because of their unhappiness in their current workplace.
But there is no such thing as a perfect job.
Your task is to conduct the necessary fieldwork with real people using the information already gathered through your desktop research.
Go into an occupation with your eyes open rather than closed!