Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

What the job really is

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-3032
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
• Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
• Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
• Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
• Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
• Facilitate organizational development and change.
• Analyze job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions.
• Advise management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Conduct presentations on research findings for clients or at research meetings.
• Coach senior executives and managers on leadership and performance.
• Conduct individual assessments, including interpreting measures and providing feedback for selection, placement, or promotion.
• Train clients to administer human resources functions, including testing, selection, and performance management.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Google Sheets, Hypertext markup language HTML, IBM SPSS Statistics, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Word

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Training and Development Managers
• Training and Development Specialists
• Management Analysts
• Human Resources Managers
• Human Resources Specialists
• Instructional Coordinators
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
• Social and Community Service Managers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Industrial-Organizational Psychologists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.