Occupation – Types and Requirements
(Introduction to Jobhunting)

Definitions and Classification

There are many definitions of occupation. A Princeton University definition summarizes its meaning as “the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money”. The Nevada Workforce lists the three basic elements of an occupation defining it as “The unique set of tasks, skills, and abilities associated with a worker’s performing a particular job.”

The classification of occupations differs from country to country. The American Community Survey uses the occupational classification system developed for the 2000 census. This system consists of 509 specific occupational categories for employed people arranged into 23 major occupational groups (for details see http://www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/Def/Io.htm).

Types of Occupations

When you start job hunting, it is important to know the basic data: the types of occupations available, the demand for these occupations on a state and local level, the average of monthly salary, and the required educational and/or training level. When starting a training program in order to find a new occupation, or finishing your studies at a college, it is important to compare the different occupations and their requirements. If you have a skill which is needed to occupy the fastest growing occupations, you job search may be an easy one.

Largest and Fastest Growing Occupations

A useful table *Top 100: Fastest Growing Occupations* is edited and adapted for O’NET occupations by Jim Cassio in 2006 (see http://www.work-info.com/top100fastestgrowing.htm). The data are based on Bureau of Labour Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics and Employment Projections Programs. In the table the Top 100 O’NET Occupation titles are listed with the numbers of jobs in 2004 and the forecast for 2014. The data are compared and the change of job numbers is shown in percentage. You may find the exact data of low wages and high wages and the needed education/training level.

Jim Cassio edited and compiled another big table comparing and listing the Top 100 Largest Occupations. Arranging the occupations by the number of jobs, he lists data in 2004 and forecast for 2014 (http://www.work-info.com/top100largest.htm). The columns are the same as in the table mentioned above, including the low wages and high wages, the wage category and the needed educational/training level. (If you want to go into details, visit http://www.onetcenter.org/resData.html, the official website of O’NET Center.)