How is Work Described and Categorized?

Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)

The DOT is the best-known source of information about jobs and occupations in the United States.  Within the DOT, individuals can determine in which industry specific jobs are found, and the work activities and tasks of these jobs are defined and scored based on their relation to data (i.e., synthesizing), people (i.e., serving), and things (i.e., operating). The DOT organizes information into nine occupational divisions:

1. Professional, technical, and managerial occupations (i.e., engineer, attorney)
2. Clerical and sales occupations (i.e., receptionist, real estate agent)
3. Service occupations (i.e., bartender, janitor)
4. Agricultural, fishery, forestry, and related occupations (i.e., farmer, tree trimmer)
5. Processing occupations (i.e., butcher, bakery supervisor)
6. Machine trades occupations (i.e., machinist, auto mechanic)
7. Benchwork occupations (i.e., glass blower, sewing-machine operator)
8. Structural work occupations (i.e., welder, bricklayer)
9. Miscellaneous occupations (i.e., parking lot attendant, miner)

Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

O*Net will eventually replace the DOT once it is complete, due to its considerable improvement over its predecessor.  O*NET sets itself apart from the DOT in a number of ways:

• O*NET describes occupations in a more flexible manner (an electronic database; http://www.onetcenter.org), which is more easily accessible than the DOT
•  O*NET includes information not just on worker qualifications, but also allows for cross-occupational comparisons
• O*NET is easily searchable, given its electronic nature
• O*NET includes both narrative and numerical information, based on the level of specificity one desires

In addition to these improvements/differences, O*NET occupational data are organized into 6 domains:

1. Occupation Requirements (i.e., general work activities)
2. Occupation-specific Requirements (i.e., specific tasks carried out within the occupation)
3. Occupation Characteristics (i.e., wage information)
4. Worker Characteristics (i.e., abilities, interests, and work values)
5. Worker Requirements (i.e., general knowledge, basic skills)
6. Experience Requirements (i.e., training, licensure)