About This Career

Applies 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.

This career is part of the Human Services cluster Counseling and Mental Health Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Provides advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
• Develops and implements employee selection or placement programs.
• Develops interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
• Analyzes data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
• Observes and interviews workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
• Facilitates organizational development and change.
• Analyzes job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions.
• Advises management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Conducts presentations on research findings for clients or at research meetings.
• Coaches senior executives and managers on leadership and performance.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Weekend work