Occupation Details
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
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.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$50,410.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$80,950.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$110,070.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
20,640
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
23,440
+280 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,850
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Psychologist
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
- Personal computers
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Assessment Systems Corporation XCALIBRE
- Google Sheets
- Human resource information system (HRIS)
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Mentimeter
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
- Muthen & Muthen Mplus
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- develop wage systems for workers
- develop staff policies
- prepare reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- develop records management system
- prepare reports for management
- develop management control systems
- assess staff or applicant skill levels
- develop staffing plan
- establish recruiting procedures
- improve methods for worker selection or promotion
- develop job evaluation programs
- establish employee performance standards
- evaluate performance of employees or contract personnel
- monitor consumer or marketing trends
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs
- compile numerical or statistical data
- develop tables depicting data
- categorize occupational, educational, or employment information
- develop new products based on scientific research results
- create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
- develop psychological tests, rating scales, or related material
- develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
- develop marketing strategy
- develop pricing strategy
- write research or project grant proposals
- write business project or bid proposals
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- develop plans for programs or projects
- convert information into instructional program
- develop instructional materials
- write employee orientation or training materials
- plan training procedures
- identify training needs
- develop training programs
- organize training procedure manuals
- develop course or training objectives
- develop training evaluation procedures
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
- follow confidentiality procedures
- use current social research
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use interviewing procedures
- use motivational techniques in education
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use product knowledge to market goods
- use scientific research methodology
- maintain awareness of social trends
- use conflict resolution techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of employee classification system
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use marketing techniques
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use project management techniques
- use quantitative research methods
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- recognize interrelationships among individuals or social groups
- recognize interrelationships among social statistics or indicators
- understand government labor or employment regulations
- plan surveys of specified group or area
- plan study of work problems or procedures
- plan scientific research or investigative studies
- confer with research personnel
- consult with managerial or supervisory personnel
- advise clients or customers
- provide expert testimony on research results
- advise management or labor union officials on labor relation issues
- work with management or employees to improve organizational system
- recommend further study or action based on research data
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- evaluate personnel benefits policies
- identify potential markets
- evaluate training materials
- explain complex mathematical information
- interpret charts or tables for social or economic research
- interpret psychological test results
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- present information on human resource management issues
- interpret ability or achievement test results
- communicate technical information
- make presentations
- confer with managers, instructors, or customer representatives
- confer with scientists
- compile information through interviews
- analyze psychological testing data
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- analyze operational or management reports or records
- analyze sales activities or trends
- perform statistical modeling
- use psychological assessment tools
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- conduct market research
- evaluate management programs
- analyze social or economic data
- evaluate training programs or instructors
- analyze data to identify personnel problems
- analyze market or delivery systems
- conduct organizational studies
- analyze organizational operating practices or procedures
- conduct survey research of specified populations
- forecast or predict phenomena based upon research data
- decide which psychological tests to administer to clients
- work as a team member
- collect scientific or technical data
- assist with business or managerial research
- collect statistical data
- collect social or personal information
- obtain information from individuals
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Formulate and implement training programs, applying principles of learning and individual differences.
- Participate in mediation and dispute resolution.
- Conduct research studies of physical work environments, organizational structures, communication systems, group interactions, morale, or motivation to assess organizational functioning.
- Conduct presentations on research findings for clients or at research meetings.
- Provide expert testimony in employment lawsuits.
- Study consumers' reactions to new products and package designs, and to advertising efforts, using surveys and tests.
- Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
- Review research literature to remain current on psychological science issues.
- Conduct individual assessments, including interpreting measures and providing feedback for selection, placement, or promotion.
- Write articles, white papers, or reports to share research findings and educate others.
- Develop new business by contacting potential clients, making sales presentations, and writing proposals.
- Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
- Identify training and development needs.
- Train clients to administer human resources functions, including testing, selection, and performance management.
- Facilitate organizational development and change.
- Analyze job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions.
- Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
- Assess employee performance.
- 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.
- Coach senior executives and managers on leadership and performance.
- Study organizational effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency, including the nature of workplace supervision and leadership.
- Write reports on research findings and implications to contribute to general knowledge or to suggest potential changes in organizational functioning.
- Counsel workers about job and career-related issues.
- Advise management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
- Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Psychologists
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More