The O*NET® Content Model

The Content Model is the conceptual foundation of O*NET. The Content Model provides a framework that identifies the most important types of information about work and integrates them into a theoretically and empirically sound system.

The Content Model was developed using research on job and organizational analysis. It embodies a view that reflects the character of occupations (via job-oriented descriptors) and people (via worker-oriented descriptors). The Content Model also allows occupational information to be applied across jobs, sectors, or industries (cross-occupational descriptors) and within occupations (occupational-specific descriptors). These descriptors are organized into six major domains, which enable the user to focus on areas of information that specify the key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations.

Occupational Requirements — a comprehensive set of variables or detailed elements that describe what various occupations require. This domain includes information about typical activities required across occupations. Task information is often too specific to describe an occupation or occupational group. The O*NET approach is to identify generalized work activities (GWAs) and detailed work activities (DWAs) to summarize the broad and more specific types of job behaviors and tasks that may be performed within multiple occupations. Using this framework makes it possible to use a single set of descriptors to describe many occupations. Contextual variables such as the physical, social, or structural context of work that may impose specific demands on the worker or activities are also included in this section.

(Outline View | Description View)

Generalized Work Activities — General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs

• Information Input
  • Looking for and Receiving Job-Related Information
    • Getting Information
    • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Identify and Evaluating Job-Relevant Information
    • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
    • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
• Mental Processes
  • Information and Data Processing
    • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
    • Processing Information
    • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Reasoning and Decision Making
    • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    • Thinking Creatively
    • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    • Developing Objectives and Strategies
    • Scheduling Work and Activities
    • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Work Output
  • Performing Physical and Manual Work Activities
    • Performing General Physical Activities
    • Handling and Moving Objects
    • Controlling Machines and Processes
    • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Performing Complex and Technical Activities
    • Interacting With Computers
    • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
    • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
    • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
    • Documenting/Recording Information
• Interacting With Others
  • Communicating and Interacting
    • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
    • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    • Assisting and Caring for Others
    • Selling or Influencing Others
    • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
    • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Coordinating, Developing, Managing, and Advising
    • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
    • Developing and Building Teams
    • Training and Teaching Others
    • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
    • Coaching and Developing Others
    • Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Administering
    • Performing Administrative Activities
    • Staffing Organizational Units
    • Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Primary occupational information source for Content Model items:

U.S. Department of Labor O*NET Data Collection Program

Supplemental sources of information:

	U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics		U.S. Department of Labor America's Career InfoNet
	U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship		U.S. Department of Education Classification of Instructional Programs

Other indicators:

Data not currently available