All your life, you’ve wondered, ‘What will I be when I grow up?’ Now, as you enter the job market, you’ll want to consider purpose, passion—and practicality. What work will you find meaningful? Which roles are you qualified for today? What industries offer career paths that excite you? And, of course, what are the realistic salary expectations? One of the best tools for career research is the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This trusted resource offers detailed insights on hundreds of jobs, covering pay, required education, training, and long-term job outlook. By exploring the OOH, you can find roles that align with your goals and gain a realistic view of each option, making it easier to choose a path that’s right for you.
Let’s explore how you can leverage the OOH to learn more about potential career paths, evaluate job prospects, and find roles that suit your goals.
1. Get Familiar with the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
The OOH is designed to provide job seekers with reliable information about different occupations. Each occupation profile includes details on:
- Job responsibilities
- Required education and training
- Median pay
- Job outlook (expected job growth over the next 10 years)
- Work environment
- Similar occupations
This information can help you make choices based on factual data about job demands, salary expectations, and employment prospects.
Getting Started: Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook, where you’ll find a homepage organized by categories, such as industry, level of education required, or average pay.
2. Explore Occupations by Industry
The OOH’s industry-specific sections are an excellent way to learn about various fields and the types of jobs they encompass. For example, let’s say you’re interested in healthcare but are unsure of specific roles. By selecting the Healthcare category, you’ll see a wide range of roles—such as Registered Nurses, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Physical Therapists. You can compare different positions within healthcare to understand their duties, required training, and projected demand, which will help you determine a potential career path.
3. Research Job Growth and Demand
The “Job Outlook” section of each profile forecasts growth rates over a decade, helping you assess job stability and potential future demand.
For instance, if you’re considering a career in technology, you might look up Software Developers. The OOH will show the projected growth for this occupation and compare it with the average for all occupations. A high growth rate might indicate strong future demand, making it a promising option if job stability is a top priority for you.
4. Compare Occupations by Education Level
If you’re concerned about education requirements, the OOH allows you to explore careers based on education level, from high school diplomas to advanced degrees.
Let’s say you hold a bachelor’s degree in business. You can browse roles that typically require this level of education, such as Human Resources Specialists or Market Research Analysts. This feature enables you to narrow down your options to roles that fit your current qualifications or identify areas where additional certifications or training might open more doors.
5. Assess Salary Expectations
For each occupation, the OOH includes a “Pay” section, outlining the median annual salary. This information can help you evaluate jobs within your expected pay range and plan for your financial future. For example, if you are considering a role in finance, look under the occupational group titled “Business and Financial” . You can then compare the roles, entry level education and median pay for each., helping you set realistic expectations about starting salaries and the earning potential of each field. You may even find positions that you had not previously considered
6. Learn About the Work Environment
The OOH describes typical work environments, which can help you understand whether an occupation aligns with your ideal lifestyle.
For instance, if you prefer working independently or remotely, you can focus on roles that offer more flexibility or involve telecommuting. Alternatively, if you’re interested in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, you might explore positions where team interaction is essential, such as Public Relations Specialists or Advertising Managers.
7. Check Out “Similar Occupations”
Not sure if a specific role is the right fit? Each OOH entry includes a list of similar occupations, helping you expand your search to related roles with similar skills and requirements. For instance, under Graphic Designers, you’ll find other roles like Web Developers or Art Directors. This section can introduce you to new job options that may better suit your preferences.
8. Create a Job Shortlist and Set Goals
After exploring several roles, you’ll likely have a few career paths that stand out. Create a shortlist of these jobs and note their requirements, expected salaries, and outlook.
Use this list to:
- Set specific career goals and outline any additional steps needed, like gaining certifications or internships.
- Narrow down your options based on the role and industry that best align with your skills, interests, and lifestyle preferences.
Next Steps
The OOH can be the first step in a larger job search strategy. After you’ve researched roles that interest you, consider:
- Networking with professionals in those fields. Identify industry associations that may be able to provide additional information, and consider looking into whether you can shadow someone in the field
- Tailoring your career assets to emphasize relevant skills and qualifications. Evaluate your personal branding strategy, resume, and LinkedIn profile
- Applying for internships or entry-level roles to gain experience and confirm your career choice.
