The Occupational Information Network (O*Net) is a free database sponsored by the U.S Department of Labor with information and statistics for close to 1000 occupations. It’s a data-rich and in-depth site which is updated annually through ongoing surveys with American workers and career experts.
The most common way to use the O*Net is to search for specific careers, but the site also offers an interesting way to search using your aptitudes. On the homepage you’ll find the “Browse by O*Net Data” section with categories like Abilities, Work Activities, and Work Values. Dig into these lists, and you’ll see some familiar terms from your aptitude testing like “Inductive Reasoning,” “Finger Dexterity,” and “Color Discrimination.” There are O*Net equivalents for many of our aptitudes and the types of work and activities your scores can point to.
Most of these categories will be fairly broad, so keep your overall aptitude pattern in mind when using this approach. For example, if you scored low in Structural Visualization, you might want to avoid the careers related to STEM fields, even if they use one or more of your other talents. Think of your aptitudes (high and low scores) as a checklist of qualities you’re looking for in a career match and assess the O*Net career suggestions through that lens.
Spatial (high Structural Visualization)
Structural Visualization measures the ability to visualize in three dimensions. Look for directions related to STEM, structural trades, building, technical fields, and 3D design.
- Abilities : Search Visualization
- Knowledge: Search Engineering and Technology, Health Services (Medicine and Dentistry), Manufacturing and Production, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Geography, and Physics), or Transportation
- Work Activities: Search Performing Complex and Technical Activities
Non-spatial (low Structural Visualization)
Low or average scores in Structural Visualization indicate working with abstractions, ideas, theories, or people, rather than with physical things. Look for directions related to social science, business, humanities, and liberal arts.
- Knowledge: Search under Arts and Humanities, Business Management, Education and Training, Health Services (Therapy and Counseling), and Law and Public Safety.
Ideaphoria
Ideaphoria measure flow of ideas. A rapid flow of ideas points to creative or communicative roles where you might explain, persuade, write, or innovate.
- Abilities : Search Fluency of Ideas, Originality, Oral Expression, or Written Expression
- Work Activities: Search Communicating and Interacting and Thinking Creatively
- Work Styles: Search Innovation
Inductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning measures an ability to quickly synthesize information to draw a conclusion. This aptitude points to activities like troubleshooting, diagnosing, problem-solving, and evaluating (especially under time pressure).
- Abilities : Search Inductive Reasoning, Speed of Closure, Flexibility of Closure, and Problem Sensitivity
- Work Activities: Search Developing Objectives and Strategies and Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analytical Reasoning
Analytical Reasoning measures an ability to create logical order and indicates tasks like streamlining, creating efficiency, organizing, and systems work.
- Abilities : Search Information Ordering and Category Flexibility
- Work Activities: Search Organizing, Planning and Prioritizing Work
Numerical (Numerical Reasoning and Number Facility)
Numerical Reasoning measures an ability to solve problems using numbers. Number facility measures the ability to do quick, mental math.
- Abilities : Search Mathematical Reasoning and Number Facility
- Work Activities: Search Analyzing Data or Information
Auditory (Tonal Memory, Pitch Discrimination, Rhythm Memory)
Tonal Memory measures an ability to remember melodies. Pitch Discrimination measures an ability to discern between different pitches. Rhythm memory measures an ability to remember rhythmic patterns. These are musical or sound aptitudes that also correlate with language and performing arts.
- Abilities : Search Auditory and Speech Abilities
- Work Activities: Search Thinking Creatively (Music and Performing Arts)
- Work Context: Search Public Speaking
- Knowledge: Search Foreign Language
Visual (Memory for Design, Observation, Visual Designs, Color Discrimination)
Memory for Design measures an ability to remember abstract line drawings. Observation measures an eye for visual details. Visual Designs measures artistic preference. Color Discrimination measures an ability to distinguish between subtle shades of color. Visual aptitudes can point towards artistic or design fields, or inspecting roles (Observation).
- Abilities : Search Visual Color Discrimination
- Knowledge: Search Fine Arts and Design
- Work Activities: Search Thinking Creatively (Visual Arts) and Inspecting Equipment, Structures or Materials (Observation)
Silograms
Silograms measures an ability to remember new words and points towards language.
- Abilities : Search Auditory and Speech Abilities
- Knowledge: Search Foreign Language
Graphoria
Graphoria measures visual perceptual speed and correlates with administrative and paperwork tasks.
- Abilities : Search Perceptual Speed
- Work Activities: Search Performing Administrative Activities and Documenting/Recording Information
Dexterities
Finger Dexterity measures an ability to do fine, detailed work with the tips of your fingers. Tweezer Dexterity measures an ability to manipulate small tools.
- Abilities : Search Fine Manipulative Abilities
- Work Activities: Search Handling and Moving Objects
Grip
Grip measures physical drive and correlates with active, adrenaline-based, or outdoor work.
- Abilities : Search Stamina and Explosive Strength
- Work Activities: Search Performing General Physical Activities
Workplace Personality (Objective Approach)
The Objective approach indicates a collaborative, generalist way of working, like management, sales, and teamwork.
- Work Activities: Search Communicating and Interacting and Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Work Styles: Search Social Orientation and Leadership
Workplace Personality (Subjective Approach)
The Subjective approach indicates an individual, specialist way of working, like consulting or becoming a subject matter expert.
- Work Activities: Search Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
- Work Styles: Search Achievement/Effort and Independence
If you liked this approach, continue to explore the O*Net. There’s so much to discover in this continuously evolving database. And if you need a refresher on all of our aptitudes, our digital book, “Choosing Intelligently,” is an excellent resource!