Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Also called: Consulting Psychologist, Engineering Psychologist, Human Resources Consultant (HR Consultant), Human Resources Psychologist, Industrial Psychologist

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Varies

estimated salary

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.

  • Formulate and implement training programs, applying principles of learning and individual differences.
  • 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.
  • Review research literature to remain current on psychological science issues.
  • Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Participate in mediation and dispute resolution.
  • Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
  • 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.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 97% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 84% responded "Every day".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 66% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 65% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 69% responded "Every day".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 56% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 87% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
  • Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
  • Administer standardized physical or psychological tests.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Confer with clients to exchange information.
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Knowledge

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.
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Skills

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.
Judgment and Decision Making
  • Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving
  • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Document management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
  • SAS Hot Technology
  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology
  • Scientific Software International HLM
  • Scientific Software International LISREL
  • Scientific Software International MULTILOG
  • Scientific Software International PARSCALE
  • Scientific Software International TESTFACT
  • Scientific Software International BILOG-MG
  • Assessment Systems Corporation XCALIBRE
  • Psychometric testing software
  • Muthen & Muthen MPlus
  • Winsteps
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Hot Technology
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