Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

• Conduct research studies of physical work environments, organizational structures, communication systems, group interactions, morale, and motivation to assess organizational functioning.
• Conduct presentations on research findings for clients and 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, and promotion.
• Conduct individual assessments, including interpreting measures and providing feedback for selection, placement, and promotion.
• Write articles, white papers, and 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 and placement programs.
• Facilitate organizational development and change.
• Train clients to administer human resources functions including testing, selection, and performance management.
• Identify training and development needs.
• 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 and to suggest potential changes in organizational functioning.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists.

• 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.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists.