Appendix B - Mailing Materials

Appendix B: Mailing Materials

List of Changes to Materials included in the December 2015 OMB Submission
Item

Previous Wording

Current Wording

Data Collection Method: Establishment

Who, What & How Brochure

Example POC Memo to Employees
(English & Spanish)

Will the information that we provide be kept
private? Absolutely! No identifying information about
you, your company, or your company’s employees will
be published or released in any form to anyone outside
the research team. We do not use names in our results.
The data we collect from your employees will be
combined with like data from other participants in
order to develop a more complete and comprehensive
database.

Will the information that we provide be kept
private? Yes! Your responses will be kept private to
the extent permitted by law and will not affect your
employment in any way. Neither your name nor your
company’s name will be associated with your
response. Data will only be used in summary form to
describe occupations – not specific jobs or the
individuals performing them.

Also, please be assured that your responses will be kept
strictly private and your name will not be associated
with your individual responses.

Also, please be assured that your responses will be
kept private to the extent permitted by law and your
name will not be associated with your individual
responses.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor and the
National Occupational Information Network
(O*NET®) Consortium, I am requesting your
participation in the O*NET Data Collection Program.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, I am
requesting your participation in the Occupational
Information Network (O*NET) Data Collection
Program.

RTI, a non-profit research organization, is conducting
this data collection effort for the U.S Department of
Labor and the National O*NET Consortium.

RTI, a non-profit research organization, is conducting
this data collection effort for the U.S. DOL and the
National Center for O*NET Development.

RTI Letter to Employee to Accompany To participate, please complete the questionnaire
enclosed with this letter and return it to us in the
Questionnaire (with & without $10
enclosed stamped envelope.
Incentive) (English & Spanish)
Your responses are returned directly to RTI, where
your answers will be kept completely private and will
not affect your employment in any way.

Your responses are returned directly to RTI, where
your answers will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law and will not affect your employment
in any way.

If you have further questions about this request, please
contact Ms. Sarah Harris, Data Collection Task Leader,
toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 2-7486.

If you have a ny questions about this research study,
please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task
Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 26475.

I have also enclosed an O*NET brochure, instructions
for completing the questionnaire on our website, and a
stamped envelope for returning the completed
questionnaire to RTI.

I have also enclosed an O*NET brochure, instructions
for completing the questionnaire on our website, and a
postage-paid envelope for returning the completed
questionnaire to RTI.

RTI Letter to Employee to Accompany
Your answers will be kept completely private and will
Replacement Questionnaire (English &
not affect your employment in any way.
Spanish)

RTI Avoider Letter for Verification

To participate, please complete the questionnaire
enclosed with this letter and return it to us in the
postage-paid envelope provided.

Your answers will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law and will not affect your employment
in any way.

{No contact name/number referenced}

If you have any questions about this research study,
please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task
Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 26475.

As a replacement for the Dictionary of Occupational
Titles, the O*NET project represents a vital component
of the Department of Labor’s effort to develop job
related information that workers can use to prepare
themselves with the requisite skills to ensure success in
the workplace.

As the nation’s primary source of occupational
information, the O*NET project represents a vital
component of the Department of Labor’s effort to
provide current job-related information that workers
can use to prepare themselves with the requisite skills
to ensure success in the workplace.

As a replacement for the Dictionary of Occupational
Titles, the O*NET project represents a vital component
of the Department of Labor’s effort to develop job
related information that workers can use to prepare
themselves with the requisite skills to ensure success in
the workplace.

As the nation’s primary source of occupational
information, the O*NET project represents a vital
component of the Department of Labor’s effort to
provide current job-related information that workers
can use to prepare themselves with the requisite skills
to ensure success in the workplace.

DOL Avoider Letter for Sampling

The sampling process will involve only a few
additional minutes of your time and the information
you provide will be kept strictly private.

The sampling process will involve only a few
additional minutes of your time and the information
you provide will be kept private to the extent permitted
by law.

Thank You/Reminder Postcard
(English & Spanish)

If you have any questions about this research project, If you have any questions about this research study,
please call Ms. Sarah Harris at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task
Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 26475.
ext. 2-7486.

RTI Avoider Letter for Screening

Instructions for Completing the Web
Version of the O*NET Questionnaire

If you have any other questions about the survey,
please call Ms. Sarah Harris at RTI toll free at 1-800334-8571, ext. 2-7486 from Monday through Friday
between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time. If you
prefer, you can email her at [email protected].

If you have any questions about this research study,
please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task
Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 26475.
If you prefer, you can email him at [email protected].

{Screen shots}

{Updated screen shots}

{Three references to the National O*NET Consortium}

{Changed each reference to the National Center for
O*NET Development}

Responses will be kept private.

Responses will be kept private to the extent permitted by
law.

Portia Wu signature.

Rosemary Lahasky signature.

Assistant Secretary Letterhead.

Employment and Training Administration Letterhead.

O*NET Toolkit for Business

Letter from the U.S. Department of
Labor in the Information Package

Data Collection Method: Occupation Expert

OE Method Who, What &
How Brochure

RTI Letter to OE to Accompany
Questionnaire (with $40 Incentive)

Will the information that I provide be kept private?
Absolutely! No identifying information about you will
be published or released in any form to anyone outside
the research team. We do not use names in our results.
Your data will be combined with data from other
occupation experts in order to develop a more complete
and comprehensive database.

Will the information that I provide be kept private?
Yes! Your responses will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law and will not affect your employment
in any way. Neither your name nor your company’s
name will be associated with your response. Data will
only be used in summary form to describe occupations
– not specific jobs or the individuals performing them.

Your responses will be kept private.

Your responses will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law.

Your responses will be kept private.

Your responses will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law.

If you have any other questions about the survey,
please call Ms. Sarah Harris at RTI toll free at 1-800334-8571, ext. 2-7486 from Monday through Friday
between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time. If you
prefer, you can email her at [email protected].

If you have any questions about this research study,
please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task
Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 26475.
If you prefer, you can email him at [email protected].

Portia Wu signature.

Rosemary Lahasky signature.

{Association List}

{Updated Association List}

RTI Letter to OE to Accompany
Questionnaire (without $40 Incentive)

Instructions for Completing the Web
Version of the O*NET Occupation
Expert Questionnaire
Data Collection Method: All
Certificate of Appreciation

Association Endorsement List

Establishment Method Materials
• Information Package Mailing to the Point-of-Contact
• Mailing to POC with Questionnaire Packets for Selected
Employees
• Selected Employee Packet
• O*NET Toolkit for Business
• Mailing to POC with Thank You/Reminder Postcards
• Mailing to POC with Replacement Questionnaire Packets for
Non-Respondents
• Replacement Questionnaire Packet
• Avoider Letters

Information Package Mailing to the Point-of-Contact
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

O*NET Information Package Envelope
O*NET Folder
Letter from U.S. Department of Labor
Who, What & How Brochure
Incentives Brochure
Selected Occupations List
O*NET Brochure
Association Endorsement List

O*NET Information Package Envelope

®

Beyond information.
Intelligence.

PRIORITY
MAI L

Visit onet.rti.org for more information

Visit www.onet.rti.org for more information

O*NET Folder

Letter from U.S. Department of Labor

[POC Name]
[POC Title]
[Establishment Name]
[Street]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [POC Name],
You recently received a phone call from RTI about an important program called the
Occupational Information Network (O*NET®). As the caller explained, your company has been
randomly selected to participate in the O*NET Data Collection, an important program sponsored
by the United States Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Center for O*NET Development
(O*NET Center).
The O*NET Center has been charged with the challenging task of keeping information
about occupations up to date in a rapidly changing U.S. workplace. Employers, human resource
professionals, job seekers, trainers, and labor market analysts across the country depend on
occupational information to perform their daily work. We would like your help in keeping this
information current.
RTI, a non-profit research organization, is conducting this data collection effort for the DOL
and the O*NET Center. The information we collect from your organization will be used to update
the O*NET database, the primary source of occupational information in the nation. Responses
will be kept private to the extent permitted by law. Data will not be linked to any individual
employee or organization, but will only be used in summary form to describe occupations - not
specific jobs.
This package includes information that explains your participation in this important
project. In addition, a brochure describing O*NET information and benefits is included, as well
as a list of professional associations endorsing the O*NET data collection.
Please be assured that your participation in this effort is voluntary. The time we estimate for
your participation will vary from 15 to 90 minutes over the next four to six weeks. You are
encouraged to send any comments regarding this estimate of your effort, or any other aspect of
this collection of information to: U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Project, ETA/OWI, 200
Constitution Avenue NW, Mail Stop C4526, Washington, DC 20210 (refer to OMB Control
Number 1205-0421).
Thank you for your time and consideration. A member of the RTI O*NET team will call
you in a few days to provide additional details and answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,

Rosemary Lahasky
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Employment and Training Administration

Who, What & How Brochure

O*NET Data
Collection Program:
Who, What & How
An Introduction to the
Occupational Information
Network

What is O*NET®?
The O*NET® acronym stands for “Occupational Information
Network.” It is an automated database that replaces the Dictionary
of Occupational Titles (DOT) as the nation’s primary source of
occupational information. The O*NET information is available as
a timely, easy-to-use database that is designed to help millions of
employers, workers, educators, and students make informed decisions
about education, training, career choices, and work.

What is the O*NET Data Collection Program?
The O*NET Data Collection Program is an ongoing effort to develop
and maintain this unique database on the detailed characteristics of
workers and occupations. The information is primarily collected
directly from employees working in the occupations we are interested
in. The collection of this information is designed to provide data that
are valid, reliable, and current. The O*NET Data Collection Program
is a critical step in the full development of O*NET.

Who is funding this program?
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) funds the O*NET
Data Collection Program. You can verify this information by checking
the DOL website: http://www.doleta.gov/programs/onet.

Who is conducting the O*NET Data Collection?
RTI is working with the United States Department of Labor (DOL)
to collect these data. RTI is an independent, not-for-profit research
organization located in Research Triangle Park, NC. RTI is affiliated
with Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, and North Carolina State University.

How did you select my company?
Your establishment was randomly selected from a list containing
nearly every business and institution in the country. The participation
of your business is important since the employees we select from
your business will represent thousands of employees in many other
businesses like yours nationwide.

Are you selling us something?
Absolutely NOT! This is not a market study and we are not selling
anything. This is an opportunity for you to provide direct input to the
United States Department of Labor regarding occupational data that
will be used to develop a national Occupational Information Network
(O*NET). O*NET is available at no cost by downloading the O*NET
Database or by viewing the O*NET data using O*NET OnLine.

What are you asking me to do?
The “Three Simple Steps” on the last page of this brochure
summarizes what your participation involves. Briefly, we will first
ask you to assist in selecting a few employees in certain occupations
in your company. Then, we will mail you questionnaire packets to
distribute to the selected employees. Finally, we will ask you to help
us by following up with the employees who do not respond within a
few weeks time by distributing replacement questionnaires.

How many employees are you selecting in my company?
No more than 20 employees in total will be selected from your
business. Usually, the number selected is less than 20.

How will my company benefit?
To express our appreciation to your company for participating, we
offer your business the O*NET Toolkit for Business. This Toolkit is
designed to help you use the O*NET database to simplify tasks such
as writing job descriptions and planning for future human resource
needs. Additionally, every company benefits from the updated
national O*NET database that will be the product of the occupational
information your company provides.

How will I personally benefit?
You will benefit indirectly from the improvement in the O*NET
database that will be possible because of your company’s participation.
This up-to-date, accurate information will make tasks like writing
job descriptions and determining job qualifications much easier.
In addition, the person in each business who serves as our point of
contact will receive a framed Certificate of Appreciation from the
U. S. Department of Labor and a special resource – the O*NET
Toolkit for Business – that will be sent to you later when we mail the
questionnaires.

How will the sampled employees benefit?
As our way of saying thanks, we’ll provide each sampled employee
with a $10 incentive attached to their questionnaire. (The only
exceptions are Federal Government employees and employees of
businesses that request that no incentive be offered.) Furthermore, an
improved O*NET database will benefit your employees in the long
run, if they are considering a career change or improving their job
skills to be able to qualify for a more specialized job.

What kinds of questions are asked of the employees?
Our survey consists of objective questions regarding the requirements
and training for occupations we have identified to study at this
time. You can find a complete set of questionnaires on the O*NET
Data Collection Program Website at: http://onet.rti.org. A selected
employee will receive only one of the questionnaires being used.

Will employees do this on company time?
The questionnaires used in the O*NET Data Collection Program
are self-administered. The instruction sheet that is included with the
questionnaire packet requests selected employees to complete the
questionnaire in their “off time” from work (e.g., at home, at lunch,
during a break, etc.) The research staff has no direct contact with
the employees, except in the event that a selected employee has a
problem or question about the questionnaire and calls our toll-free
number for help.

Am I required to participate by law?
No, your participation is voluntary. However, you are a critical link
in this data collection project. You have the opportunity to provide
direct input to the United States Department of Labor by providing
occupational information.

Is information on the O*NET Program available on the
world-wide web?
Yes, it is. Information on the O*NET Data Collection Program is
available online at: http://onet.rti.org. You can also find general
information on many other O*NET programs and resources at the
O*NET Resource Center website: http://www.onetcenter.org.

How much time is this going to take?
We estimate that the total time for your participation is only about 15
minutes to 90 minutes over the next several weeks.
It takes approximately 30 minutes for a respondent to complete an
O*NET Questionnaire.

Do I have to tell you the names of the employees sampled
for the data collection?
No, you do not have to give us the names of your employees at any time
during this study, unless you choose to have the questionnaire sent to
them directly. However, if you wish, you may give us the initials of
sampled employees to facilitate the distribution of materials. We will
delete this information when data collection has been completed at
your organization.

Will the information that we provide be kept
private?
Yes! Your responses will be kept private to the extent permitted by law
and will not affect your employment in any way. Neither your name
nor your company’s name will be associated with your response.
Data will only be used in summary form to describe occupations –
not specific jobs or the individuals performing them.

Who will contact me?
You will be called by one of O*NET’s professionally-trained Business
Liaisons, who will walk you through the data collection process and
be available to answer your questions and concerns. Because we
are committed to providing you with the highest quality of service,
O*NET supervisors may monitor a sample of these calls.
If you have any questions, you can call toll-free: 1-877-233-7348,
ext. 100 and the O*NET Operations Center Manager will assist you.

Your Participation in O*NET Involves Only

Three Simple Steps
Step 1: Assist Business Liaison (BL) in the employee
sampling process.
The RTI Business Liaison will assist you in determining which
employees in a selected occupation are chosen to receive
questionnaires. In order for this process to be random and for the
information to be kept private, you will be asked to compile a
numbered roster of the employees in each selected occupation. This
will take place over a brief telephone call of about 5-10 minutes.

Step 2: Distribute questionnaires to sampled employees.
Once the employees have been sampled, we will mail questionnaire
packets to you for distribution to them. Remember, it’s important
to retain your roster as you are the only person who knows who the
questionnaires are intended to go to.

Step 3: Assist Business Liaison with follow-up activities.
Once you have received your questionnaires the BL will give you a
follow-up call to see if all the materials were received and to answer
any questions. In the event that not all the questionnaires are returned,
we will send replacement questionnaires for you to distribute to any
non-responders at your organization. The BL will keep you informed
as the questionnaires are returned by the employee.

025F

Incentives Brochure

Ways to say “Thanks for participating
in the O* NET Data Collection Program”

*RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute.

Conducted by RTI International* for the U.S. Department of Labor and the National O*NET Consortium

®

012B

Thank you very much for your help

In our next mailing to you, you will receive…

A framed Certificate of
Appreciation from the
U.S. Department of Labor.

We are very appreciative of the help you and your
company are providing to the O*NET Data Collection
Program. We realize your time is valuable and limited,
and we are truly appreciative of your contributions to
this program.
To express our appreciation, we offer the items shown
on the right to you, your company, and the employees
who are selected to participate in the Program.
We believe the most valuable benefit of your
participation is the information that will be returned to
you and your company through the O*NET database.
Many employers access this database routinely for
information on occupational characteristics, worker
attributes, and job descriptions.
We hope you enjoy all these benefits of the O*NET
Program. We look forward to working with you over
the next few weeks as we collect occupational
information from your company.

A $10 token of appreciation
for each employee who is
selected to complete the
O*NET Questionnaire. The
ten dollar bill will be enclosed
with the questionnaire in the
individual sealed envelopes that
we will ask you to distribute to the sampled employees.

In a separate mailing, your
company will receive…
The O*NET Toolkit for Business. The
O*NET Toolkit for Business is a free
packet of information about the O*NET
Program that managers can use for
human resource planning, including a
guide for writing job descriptions.

Selected Occupations List

Selected Occupations for [Establishment Name]
This list contains the definitions of a number of occupations that are of interest to the survey.
Your O*NET representative will try to determine whether you have employees in some of these
occupations in your next phone call. Please have this list available when he or she calls.
NOTE: Only five or fewer of the occupations listed below will actually be selected from your
organization. The O*NET representative will provide further details about this when he or she
calls.

1. Editors: Perform variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, and revising
content of written materials, in preparation for final publication.
2. Computer Programmers: Convert project specifications and statements of problems and
procedures to detailed logical flow charts for coding into computer language. Develop and
write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and
information. May program Web sites.
3.

Natural Sciences Managers: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life
sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these
fields.

4. Database Administrators: Coordinate changes to computer databases, test and implement
the database applying knowledge of database management systems. May plan, coordinate,
and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
5. Market Research Analysts: Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas
to determine potential sales of a product or service. May gather information on competitors,
prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May use survey results to create a
marketing campaign based on regional preferences and buying habits.
6. Economists: Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to aid in solution of
economic problems arising from production and distribution of goods and services. May
collect and process economic and statistical data using econometric and sampling techniques.
7. Compensation and Benefits managers: Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and
benefits activities and staff of an organization.
8. Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan: Interview persons by telephone, mail, in person,
or by other means for the purpose of completing forms, applications, or questionnaires. Ask
specific questions, record answers, and assist persons with completing form. May sort,
classify, and file forms.
9. Mechanical Engineers: Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines,
machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation,
maintenance, and repair of such equipment as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
10. Sales Managers: Direct the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the
customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and
establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by
staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of
customers.

O*NET Brochure

Association Endorsement List

Association Support
As a leading national and industry association, we support O*NET, the Occupational Information Network.
A major initiative of the United States Department of Labor, O*NET is a database of occupational information,
specifying job characteristics and worker skills and abilities.
O*NET helps employers meet human resource challenges by identifying front line skill needs. It helps employees identify skills
necessary to succeed in their fields, and helps job seekers understand the skills and training they
need for the jobs they want.
We urge you to complete the O*NET questionnaire. By providing this valuable information, you will help
the O*NET database capture the realities of the changing American workplace and be a participant in building
a national labor exchange system able to compete in the international marketplace.

a

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Accrediting Council for Continuing
Education and Training
African American Women’s Clergy
Association
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Aircraft Electronics Association
Allied Pilots Association
American Academy of Actuaries
American Academy of Environmental
Engineers
American Academy of Orthotists and
Prosthetists
American Academy of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
American Academy of Physician
Assistants
American Apparel and Footwear
Association
American Association for Adult and
Continuing Education
American Association for Health
Education
American Association for Homecare
American Association for Leisure and
Recreation
American Association for Marriage and
Family Therapy
American Association for Respiratory
Care
American Association for Vocational
Instructional Materials
American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy

American Association of Community
Colleges
American Association of Cosmetology
Schools
American Association of Critical-Care
Nurses
American Association of Early Childhood
Educators
American Association of Engineering
Societies
American Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators
American Association of Museums
American Association of Psychiatric
Technicians
American Association of State Colleges
and Universities
American Association of Zoo Keepers
American Bar Association
American Business Conference
American Chemical Society
American College of Cardiology
American Composites Manufacturers
Association
American Congress on Surveying and
Mapping
American Correctional Association
American Council for Construction
Education
American Council of Life Insurers
American Counseling Association
American Culinary Federation
American Dental Assistants Association
American Design Drafting Association

American Education Finance Association
American Electronics Association
American Federation for Medical
Research
American Federation of Home Health
Agencies
American Federation of School
Administrators
American Federation of Teachers
American Financial Services Association
American Fisheries Society
American Forest & Paper Association
American Foundry Society
American Geological Institute
American Health Information
Management Association
American Historical Association
American Home Furnishings Alliance
American Hotel and Lodging Association
American Industrial Hygiene Association
American Institute for Conservation of
Historic and Artistic Works
American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics
American Institute of Building Design
American Institute of Chemists
American Institute of Constructors
American Institute of Engineers
American Institute of Floral Designers
American Institute of Professional
Bookkeepers
American Insurance Association
American Jail Association
American Library Association

American Loggers Council
American Management Association
American Meat Institute
American Mental Health Counselors
Association
American Moving & Storage Association
American Optometric Association
American Pharmacists Association
American Physical Therapy Association
American Physiological Society
American Planning Association
American Probation and Parole
Association
American Prosthodontic Society
American Psychological Association
American Public Gas Association
American Public Human Services
Association
American Purchasing Society
American Rehabilitation Counseling
Association
American Rental Association
American Road and Transportation
Builders Association
American School Counselor Association
American School Health Association
American Society for Clinical Laboratory
Science
American Society for Engineering
Education
American Society for Engineering
Management
American Society for Microbiology
American Society for Quality
American Society of Agronomy
American Society of Association
Executives
American Society of Certified Engineering
Technicians
American Society of Interior Designers
American Society of Professional
Estimators
American Society of Radiologic
Technologists
American Society of Sanitary Engineering
American Society of Transportation and
Logistics
American Society of Travel Agents
American Sociological Association
American Statistical Association
American Subcontractors Association
American Therapeutic Recreation
Association
American Watchmakers-Clockmakers
Institute
American Water Works Association
American Zoo and Aquarium Association

America’s Health Insurance Plans
Animal Behavior Society
Appraisal Institute
Appraisers Association of America
Architectural Engineering Institute of the
American Society of Civil Engineers
Associated Bodywork and Massage
Professionals
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors of
America
Associated Locksmiths of America
Associated Specialty Contractors
Association for Career and Technical
Education
Association for Career and Technical
Education Research
Association for Childhood Education
International
Association for Commuter Transportation
Association for Continuing Higher
Education
Association for Financial Professionals
Association for Healthcare
Documentation Integrity
Association for Library and Information
Science Education
Association for Library Collections and
Technical Services
Association for Professionals in Infection
Control and Epidemiology
Association for Talent Development
Association for the Advancement of Cost
Engineering
Association of Business Support Services
International
Association of Consulting Foresters of
America, Inc.
Association of Credit and Collection
Professionals
Association of Energy Engineers
Association of Environmental Engineering
and Science Professors
Association of Equipment Management
Professionals
Association of Executive and
Administrative Professionals
Association of Information Technology
Professionals
Association of Management Consulting
Firms
Association of Master of Business
Administration Executives
Association of Minority Health
Professions Schools
Association of Oncology Social Work
Association of Sales and Marketing
Companies

Association of School Business Officials
International
Association of Schools of Allied Health
Professions
Association of Surgical Technologists
Association of Technical Personnel in
Ophthalmology
Association of the Wall and Ceiling
Industry
Association of Women in the Metal
Industries
Association of Women Soil Scientists
Automotive Maintenance and Repair
Association

b-h

Belt Association
Biomedical Engineering Society
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Blow-in-Blanket Contractors Association
Bread Bakers Guild of America
Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied
Craftsmen
Business Marketing Association
Business Professionals of America
California Fashion Association
Ceilings and Interior Systems
Construction Association
Center for Book Arts
Ceramic Tile Institute of America
Chamber of Shipping of America
Chartered Property Casualty
Underwriters Society
Commercial Vehicle Training Association
Community Transportation Association of
America
CompTIA
Construction Management Association of
America
Consumer Electronics Association
Contact Lens Manufacturers Association
Council for American Private Education
Council of Fashion Designers of America
Council of Industrial Boiler Owners
Council of Supply Chain Management
Professionals
Crane Certification Association of
America
Crop Science Society of America
Custom Electronic Design and Installation
Association
Dangerous Goods Advisory Council
Deck Industry Association
Dietary Managers Association
Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry
Association
Edison Welding Institute
Editorial Freelancers Association

Electronics Technicians Association
International
Employee Benefit Research Institute
Energy Council of the Northeast
Fabricators & Manufacturers Association
International
Federal Resource Center for Special
Education
Federation of Tax Administrators
Financial Therapy Association
Flexographic Technical Association
Floor Covering Installation Contractors
Association
Foodservice Consultants Society
International
Forest Resources Association
Forging Industry Association
Gases and Welding Distributors
Association
Graphic Artists Guild
Group Underwriters Association of
America
Healthcare Distribution Management
Association
Home Care Aide Association of America
Home Healthcare Nurses Association
Hospice Association of America
Hospitality Business Alliance

i-k

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers)
IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems
Society
IEEE Computer Society
IEEE Engineering in Medicine and
Biology Society
IEEE Engineering Management Society
Independent Automotive Damage
Appraisers Association
Industrial Designers Society of America
Information Systems Audit and Control
Association
Information Technology Association of
America
Inland Marine Underwriters Association
Institute for Certification of Computing
Professionals
Institute for Operations Research and the
Management Sciences
Institute for Supply Management
Institute of Environmental Sciences and
Technology
Institute of Industrial Engineers
Institute of Management Accountants
Institute of Management Consultants
USA

Institute of Packaging Professionals
Insurance Information Institute
International Association for Computer
Information Systems
International Association of Administrative
Professionals
International Association of Arson
Investigators
International Association of Asian Studies
International Association of Campus Law
Enforcement Administrators
International Association of Fire Chiefs
International Association of Foundation
Drilling
International Association of Workforce
Professionals
International Disk Drive Equipment and
Materials Association
International Economic Development
Council
International Executive Housekeeping
Association
International Federation of Professional
and Technical Engineers
International Fire Marshals Association
International Interior Design Association
International Maintenance Institute
International Masonry Institute
International Plant Propagators’ Society
International Public Management
Association for Human Resources
International Ticketing Association
International Union of Bakers and
Bakers-Confectioners
International Union of Bricklayers and
Allied Craftworkers
International Union of Painters and Allied
Trades
International Union of Police Associations
International Warehouse Logistics
Association
Ironworker Management Progressive
Action Cooperative Trust
Irrigation Association
Jewelers of America
Jewelry Information Center
Joint Commission on Allied Health
Personnel in Ophthalmology
Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers
Association

m-n

Machinery Dealers National Association
Manufactured Housing Institute
Marine Technology Society
Marketing Research Association

Mason Contractors Association of
America
Material Handling Equipment Distributors
Association
Metals Service Center Institute
Metropolitan Burglar and Fire Alarm
Association
Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society
Modular Building Institute
NALS
National Academy of Opticianry
National Academy of Sciences
National Alliance of Business
National Association for Business
Economics
National Association for Equal
Opportunity in Higher Education
National Association for Girls and Women
in Sport
National Association for Home Care and
Hospice
National Association for Practical Nurse
Education and Service
National Association for Printing
Leadership
National Association for Sport and
Physical Education
National Association of African American
Studies
National Association of Child Care
Professionals
National Association of Child Care
Resource and Referral Agencies
National Association of Construction
Boilermaker Employers
National Association of Counties
National Association of County Surveyors
National Association of Dental
Laboratories
National Association of Emergency
Medical Technicians
National Association of Environmental
Professionals
National Association of Geoscience
Teachers
National Association of Health
Underwriters
National Association of Hispanic and
Latino Studies
National Association of Independent
Insurance Adjusters
National Association of Independent
Publishers
National Association of Legal Assistants
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Native American
Studies

National Association of Professional
Employer Organizations
National Association of Sales and
Marketing Agencies
National Association of School
Psychologists
National Association of Service Managers
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of State Directors of
Career Technical Education
Consortium
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
National Bicycle Dealers Association
National Blacksmiths and Weldors
Association
National Burglar and Fire Alarm
Association
National Business Education Association
National Career Development Association
National Center for Manufacturing
Sciences
National Center for Simulation
National Cleaners Association
National Concrete Masonry Association
National Council for Advanced
Manufacturing
National Council of Agricultural
Employers
National Council of Teachers of English
National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics
National Criminal Justice Association
National Dance Association
National Dental Assistants Association
National Dental Association
National Earth Science Teachers
Association
National Elevator Industry, Inc
National Employment Counseling
Association
National Environmental Health
Association
National Farmers Union
National Federation of Licensed Practical
Nurses
National Freight Transportation
Association
National Funeral Directors Association
National Glass Association
National Hardwood Lumber Association
National High School Association
National Human Resources Association
National Institute for Automotive Service
Excellence
National Institute for Metalworking Skills
National Judges Association
National League of Postmasters of the
United States

National Management Association
National Maritime Education and Training
Association
National Paralegal Association
National Propane Gas Association
National Railroad Construction and
Maintenance Association
National Registry of Environmental
Professionals
National Rehabilitation Counseling
Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National Science and Technology
Education Partnership
National Society of Professional
Surveyors
National Stone, Sand and Gravel
Association
National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association
National Therapeutic Recreation Society
National Tile Contractors Association
National Tooling and Machining
Association
National Tour Association
National Training and Simulation
Association
National Utility Contractors Association
Network and System Professionals
Association
Network Professional Association
New York Academy of Sciences

o-s

Outdoor Power Equipment Aftermarket
Association
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers
Association
Packaging and Label Gravure Association
Painting & Decorating Contractors of
America
Pedorthic Footwear Association
Plastic and Metal Products Manufacturers
Association
Pleaters, Stitchers & Embroiderers
Association
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors
National Association
Precision Machined Products Association
Precision Machined Products Association
Educational Foundation
Precision Metalforming Association
Precision Metalforming Association
Educational Foundation
Printing Industries of America & Affiliates

Professional Association of Custom
Clothiers
Professional Caddie Association
Professional Landcare Network
Professional Managers Association
Property Casualty Insurers Association of
America
Refractory Ceramic Fibers Coalition
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society
Retail Bakers of America
Risk Management Association
SAE International
Society for Experimental Biology and
Medicine
Society for Foodservice Management
Society for Protective Coatings
Society for Technical Communication
Society of Allied Weight Engineers
Society of American Archivists
Society of American Florists
Society of American Foresters
Society of Computer Professionals
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Society of Naval Architects and Marine
Engineers
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Society of Professional Benefit
Administrators
Soil Science Society of America
SOLE—The International Society of
Logistics
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association
Structural Insulated Panel Association

t-w

Telecommunications Industry Association
Tooling and Manufacturing Association
Transportation Intermediaries Association
Tree Care Industry Association
Tube and Pipe Association International
Tubular Piping Association
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America
United Council on Welfare Fraud
United Professional Sales Association
United States Tour Operators Association
Water Environment Federation
Western Dredging Association
Wildlife Disease Association
Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association
Wood Moulding and Millwork Producers
Association
World International Nail and Beauty
Association
World Leisure and Recreation Association

Mailing to POC with Questionnaire Packets for Selected
Employees
•
•
•
•

RTI Letter to POC to Accompany Questionnaires
Example POC-to-Employee Memo
Certificate of Appreciation
Selected Employee Packets

RTI Letter to POC to Accompany Questionnaires

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
As we recently discussed on the telephone, enclosed are the questionnaire packets for the
employees who were sampled to participate in the O*NET® Data Collection Program. Please
distribute the packets to the appropriate employees as soon as possible.
Note that the label affixed to each envelope includes the occupation, line number and
initials of the employee (optional) from the roster you created for each occupation. Please use the
roster as a guide to ensure that each employee receives the correct envelope.
To encourage a high level of response from the employees, we have prepared the
attached example memorandum that you can send to each employee to show your support for the
Program. We hope you will consider modifying this memorandum as you wish and distributing it
along with the questionnaire packets. Call me at the number below if you would like me to send
an electronic copy of the memo to you.
We sincerely appreciate your company’s support of this important program and hope that
our sincere thanks is communicated to each employee receiving a packet. We realize that their
participation is completely voluntary and that their time is valuable.
Finally, as a token of our appreciation for your efforts, we have enclosed a Certificate of
Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor in your name. Also enclosed is a frame for the
certificate. Your personal efforts in support of this important national data collection program are
recognized and sincerely appreciated by the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as the entire
O*NET Project Team.
We will contact you again in the near future to see if you need any additional support. In
the meantime, feel free to contact me toll free at 1-877-233-7348 ext. [BL EXTENSION] any
time I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

[NAME OF BL]
Business Liaison
Enclosure

Example POC-to-Employee Memo

Company Letterhead
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
TO:

[SELECTED EMPLOYEE]

FROM:

[POINT OF CONTACT]

SUBJECT:

Occupational Information Network (O*NET®) Data Collection Program

LE

Our company has been invited by the U.S. Department of Labor to participate in an
important national project called the O*NET Data Collection Program. The purpose of
this study is to collect information on the knowledge, skills, and competencies required
for individuals in various occupations. Results of this data collection effort will be used to
update a national database on occupations called the Occupational Information Network
(O*NET), our nation’s primary source of information on jobs.

MP

You have been randomly identified to participate in this program as part of a national
sample. Your responses to the enclosed questionnaire are very important because
they will represent many other employees nationwide who also work in your occupation.
I encourage you to complete the questionnaire and return it as soon as you can.
However, your participation is completely voluntary and will in no way affect your
employment.

SA

Also, please be assured that your responses will be kept private to the extent permitted
by law and your name will not be associated with your individual responses. As you
will note from the instructions provided in the questionnaire packet, your completed
questionnaire should be returned directly to RTI, the survey organization collecting the
data. An addressed, postage-paid envelope is enclosed in the packet of materials for
this purpose. Neither I, nor anyone else in the company, will ever see or have access to
your answers.
Thank you very much for attending to this request. I hope you will complete the
questionnaire and return it to RTI in the next few days. If you have questions about it,
please contact me.

Certificate of Appreciation

Certificate of Appreciation
Presented to

This Certificate of Appreciation is in recognition of your personal and significant
contribution to the National Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Data
Collection Program, our Nation’s primary source of occupational information.

Rosemary Lahasky
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Employment and Training Administration

Selected Employee Packet
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Employee Questionnaire Packet Envelope
O*NET Folder*
RTI Letter to Accompany Questionnaire (With $10 Incentive)
RTI Letter to Accompany Questionnaire (Without $10
Incentive)
Association Endorsement List*
O*NET Brochure*
Instructions for Completing the Web Version of the O*NET
Questionnaire
Web Option Reminder Post-It
Business Reply Mail Return Envelope

*Please refer to the “Information Package Mailing to the Point-of-Contact” to view this
document.

Employee Questionnaire Packet Envelope

RTI Letter to Accompany Questionnaire
(With $10 Incentive)

[RTI Questionnaire Cover Letter to Incumbent with money]
[DATE]

Dear Madam or Sir,
On behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, I am requesting your participation in the Occupational
Information Network (O*NET) Data Collection Program. This important data collection effort is being
undertaken to update the O*NET database, our nation's primary source of occupational information. RTI,
a non-profit research organization, is conducting this data collection effort for the U.S. DOL and the
National Center for O*NET Development. We are collecting data from randomly sampled workers in
businesses all across the United States.
Your company has agreed to participate in the O*NET Data Collection Program. One of your coworkers, [NAME OF POC], is helping RTI to randomly sample employees to be invited to participate in
this important program.
To participate, please complete the questionnaire enclosed with this letter and return it to us in the
postage-paid envelope provided. It should only take about 30 minutes to complete. We also ask that you
do this on your own time, not company time. We have enclosed $10, which is yours to keep as an
expression of our appreciation for your time.
Your participation is completely voluntary. You can skip over any question you do not want to
answer. Your responses are returned directly to RTI, where your answers will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law and will not affect your employment in any way. Neither your name nor your
company’s name will be associated with your response. Data will only be used in summary form to
describe occupations - not specific jobs or the individuals performing them.
We have enclosed an O*NET brochure that will answer many questions you have about the O*NET
program. If you have access to the Internet, you may wish to complete the questionnaire on our Web
site at http://onet.rti.org. We have enclosed instructions to assist you with that. If you have any questions
about this research study, please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task Leader, toll-free at RTI at
1-800-334-8571 ext. 26475.
Thank you for your help with the O*NET project. The participation of businesses and employees
across the country will ensure that all occupational information contained in the O*NET system is
accurate and useful to business, educators, and individuals exploring careers.
Sincerely,

Michael F. Weeks
O*NET Project Director
Enclosure

RTI Letter to Accompany Questionnaire
(Without $10 Incentive)

[RTI Questionnaire Cover Letter to Incumbent without money]
[DATE]

Dear Madam or Sir,
On behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, I am requesting your participation in the Occupational
Information Network (O*NET) Data Collection Program. This important data collection effort is being
undertaken to update the O*NET database, our nation's primary source of occupational information. RTI,
a non-profit research organization, is conducting this data collection effort for the U.S. DOL and the
National Center for O*NET Development. We are collecting data from randomly sampled workers in
businesses all across the United States.
Your company has agreed to participate in the O*NET Data Collection Program. One of your coworkers, [NAME OF POC], is helping RTI to randomly sample employees to be invited to participate in
this important program.
To participate, please complete the questionnaire enclosed with this letter and return it to us in the
postage-paid envelope provided. It should only take about 30 minutes to complete. We also ask that you
do this on your own time, not company time. We sincerely appreciate your taking the time to help us in
this important effort.
Your participation is completely voluntary. You can skip over any question you do not want to
answer. Your responses are returned directly to RTI, where your answers will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law and will not affect your employment in any way. Neither your name nor your
company’s name will be associated with your response. Data will only be used in summary form to
describe occupations - not specific jobs or the individuals performing them.
We have enclosed an O*NET brochure that will answer many questions you have about the O*NET
program. If you have access to the Internet, you may wish to complete the questionnaire on our Web
site at http://onet.rti.org. We have enclosed instructions to assist you with that. If you have any questions
about this research study, please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task Leader, toll-free at RTI at
1-800-334-8571 ext. 26475.
Thank you for your help with the O*NET project. The participation of businesses and employees
across the country will ensure that all occupational information contained in the O*NET system is
accurate and useful to business, educators, and individuals exploring careers.
Sincerely,

Michael F. Weeks
O*NET Project Director
Enclosure

Instructions for Completing the Web Version of the O*NET
Questionnaire

Instructions for Completing the Web Version
of the O*NET® Questionnaire
Username:
Password:

[FILL HERE]
[FILL HERE]

You can complete the questionnaire online, if you prefer.
Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1.

Go to the web address http://onet.rti.org.

Step 2.

Click on the Login link to gain access to the
questionnaire.

Step 3.

Enter your username and password. This information
can be found above or at the top of the front cover of
the questionnaire booklet that you received.

Step 4.

Click on OK. Once you are logged in, you will receive
further instructions on completing the questionnaire.

Please be assured that your online responses are completely secure and
are protected by the same technology used by businesses to secure
credit card transactions.
If you have any problems accessing the web site, please call 1-877-2337348, ext. 100. Technical assistance is available through this toll free
number Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern
Time. You can also email your technical questions to [email protected].
If you have any questions about this research study, please contact Mr.
Derek Stone, Data Collection Task Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-3348571, ext. 26475. If you prefer, you can email him at [email protected].
Thank you again for your participation in the
O*NET Data Collection Program!
O=000000 C=00000 B=00000

Web Option Reminder Post-It

Business Reply Mail Return Envelope

Beyond Information. Intelligence.

P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

PRIVATE: To be opened by authorized staff only.

Research Triangle Institute
Research Operations Center
(O*NET 0207142)
Attn: O*NET Data Receipt
5265 Capital Boulevard
Raleigh, NC 27616-2925

O*NET Toolkit for Business
• RTI Letter to Accompany Toolkit
• Toolkit Folder
• Toolkit Contents

RTI Letter to Accompany the
O*NET Toolkit for Business

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
Your interest and support of the O*NET Data Collection effort is very important to the success of the
program. With that in mind, I am sending you this O*NET Toolkit for Business, in the hope that it will become a
valuable aid to you and your organization. This is a free resource for your company from the U.S. Department of
Labor.
The O*NET Toolkit for Business was created specifically for organizations like yours to help them use
the information available through O*NET to simplify tasks such as writing job descriptions and planning for
future human resource needs. The following pieces are included in the toolkit:


The Quick Reference Guide to O*NET: an executive summary of O*NET information.



The OnLine Guided Tour: an introduction to the O*NET OnLine application.



The Content Model Reference Card: an overview of the conceptual foundation for O*NET occupational
information.



O*NET At Work: Writing Job Descriptions: step-by-step guide to writing job descriptions using O*NET
OnLine.



O*NET At Work: HR Planning and Employee Retention & Reskilling: step-by-step guide to doing
human resource planning or solving employee retention/reskilling problems using O*NET OnLine.



The compact disc: provides full copies of the O*NET questionnaires in MS Word for in-house use, such as
job analysis.

We hope you find this Toolkit useful. If you have any comments or questions, please contact me at 1-877233-7348 ext. [BL EXTENSION], or the Operations Center Manager at 1-877-233-7348 ext. 100.
Sincerely,

[NAME OF BL]
Business Liaison
Enclosure

Toolkit Folder

onet toolkit folder (spine).indd 1

5/10/15 3:26 PM

Toolkit Contents

®

Disclaimer:
This O*NET ® Toolkit for Business has
been produced by compiling information
and documentation provided by various
sources. The examples are provided as
illustrative uses of O*NET and, as such,
this Toolkit is provided “AS-IS” without
expressed or implied warranties.
Copyright Notice:
© 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008,
2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 U.S. Department
of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. All rights reserved.
This Toolkit has been developed and
produced by Reingold, Inc. for the Center for
Employment Security Education and
Research (CESER) and the National O*NET
Consortium, with funding from the
Employment and Training Administration,
U.S. Department of Labor. No license is
required to obtain, copy, use, or distribute
this product. Materials produced from this
publication must be appropriately cited;
suggested citation is O*NET®: Toolkit for
Business, U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration
(DOL/ETA).
Any modifications to the training materials
which imply that O*NET can be used for
additional purposes not cited in the DOL
source materials, for which its validity and
reliability have not been established, must
be clearly labeled and identified in and on
the product as additions made to the
original DOL/ETA materials.
O*NET is a DOL/ETA trademarked product.
For any use of the O*NET mark, please
contact the National Center for O*NET
Development at http://www.onetcenter.org
or National Center for O*NET Development,
P.O. Box 27625, Raleigh, NC 27611 for
appropriate procedures and requirements.
Inquiries and comments can be addressed
to the National Center for O*NET
Development by using the contact
information below.
National Center for O*NET Development
P.O. Box 27625
Raleigh, NC 27611
www.onetcenter.org

O*NET® Toolkit for Business

Contents
Employers’ Quick Reference Guide to O*NET
Why Should You Use O*NET? ........................................1
How Can You Use O*NET? ............................................2
OnLine Guided Tour
About the O*NET Database and O*NET OnLine ........1
Using O*NET OnLine ......................................................2
Getting Oriented to O*NET OnLine..............................3
My Next Move..................................................................3
Green Occupations..........................................................3
Using Find Occupations ..................................................5
Understanding Summary, Details, and
Custom Reports ..........................................................6
Performing a Skills Search ..............................................9
Using O*NET Crosswalks ..............................................10
Search Tools and Technology ......................................10
O*NET at Work: Writing Job Descriptions
The Employer’s Challenge ..............................................1
Writing an Effective Job Description ............................1
Benefits to the Employer ................................................5
Sample Job Description..................................................6

Acknowledgements:
The Employment and Training Administration
(ETA) wishes to acknowledge the following
organizations and offices for their
contributions to the O*NET® Toolkit for
Business:
National Center for O*NET Development
Ron Page, Ph.D.
The National O*NET Consortium,
comprised of the North Carolina
Employment Security Commission;
Center for Employment Security
Education and Research; and ETA’s
Office of Workforce Investment and the
Skills Assessment Team.

O*NET at Work: HR Planning, Employee Reskilling
and Retention
The Employer’s Challenge ..............................................1
Example 1: Human Resource Planning ..........................1
Example 2: Employee Reskilling and Retention ..........5
Benefits to the Employer ................................................6
Content Model
O*NET Mini CD

®

O*NET® Toolkit for Business
This Occupational Information Network (O*NET®) Toolkit for

What Is O*NET?

Business provides a wealth of background information on the

Think of O*NET (the
Occupational Information
Network) as a power tool for
employers and human resource
professionals. O*NET is an
easily searchable online
database that provides detailed
information on over 900
occupations representing the
entire U. S. economy. O*NET is
an up to date, flexible, and
streamlined resource for
accessing information relevant
to many human resource,
organizational development,
and workforce development
functions.

features of O*NET, and details its many uses for human resource
professionals and employers.

Your Toolkit contains:
Employers’ Quick Reference Guide to O*NET.

A brief
overview of the features of O*NET, giving basic information on
O*NET and how it serves as a resource to assist businesses with
everyday needs, complete with brief instructions on how to get
started.

O*NET OnLine Guided Tour. A guided tour of the features
and capabilities of O*NET OnLine, demonstrating the breadth
and depth of the information available. This guided tour
demonstrates how users can navigate through O*NET OnLine and
provides real world examples of occupational and skills searches,
or specific details of one or more occupations. This tool also
describes O*NET OnLine’s many resources on accommodations,
disabilities, and workplace issues.
O*NET at Work. Two case studies provide an overview of how
O*NET can be used in specific human resources and management
functions. The case studies—Writing Job Descriptions and HR
Planning, Employee Reskilling and Retention—provide step-bystep, detailed descriptions to demonstrate O*NET’s use in specific
business processes.
The O*NET Content Model. Provides both graphic and written
descriptions of the conceptual framework that underlies the O*NET
database.

O*NET Mini CD. A mini CD provides full copies of the O*NET
Questionnaires in Microsoft Word.

One resource, many
applications.
O*NET is a valuable resource
for many human resource and
strategic business operations,
such as:
Job Descriptions
Human Resource Planning
Organizational Structure
and Design
Job Design and Job
Reengineering
Organizational Development
Succession Planning
Training Needs Analysis

Together, these tools equip your business to
become a power user of O*NET.

Career Development
Workforce Development
Web Services Integration

®

toolkit for business

Employers’

Quick Reference Guide to O*NET

toolkit for business

Why should you use O*NET?
O*NET is a free, easy-to-use occupational information system that can help
your company save time and effort by leveraging its human resource
capabilities. From start-up to Fortune 500, every business faces challenges
in defining job requirements, developing accurate job descriptions, and
implementing effective personnel development strategies. In a technologydriven, highly competitive, and rapidly evolving marketplace, human
resource professionals, line managers, and decision-makers all need current,
accurate occupational intelligence.

Key O*NET business benefits
Time savings: Developing job descriptions can be time- and labor-intensive. O*NET OnLine puts current,
searchable information on hundreds of occupations at your fingertips, including education and experience,
apprenticeable specialties, work activities and typical tasks, as well as knowledge, skills, and abilities. You can easily
copy O*NET information and tailor it to your company’s specific needs—letting you develop quality job descriptions
in a fraction of the time. Developers can integrate O*NET tools into their own website or web-enabled application
using O*NET Web Services.
Efficiency: O*NET data is easy to find, easy to search, and easy to understand—giving you meaningful occupational
information and analytical support instantly. This means that you can address a wider range of human resources issues
in less time, with less effort.
Consistency: O*NET standardized
occupational descriptors make it much
easier to compare work across a broad
range of functions and levels.
1

Effectiveness: O*NET provides
comprehensive and current information
for a wide range of occupations. This
translates into better targeted recruiting
efforts, more effective training, and
better defined career paths.
Added Value: O*NET standardized
descriptors create a common language
that is an applicable tool for a mobile
and rapidly changing world of work.
O*NET descriptions are based on
rigorous research and the input of
industry experts.
Cost Savings: Tracking down all the
information you need for Human
Resource planning can be expensive.
O*NET OnLine brings together
occupational information with links to
additional resources, such as
employment outlook, wages, and other
labor market information. All the data is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, with no fee for use.

To take advantage of O*NET information, use the quick reference
information on the next few pages—or see the O*NET OnLine
Guided Tour for more in-depth information, tips, and techniques for
getting the most from O*NET OnLine. For a more detailed
description of the O*NET information, see the Content Model
Reference Card.

®

How Can You Use O*NET?
Log onto O*NET OnLine
Just visit http://www.onetonline.org to check out O*NET,
run a search, or link to dozens of valuable resources for
occupational and career-related information.

Use O*NET OnLine
O*NET OnLine is a web-based application
that provides access to information in the
O*NET database of occupational information.

The O*NET Database provides occupational information within the following catetgories:
Worker Characteristics: Abilities, Interests, Work Values and Work Styles
Worker Requirements: Skills, Knowledge and Education
Experience Requirements: Experience, Training, Skills and Licensing Requirements
Occupation Specific Information: Titles, Alternate Titles, Tasks, and Tools and Technology
Occupation Requirements: Work Activities, Detailed Work Activities, Organizational Context, and Work Context
Workforce Characteristics: Links to labor market information, occupational outlook and wage information

O*NET OnLine Search Options
Find Occupations allows you to search for occupations by
entering a title, phrase or code into the Keyword Search box, or by
using one of the “Browse by” options: Bright Outlook, Career
Cluster, Green Economy Sector, Industry, Job Family, Job Zone,
and STEM Discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics disciplines).
Advanced Search lets you “Browse by” O*NET Data to find
occupations by many different descriptors; lets you use Skills to find
Occupations matching the skills you have or plan to acquire; lets
you use specific Tools or Technology to find high demand
occupations; lets you use Detailed Work Activities and Tasks to find
similar occupations.
Crosswalk lets you search for an O*NET-SOC occupation using
codes or titles from other classification systems such as: the
Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), the Military Occupational
Classification (MOC), the Registered Apprenticeship Partners
Information Data System (RAPIDS), the Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC), the Classification of Instructional Programs
(CIP), and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH).

Valuable Related Links
O*NET OnLine offers a wide variety of
links to other valuable occupationrelated sites. Each Summary, Details,
or Custom Report includes the option
of linking directly to Wages and
Employment Outlook Information for
that occupation on CareerOneStop.
There are also links to the U.S.
Department
of
Labor,
other
government agencies, as well as links
to
information
on
disability,
accommodations, and workplace
issues.

Green lets you search for Green occupations that are part of the
green economy.

Summary, Details, and Custom Reports
O*NET OnLine provides information at several levels. Summary information is designed to provide a quick
overview, focusing on the most important information on the occupation. Details information gives more
comprehensive information. Custom information allows users to create their own customized reports.

2

Downloading the O*NET Database
At the upper right of the O*NET OnLine home
page, Click on O*NET Sites then click on the link to
the Resource Center (http://www.onetcenter.org).
Click the Developers heading on the Left of the
page, then select Production Database.

Download the O*NET Database
The O*NET Database may be
downloaded free, for importing into
other systems. The O*NET database
includes
all
the
occupational
information in O*NET OnLine. This
information can be used to facilitate
career
exploration,
vocational
counseling, and a variety of human
resource functions, such as developing
job orders, position descriptions, and
aligning training with current workplace
needs.

O*NET Center Home Page
For more information about using
O*NET, or about O*NET products or
technical
reports,
please
see
www.onetcenter.org.

®

O*NET is brought to you by:

O*NET Project
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Mail Stop C 4526
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
www.doleta.gov/programs/onet

National Center for O*NET Development
P.O. Box 27625
Raleigh, NC 27611
www.onetcenter.org

®

toolkit for business

O*NET OnLine

Guided Tour

This Guided Tour is designed to help you use O*NET® OnLine
more efficiently. While O*NET OnLine has a friendly, easy-touse interface, this guide and reference tool may speed the
learning curve for site navigation and search strategy.

About the O*NET Database and O*NET OnLine
1

O*NET (the Occupational Information Network) OnLine is a centralized online resource that enables you to access
occupational information in the O*NET database. O*NET OnLine offers links to other valuable online occupational
resources, including federal agencies and programs.
The O*NET database is the nation’s primary source for occupational information. It offers:
•

A common language and consistent descriptors for both worker and occupational information. Because
O*NET information is regularly updated and is based on careful research and analysis of “real world”
occupational data, it is a useful tool for a wide array of management and human resource activities.

•

A unique approach to organizing and presenting occupational information. The O*NET “Content Model”
gives employers convenient ways to hone in on information specific to a particular occupation, yet also lets
them compare occupations using common skills, job attributes, and worker attributes.

•

A helpful analysis and decision support system for many key business functions. Human resource
professionals, business forecasters, industry analysts, organizational consultants, and line managers find
O*NET information valuable in achieving objectives such as:
◆

Efficiently developing accurate job descriptions

◆

Developing more targeted and effective employee development programs

◆

Aligning organizational development initiatives with identified workplace needs

◆

Defining recruitment goals

◆

Expanding the pool of quality candidates for open positions

®

toolkit for business

2

Using O*NET OnLine
The O*NET database houses the occupational descriptors and data that
can be accessed through O*NET OnLine. O*NET OnLine is a convenient
and easy-to-use interface to the O*NET database.

Logging onto O*NET OnLine
This guided tour is most helpful if you log onto O*NET OnLine at
http://www.onetonline.org and follow this map to get familiar with
its functions and features. Or you may select O*NET OnLine from
the O*NET Home Page (http://www.onetcenter.org/) to reach
O*NET OnLine.

toolkit for business

Getting Oriented to O*NET OnLine
O*NET OnLine is designed to be intuitive. It’s easy to navigate through the web site and easy to search the
database. But because there are several different levels and types of information provided, it’s helpful to get a sense
of what each category of information is and how it can be used.

O*NET OnLine home page overview
This home page is largely dedicated to O*NET
OnLine’s search options. The other key
information available here includes:

3

OnLine Help: Assistance for
navigating, searching, and retrieving
information from O*NET
What’s New: Link to other O*NET
products and tools
What is O*NET: Link to information
about O*NET data, applications,
and research
My Next Move: A web-based
interactive tool for new job seekers,
students, and other career explorers
to learn more about their career
options. Provides the O*NET Interest
Profiler, a tool that offers customized
career suggestions based on a
person’s interests and level of
education and work experience.
Green Occupations: Discover
important information about green
occupations and the green
economy.
An email link for your comments
and suggestions for O*NET

About O*NET OnLine search options

Occupation Quick Search
provides quick access to
finding occupations by
keyword or code.

O*NET OnLine
offers four easy
search functions.

4

Find Occupations allows you to
search for occupations by entering a
title, phrase or code into the Keyword
search box, or by using one of the
“Browse by” options: Bright Outlook,
Career Cluster, Green Economy
Sector, Industry, Job Family, Job Zone,
and STEM Discipline (Science,
Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics disciplines).

Advanced Search lets you “Browse
by” O*NET Data to find occupations
by many different descriptors; lets
you find Occupations using Skills you
have or plan to acquire; lets you use
specific Tools or Technology to find
high demand occupations; lets you
use Detailed Work Activities and
Tasks to find similar occupations.

Crosswalks lets you
search for an O*NETSOC occupation by
entering a code from
one of several other
occupational
classification
systems.

toolkit for business

Using Find Occupations

Users can search for occupations by:
Keyword or O*NET-SOC code
Browsing by Bright Outlook
Browsing by Career Cluster
Browsing by Green Economy Sector
Browsing by Industry
Browsing a list of Job Families
Browsing by Job Zone levels
Browsing by STEM educational area
(Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics)

5

Results for a Quick search are listed
in a rank order that is calculated on
the relevance of the occupational
title, alternate titles, description,
tasks, and detailed work activities
associated with the word or words
you entered.

Clicking on How Do They Match
and then clicking on the key
symbol shows which key words
were matched for each
occupation. Click on one of these
icons to bring up a list of the
alternate titles, tasks, and work
activities matching your search
query. The words of the search
query are highlighted, to easily see
where a match occurs.

Understanding Summary, Details, and Custom Reports

When you search for occupational information, O*NET lets you review information at a variety of
levels. The sections below illustrate these different options by showing a sample of O*NET data
retrieved for a search of the occupational title “Art Director.”

Summary
Summary Reports are displayed when first selecting an occupation. They provide up to five
descriptors rated 50% or higher on the Importance scale for each occupational and worker
characteristic.
Summary Example:
For Art Director, two
Interests categories
received high importance
ratings.

Details
The Details Reports option provides complete information, including ratings of relative
importance, on all the occupational and worker descriptors. This information is useful for
in-depth analysis and for comparing occupations.
Details Example:
Details reports on all six
Interests categories,
including importance ratings
When the “+” icon appears
next to an item, you can click
it to see a list of related
occupations with this same
Interest, Skill, etc.. For
example, selecting the “+”
icon next to Artistic
occupations shows
occupations where that skill
is an important part of the
work. Click on any listed
occupation to see its full
Summary report.

6

toolkit for business

Custom
Custom allows the user to select the descriptors of interest as well as the scale (Importance or
Level of expertise) and minimum ratings desired for a customized report.
•

Importance ranks the relative importance of an attribute for a particular occupation.

•

Level is an indicator of the relative level of expertise required for a skill, knowledge area, or ability.

While the same skill can be important
to a number of different occupations,
the skill level needed for each
occupation may be different. For
example, critical thinking ranks as
Important for both Art Directors and
Craft Artists. But the Level rating for
critical thinking for Art Directors (57
on the Level scale) is higher than for
Craft Artists (46 on the Level scale).

O*NET Rating Scales
O*NET descriptors are rated on
several different numeric rating
scales, which all range from 0 to 100.
7

The Importance and Level scales
are applied to Skills, Knowledge,
Ability, and Work Activities
descriptors. In some domains
additional scales are also used.
Users can also choose to include
the scale anchors used in the
O*NET Questionnaires, as well as
Detailed Work Activities.
Detailed Work Activities provide
information on the common work
activities required across
occupations. These crossoccupational descriptors are less
specific than Tasks, which are
occupationally specific. They are
provided within each of the more
general Work Activities with which
they are associated. In the Work
Activities Outline view, an
occupation's hiearchy of
generalized, intermediate, and
detailed work activities, and
occupation-specific task
statements is shown.

For Example:
Checking Skills at a minimum Level of expertise of 50 and Work
Activities at a minimum Importance rating of 90, along with scale
anchors and Detailed Work Activities, generates the report on the
next page.

Custom Report Example

8

Related Occupations

At the bottom of Summary and Details
reports is a list of Related Occupations.
In Custom reports, under Other
Information, you may choose to view
Related Occupations as well as
occupations that Crosswalk with the
selected occupation.
Related Occupations for Art Director

toolkit for business

Wages and Employment Information
O*NET OnLine provides national wage and
employment information at the bottom of each
Summary or Details Report. In addition, the user
can select to be taken to CareerOneStop for
state wage and trends information.

Performing a Skills Search
Skills Search lets a user identify occupations that utilize specific skills. This search strategy could help
employees locate other positions within an organization or help an HR professional develop career ladders
within a company. When you select Skills Search, a screen displays definitions for six broad skill categories:
Basic Skills
Complex Problem
Solving Skills
9

Resource Management
Skills
Social Skills
Systems Skills
Technical Skills

Under each skill category, you can select any number
of the more specific skills listed. Then click Go at the
bottom of the page. The Skills Search Results page
will display a list of occupations that match the
selected skills, along with a count of the skills
matched.

Using O*NET Crosswalks
Crosswalk Search lets you search for
related O*NET-SOC
occupations using codes or titles
from other classification systems:
Apprenticeship – Registered
Apprenticeship Partners
information Data System
(RAPIDS)
DOT – Dictionary of
Occupational Titles
Education – Classification of
Instructional Programs (CIP)
Military – Military
Occupational Classification
(MOC)
SOC – Standard
Occupational Classification
Occupation Handbook –
Occupational Outlook
Handbook

Search Tools &
Technology
The user of the Tools & Technology
Search enters the name of a specific tool
or software product to find occupations
which may use that tool. For example,
the following is a partial list of the results
for “Tax software”
13-2011.01 Accountants
13-2021.01 Assessors
13-2082.00 Tax Preparers

Saving O*NET Information
You can print and save any information retrieved from O*NET
Details and Custom Reports.
See Save Table and click on XLS or CSV at the top of any table
of information.
These links let you view or download the data as an XLS
(Excel) or CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file.

10

®

O*NET is brought to you by:

O*NET Project
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Mail Stop C 4526
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
www.doleta.gov/programs/onet

National Center for O*NET Development
P.O. Box 27625
Raleigh, NC 27611
www.onetcenter.org

®

toolkit for business

O*NET at Work:

Writing Job Descriptions

Describing jobs within an organization is
a common task that can consume large
amounts of time and resources. This
example application demonstrates how
human resource personnel can use
O*NET® to develop job descriptions
faster, better, and cheaper.

The Employer’s Challenge
Vitality, Inc. is a mid-size professional
services company with a growing
information technology (IT) department. To
better meet internal demand for technical
support, the company needed to create
several technical support or “help desk”
positions, and to develop a new position
description for computer support. Bob
Garcia, the Human Resource (HR) Manager,
turned to O*NET information to help
identify job requirements for computer
support work.

1

Writing an Effective Job Description
Job descriptions provide information to guide many human resource
applications. The amount of detail required depends on the intended use.
The more detail provided, the greater the breadth and depth of human
resource applications that may be addressed. The HR Manager determined
that O*NET information could provide a starting point for developing job
descriptions more efficiently.

®

Step 1:

Identify Job Tasks, Responsibilities, and
Work Context factors that will be part of
the newly created positions.

The HR Manager accessed the internet and typed in
http://www.onetonline.org. At the O*NET OnLine home page, he
selected Find Occupations. From the Find Occupations screen, he
was able to access the database of information describing work for
computer support occupations.
Using Keyword search, the HR Manager typed in “computer support”
and clicked GO.
The first match listed on the resulting screen was “Computer User
Support Specialists.” The HR Manager selected this occupation and a
Summary Report was displayed.
The HR Manager then selected Custom reports, which provides
options for what information the user wants displayed on the
occupation.

toolkit for business

2

On the Find Occupations screen,
the user typed “computer support”
in the Keyword search box.

The user then clicked on the
Go button.

toolkit for business

Next, the HR Manager decided what
information describing the work of
Computer User Support Specialists he
wanted to see.
The user selected the Tasks, Work
Activities, and Work Context check
boxes.

The user clicked Go to create the
Custom Report.

For selected O*NET Descriptors on
the Custom Report Menu, users can
choose the minimum score for the
items displayed and the type of
scale, such as Importance or Level.

3

The HR Manager copied the brief occupation
description to the job description document he is
creating (see page 6).
A sample of job titles obtained from incumbents is
provided.
Users can download the tables for selected O*NET
descriptors by clicking on either XLS or CSV by Save
Table.
Activities are listed in descending order of
importance.

The HR Manager printed the Custom Report and asked the IT Manager to highlight Tasks, Work Activities, and Work
Context information relevant for the position. Once the IT Manager highlighted the important information about the
work of Computer User Support Specialists, the information was copied to the draft job description (see page 6).
Next, the IT Manager added information to customize the job description
to the needs of Vitality, Inc. The HR Manager gave the Work Context
Questionnaire* to employees in the information technology department
to complete. This gave him information about social and physical factors
in the workplace. Social factors include supervision, responsibility and
customer service interaction. Physical factors include aspects of the
environment that affect the employee’s physical comfort. This information
was also added to the draft job description.

Step 2:

Information from the Work Context
Questionnaire* can be used to
describe the working conditions in
which work is performed, and adds
greater detail to a job description.

Identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities that are
important for performing the identified tasks.

Returning to the Custom Report Menu
in O*NET, the HR Manager created
another Custom Report to access
information on Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities. Working with the IT Manager,
the HR Manager copied the
appropriate language from the O*NET
Custom Report for Computer User
Support Specialists to the draft job
description.

The user chose to examine Knowledge
and Skills by Level rather than
Importance.

To see a list of more occupations where
that Knowledge or Ability is an
important part of the work select the +
icon. Click on any listed related
occupation to see its full Summary
report.

Information about Abilities was copied
from O*NET in the same manner as
Knowledge and Skills.

* The Work Context Questionnaire is included in the O*NET Questionnaires on the enclosed mini CD.

4

toolkit for business

Once the information was gathered using O*NET OnLine, the HR Manager and
the IT Manager completed a draft of a job description. They presented this
draft to people in information technology functions within the company for final
revisions.
The job description that the HR Manager and IT Manager developed using
O*NET information is shown to the right. The language for the job description
was taken from O*NET OnLine. The red text was contributed by the staff.

Benefits to the Employer
The employer realized the following benefits:
The time invested in developing the job description was reduced from an
average of 24 hours to 8 hours.
5

The cost to the employer was reduced dramatically from approximately
$1,440 to approximately $480.
The job description was created using a standardized and common
language.
The standardized language used made it much easier to compare work
across functions and levels.
The new O*NET based description was of much higher quality than the less
specific descriptions used in the past.
Through O*NET OnLine links, the employer accessed additional
information on the Internet, such as current U.S. salaries, current and
projected employment, and related training.

Sample Job Description:

Computer Help Desk Specialist
Summary of Work Activities and Responsibilities: Provides technical assistance to internal computer system users for word
processing, electronic mail, spread sheet, database, and project management applications. Answers questions and resolves
computer problems for system users in person or over the telephone. Prepares and conducts evaluations of software and hardware
and makes recommendations to management for review. Monitors software, hardware, and peripheral equipment to detect errors,
evaluate effectiveness, and resolve problems. Installs software, hardware, and peripheral equipment and performs minor repairs.
May be required to prepare and conduct training for system users. Help Desk Specialists are results oriented, capable of working
on their own and making decisions. Work is performed from a central, well equipped technology center or at user stations. (This
summary is a compilation of information found in the O*NET Custom Report for Computer User Support Specialists)

Typical Tasks:
1)

Installs and performs minor repairs to hardware, software, and peripheral equipment in a system using [insert required
software] following design or installation specifications.

2)

Confers daily with staff, users, and management to determine requirements for new systems or modifications.

3)

Reads technical manuals, confers with users, and conducts computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems and
provide technical assistance.

4)

Enters commands and observes system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.

5)

Refers major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.

6)

Maintains record of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial action taken, and installation activities.

7)

Conducts office automation feasibility studies, including workflow analysis, space design, and cost comparison analysis.

8)

Reads trade magazines and technical manuals, and attends conferences and seminars to maintain knowledge of hardware
and software.

9)

Inspects equipment and reads order sheets to prepare for delivery to users.
(from the Tasks section of the Custom Report)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must have knowledge of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware
and software, including applications and programming. Must understand the principles and processes for providing customer
services. Knowledge of instructional methods is helpful but not required. (from the Knowledge section of the Custom Report) Must
be able to determine what is causing operating problems and decide how to solve them using active listening and critical thinking
skills. (from the Skills section of the Custom Report) Must have the ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, and
use deductive and mathematical reasoning to detect, diagnose, and solve computer and system related problems. (from the
Abilities section of the Custom Report)
Education and Experience Requirements: People in this position must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information
Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related computer field, and two years of experience in computer support
and service. Must have experience with [insert required software]. (from the Job Zone - Education section of the Custom Report)

6

®

O*NET is brought to you by:

O*NET Project
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Mail Stop C 4526
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
www.doleta.gov/programs/onet

National Center for O*NET Development
P.O. Box 27625
Raleigh, NC 27611
www.onetcenter.org

®

toolkit for business

HR Planning,
Employee Reskilling and Retention

O*NET at Work:

Two important challenges in today’s
workplace are 1) how to keep up with
the changing skills requirements of jobs
and 2) how to retain employees with the
proper skills. This example application
shows how Reliant Bank used O*NET® to
help address these challenges.

The Employer’s Challenge
Reliant Bank, a medium-sized financial services company, has
had difficulty ensuring that it has employees with the right skills to
handle its computer and information technology applications.
With changes in hardware and software technology, as well as
user requirements, the company has needed to continuously
work on reskilling its workforce.
The President of Reliant Bank feels that it has had too much
turnover from its computer and information technology (IT) jobs.
Exit interviews have indicated that a primary reason for turnover
is that employees want to upgrade their skills and be positioned
for career advancement opportunities.

1

The bank has not had a framework for addressing these issues.
Sharon Rogers, the Human Resources (HR) Manager, determined
that the O*NET system provides the framework and tools to help
address these challenges. The following examples show how the
HR manager addressed 1) Human Resource Planning — the
identification of future skills requirements and how to position the
organization for fulfilling these requirements, and 2) Employee
Retention — facilitating the development of employees and
positioning them for career advancement opportunities when
they become available.

Example 1

Human Resource Planning

Human Resource Planning addresses the organization’s future employee
needs by providing a systematic process for determining current versus
future knowledge and skill requirements. It requires identifying the types of
knowledge, skills, and abilities needed at a future point in time and then
comparing this to what is currently available. The difference, or gap, may then
be addressed.
Work analysis information, as provided by O*NET, can be a critical
component of an effective HR Planning process. The Reliant HR Manager
decided to use O*NET to help address the organization’s HR Planning and
employee reskilling and retention issues.
The HR Manager also determined that the greatest need was in the area of
information technology. Specifically, the needs were in hardware and
software application support. She took these steps:

®

Occupation Quick Search enables
the user to search for occupations by
keyword or code. It can be accessed
in the header of each O*NET OnLine
screen or by selecting Find
Occupations on the home page.

2

toolkit for business

Step 1:

Identify future staff needs.

The HR Manager met with line managers to identify future staff needs. They
decided to concentrate on defining needs two years in the future. The strategic
business plan for the next two years was reviewed. To accomplish its business plan,
Reliant Bank needed approximately an eight percent (8%) increase in staff for
computer hardware and software support.

Step 2:

Define Work and Worker Requirements
of future staff needs

The HR Manager reviewed information in O*NET OnLine. She accessed the
Internet and typed in http://www.onetonline.org.

toolkit for business

More information was needed on the nature of
work in computer maintenance and support.
The user went to the Find Occupations screen
and selected Computer and Mathematical under
Job Family.
The user then selected Go.

3

On the Job Family list screen the user selected “Computer
User Support Specialists.” The Summary Report for this
occupation was displayed. However, the HR Manager wished
to customize the report and so she chose Custom on the
View Report line.
Next, the user chose to investigate
Tasks, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
by checking the appropriate boxes
within the Custom Report Menu.

For selected O*NET Descriptors on the Custom
Report Menu, users can choose the minimum
score for the items displayed and the type of
scale.
The user selected the Level scale for
Knowledge and Skills.
The user then selected Go.
The user reviewed the key tasks of Computer User
Support Specialists. The list of tasks in O*NET
provides clarity about the application of
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Tasks are listed here.

Next, the user
Knowledge areas.

reviewed

the

Users can download the tables for
selected O*NET descriptors by
clicking on the “save table” link.

Knowledge areas are listed in
descending order by Level.

The user then reviewed the Skills.

Skill areas are presented in
descending order for Computer
User Support Specialists.

The user then reviewed the Abilities.
4

Abilities are listed in descending
order of Importance.

Step 3:

For gaps,
define Knowledge, Skills,
and Abilities required.
The HR Manager compiled the
O*NET information into a listing for
the target job. This was reviewed by
the IT manager and selected
members of the IT staff. They
reported that the information was an
excellent framework for the “job of
the future.” They added additional
information that was specific to
Reliant Bank’s hardware and software
environment and completed the
effort within an hour.

Step 4:
toolkit for business

Create a master plan for acquiring or
repositioning employees to address future
needs.

The HR Manager then worked with line managers to develop a concrete plan
of action for developing and acquiring employees with the required skills. A
description of the jobs and job requirements was posted for current
employees.

Example 2

Employee Reskilling and Retention

The second issue that the HR Manager addressed was employee reskilling and retention. What skills are required
in the future? How can employees assure that they have the skills that will enable them to advance in their career?
When employees feel that they have advancement opportunities, they are more inclined to stay with the
organization.

Step 1:

Identify future Knowledge, Skill, and Ability needs.

The Knowledge, Skill, and Ability
requirements that were defined in Example
1 were used. In addition, the HR Manager
printed out the Summary Report for
Computer User Support Specialists.
5

The Summary Report displays
the most important variables
within each available category
for the occupation of interest.

Step 2:

Identify current Knowledge, Skill,
and Ability levels.

Selected employees completed O*NET Knowledge, Skill, and Ability
questionnaires. These questionnaires were included in the O*NET Toolkit for
Business that Reliant Bank received. An analysis of this information identified
current knowledge, skill, and ability levels.

Step 3:

Identify gaps and development opportunities.

The current Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities levels were compared to the
future needs. Where gaps were identified, the employer took steps to
supplement current training in preparation for future requirements.

Step 4:

Communicate career opportunities and
development requirements.

Reliant Bank communicated to its employees about its future requirements
and the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed. Where employees identified
gaps, they initiated efforts to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, or
abilities. This positioned them for future job opportunities within the
organization.

6

As a result of these actions employee turnover was reduced.

Benefits to the Employer
The employer realized a number of benefits by using O*NET, including:

Creating a concrete strategy for
addressing its future employee
needs.

Saving time by leveraging
O*NET technology and
information.

Reducing employee turnover in
mission critical jobs.

Incurring no additional expense
and remaining within existing
budgets.

Developing consistent and
thorough job descriptions.

Adopting a framework for
defining jobs and work and
ensuring that the organization
had a thorough and systematic
means of defining jobs and
worker requirements across the
organization.

®

O*NET is brought to you by:

O*NET Project
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Mail Stop C 4526
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
www.doleta.gov/programs/onet

National Center for O*NET Development
P.O. Box 27625
Raleigh, NC 27611
www.onetcenter.org

®

toolkit for business

The O*NET® Content Model is the
conceptual framework underlying
the database. It identifies the
structure and types of information
contained

in

the

O*NET

Database. The O*NET Content
Model provides data categories that
allow you to review information from
the standpoint of occupations (via
job-oriented descriptors) and people
(via worker-oriented descriptors).

Reference Card
the O*NET Content

Model

O*NET’s Content Model clusters information into six broad categories, called domains:

Worker Characteristics: enduring characteristics such as abilities, interests, and work styles, that might influence both a
worker’s performance and the capacity to acquire knowledge and skills required for effective work performance.
Worker Requirements: work-related attributes acquired and/or developed through experience and education related to
the occupation. Knowledge refers to acquired facts and principles pertinent to a job. Skills are the application of knowledge
in a work setting and may be divided into basic skills (such as reading, which facilitates the acquisition of new knowledge)
and cross-functional skills (such as problem solving, which extends across several domains of activities).
Experience Requirements: qualities related to previous activities and specific types of work activities. This category
includes information about the typical experiential backgrounds of workers in an occupation or group of occupations, as
well as certification, licensure, and training.
Occupational Requirements: O*NET identifies generalized work activities and detailed work activities that may be performed within multiple occupations. Using this framework, a single set of descriptors can be used to describe many occupations. Work context descriptors (the physical, social, or structural context of work) that may impose specific demands on
workers are also included in this category.
Occupation-Specific Information: descriptors that apply to a single occupation or a narrowly defined job family. This
information includes occupation-specific tasks and machines, tools and software—referred to as Tools and
Technology. This category is particularly important for specific human resource applications, such as training, developing job descriptions, or redefining jobs.
Workforce Characteristics: general characteristics of occupations that may influence occupational requirements,
including the occupation’s social and economic contexts. Labor market information defined by industry or occupation also falls within this category. O*NET provides this information through links from O*NET OnLine to statistical
labor market information including compensation and wage data, employment outlook, and industry size information.
Much of this information is collected outside of O*NET by organizations such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and the Census Bureau. An
interactive version of the O*NET Content Model is available from the O*NET Resource Center home page at
http://www.onetcenter.org/

®

O*NET is brought to you by:

O*NET Project
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Mail Stop C 4526
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
www.doleta.gov/programs/onet

National Center for O*NET Development
P.O. Box 27625
Raleigh, NC 27611
www.onetcenter.org

A closer look at the
Content Model.
Each information category
(or domain) in the O*NET
Content Model contains
subcategories or subdomains, which further
define each category.
For example, the Worker
Characteristics domain
includes additional subdomains: Abilities, Interests,
and Work Styles.

Level 1: Worker Characteristics
Level 2: Abilities
Level 3: Cognitive
Physical
Sensory
Psychomotor
Level 2: Interests
Level 3: Realistic
Investigative
Artistic
Social
Enterprising
Conventional
Level 2: Work Styles
Level 3: Achievement Orientation
Social Influence
Interpersonal Orientation
Adjustment
Conscientiousness
Independence
Practical Intelligence

Mailing to POC with Thank You/Reminder Postcards
• RTI Letter to POC to Accompany Thank
You/Reminder Postcard
• Thank You/Reminder Postcard to Employee

RTI Letter to POC to Accompany Thank You/Reminder
Postcard

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
Enclosed, please find the thank you/reminder postcards we discussed during our
recent phone call. Each employee who was sampled to participate in the O*NET Data
Collection Program should receive one of these postcards in the next day or so. The
purpose of the postcard is to say "thank you" if they have already completed the
questionnaire or to remind them to complete the questionnaire soon if they have not yet
done so.
If you have not yet distributed the questionnaires to the sampled employees,
please do not send a thank you/reminder postcard to them yet. Rather, distribute the
questionnaires to them as soon as possible. Then, in about a week or so, send each one a
postcard. That should allow enough time for them to have had a chance to complete the
questionnaire.
I suggest that you use the employee roster or list you created to decide which
employees should receive the postcards.
Let me thank you once again for your company’s participation and more
specifically, for your personal efforts in support of this important data collection
program.

Sincerely,

[NAME OF BL]
Business Liaison
1-877-233-7348, ext. [BL EXTENSION]
Enclosure

Thank You/Reminder Postcard to Employee

Dear Madam or Sir:
I recently mailed you a questionnaire and asked for your help to update and expand the National
Occupational Information Network (O*NET®) database. If you have completed and returned it to us, please accept
my sincere thanks. As one of the randomly sampled respondents from across the country, your answers are critical
to keeping the O*NET database accurate and up-to-date.
If you have not yet completed and returned the questionnaire, please do so today. Your answers will ensure
that the O*NET database remains a useful tool for business, educators, and individuals seeking career information.
If you have access to the Internet, you may complete the questionnaire on our web site at http://onet.rti.org.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,

Michael F. Weeks
O*NET Project Director
P.S. If you have any questions about this research study, please contact Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task
Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 2-6475.

THANK YOU!

Mailing to POC with Replacement Questionnaire
Packets for Non-Respondents
• RTI Letter to POC to Accompany Replacement
Questionnaires
• Replacement Questionnaire Packet

RTI Letter to POC to Accompany Replacement
Questionnaires

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
As we recently discussed, enclosed are the replacement questionnaires for the employees
who were randomly sampled to participate in the O*NET Data Collection Program and from
whom we have not yet received a completed questionnaire.
While their participation in this program is voluntary, we want to be sure that each
sampled employee has an opportunity to participate, and we are providing these replacement
questionnaire packets in case they may have forgotten or misplaced the original set of materials.
The roster line number, occupation and initials of the employee (optional) who should
receive each packet are indicated on the label affixed to each envelope. Please distribute these
packets as soon as possible. Please use the roster that you previously created to ensure that the
questionnaire is sent to the appropriate employee.
Let me thank you once again for your company’s participation and more specifically, for
your personal efforts in support of this important data collection program.
Sincerely,

[NAME OF BL]
Business Liaison
1-877-233-7348, ext. [BL EXTENSION]
Enclosure

Replacement Questionnaire Packet
•
•
•
•
•

Employee Questionnaire Packet Envelope*
O*NET Folder**
O*NET Brochure**
Association Endorsement List**
Instructions for Completing the Web Version of the O*NET
Questionnaire*
• RTI Letter to Accompany Replacement Questionnaire
• Web Option Reminder Post-It*
• Business Reply Mail Return Envelope*
*Please refer to the “Selected Employee Packet” to view this document.
**Please refer to the “Information Package Mailing to the Point-of-Contact” to view
this document.

RTI Letter to Accompany Replacement Questionnaire

[DATE]

Dear Madam or Sir,
Some weeks ago, I wrote you to seek your help with the National Occupational
Information Network (O*NET) Data Collection Program. This data collection effort is being
conducted to update the O*NET database, our nation’s primary source of occupational
information. As of today we have not yet received your completed questionnaire.
Your participation is critical to the success of the O*NET program, so it is very important
that we receive your completed questionnaire. In case your questionnaire has been lost or
misplaced, a replacement is enclosed. It should take you approximately 30 minutes to complete
the questionnaire. If you have access to the Internet, you are encouraged to fill out the
questionnaire on our web site at http://onet.rti.org.
I have also enclosed an O*NET brochure, instructions for completing the questionnaire
on our website, and a postage-paid envelope for returning the completed questionnaire to RTI. If
you would like more information on the O*NET program, please visit the O*NET website at
http://www.onetcenter.org. If you have any questions about this research study, please contact
Mr. Derek Stone, Data Collection Task Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800-334-8571 ext. 26475.
As we mentioned previously, your participation is completely voluntary. You can skip
over any question you do not want to answer. Your answers will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law and will not affect your employment in any way. Neither your name nor your
company’s name will be associated with your response. Data will only be used in summary form
to describe occupations, not specific jobs or the individuals performing them.
Thank you for your support of the O*NET project. The voluntary participation of
businesses and employees across the country in O*NET data collection efforts will help to
ensure the O*NET system continues to be an accurate and useful tool to business, educators, and
individuals exploring careers.
Sincerely,

Michael F. Weeks
O*NET Project Director
Enclosure

Avoider Letters
•
•
•
•
•

RTI Avoider Letter for Verification
RTI Avoider Letter for Screening
DOL Avoider Letter for Recruiting
DOL Avoider Letter for Sampling
DOL Avoider Letter for Follow-Up Calling

RTI Avoider Letter for Verification

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]

Dear [NAME OF POC]:
RTI, a non-profit research organization, is assisting the United States Department of
Labor in an initiative to build and maintain an occupational database known as the
Occupational Information Network (O*NET). As the nation’s primary source of
occupational information, the O*NET project represents a vital component of the
Department of Labor’s effort to provide current job-related information that workers can
use to prepare themselves with the requisite skills to ensure success in the workplace.
Your establishment has been randomly selected to participate in this important program.
Over the past several weeks, I have telephoned your company several times, but have
been unsuccessful in identifying someone to help us. I only need to ask a few short
questions about occupations performed in your organization to determine your eligibility
to participate in the O*NET Data Collection Program. This call should take only about 5
minutes of your time.
There is not much time left in the data collection schedule, so it is important that we talk
with a representative of your organization as soon as possible. Therefore, I would greatly
appreciate your calling me, hopefully within the next few days, toll free, at 1-877-2337348 ext. [BL EXTENSION]. You may call any time between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience, and thank you, in
advance, for your cooperation.
Sincerely,

[Name of BL]
O*NET Business Liaison
Reference Number: 000000

RTI Avoider Letter for Screening

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
RTI, a non-profit research organization, is assisting the United States Department of
Labor in an initiative to build and maintain an occupational database known as the
Occupational Information Network (O*NET). As the nation’s primary source of
occupational information, the O*NET project represents a vital component of the
Department of Labor’s effort to provide current job-related information that workers can
use to prepare themselves with the requisite skills to ensure success in the workplace.
Your establishment was randomly selected to participate in this important program.
Several weeks ago, I spoke with someone who identified you as someone who could
answer a few short questions about the occupations performed in your organization. The
purpose is to determine whether your company is eligible to participate in the O*NET
Data Collection Program. Over the past few weeks I have tried several times, although
unsuccessfully, to reach you by telephone.
Since there is not much time left in the data collection schedule, I would greatly
appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about the O*NET Program at your earliest
convenience – hopefully within the next few days. The call should take only about 5
minutes of your time.
Please call me, toll free, at 1-877-233-7348 ext. [BL EXTENSION] any time between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Again, it is important that I speak with you as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing
from you, and thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,

[Name of BL]
O*NET Business Liaison
Reference Number: 000000

DOL Avoider Letter for Recruiting

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
As you may recall, the U.S. Department of Labor is sponsoring an important data collection
project for the Occupational Information Network (O*NET®). Some weeks ago, our
representatives at RTI, a non-profit research organization, sent a package of materials to you
describing the O*NET project.
[COMPANY NAME] is one of a relatively small sample of companies in your industry that has
been randomly selected to participate in the O*NET Data Collection Program, so it is very
important that we receive some critical follow-up information from you. Since our initial
conversation, we have tried several times, although unsuccessfully, to follow-up by phone.
The purpose of our call is to verify that you received the package and to obtain additional
information about the occupations within your company (as a representative of your industry) that
is not available elsewhere.
The enclosed brochure provides more information about the O*NET Data Collection Program
and the level of participation we are requesting from your company. Additional O*NET
information is available on the Internet at http://www.onetcenter.org.
It is very important that our RTI representative speak with you within the next few days, as this
phase of the data collection is coming to a close. Please contact [NAME OF BL] as soon as
possible, toll-free, at 1-877-233-7348 ext. [BL EXTENSION], to discuss your company’s
participation in this program. You may call any time between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday. The call should take only a few minutes of your time.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Pamela L. Frugoli
O*NET/Skill Assessment Team Lead
Office of Workforce Investment

Reference Number: 000000

DOL Avoider Letter for Sampling

[DATE]
[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
The U.S. Department of Labor is sponsoring an important data collection project for the Occupational
Information Network (O*NET®). Recently, a representative from RTI, a non-profit research organization,
spoke with you about randomly sampling a small number of employees from your organization. We want
to ask these employees to complete and return to us a short questionnaire. In the past few weeks, we have
tried many times to reach you to follow up, but we have yet to speak with you directly.
We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in the project to this point. However, we still need to finalize
this stage of the data collection as soon as possible to complete our data collection activities with your
organization. The information we are requesting from your company is not available elsewhere, and
therefore, it is very important that we have your company's input. The sampling process will involve only
a few additional minutes of your time and the information you provide will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law.
The O*NET Data Collection Program is an initiative to develop job related information that workers can
use to prepare themselves with the requisite skills to ensure success in the workplace. The effectiveness
of the Program depends on direct input from a relatively small number of organizations and their
employees across the United States who have been randomly selected to participate. Additional
information on the O*NET Data Collection Program is available online at www.onetcenter.org.
It is urgent that our RTI representative speaks with you within the next few days, as this phase of the data
collection is nearly complete. The call should take only a few minutes of your time. At your earliest
convenience, we would appreciate your calling [NAME OF BL] toll-free, at 1-877-233-7348 ext. [BL
EXTENSION], to discuss your company’s participation in this program. You may call any time between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Thank you very much for your time and cooperation.
Sincerely,

Pamela L. Frugoli
O*NET/Skill Assessment Team Lead
Office of Workforce Investment
Reference Number: 000000

DOL Avoider Letter for Follow Up Calling

[DATE]

[NAME OF POC]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY ADDRESS]
Dear [NAME OF POC]:
Thank you for your assistance with the Occupational Information Network (O*NET®) Data
Collection Program. The information your employees provide about their occupations will guide
workers in developing the requisite skills to ensure future worker and business success.
I am writing to ask your help in finalizing our data collection activities. Our project records show
that some of the questionnaires we sent to your business have not yet been returned to RTI. [BL
NAME], our project representative at RTI, has attempted to contact you several times to follow
up, but as yet has been unable to speak with you directly. This phase of the O*NET Data
Collection Program is nearly complete, and we have only a short time to obtain this important
occupational information from the randomly sampled employees at your business.
It is very important that we speak with you within the next few days to learn the status of these
missing questionnaires and to determine if for any reason, any of the sampled employees will be
unable to meet our request. The deadline for this phase of the data collection program is near.
Please call [BL NAME] toll-free at 1-877-233-7348 ext. [BL EXTENSION], at your earliest
convenience so that we may finalize our activities for your company. You may call any time
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. The call should take
only a few minutes of your time.
Thanks again for your continued assistance with this important program.
Sincerely,

Pamela L. Frugoli
O*NET/Skill Assessment Team Lead
Office of Workforce Investment
Reference Number: 000000

Occupation Expert Method Materials
•
•
•
•
•

Information Package Mailing to Occupation Expert
Questionnaire Mailing to Occupation Expert
Thank You / Reminder Postcard to Occupation Expert
Replacement Questionnaire Mailing to Occupation Expert
Occupation Expert Avoider Letters

Information Package Mailing to Occupation Expert
• O*NET Information Package Envelope*
• O*NET Folder*
• Letter to Occupation Expert from U.S. Department of
Labor (With $40 Incentive)
• Letter to Occupation Expert from U.S. Department of
Labor (Without $40 Incentive)
• Association Endorsement List*
• O*NET Brochure*
• Occupation Expert Method Who, What & How Brochure
*Please refer to the “Information Package Mailing to the Point-of-Contact” for the Establishment
Method to view this document.

Letter to Occupation Expert from
U.S. Department of Labor
(With $40 Incentive)

(DATE)

(OE NAME)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
Dear (OE NAME):
You recently received a phone call from RTI about an important program called the
Occupational Information Network (O*NET®). As the caller explained, the U.S.
Department of Labor is requesting your assistance with the O*NET program. The
program serves employers, human resource professionals, job seekers, trainers, and labor
market analysts nationwide who depend on occupational information to perform their
daily work. Individuals who are exploring and planning careers also use O*NET
information. We would like your help to keep this information current.
You have been identified as an occupation expert for the occupation of (occupation
name). As a participating expert, you will be asked to complete O*NET questionnaires
on the knowledge areas, work activities, work context factors, and tasks common to the
occupation; we also ask for some background information about you. To express our
appreciation for your expert contribution to this effort, you will receive a payment of $40
and a framed Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor. These
items will be included when we mail the questionnaires to you. You can either complete
the paper questionnaires and mail them back to RTI in the postage-paid envelope they
will provide, or you may complete the questionnaires online using unique login
credentials provided on each questionnaire cover.
Your participation in this effort is voluntary, yet participation by you and other
occupation experts is vital to the success of this important program. A member of the
RTI O*NET team will call you in a few days to provide additional details and answer any
questions you may have. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Pamela L. Frugoli
O*NET/Skill Assessment Team Lead
Office of Workforce Investment

Letter to Occupation Expert from
U.S. Department of Labor
(Without $40 Incentive)

(DATE)

(OE NAME)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
Dear (OE NAME):
You recently received a phone call from RTI about an important program called the
Occupational Information Network (O*NET®). As the caller explained, the U.S.
Department of Labor is requesting your assistance with the O*NET program. The
program serves employers, human resource professionals, job seekers, trainers, and labor
market analysts nationwide who depend on occupational information to perform their
daily work. Individuals who are exploring and planning careers also use O*NET
information. We would like your help to keep this information current.
You have been identified as an occupation expert for the occupation of (occupation
name). As a participating expert, you will be asked to complete O*NET questionnaires
on the knowledge areas, work activities, work context factors, and tasks common to the
occupation; we also ask for some background information about you. To express our
appreciation for your expert contribution to this effort, you will receive a framed
Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor. This item will be
included when we mail the questionnaires to you. You can either complete the paper
questionnaires and mail them back to RTI in the postage-paid envelope they will provide,
or you may complete the questionnaires online using unique login credentials provided
on each questionnaire cover.
Your participation in this effort is voluntary, yet participation by you and other
occupation experts is vital to the success of this important program. A member of the
RTI O*NET team will call you in a few days to provide additional details and answer any
questions you may have. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Pamela L. Frugoli
O*NET/Skill Assessment Team Lead
Office of Workforce Investment

Occupation Expert Method
Who, What & How
Brochure

O*NET Data
Collection Program:
Occupation Expert
Who, What & How
An Introduction to the
Occupational Information
Network

What is O*NET®?
The O*NET® acronym stands for “Occupational
Information Network.” It is an automated database that
replaces the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) as
the nation’s primary source of occupational information.
O*NET information is available as a timely, easy-to-use
database designed to help millions of employers, workers,
educators, and students make informed decisions about
education, training, career choices, and work.

What is the O*NET Data
Collection Program?
The O*NET Data Collection Program is an ongoing
effort to develop and maintain this unique database on
the detailed characteristics of workers and occupations.
The information is primarily collected from employees
working within selected organizations. Occupation
experts are providing information for some occupations.
The collection of this information is designed to provide
data that are valid, reliable, and current. The O*NET
Data Collection Program is a critical step in the full
development of O*NET.

Who is funding this program?
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) funds
the O*NET Data Collection Program. You may
verify this information by checking the DOL website:
http://www.doleta.gov/programs/onet.

Find out more at http://onet.rti.org.

Who is conducting the O*NET
Data Collection?
RTI International is working with the United States
Department of Labor (DOL) to collect these data. RTI
International is an independent, not-for-profit research
organization located in Research Triangle Park, NC.
RTI is affiliated with Duke University, the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State
University.

What is an occupation expert?
An occupation expert is a person who has several years of
experience and training in an occupation. He or she has
the expert knowledge required to respond to questions
about the skills, knowledge and activities required for
work in the occupation.

How did you get my name?
Occupation experts are identified by contacting
professional associations and educational institutions
related to the occupation.

What kinds of questions will I be asked?
The questionnaires consist of objective questions about
the activities, work context, training, and other aspects
of work within an occupation.

Find out more at http://onet.rti.org.

Why should I participate?
Your participation is important because your responses,
combined with the responses of other experts, will
describe your occupation to millions of job seekers,
educators, career counselors, human resource
professionals, and labor market analysts.

What are you asking me to do?
The “Three Simple Steps” on the last page of this
brochure summarizes your participation. Briefly, we will
ask you to carefully complete several questionnaires in
a certain order and return them to RTI in the postagepaid return envelope provided. If you have access to the
Internet, you may wish to complete the questionnaires
on our Web site. In your questionnaire packet, we will
enclose instructions for responding online. It should
take you approximately 90 minutes to complete the
questionnaires.

Can I complete the questionnaires online?
Absolutely. Each of the paper questionnaires sent to
you is also available via our secure Web site, http://
onet.rti.org. As an identified occupation expert, you will
be issued login credentials to allow you to access Web
versions of the questionnaires. These unique credentials
(username and password) are printed on the cover of
each paper questionnaire for ease of reference.

Find out more at http://onet.rti.org.

Will the information that I provide be kept
private?
Yes! Your responses will be kept private to the extent
permitted by law and will not affect your employment in
any way. Neither your name nor your company’s name
will be associated with your response. Data will only
be used in summary form to describe occupations – not
specific jobs or the individuals performing them.

Am I required by law to participate?
Your participation is voluntary. However, you are a
critical link in this data collection program. This is
an opportunity to provide direct input to the United
States Department of Labor by providing occupational
information.

Are you selling me something?
Absolutely NOT! This is not a market study and we are
not selling anything. O*NET information is available
at no cost by downloading the O*NET Database or by
viewing the O*NET data using O*NET Online (http://
online.onetcenter.org).

Find out more at http://onet.rti.org.

How will I personally benefit?
As our way of saying thanks for completing and
returning the O*NET questionnaires, we will send you
$40 in cash and a framed Certificate of Appreciation
from the U.S. Department of Labor (If you wish, you
may decline either or both of these items). They will
arrive in a package with the O*NET questionnaires. In
addition, you will benefit from the improvement in the
O*NET database. Millions of people nationwide will
better understand the occupation with the up-to-date,
accurate information that you provide.

Who will contact me?
You will be called by one of O*NET’s professionally
trained Business Liaisons, who will walk you through
the data collection process and be available to address
your questions and concerns. Because we are committed
to providing you with the highest quality of service,
O*NET supervisors may monitor a sample of these
calls. If you have questions, you can call toll-free: 1-877233-7348, ext. 100 and the O*NET Operations Center
Manager will assist you.

Is information on the O*NET Program
available on the World Wide Web?
Yes. General information on many O*NET programs
and resources can be found at the O*NET Resource
Center website: http://www.onetcenter.org.

Find out more at http://onet.rti.org.

Your Participation in O*NET Involves Only

Three Simple Steps
Step 1: When you receive the box of questionnaires,
make sure all O*NET questionnaires on the packing
list are enclosed.
Review the materials in the box you receive to make sure all of the
O*NET questionnaires are enclosed. The covers for the questionnaires
are different colors and are labeled according to their content and the
order in which they should be completed.

Step 2: Complete the O*NET questionnaires.
Please complete the O*NET questionnaires in the order indicated
on the label on the cover of the questionnaires. In order to maximize
the quality of the data, we have pre-assigned the order of the
questionnaires. Please complete the questionnaires in that order.
Work at your own pace, in as many sittings as your schedule requires.
You may wish to complete the questionnaires online at http://onet.
rti.org. Your unique login credentials are printed in the upper-right
corner of each printed questionnaire cover.

Step 3: Return the O*NET questionnaires in the enclosed
postage-paid return envelope.
After completing the O*NET questionnaires, please return them in
the postage-paid return envelope. Before sealing the envelope, please
review the checklist located on the back of the return envelope.
Form: 026D OE 11/2015
Find out more at http://onet.rti.org.

Questionnaire Mailing to Occupation Expert
• RTI Letter to Occupation Expert to Accompany
Questionnaires (With $40 Incentive)
• RTI Letter to Occupation Expert to Accompany
Questionnaires (Without $40 Incentive)
• Occupation Expert Questionnaire Sequence Post-Its
• Occupation Expert Method Who, What & How
Brochure*
• Instructions for Completing the Web Version of the
O*NET Occupation Expert Questionnaire
• Certificate of Appreciation**
• Business Reply Mail Return Envelope***
* Please refer to the "Information Package Mailing to Occupation Expert" for the Occupation
Expert Method to view this document.
** Please refer to the "Mailing to POC with Questionnaire Packets for Selected Employees" for
the Establishment Method to view this document.
*** Please refer to the "Selected Employee Packet" for the Establishment Method to view this
document.

RTI Letter to Occupation Expert to Accompany
Questionnaires (With $40 Incentive)

(DATE)

(OE NAME)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
Dear (OE NAME):
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the O*NET® Data Collection Program as an occupation
expert for the occupation of [OCCUPATION]. We greatly appreciate your contribution of
expertise concerning this occupation. As we recently discussed on the telephone, enclosed you will
find the O*NET questionnaires, a postage-paid return envelope, $40 in cash, and a framed
Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor. If you have access to the Internet,
you may wish to complete the questionnaires online at http://onet.rti.org. In your questionnaire
packet, you will find instructions for responding online.
Your responses will be kept private to the extent permitted by law. The questionnaires have an
identification number for mailing and tracking purposes only. Your responses will be combined
with those of other experts in this occupation and will be reported in summary form only.
Participation by you and other occupation experts is invaluable to the accuracy and usefulness of
information in the O*NET database, from which educators, business professionals, counselors,
researchers, and career seekers benefit. Please complete the questionnaires in the order
indicated on the questionnaire cover, in as many sittings as your schedule requires. It should take
you approximately 90 minutes to complete all five questionnaires. If you have further questions
about the O*NET program or the questionnaires, please contact me toll-free at 877-233-7348 ext.
[BL extension].
Thank you for completing and returning the questionnaires at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,

[BL Name]
Business Liaison

RTI Letter to Occupation Expert to Accompany
Questionnaires (Without $40 Incentive)

DATE)

(OE NAME)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
Dear (OE):
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the O*NET® Data Collection Program as an occupation
expert for the occupation of [OCCUPATION]. We greatly appreciate your contribution of
expertise concerning this occupation. As we recently discussed on the telephone, enclosed you will
find the O*NET questionnaires, a postage-paid return envelope, and a framed Certificate of
Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor. If you have access to the Internet, you may wish
to complete the questionnaires online at http://onet.rti.org. In your questionnaire packet, you will
find instructions for responding online.
Your responses will be kept private to the extent permitted by law. The questionnaires have an
identification number for mailing and tracking purposes only. Your responses will be combined
with those of other experts in this occupation and will be reported in summary form only.
Participation by you and other occupation experts is invaluable to the accuracy and usefulness of
information in the O*NET database, from which educators, business professionals, counselors,
researchers, and career seekers benefit. Please complete the questionnaires in the order
indicated on the questionnaire cover, in as many sittings as your schedule requires. It should take
you approximately 90 minutes to complete all five questionnaires. If you have further questions
about the O*NET program or the questionnaires, please contact me toll-free at 877-233-7348 ext.
[BL extension].
Thank you for completing and returning the questionnaires at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,

[BL Name]
Business Liaison

Occupation Expert Questionnaire Sequence Post-Its

OE Questionnaire Sequence Post-it Notes

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Instructions for Completing the Web
Version of the O*NET Occupation
Expert Questionnaire

Instructions for Completing the Web
Version of the O*NET ®
Occupation Expert Questionnaire
Username:
Password:

[FILL HERE]
[FILL HERE]

You can complete the questionnaires online, if you prefer.
Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1.

Go to the Web address http://onet.rti.org.

Step 2.

Click on the Login link to gain access to the
questionnaires.

Step 3.

Enter your username and password. This information
can be found above or in the upper-right corner of the
front cover of any one of the questionnaire booklets that
you received.

Step 4.

Click on OK. Once you are logged in, you will receive
further instructions on completing the questionnaires.

Please be assured that your online responses are completely secure and
are protected by the same technology used by businesses to secure
credit card transactions.
If you have any problems accessing the Web site, please call 1-877-2337348, ext. 100. Technical assistance is available through this toll free
number Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern
Time. You can also email your technical questions to [email protected].
If you have any questions about this research study, please contact Mr.
Derek Stone, Data Collection Task Leader, toll-free at RTI at 1-800334-8571, ext. 26475. If you prefer, you can email him at
[email protected].
Thank you again for your participation in the
O*NET Data Collection Program!
O=000000 S=00000 B=00000

Thank You / Reminder Postcard
for Occupation Expert

Dear Occupation Expert:
An O*NET questionnaire package was recently mailed to you. If you have completed and returned the questionnaires, please accept
my sincere thanks. Your responses are critical to keeping the occupational information accurate and current.
If you have not yet completed and returned the questionnaires, please do so as soon as possible. You may find it convenient to
complete the questionnaires online; if so, please refer to any of the questionnaire covers for your unique login credentials, and then
visit http://onet.rti.org to participate. Your answers will ensure that O*NET data provide useful information for individuals and
businesses across the nation.
If you have questions, please call the O*NET Operations Center Manager toll-free at 877-233-7348, ext. 100.
Sincerely,

Michael F. Weeks
O*NET Project Director
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

O*NET Data Collection Program
Research Triangle Institute
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-1294

Affix
stamp
Here

OE Postcard
Affix
Address Label
Here

Replacement Questionnaire Mailing to Occupation
Expert
• RTI Letter to Occupation Expert to
Accompany Replacement Questionnaires
• Occupation Expert Questionnaire Sequence Post-Its*
• Occupation Expert Method Who, What &
How Brochure**
• Instructions for Completing the Web Version of
the O*NET Occupation Expert Questionnaire*
• Business Reply Mail Return Envelope***
* Please refer to the "Questionnaire Mailing to Occupation Expert" for the Occupation
Expert Method to view this document.
** Please refer to the "Information Package Mailing to Occupation Expert" for the Occupation
Expert Method to view this document.
*** Please refer to the "Selected Employee Packet" for the Establishment Method to view this
document.

RTI Letter to Occupation Expert to Accompany
Replacement Questionnaires

(DATE)
(OE NAME)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
(ADDRESS)
Dear (OE):
As we recently discussed on the telephone, enclosed are the replacement questionnaires you
requested for participation in the O*NET® Data Collection Program. Please complete the
questionnaires in the order indicated on the questionnaire cover, in as many sittings as your
schedule requires. You will also find a postage-paid return envelope for their return. If you
have access to the Internet, you may wish to complete the questionnaires online at
http://onet.rti.org. In your questionnaire packet, you will find instructions for responding online.
Please accept our sincere thanks for your valued input concerning the work of (occupation). Your
participation as an occupation expert helps to ensure the success of this important program. If you
have further questions about the O*NET program or the questionnaires, please contact me toll-free
at 877-233-7348 ext. [BL extension].
Thank you for completing and returning the questionnaires at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,

[BL Name]
Business Liaison

Occupation Expert Avoider Letters
• RTI Avoider Letter to Occupation Expert for Screening
• DOL Avoider Letter to Occupation Expert for Recruiting
• DOL Avoider Letter to Occupation Expert for Follow-up

Calling

RTI Avoider Letter to Occupation Expert
for Screening

[DATE]

[OE NAME]
[OE ADDRESS]
[OE ADDRESS]
Dear [OE NAME]:
RTI, a non-profit research organization, is assisting the United States Department of
Labor in an initiative to build and maintain an occupational database known as the
Occupational Information Network (O*NET®). The O*NET program represents a vital
component of the Department of Labor’s effort to develop job-related information that
workers can use to prepare themselves for success in the workplace.
You have been selected to participate in this important program. Over the past several
weeks, I have telephoned you several times but have been unsuccessful in reaching you.
I only need to ask you a few short questions to determine your eligibility to participate as
an occupational expert on the work of [OCCUPATION NAME]. This call should take
only about 5 minutes of your time.
There is not much time left in the data collection schedule, so it is important that I talk
with you as soon as possible. I would greatly appreciate your calling me within the next
few days, toll-free, at 877-233-7348 ext. [BL extension]. You may call anytime between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience, and thank you, in
advance, for your cooperation.
Sincerely,

[BL NAME]
O*NET Business Liaison

DOL Avoider Letter to Occupation Expert
for Recruiting

[DATE]
[OE NAME]
[OE ADDRESS]
[OE ADDRESS]
Dear [OE NAME]
As you may recall, the U.S. Department of Labor is sponsoring an important data
collection program for the Occupational Information Network (O*NET®). Some weeks
ago, our representatives at RTI, a non-profit research organization, sent a package of
materials to you describing the O*NET program.
You have been selected to participate in the O*NET Data Collection Program as an
occupational expert on the work of [OCCUPATION NAME]. Since our initial
conversation, we have tried several times, although unsuccessfully, to follow up by
phone. The purpose of our call is to verify that you received the package and to talk with
you about your voluntary participation in this very important program.
The enclosed brochure provides more information about the O*NET Data Collection
Program and the level of participation we are requesting from you. Additional O*NET
information is available on the Internet at http://www.onetcenter.org.
It is very important that our RTI representative speak with you within the next few days,
as this phase of the data collection is coming to a close. Please contact [BL NAME] as
soon as possible, toll-free, at 877-233-7348 ext. [BL extension], to discuss your
participation in this program. You may call anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern
time, Monday through Friday. The call should take only a few minutes of your time.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Pamela L. Frugoli
O*NET/Skill Assessment Team Lead
Office of Workforce Investment
Reference number 000000

DOL Avoider Letter to Occupation Expert
for Follow-up Calling

[DATE]

[OE NAME]
[OE ADDRESS]
[OE ADDRESS]
Dear [OE NAME]:
Thank you for your assistance with the Occupational Information Network
(O*NET®) Data Collection Program. The information you provide about the occupation
of [OCCUPATION NAME] will guide workers interested in learning about those skills
that are important for success within this occupation.
I am writing to ask your help in finalizing our data collection activities. Our program
records show that the questionnaires we sent you have not yet been returned to RTI. [BL
NAME], our program representative at RTI, has attempted to contact you several times to
follow up, but has not yet been able to speak with you directly. This phase of the O*NET
Data Collection Program is nearly complete, and we have only a short time to obtain this
important occupational information from you.
It is very important that we speak with you within the next few days to learn the status of
your questionnaires. The deadline for this phase of the data collection program is near.
Please call [BL NAME], toll-free at 1-877-233-7348 ext. [BL Extension] at your earliest
convenience. You may call anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern time, Monday
through Friday. The call should take only a few minutes of your time.
Thanks again for your continued assistance with this important program.
Sincerely,

Pamela L. Frugoli
O*NET/Skill Assessment Team Lead
Office of Workforce Investment
Reference number 000000