MATCHING INDIVIDUALS TO OCCUPATIONS USING ABILITIES AND THE O*NET: ISSUES AND AN APPLICATION IN CAREER GUIDANCE

Abstract

The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is a modern computerized occupational database with the potential to be an important resource for numerous work‐related applications. However, developing any O*NET‐based application requires working through conceptual, methodological, and practical issues. This article discusses a set of major issues in the context of using the O*NET for person‐occupation matching purposes, providing examples of how these issues were addressed in a systematic ability‐based matching application developed for career guidance. Specifically, we (a) describe the O*NET and its potential for career guidance, (b) explain person‐occupation fit and its positive consequences for individuals and organizations, (c) compare person‐occupation fit with person‐job fit, (d) discuss matching individuals to occupations empirically using abilities, (e) highlight issues faced in using the O*NJST in this process and give examples of how these issues were addressed in our matching application, and (f) evaluate the functioning of this example matching method.