ORS Additional Publications

Beyond the Numbers

Minds at work: what’s required according to the Occupational Requirements Survey

How much problem-solving time goes into an architect’s job? What types of mental capabilities are required of employees who work in a telework environment? What types of interpersonal skills are required for customer service jobs? Mental and cognitive job requirements provide job seekers with important information on the soft skills needed for specific jobs and a sense of the demands of different occupations read more »

Monthly Labor Review

Has the pandemic permanently changed job requirements?

This article reports on an examination of whether the pandemic led to changes in job requirements measured in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Requirements Survey. read more »

Handbook of Methods

Occupational Requirements Survey Overview

No prior work experience required for 90 percent of workers across 26 occupations in 2025

In 2025, at least 90.0 percent of workers in 26 detailed occupations did not require any prior work experience. Among these occupations were fast food and counter workers and cashiers, with 98.1 percent and 96.5 percent, respectively. By comparison, 56.6 percent of all workers were in jobs that required no prior work experience. read more »

Spotlight on Statistics

Using BLS Data to Match People with Disabilities with Jobs

BLS has many data products that can be used to help individuals with disabilities plan their career paths. This Spotlight on Statistics highlights these products and demonstrates how they can be used to evaluate potential jobs, using two specific occupations as examples. read more »