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Career and Job Search Guide
  

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Workers situated in upbeat work settings are usually more efficient and productive. However, many companies struggle in creating these types of atmospheres, so they frequently consult with industrial or organizational (I/O) psychologists to create work settings where workers will be happy and productive.

Most I/O psychologists usually conduct research or consult with organizations. Those conducting research focus on principles associated with work productivity, including leadership and group cohesion. They utilize their research conclusions to develop strategies designed to create work settings conducive for worker satisfaction and productivity.

The work of I/O psychologists benefits new, established, successful, and struggling companies. The success of many companies is dependent on the relationship between workers and supervisors. As a result, I/O psychologists are often consulted with to determine strategies for improving this often fragile relationship.

For example, I/O psychologists have discovered that employees permitted to complete some of their work from home are happier. Likewise, supervisors also reported greater work satisfaction from these policies. This is just one example of how I/O psychologists help companies improve productivity.

I/O psychologists must be accommodating to the company they are consulting. In other words, if a company is struggling with contention between workers and supervisors, I/O psychologists must be able to provide solutions for it even if the problem is out of their realm of expertise.

Although I/O psychologists are consulted to assist on a variety of issues, often different from their expertise, this creates job demand and prevents the job from becoming dull. Even during recessions, companies will rely on I/O psychologists to improve their work environments and employee relations.

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