Pursuing a Career in I-O Psychology

How should I go about crafting my resume/CV for an I-O position?

There are several resources that can help guide writing your resume/CV. Consider seeking advice and reviewing example resumes/CVs from fellow I-O graduate students, professors, and practitioners. Additionally, check out free online resume review services at sites like TopResume and LinkedIn.

Does SIOP offer any career services at the annual conference?

Yes! The SIOP Conference Career Center (formally known as the Placement Center) allows employers and job seekers to connect via an online job board and conduct interviews. Employers are able to post job openings, job seekers can upload their resumes, and both groups can search the online job board database to find matches that fit their desired criteria.

Additionally, the SIOP Conference Career Center offers job seekers the opportunity to engage in mock interviews with experienced I-O professionals and receive interview feedback.

Does SIOP have a job posting site?

Yes, our I-O Job Network is the premier resource for connecting employers and job seekers in the field of industrial-organizational psychology! You can visit https://jobs.siop.org/jobs/ to view available jobs in the field of IO. For internship seekers, type "internship" in the Keyword search box and click Search.

Additionally, you can post your CV/resume for potential employers to access. For instructions, see here: https://jobs.siop.org/employer/pricing/

Can I find a job in the I-O field without a degree?

It can be difficult to find a job in the I-O field without an educational degree to back up your experience. There may be some commercial schools or universities that offer a type of I-O certification program, but SIOP is not an accrediting board and cannot screen or endorse various programs and determine their worth. Take a look at the list of programs that offer I-O graduate programs: https://0-www-siop-org.library.alliant.edu/Events-Education/Graduate-Training-Program

I-O programs that are not on the list does not mean SIOP is discouraging people from attending them. Another website,  www.neoacademic.com, is not affiliated with SIOP but offers ratings, Q&A's, and lots of comments particularly about online schools.

You may also visit https://0-www-siop-org.library.alliant.edu/Career-Center/Job-Search to view available jobs in the field of I-O to learn what degree and experience level is required for different jobs to help you decide on a direction.

Take a look at the I-O webinars recorded by SIOP that introduce potential I-Os to the field of I-O and the available opportunities. Some potentially helpful webinars include Making the Most of SIOP as a Student, Everything You Want to Know About Graduate School in I-O Psychology but Are Too Afraid to Ask, and A Day in the Life of an I-O Psychologist.

There are also other certificate programs that exist that provide individuals with elements of an I-O degree/education. For example, Society for Human Resource Management has several HR related certificates that are tied to I-O psychology and the work that IO psychologists do. However, most positions in the field of I-O require at least  a Master’s degree from a reputable institution.

You are highly encouraged to become a SIOP Student Affiliate for the valuable resources available for members, including publications, conference discounts, and networking opportunities.

Do I need a license to practice I-O?

Licensing is always considered a bit of a tricky issue for I-O. You can contact your state licensure board to obtain more information about licensure eligibility. Most SIOP members are not licensed. I-O psychology professionals tend to go by the job titles for the company they work at such as VP of Talent Management or Director of Training. Independent I-O psychologists may call themselves I-O consultants or Organizational Development consultants, for example.

Check out the link on the SIOP’s website about licensing: https://0-www-siop-org.library.alliant.edu/Membership/Licensure-Policy-by-State

Do you have any tips for negotiating a better I-O salary?

Check out the 2019 SIOP Income and Employment Survey (Salary Surveys) for guidance and comparative data.

You can find past Salary Surveys: https://0-www-siop-org.library.alliant.edu/Membership/Surveys/Income-and-Employment

Additionally, check out this panel put together by SIOP Women’s Inclusion Network on techniques for negotiating your next salary offer here.

Careers in Applied Psychology: I-O Psychology

This engaging panel on careers in industrial-organizational psychology includes six I-O psychologists who work in talent management in global human resources and for the National Basketball Association (NBA); in a consulting firm utilizing technology to optimize employee selection; as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) manager; and as faculty members in master’s and doctoral I-O graduate programs. 

This introduction to I-O psychology explains how I-O psychologists use science to make organizations and the people who work in them more effective through workforce planning, talent management, training, leader development, job attitudes and motivation, work team dynamics, DEI, and organizational change and development. Panelists provide insight about graduate education and deciding on a career path in I-O psychology.