DDN

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Ready to use this data? See the DDN API reference documentation to get started.

Description

Occupational skill categories describe the relationship between an occupation and a skill. This hierarchy begins with skills that are basic foundations of an occupation, graduating to advanced skills required for more senior or specialized roles that will set job seekers apart.

Necessary skills:

An occupation's Necessary skills are specialized skills required for that job and relevant across other similar jobs. An employee needs these skills as building blocks to perform the more complex Defining Skills. These are also foundational skills for the broader career area.

Defining skills:

An occupation's Defining skills represent the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of the job. An employee needs these skills to qualify for and perform successfully in this occupation.

Distinguishing skills:

An occupation's Distinguishing skills are the advanced skills that are called for occasionally. An employee with these skills is likely more specialized and able to differentiate themselves from others in the same role.

Use Cases

Questions answered by this dataset:

• Help job seekers identify what are “must have” skills on their resumes to improve their chances of landing their dream jobs

• Improve your curriculum to keep it up to date with the most in-demand jobs and skills.

  • Build a core curriculum around Necessary Skills.

  • Build advanced tracks around Defining and Distinguishing Skills

• Make your students and workers more marketable by teaching them distinguishing skills

• Help students develop skills that improve their salary prospects by focusing on acquiring salary premium skills.

Metrics

• None

Filters

• Occupation id (LOT, SOC, O*NET)