A job outlook refers to the anticipated change in employment for specific occupations over a certain period of time. It is a rate of change that can help individuals understand the state of their current profession and prepare for opportunities or challenges that may arise. The job outlook can be influenced by various factors, such as changes in technology, shifts in consumer demand, and economic conditions.
The United States Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), which provides information about the nature of work, working conditions, training and education, earnings, and job outlook for hundreds of different occupations in the United States. The OOH is released biennially and is available free of charge from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' website.
It is important to note that the job outlook is a rate of change only, and to get a better idea of the future of a profession, one should also consider the predicted amount of jobs added. In all cases, job outlook is a great way to compare one's professional experience and skillset against the backdrop of the larger job market.
