Choosing an Occupation
There are approximately 400 occupations in the OSP database. If you can’t find the
occupation you are looking for, please check out the tips below.
1. Look for Example Titles
Go to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) website and click on Search
the NOC.
URL: http://www30.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx
Search the National Occupational Classification
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Search for the occupation you are interested in using a search type (index of
titles) and a search method (Keyword), such as “salesperson.”
View Example Titles – a list of different job titles for the same kind of work.
Knowing example titles for an occupation can help you navigate many different
job search and career exploration websites, including the OSP.
Unit Group
6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks
Retail salespersons and sales clerks sell, rent or lease a range of technical and nontechnical goods and services directly to consumers. They are employed by stores and
other retail businesses, as well as wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to the
public.
Example Titles
audio equipment salesperson
automobile salesperson
car rental agent
clothing salesperson
computer salesperson – retail
counter clerk – retail
department store clerk
furniture salesperson
hardware store clerk
jewellery salesperson
retail sales associate
retail sales clerk
retail salesperson
View all titles
Then, return to the list of occupations in the OSP. Use the NOC Code or title you found
on the NOC website to see if your occupation is in the OSP database.
2. Find related occupations
If you can’t find the exact occupation you are looking for, you may be able to find
occupations that are related to your occupation of interest.
For example, if you are looking for Personal Support Workers, you won’t find that
occupation in the OSP database but you will find related occupations.
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Go to the Search for Tasks section on the OSP website and click on By
Occupation.
Look for an appropriate occupational grouping, which in this case would be
Health Occupations.
You will see two (2) related occupations as follows:
 NOC 3413 Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates
 NOC 3414 Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services
3. Check out the National Occupational Classification (NOC) website or Career
Cruising
Sometimes it will be difficult to find occupations in the OSP database that are related to
your occupation of interest. However, it could be helpful to check out Essential Skills
profiles for other occupations. For example, if you are interested in self-employment,
check out the Essential Skills Profile for NOC 0123 – Other Business Services
Managers. You can see the range of Essential Skills that small business
owners/operators use on-the-job.
Another option is to go to websites like the National Occupational Classification
(NOC) website or Career Cruising and look up the main duties for your occupation of
interest. You will be able to find information that will help you understand the kinds of
tasks workers perform in that occupation.
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
URL: http://www30.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx
Career Cruising
URL: https://public.careercruising.com/en/