The 13 types of work, summarized

In today's era, there are multiple types of work, depending on a number of characteristics. Likewise, there are different classifications through which we can locate one type of work or another.

In this article we have selected five parameters through which we will describe different types of workwith their respective examples.

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Types of work (and their characteristics)

We are going to classify the different types of work according to five parameters, obtaining a total of 13 types of work that exist in the world of work.

1. Depending on the main tool

The first classification that we will make of the existing types of work is based on the main tool in each of them. That is, depending on whether the hands, creativity or intellect are used primarily.

1.1. Handwork

The first of the types of work that we are going to describe is manual labor. This type of work involves primary use of hands.

Many consider it the oldest work in the world; in fact, before the arrival of the Industrial Revolution, manual work was the one that predominated, and in fact, the only one that was known. Examples of professions that carry out manual work are: bricklayers, carpenters, mechanics...

1. 2. Artesanal job

Craft work is actually a type of manual work, although in this case, it is certain creativity and originality are necessary to be able to develop it.

1. 3. intellectual work

Another type of work is intellectual work; intellectual work could be considered "opposite" to the previous one, since in this case it is the mind that is essential for its development. That is to say, the use of intellect and ideas is required, so they are usually jobs that require a minimum of studies.

Generally, intellectual jobs have to do with professions in the field of science and technology. These types of work arose after the First World War, at which time tourism, service, insurance, etc. companies began to appear.

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2. Depending on the qualification required

Different types of work too can be classified according to the qualification necessary to access them (or for its correct performance).

In this case we find: low-skilled (or unskilled), semi-skilled, skilled and highly-skilled jobs.

2.1. low skilled labor

It is that type of work where the person who develops it You do not need to have a minimum of studies or knowledge on a certain subject. They tend to be more mechanical jobs, with a lower level of demand in the intellectual sense (for example: waiters, shop assistants, cleaning staff, etc.).

2.2. semi-skilled work

The next of the types of work is semi-skilled work. It differs from the previous one in that here yes A minimum of knowledge on a specific subject is necessary for the correct development of the work.

Yes, it is true, but this knowledge is not usually very specific (hence the name "semi-qualified"). Examples of them are: flight attendants, beauticians,

2. 3. Qualified work

We also have qualified work, where some academic and professional training is necessary for the correct development of the work. That is to say, It is necessary to have a series of knowledge to apply for this type of work.

Normally they are jobs that require having, at least: a higher degree, a degree, a master's degree, etc. Examples of professionals who carry out qualified work are: nurses, doctors, pharmacists, engineers, psychologists, etc.

2. 4. highly skilled job

In this case, it is a job similar to the previous one, although here the level of demand (in terms of training and experience) is even higher.

We talk about the need to have master's and doctoral degrees, many years of experience, and similar requirements to be able to access them. Examples of them would be: certain specializations, certain engineering jobs, senior management positions, university professors, etc.

3. Depending on the legal

Different types of work can also be classified based on whether they are registered or not. What does this mean? Let's see it:

3. 1. registered work

Registered work is one in which the employer (or employer) pays a series of tax charges for each employee who has. (that is, he must register the employee with Social Security).

That is, the employer must comply with current regulations and the laws corresponding to his sector. The worker or employee, in this case, by contributing to the Treasury, has a series of rights, such as: paid vacations, unemployment, retirement, etc.

3. 2. Unregistered work

By contrast, unregistered work (also called informal or non-formal work) would actually be the work that is done “in black”, where the employer does not register its employees with Social Security.

That is, the employer or the person who hires would not pay anything to the Treasury for hiring his employees. It would be, therefore, an illegal job, which does not comply with the regulations. In addition, the workers in this case do not have the right to unemployment, paid vacations, sick leave or accident, etc.

Examples of this type of work are: prostitution, cleaning staff in some cases (generally, when they work for an individual), reinforcement classes, babysitters or nannies, etc.

4. Depending on who you work for

Depending on whether we work for someone else (for another company) or for ourselves (having different clients, that is, for our own account), we find two types of work:

4. 1. work for others

Work for others is the most common; it implies work in a certain company (or several), in exchange for a payroll (salary) at the end of the month. There is an employment contract involved, and the worker has paid vacations and other previously mentioned benefits.

4. 2. Autonomous work

Also called self-employed workers, self-employed persons, at the Treasury level, are registered in a regime different from the usual regime of people who work in a certain company.

They pay a monthly fee in addition to the typical taxes we all pay (ie, they pay their own Social Security).

So, they are employees and bosses at the same time (of themselves), since they choose their own clients and they tend to have greater flexibility (hours, salary…). They generally have several clients and instead of having a payroll at the end of the month, they issue invoices to them.

5. Depending on the place of performance

Finally, depending on whether the work is done in person (for example in the office itself) or telematics (for example at home or in a cafeteria, with a computer), we find the following two types of job:

5. 1. face-to-face work

Face-to-face work, as its name indicates, is that which occurs in the company or workplace itself.. Examples of face-to-face work? Any work that takes place in the office of a company; administration, marketing, economics...

5. 2. Telematic work (online)

Telematic or online work, on the other hand, is one that It can be developed from any site that generally has an Internet connection and a computer.

It is an increasingly recurring job; many companies, in fact, opt for a work modality that combines face-to-face and telematic work (especially companies in the technology sector). Examples of professionals who usually carry out this type of work are: computer scientists, freelance writers...

Bibliographic references:

• Hogg, M.A. (2010). Social psychology. Vaughan Graham M. Pan American. Publisher: Panamericana.
• Rotundo, G.Z. (2012). Types of work and the formation of task specialization in the organization. Journal of Social Sciences (RCS), 18(1): 58-73.