We surveyed 1,252 COOs to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical COO. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a COO?
Low
High
Working as a COO typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that COOs are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a COO?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a COO typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a COO?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a COO.
Do COOs work full-time or part-time?
93% of COOs work in full-time roles while 7% work part-time.
Is being a COO stressful?
Low
High
Stress is not uncommon amongst COOs, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.
Is being organized important as a COO?
Low
High
Organization is considered a very important trait for COOs, and is critical to success in the field.
How competitive is the workplace for COOs?
Low
High
COOs see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being a COO require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
COOs will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are COOs allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
COOs are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do COOs have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
COOs have high flexibility in the direction of their work, allowing them a lot of freedom in how they accomplish their goals.
Is being a COO physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a COOs is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are COOs exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
The workload of a COO changes frequently, with their day-to-day rarely being the same.
Does being a COO require attention to detail?
Low
High
As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for COOs.
Does being a good COO require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as COOs.