Job Search

Job Search in the Weeks before the Survey (CPS Questions)

In rounds 1, 4, and 10, questions based on the Current Population Survey (CPS) asked NLSY97 respondents age 15 or older about job search (all respondents had reached age 15 in round 4).  Respondents who did not report working in the week before the survey stated whether they had been doing anything to find work during the last four weeks.  If so, the interviewer recorded the actions that had been taken (see Figure 1).  If the respondent had looked for a job, follow-up questions then asked if he or she could have started a job in the past week if offered one and the reason why not, if applicable.  A key aspect of the CPS questions is the distinction between active and passive search methods.  Active methods could result in a job offer without any further action by the job seeker, such as having an interview with an employer or bidding on a contract.  Passive search methods, such as picking up a job application or completing a resume, could not result in a job offer without further action on the part of the job seeker.  Official statistical surveys like the CPS consider people who have used at least one active method in the last 4 weeks to be unemployed.

Employee Job Search

If the respondent reports gaps between employee-type jobs since the last interview, he or she is asked whether a job search was conducted during each gap.  Note that in rounds 1 and 2 only respondents age 14 or older as of the interview date were eligible for gaps questions and therefore for job search questions; all respondents are age-eligible beginning in round 3.  These questions ask respondents for the number of weeks during each gap that they spent looking for work.  If a job search was conducted, respondents also state what methods they used in their search, choosing from the list shown in Figure 1.  If there are any weeks in the gap when respondents were not looking for work and were not self-employed, they are asked why they were not looking for work (respondents born in 1980-82 were skipped past this question in round 4, as were those born in 1980-83 in round 5).

If a job ended after the respondent's 16^th birthday (or, for respondents age 16 and older, if a job is on-going), the NLSY97 employment questions in each round ask the respondents if they have done anything to look for work while employed.  Those who have are asked to choose from a list the specific actions they have taken (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Possible Job Search Actions

Comparison to Other NLS Surveys:  For the NLSY79, information includes active and passive methods of job search used and the total number of weeks spent actively looking for work.  Additionally, CPS questions similar to those described above are regularly asked of respondents in each cohort.  For further details, refer to the appropriate cohort's User's Guide.

Survey Instruments:  Questions concerning job search in the week before the survey are found in the CPS section (question names begin with YCPS) of rounds 1, 4, and 10 of the Youth Questionnaires.  The other employee job search questions are in the employment section (question names begin with YEMP) of the rounds 2-11 questionnaires.

Related User's Guide Sections	Gaps in Employment Labor Force Status
Main Area of Interest	Job Search
Supplemental Areas of Interest	Employment Gaps Labor Force Status

 

Return to Topical Guide Table of Contents

Return to Main Menu

Return to Top