Reply #19: Can someone clarify for me...

[CoffeeCat]

I always thought that an "unemployed" person, was someone who: 1.) Is without a job; 2.) is actively seeking work; 3.) and must have filed an unemployment claim with the state.

I thought the official claim, triggered the identification of an "unemployed person." Then, those filing claims were divided by the total US population--which = the official, national unemployment percentage.

Do I totally have this wrong?

I remember learning that those NOT actively seeking work--or those whose unemployment benefits had run out--were not part of the official "unemployment statistic." However, people who are between jobs for the short term (frictional unemployment) and those temporarily unemployed due to the nature of their job--like a lifeguard (season unemployment) were included in the official unemployment numbers.

Also--"seasonal" and "frictional" employment--which are part of a normal, healthy economy--make up about 3-4 percent of the unemployment number. So full employment is around 4 percent.

Any clarification on this is most appreciated. :)