Are you *officially* unemployed? The reported rate actually excludes millions of jobless Americans.

Hello jobless Americans! The latest job figures have been released, so lets see if you are officially unemployed!

Contestant #1 have you recently found a job?

No, no one is hiring right now. I havent even bothered to look.

Sorry you are not in the labor market and therefore you are NOT UNEMPLOYED.

Contestant #2 have you recently found a job?

No not yet the industry isn’t doing so well. I need job but i stopped looking because all the plants closed down.

Sorry you’re not working but you’re not officially in the job market so you are NOT UNEMPLOYED

Contestant #3 you were recently an airline pilot, after your recent downsizing; have you found work?

I’m still looking for a real job, all I could get was 4 hours a week part time.

Sorry 4 hours counts as employed, so you are NOT UNEMPLOYED.

Contestant #4 you recently lost your job as a stock broker, have you recently found a job

No, I haven’t yet but I did look in the classified last week….

CONGRATULATIONS you get to be counted in the official unemployment rate!