Actively seeking work

To be actively seeking work, a person must have indicated that they used at least one job search method other than looking at job advertisements. Examples of actively-seeking-work activities are:

• writing, phoning, sending email, or applying in person to an employer
• contacting a private employment agency
• contacting a careers advisor or a vocational guidance officer
• contacting Work and Income New Zealand to look for a job
• placing an advertisement to find a job
• asking friends or relatives for help in finding a job
• taking steps to set up a business.

The variable ‘actively seeking work’ contributes to the derivation of the work and labour force status; it only applies to a person aged 15 years and over who was not employed on census day.

See also ‘Job search methods’ in this definitions group.