Interviewer instructions
It is sometimes difficult to get an exact answer but you should always aim to provide a two or three word description of the person's job. 32
A vague single word description is not enough. Avoid general terms such as 'manager', 'clerical', 'mechanic', 'foreman', 'teacher', 'operator', or 'labourer'. Record exactly what a person did - for example, 'salesmanager', typist clerk', 'motormechanic', 'foreman carpenter' 'primary teacher', 'forklift operator', 'stevedore'.
Many people may be described generally as 'farmer'. It is particularly important that we know exactly what kind of farmers they are.
You will find it best to speak to the person concerned whenever possible. Members of the household are often vague as to the occupation of others. If the person is in employment you may find that you get a more accurate idea of his/her job by asking for the job title and recording that.
A person may have done more than one kind of job last week. In such a case you should record his/her main job - the one he/she spends most time at - that which he/she usually does.
If the person combines paid employment with unpaid work you should record the paid job rather than the unpaid job - for example, if the person is a bus driver and worked last weekend on his farm he should be entered as 'bus driver' and if the person is a housewife who went to market to sell food she should be entered as 'market food seller'.
A person engaged temporarily on the census should state his/her usual occupation. Thus if you are a secondary school teacher and are working as a census supervisor or enumerator your occupation should be as 'secondary teacher'.