16. Principal occupation
[Questions 16-19 were asked of persons who answered 1-3 in question 15]
What occupation, position or type of work did you carry out during the week of March 19th to 25th or in the last job you had? ____
Ask questions 15-19 only for those aged ten (10) years or older.
Question 16: principal occupation
Ask this question only for people who fall within categories 1, 2, or 3 of question 15. If they do not, cross out the entire question with an "X."
1. How to ask the question:
Ask, "What occupation, trade or type of job did you perform in the week of March 19-25, or in the last job that you had?"
If the enumerated person states that he or she had more than one occupation, choose the principal occupation. This is the one at which the enumerated person earns the most money or spends more time.
2. How to record the answer:
Write the principal occupation stated by the enumerated person in the space provided. When you write it, use a word or phrase which describes exactly the kind of work that the enumerated person performs or used to perform. Avoid using general terms such as "worker," or "office worker" that do not provide a clear idea of the type of work performed. The following examples illustrate this point:
[The original document includes a table below.]
[Column headings:]
(A) Incorrect answer for principal occupation
(B) Correct answer for principal occupation
Incorrect answer for principal occupation: agricultural worker
Correct answer for principal occupation: cowboy; milkmaid; coffee picker.
Incorrect answer for principal occupation: mechanic
Correct answer for principal occupation: auto mechanic; technician who makes dental parts; airplane mechanic.
[p. 78]
Incorrect answer for principal occupation: office worker
Correct answer for principal occupation: typist, secretary; bookkeeper; file clerk.
Incorrect answer for principal occupation: teacher
Correct answer for principal occupation: primary-school teacher; music teacher; secondary-school teacher; university professor.
Incorrect answer for principal occupation: construction worker
Correct answer for principal occupation: mason; plumber; carpenter; house painter.
Incorrect answer for principal occupation: weaver
Correct answer for principal occupation: loom operator; hat maker; hammock maker.
It is important to note that in most cases a professional's job corresponds to his or her career. Nonetheless, some professionals may have performed work different from their area of professional specialty. If this is the case, record the job that the person did and not the career. For example, if a surgeon worked managing a hospital, write "hospital director" as the principal occupation. Similarly, if a lawyer managed a textile company, write "manager of textile company."
If the person has various occupations and cannot specify a particular one, indicate the principal one according to the definition given above.
3. Example
[This box contains question 16 of the section VI "people in the census household."]