Unemployment figures

Does anyone know how unemployment figures are presently obtained in the USA.  In the early 60s it was done through telephone surveys.  Of course, the data was immediately tainted because the hard core unemployed could not afford a phone.  And no matter what time the telephone rang, a person with a job …or out looking for a job…might not be able to answer.

Anyway, this is not intended to be a trash the government question.  All data collection methods have flaws.

There's some info here, but not at the level you're looking for, though it might point in the right direction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment#United_States_Bureau_of_Labor_statistics

If I remember correctly, it is a bit of a goofy process.

You take the total amount of the labor force (Working + Unemployed) and then divide that by the unemployed who are seeking work. This however is based off of an estimate of both figures that is gathered from periodic surveys of a sample size of the population (Fifty or sixty thousand?).

I have a hard time having confidence in the process so I might be missing some important steps here but I deep dived it about a year or so ago.

Hi Timothy,

Your answer implies that unemployment benefits figures are used .. which was my impression when I made the OP.  Of course, this figure ignores long term unemployed, underemployed, and those who did not bother to apply.  It also ignores those who work from home as independent consultants.  Finally, depending upon the state, I am not sure if or when part time employees might be considered.  For example, there are big box hardware stores who have few full time employees.