Subsequently, they will be observed at least once each year and receive any special training deemed appropriate by the supervisor. In addition, interviewers receive feedback on their current month's performance within 3 working days of the end of data collection. In many PSUs, a single interviewer is responsible for all data collection activities. Partly to give interviewers an opportunity to meet with other interviewers and, partly, to prepare for the Annual Demographic Survey, one-day group training sessions are held before interviewing week each March. Often, in-depth discussions are held on special topics, like keeping response rates high, improving occupational descriptions, or distinguishing between active and passive job search activities.
Interviewers also hone their skills by completing a self-study each month.
The topics vary and help reinforce concepts which may be rarely used. For example, an interviewer may only occasionally encounter someone on jury duty, a school teacher on summer vacation, or a free-lance writer working for several magazines. In these types of situations, the interviewer may have to answer questions from the respondent or ask probing questions.