A Comprehensive Look at Unemployment in the U.S.

The unemployment rate in the U.S. rose to 7.9 percent for the month of January despite 157,000 new jobs being created, according to the Department of Labor. This number, however, isn't necessarily the best indicator of economic conditions in America. The unemployment rate is actually somewhere between 11 and 41 percent, depending on how the number is derived. The following is a guide that breaks down how the government calculates unemployment and what it means for you.

A Comprehensive Look at Unemployment in the U.S.