PhonimWork
No. 01 — Fall 2026The US edition4 guides · 26 sources

Work,near home. A guide to pay, rights and jobs for workers in the US

A field guide for people who want good work close to home. Your rights, your pay and the jobs America needs — checked against official sources.

Cover story · Your rights

Is an unpaid “working interview” legal in the US?

A “working interview” sounds harmless. But under federal wage law, if you do the real job, the hours usually count, whatever the employer calls them.

  • Federal law defines “employ” as “to suffer or permit to work”. The FLSA has no exception for trial shifts.
  • A Tennessee dental practice paid $50,000 in back wages and damages in 2018 after a DOL case that included unpaid working interviews.
  • California allows unpaid “try-out time” only as a short skills test that gives the business nothing it can use.
Read the guide · 3 min →

Also in this issue

Updated September 25, 2026
02

Pay

Minimum wage in 2026: what your state and city owe you

The federal minimum hasn’t moved from $7.25. Where you work decides whether you’re owed a lot more.

2 min read →03

Jobs in demand

The jobs the US needs most, and the license each one takes

Health care has the highest job openings rate of any major US industry. Here’s where the openings are, what they pay, and what you need to start.

3 min read →04

Starting out

Before you say yes: seven things to check about a job near home

A job ad tells you the hourly rate and not much else. Here’s what to find out before your first day, and where to check it.

2 min read →

US work, by the numbers

  • $7.25

    Federal minimum wage per hour. Higher state or city rates apply where they exist.

    US DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

  • $21.30

    Seattle’s minimum wage in 2026, the highest in our city table.

    Seattle Office of Labor Standards, 2026

  • +18.1%

    Projected growth in home health and personal care aide jobs, 2025–35.

    BLS Employment Projections, 2026

  • 43

    Jurisdictions that have enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact.

    NCSBN / NurseCompact.com, 2026

Jobs in this edition

The roles Phonim covers in the US

Phonim is starting in eight states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Virginia. More states will follow.

Healthcare

  • Registered nurses
  • Dental hygienists
  • Dental assistants

Care & childcare

  • Caregivers
  • Childcare workers

Transportation & automotive

  • Truck drivers
  • Automotive technicians

From the publisher

See the workplace before you say yes.

  1. 2hVisit a workplace near you for up to two hours before you decide.
  2. 3Look around, meet the team, ask your questions.
Coming soon

Phonim is launching in the US soon.

Questions

About Phonim Work

Hiring in the US? Read the employers’ page →

What is Phonim Work?

A practical guide for people looking for work near home in the US: your rights on trial shifts, pay and leave, the jobs in demand and what to sort out before your first day. Every figure names its official source.

What is a Phonim workplace visit?

A visit lets you see a workplace for up to two hours before you decide on a job. You see where you would work, meet the team and ask questions. A visit is for looking and asking, not for working.

Which jobs does Phonim cover in the US?

At launch: Registered nurses, Dental hygienists, Dental assistants, Caregivers, Childcare workers, Truck drivers, Automotive technicians.

Is this legal advice?

No. Our guides explain official guidance in plain English, but rules change and every situation is different. For your own case, contact your state labor department or the US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.