Businesses across the US have been complaining about staff shortages, particularly for hourly work, as they reopen post-pandemic. Joey Holz decided to test this claim by submitting two job applications every day in September.

The results were surprising: out of 60 applications, he received only 16 email responses, 4 phone calls, and just 1 interview invitation. These results suggest that the widely reported labor shortage may not be as severe as businesses claim.

Joey’s experiment revealed some interesting insights. He shared his experience with a construction company that initially offered him a full-time position for $10 an hour but then tried to start him at Florida’s minimum wage of $8.65. This highlights discrepancies and challenges job seekers face regarding fair compensation and employer expectations.

Joey’s experiment gained significant attention on social media, with many people showing interest. To further investigate the issue, he has invited others who have faced similar situations to share their experiences. By gathering more information, Joey hopes to provide a clearer picture of the current job market and challenge the notion that “nobody wants to work anymore.”

The state of the job market is complex, with many factors at play. Joey’s experiment encourages us to question the narrative of a labor shortage and understand the real challenges faced by job seekers. By shedding light on this topic, Joey aims to foster a more informed discussion about the job market and employer claims.