Was Craig in HR Formerly Liberace’s Bartender? The Most Unusual Job Titles of 2008
October 7, 2008
Is quiet Joe, who does immaculate work but never talks much to anyone, a former circus fire eater? Or are your employees more true to form, such as Sarah in marketing who stashes chocolate bars in her desk – and, it turns out, actually used to be a chocolate bar quality tester?
CareerBuilder recently asked more than 8,700 workers about the most unusual job they have had on our “Most Unusual Jobs” survey – and the results make up a mix of dangerous, fun, tedious, creative, and even tasty career choices.
Dream job or not, I think the workers in the jobs below would agree that their positions are definitely original.
Some of the unusual job standouts:
- Hurricane hunter
- Wallpaper peeler
- Kitty litter box decorator
- Video game tester (”Grandma’s Boy,” anyone?)
- Nuclear electrician on a submarine
- Turkey wrangler (get yours now!)
- Parachute tester (yikes)
- Romance specialist
- Yawn counter at a sleep clinic (my personal favorite)
Click here for the full A to Z list of results.
According to a survey of 2,000 employees in the UK conducted by Creative & Cultural Skills, a whopping 65 percent of adults would like the chance to be more creative in their work. It’s also interesting to note that 61 percent of respondents said they think their bosses are unaware of their creative talents.
Do any of your employees have a past of unusual jobs or a knack for doing something differently than everyone else? If so, are you putting their unique skills to good use? Even if not applicable in their actual job position, your employees may be able to breathe new life into your company’s monthly newsletters, softball league, company bake-off, concert fundraiser…or annual wallpaper-peeling competition.
You have a staff filled with diverse and talented people – you might want to think about getting to know them – and their talent for the unusual.
Do you have any employees with a past of unusual jobs? Or have an unusual job experience of your own to share?
- Categories: Employee Engagement, Survey Results
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So what kind of tasks do my skills as a former “secret drinker” at O’Hare airport bars prepare me for?
Drinking while on the job – now that’s unusual. I guess you may have learned about proper business ethics while ensuring the bartender was truly administering the perfect pour. Just a guess.
My first job was a Christmas Ornament Shellac Dipper!
Why is the A-Z link pointing to a list that is three-years-old?
Ah, thank you for pointing that out, Kevin. I meant to link the 2008 and somehow linked an outdated survey. Apologies to everyone who clicked on the link prior to this.
Please see corrected link in the posting and here.
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I’ve actually gotten to use my “secret talents” at my current job. I work as an HR Representative now, but I was a former math teacher, and I get to edit some of the math books we publish- especially the algebra and geometry.
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While working for an employment agency in Tyler, TX, I had the opportunity to hire quite a number of “worm farmers” since Tyler is the ROSE capital of the universe. Huge biz there. Worms make good soil for the growing of roses. Dirty biz, but profitable!
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Ok very interesting but how do I get to apply for an unusual job and where do I find them in the first place??????
[...] Wallpaper peeler, sleep clinic yawn counter, turkey wrangler and parachute tester … are these the best Halloween costumes of 2008? Actually, they are excerpts from a very interesting list of the most unusual jobs current employees admitted to once having which Amy spotlighted earlier this month. [...]