Difficulty: Challenger (Level 2)
Do you have a skill that seems almost useless, like being able to draw a perfect circle by hand? You might be surprised to learn that niche skills and seemingly random activities can be beneficial in various careers. Here are some unusual job options you may not be aware of.
1. Line stander
This job is exactly what it sounds like. A line stander gets paid to stand in a line. While this may sound boring, you can get paid anything between US$15 to US$50 per hour of standing (about HK$117 to HK$390). A line stander might be hired to hold a place in a long line for events like theatre productions, product launches and restaurant openings. You only need patience, reliability and punctuality to qualify for this role.
2. Professional sleeper
Scientists and researchers pay professional sleepers to sleep as subjects for studies about sleep cycles and patterns. Findings help scientists tackle health issues, develop medication and even help bed and bedding manufacturers create quality products. While it is not a stable job, professional sleepers can earn US$100 to US$500 (HK$778 to HK$3,891) depending on the research and length of study.
3. Snake milker
Snake milking is a fascinating and dangerous job many have probably never heard of. Specialist zoologists extract potent venom strong enough to cause disease or death from snakes and other reptiles. It is a risky profession, and snake milkers require years of training to handle these creatures. The extracted venom is used for medical studies, research and the creation of antivenin (antitoxin or “anti-venom”) treatments for people bitten by snakes.
4. Seat filler
Do you dream of attending the Emmy Awards ceremony? All seat fillers must do is dress up nicely and sit in a seat that cameras capture when they film audience shots. This ensures no empty seats are aired on television, making it look like many people attend these events. Seat fillers often do not get paid, but it still seems like a worthwhile experience.
5. Emoji translator
As silly as this may sound, an emoji translator is a real job. The role was created in 2016 after a global translation firm in London needed a professional to help them understand how various countries and cultures understand different emojis. For example, North American and English-speaking countries may use a “laughing so hard I am crying” emoji to represent tears of joy, while West Asian people may use it to depict grief.
