The UK is going through something of an employment crisis right now, but not in the way that so many experts predicted at the height of the pandemic. Instead of the mass unemployment envisaged, UK job vacancies have reached a 20-year high, with 1.1 million jobs available between July and September of this year, the highest figure since records began.
The issue here is ‘vacancies’. For a variety of reasons, from low pay to a lack of worker’s rights, jobs remain unfilled and employees unfulfilled, with the pandemic leading to many Brits demanding more from their employers.
Should you have found yourself considering your options and are wondering what weird and wacky jobs are out there without you having to, erm, get out there, then you’ve come to the right place; here are some unusual job ideas that you can do from home.
ONLINE DATING PROFILE GHOSTWRITER
To most, scrolling through online dating apps with no intention of matching with anyone – let anyone meeting them – sounds like a niche, entertaining hobby rather than a valid job. But to some quick witted wordsmiths, the art of swiping and small talk has become a very lucrative one indeed.
Do you realise that introducing yourself on a dating site with a few phrases is a thing of the past?
There is now a specific service that will ensure that those looking for love have a profile that will get them noticed. Applicants must have the gift of the gab. Although having an extensive online dating history is not a requirement, it’s helpful when you’re working out the proper use of the sometimes confusing acronyms used in this sphere.
Indeed, while to most, an MBA is a ‘master of business administration’, in the online dating world, it means married but available. Equally, mixing up your SWANK with your SWITCH could result in a BACKSLIDE (none of that is rude).
It’s not just online dating profiles that are up for grabs; there are LinkedIn profiles and CV writing jobs that are also in need of those who have an eye for detail and a way with words.
Read: 5 IDEAL tips on making your dating profile ping
ENGINEERING HAPPINESS – CUSTOMER SUCCESS ADVISOR
Customer service is now an essential component of any business’s chances of success in the entrepreneurial sector.
There is a never-ending list of names for what is essentially a problem-solving role. As a result, there are a growing number of openings for “success advisors”, a role which sees you responsible for gaining insight into the demands of large and small firms’ customers.
Customer success advisors then use this insight to provide quick solutions, all while having the ability to filter out negativity, turn a problem into an opportunity and operate with a lightness of touch and never-ending optimism at all times.
If this is you, a hot seat and headphones are waiting. And the best part? You don’t have to leave home to spread the love.
Read: 6 jobs that help you stay fit while you earn money
TRAVEL AMBASSADORS
Become a travel ambassador and make some extra cash while living your best indoor life. For those who love the comforts of domesticity, if there’s one thing better than exploring the world, it’s doing so from the comfort of your sofa.
With globalising trends for different types of travel being so hot right now, it seems like an easy option to work as a travel ambassador (a writer of sorts) – especially since travel brands are always looking outwards towards new markets where people want their brand seen. There’s only one catch; you must have inside knowledge of a town, city or country to write about it.
If you hail from Transylvania, then by all means write about Romania but don’t pitch about Barcelona if all you know about the city is Messi. Wikipedia won’t help you here but a genuine, thorough knowledge of a place can be turned into money by becoming a travel ambassador.
IG INFLUENCER
In the past, there was no such thing as a “job” for influencers. But with over 800 million active users browsing Instagram daily and demand growing by leaps and bounds every year, this is now an occupation that won’t be going away anytime soon.
In today’s society, where we’re all involved and engaged with our phones pretty much 24/7, the role of the influencer has become crucial to brands who are keen to get their name out there and noticed. According to the Influencer Marketing Hub, the influencer industry is expected to be worth nearly $14 billion by the end of 2021.
You might ask yourself why everyone isn’t at it? The answer is simple, it might look easy (it’s not), perhaps at the beginning, back in 2010, you might have stood a chance, but nowadays there are so many people doing it, and the niche markets are getting smaller and smaller. As such, finding a new and exciting angle is difficult. To succeed, you need to be presentable, have a unique sell or angle, and post like crazy to ensure you’re engaged online round-the-clock.
PRODUCT TESTERS
Testers of all kinds are needed. Tester positions are available for website testing, app-testing, and even product sampling. Pay rates vary depending on the company but can range from £30 per job to as low as £1.00 an item tested.
Product testing takes up to 20 minutes or more, not including paperwork. Typically testers need excellent observation skills so that they may provide honest reviews without bias towards either side. The bad news is the amount of required paperwork per test, but the good news is you can do all this from home in your PJs.
Similarly, some folk choose to supplement their income by taking questionnaires online, giving honest feedback and earning a little pocket money in the process.
NETFLIX TAGGER
Have you ever thought that there is a chance you could make money just by watching TV all day long? Well, this is an option through Netflix tagging. You will need specific skills, though; this isn’t a case of binge watching Squid Game from start to finish in a single day whilst enjoying a takeaway or two. Nope, the job is all about creating tags that optimise search engine rankings and increase viewer engagement in the content.
These tags help viewers find more related titles after they’ve finished browsing through what’s available on this streaming service – so knowing your search terms is crucial.
An editorial, analytical mind is important, too. This skill will come into play when choosing exactly where each piece should go within its season-long arc or storyline. You must be able to visualise intentions behind the scenes decisions and why viewers might respond favourably to them, which is a tough ask, but if film foresight is your thing, this one could be for you.
QUALITY RATER FOR GOOGLE ADS
Do you want to work as a Google ad rater or web search evaluator? This is a job that doesn’t require much experience; all you need is internet access and some patience.
You will assist marketing firms and organisations in obtaining actual data for their ad campaigns by grading the advertisements. You will need a critical eye and a love of paperwork because you have to answer loads of questions or risk not getting paid, just like the product testing role.
CHIEF LISTENING OFFICERS
Chief listening officers monitor both external and internal communications in firms, notably global chain companies, and are frequently hired remotely.
The main focus is on gathering and preserving information provided by consumers and staff to facilitate the dynamics of company connections – the title sounds cool, but it’s actually customer service again with a fair bit of snooping thrown in for good measure. Leave your morals at the door with this one, or it’s back to the drawing board.