Something for you? The strangest jobs in the world

Are you looking for a challenge that goes beyond a normal job as a plumber, cashier, or accountant? In this gallery, you will find an overview of some of the strangest professions in the world.

We did not invent them: many are suggestions from the job site Indeed. So have a look, maybe there is something that appeals to you!

You may know people who love to give out free hugs, but they could also make money with them! As a professional hugger, you offer paid cuddles to people who need a warm embrace. According to Indeed, the goal of your job is to reduce loneliness and cheer people up. Although the average salary is not high, you can do this job part-time for some extra income ánd some wholesomeness in your life.

Image: Tani Eisenstein / Unsplash

In Amsterdam, there's been a cuddling practice since 2022. As the Dutch newspaper AD reports, Linda Milder became the nation's first professional in the field of cuddling.

Photo: Mayur Gala / Unsplash

Palm readers 'read your mind' based on the lines and creases in your hand. According to Indeed, nowadays it is no longer about predicting the future. The purpose of palm readers today is to help people with life questions and personal growth. Palm readers also offer courses, workshops, and lectures to teach others about hand analysis.

Photo: Ave Calvar/Unsplash

According to Indeed, there's money to be made as a tree surgeon. With adequate knowledge of arboriculture, you ensure that trees remain healthy or recover from damage. Your daily work includes climbing trees to diagnose problems and provide treatment. Perseverance and courage are important skills for this profession.

Photo: Simon Wilkes / Unsplash

As a pet food taster, you test the quality of dog food by assessing its taste, aroma, and presentation. An animal food taster checks whether the ingredients are balanced, Indeed notes on its vacancy page. Although it may seem like a strange profession, it is important that we make sure our pets eat healthy and tasty food.

Photo: M Burke / Unsplash

In Japan, there is the profession of train pusher. It basically comes down to pushing people into crowded trains during busy rush hours. According to Indeed, the job requires a lot of muscle power to get everyone through the doors.

As a golf ball diver, your job is to retrieve golf balls from the water so that golfers don't lose them. According to Indeed, the profession requires a diving license. There are even special agencies for golf ball divers - for example, the Dutch company 'Nicky's Golfballen Nederland' ('Nicky's Golf Balls Netherlands'). Check it out!

Photo: Erik Brolin / Unsplash

As a panda nanny in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, in China, you have a special job where you play and cuddle with pandas. According to Indeed, your goal is to make the pandas feel loved and happy. The absolute dream job!

Photo: Billow926 / Unsplash

As a mattress jumper, you test the flexibility of mattresses by jumping on them. According to Indeed, it requires specific skills because you have to jump on the mattresses correctly. Yes, for real.

Photo: Allen Taylor / Unsplash

The profession of aromatherapist is becoming increasingly popular. Aromatherapists treat patients with mental or physical complaints by using essential oils. According to Indeed, specific training in aromatherapy is required. There, you will learn how to balance aromas, meridians, and chakras while managing essential oils and scent perception.

Photo: Chelsea Shapouri / Unsplash

This job is also increasingly advertised on sites like Indeed. A game tester plays video games for a living, checking them for technical errors. The site Jobbird notes that game testers are wanted regularly to detect errors in games before they enter the market. You work closely with programmers and developers and provide feedback based on your experiences.

Image: Florian Olivo / Unsplash

As a professional mermaid, you perform at parties and celebrations. These can also involve 'mermaid classes' for groups of (mostly) girls. According to the site Jobat, you train intensively to master the specific swimming technique called 'The Mermaid Crawl' and perform synchronized 'swimming dances'.

Photo: Mo Jo / Unsplash

The Holiday Inn hotel in London has had a bed warmer since 2010. According to the online Brabant Job Board, this person rolls around the bed in a fleece suit for 5 minutes to warm it up for the guests. It's a strange show of hospitality because, usually, you'd expect guests to prefer to get their beds all tightly made up and unused...

Image: Kinga Howard / Unsplash

Armpit odor testers ensure that a new deodorant masks the sweat odor of armpits. The Brabant Job Board reports that an armpit odor tester sniffs an average of 60 armpits per hour.

Photo: Ana Essentiels / Unsplash

The job of a breath odor evaluator involves assessing bad breath before and after using certain oral products like chewing gum, mouthwash, and toothpaste. You have to check whether these products have the intended effect. The position of breath odor evaluator requires a high tolerance for bad odors. According to the Brabant Job Board, this is an essential characteristic of this role.

Photo: Thought Catalog / Unsplash

For people who love the fun of sliding into the swimming pool, the job of a slide tester is a dream come true. According to the site Jobat-be, one of those lucky testers is the Englishman Tommy Lynch. He travels the world as a full-time slide tester to assess water parks.

Photo: Brandon Hoogenboom / Unsplash

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