sample resume for odd jobs

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How to make those 'silly little jobs' on your resume shine.

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When I landed a job  managing a cupcake shop  right out of college, I was ecstatic. It was exactly what I wanted in that moment, when I thought my career was headed toward  owning my own small business .

A year later, when that goal changed and I decided I needed to get into the startup space, I found myself managing a friend’s budding business: a cleaning and concierge service.

But another year—and another career goal—down the road, when I was applying for a corporate position with more potential for advancement, I cringed at the thought of my resume. Cupcake shop? Cleaning company? I was two years out of college, but I felt like I’d made absolutely no career progress. I couldn’t imagine a corporate recruiter looking at my resume and seeing any potential in it—or in me.

RELATED:  Have a Winding Career Path? How to Explain it With Ease

Even when I did land an interview here and there, the questions were inevitable. The interviewer would lean back, peer at me over my resume, and chuckle as he or she asked, “A cupcake shop?”

It was humiliating. I’d timidly try to point out what I’d learned from it (or brush it aside completely with a self-deprecating, “Cupcakes were just so trendy, you know?”), but how was I supposed to  showcase confidence and poise  and prove my worth when I was embarrassed of my own background?

But as I learn more about myself and take a look back on my journey so far, I’m figuring out how to embrace my resume— everything  on my resume. And if you’re in the same place, whether you waited tables for a few years after college or nannied abroad, here are a few tips and tricks that helped me.

Connect the Dots

Before I could even think about how to present my experience in a more positive way, I had to come to grips with it myself. The first realization? My background isn’t going to change. I took those jobs , I put in the time, and there’s no going back now. Until I have a quite a few more years of work experience under my belt, those lines aren’t going to drop off my resume.

But, that’s not a negative thing; now, a few years later, I’m able to look back and connect the dots along my career path. Just one small example: Working at a small business (the cupcake shop), a startup (the cleaning company), and my current corporate job has given me a unique perspective and an arsenal of example situations that I can now use in my freelance writing work.

RELATED:  How to Explain Your Winding Career Path to a Hiring Manager

Even if you can’t see that far ahead at this point, trust me: One day, you’re going to look back and see how it all fits. (Even if it’s just an interviewer, once a server him- or herself, who appreciates  the work ethic that it instills in young professionals , and gives you a job because of it.)

Don’t Downplay It

Whenever I was asked about my cupcake shop job, I used to gloss over it as quickly as possible and dive right into why I was ready for something else: “Right out of college, I thought it was my dream job, but now I realize I’m ready for something on a bigger scale where I have more opportunity to learn and grow.” And that was that.

While that’s not a terrible answer, it completely plays down the year I spent at the bakery. Sure, I had some less than glamorous tasks, like ringing up customers and washing frosting-cemented spatulas, but I also oversaw all the day-to-day operations of the business—because the owner lived in another state.

She’d call and check in, but she wasn’t there if a wedding order got dropped on the floor or if we ran out of flour. I managed the employees, our inventory, special orders, and everything in between. So even though the subject matter was cupcakes, the job truthfully did a good job introducing me to important aspects of management and customer service. And that’s a great story to tell to a hiring manager.

Even you don’t see any redeeming qualities to your job, the point is that you aren’t doing yourself any good to talk it down. Your time there produced something, whether it was time management skills, savings for school, or  a customer-oriented attitude —so don’t be afraid to talk about it with confidence.

RELATED:  How to Convince Employers You're the One (When You're Not Convinced Yourself)

Use All the Tools in Your Arsenal

When you’re a bit insecure about your resume, one of the most helpful tools you have is your cover letter. Your resume may let a hiring manager know that you worked at a less-than-impressive job, but  your cover letter can put it into context  and explain how that seemingly irrelevant experience will help you in this new position.

For me, I let the bullet points of my resume explain my accomplishments and main responsibilities at the cleaning company, but my cover letter told more of the story: The company staff was small, so I essentially worked almost every role, including PR, marketing, advertising, sales, and customer service. And to boot, it was a startup company with big goals to open up locations around the country. Once I was able to give that background and explain more of who the company was, I felt like the hiring manager could get a better idea of why I worked there in the first place and how it’s prepared me for the role at hand.

The bottom line is this: No matter your background, it has shaped you—and is still shaping you—for your future path. And while it may take a few years to appreciate that and see how it all fits together, you will someday. Trust me.

This article was originally published on The Daily Muse .

Katie Douthwaite comes to The Daily Muse from a variety of management gigs, from small town music venue to big city cupcake bakery. Most recently, she’s leapt into the corporate world in sunny Florida, where she constantly challenges her team of support techs to provide over-the-top customer service. Say hi to Katie on Twitter @kdouth.

Photo of  woman at interview courtesy of Shutterstock .

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Ask Amanda: How Do I List Temp Jobs on My Resume?

7 min read · Updated on October 20, 2021

Knowing how to put temporary work on your resume can be the difference between landing the job and getting stuck in the resume black hole.

Each week, TopResume's career advice expert, Amanda Augustine, answers user questions like the one below from Quora and our Ask Amanda form. A certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW), Amanda has been helping professionals improve their careers for nearly 15 years. Have a question for Amanda? Submit it here .

Q: How can I make my temp jobs look good on a resume?

For the last 8 years, all of my jobs were temp or contract work through an employment agency. How do I put "achievements" on my resume when all my work looks like just a "do-er?" — Gayle

Knowing how to put temporary work on your resume — and make it look impressive to hiring managers — can be the difference between landing the job and getting stuck in the resume black hole . It may seem impossible to list your temporary jobs in a way that paints you as an “achiever” versus a “doer,” but there are things you can do with this work experience to demonstrate your value to a potential employer.

How to list your temp work on a resume

First, you'll need to decide whether it will serve you better to list each temp job as a separate gig within your work experience or to group them together. This is one of those judgment calls that a professional resume writer is especially good at helping his or her clients make.

How to list temp jobs on a resume: example 1

Generally speaking, if you only have a couple of short-term or contract positions throughout your work history, then you're better off listing each position in a separate entry. Be sure to include the word “temp,” “temporary,” or “contract” next to the job title to explain to the reader why your employment with that company was so short lived. In addition, this is one of those times where you're probably better off listing your start and end dates using both the month and the year. Whatever format you decide to use for the temp jobs on your resume, make sure you are consistent.

NORTHWELL HEALTH LABS, New Hyde Park, NY

Medical Receptionist - Front Desk (Temp) | Mar 2018 - Jul 2018

Answered over…

Checked in…  

NORTH SHORE-LIJ MEDICAL GROUP, Islandia, NY and North Babylon, NY

Office Receptionist (Temp) | Sep 2017 - Feb 2018

Managed schedules for…

Helped to maintain records for…

How to list temp jobs on a resume: example 2

If, like Gayle, your employment history is dominated by temp and contract work, then your best bet is to group your temp jobs together. This works especially well if all your temporary positions were arranged through the same agency, if you held similar titles, or if you performed similar duties during each assignment.

When grouping multiple temp jobs on your resume, list the agency as your employer, write a blurb that explains the types of assignments you accepted during that time, and then include a list of bullets that call attention to tasks you performed that are most noteworthy or are best at demonstrating your qualifications. Depending on your situation, you may or may not choose to list each temporary contract agreement and your employment dates with that company in the bullets.

ROBERT HALF, New York, NY | 2015 - Present

Medical Receptionist - Front Desk (Temp)

Contracted by staffing agency Robert Half to work on a temporary basis as a receptionist for numerous medical facilities, including hospitals, physician private practices, and medical laboratories, throughout the greater New York City area. Performed diversified secretarial duties including, but not limited to: scheduling appointments, greeting and checking in patients, maintaining files and filing systems, and managing the inventory of office supplies.

Northwell Health Labs, New Hyde Park, NY (Mar 2018 - Jul 2018): Answered over 60 phone calls a day at one of the busiest medical labs on Long Island. Checked in 30-50 patients each day, often working with three or more people at any given time.

North Shore-LIJ Medical Group, Islandia, NY and North Babylon, NY (Sep 2017 - Feb 2018): Managed schedules for 10 OB/GYN physicians working out of two locations, often rearranging appointments at a moment's notice. Helped to maintain records for more than 1,200 patients and digitize vital medical information.

How to make your temp work look impressive

Show, don't tell.

When recruiters are evaluating candidates during the job search, they're looking for proof of relevant skills. After all, it's one thing to say you're a great multitasker or that you thrive in a fast-paced work environment, but it's another thing entirely to be able to back up these claims on your resume with work examples.

Once you've made a list of the soft and hard skills that are required to do the job you're seeking, take another look at each role you've held and identify where and how you've used these valuable skills to benefit your former employers.

Find the drama

For some professionals, such as those in sales or finance, it can be relatively easy to position yourself as an “achiever” versus a “doer” to hiring managers. Instead of listing responsibilities, these professionals should focus on sharing the results they've achieved for each employer while carrying out their responsibilities. Click on the following link for more information on how to position yourself as an “achiever” versus a “doer” on your resume .

If you're an entry-level worker or if much of your experience is temporary work, you'll need to get creative if you want to describe your seemingly boring temp job in a way that makes it interesting to hiring managers. In an article my friend, Danny Rubin, penned about how to make any job look remarkable , he advises job seekers to ask themselves the following questions:

How are/were my jobs dramatic?

What made them tense or stressful?

According to Rubin, every job has moments of stress or high emotion. Use those opportunities to demonstrate how you possess the skills required to do the job you're seeking. Your goal is to provide proof of your skills and describe it in a way that hiring managers will find interesting.

Consider which of these statements sounds better to you:

Managed schedules for 10 OB/GYN physicians working out of two locations, often rearranging appointments at a moment's notice.

Scheduled appointments for patients in a timely manner.

Recruiters think so too.

Quantify your temp experience

Every job on your resume will look more impressive when you are able to add numbers. If you're not in a position to talk about how your work led to more revenue, fewer costs, or an increase in customer satisfaction, use numbers to give hiring managers a better sense of the job you did and the environment in which you worked. This could include, but is not limited to, the number of:

Calls you answered or made on a given day.

People you supported, checked in, or fielded questions from.

Emails you replied to.

Product or product categories you helped restock on shelves.

You get the idea. Make a list of your job duties. Then, look for places where you can add numbers to provide a clearer picture of the work you did.

Find out if your resume is positioning you as a "doer" or an "achiever" with our free resume critique.

Recommended Reading:

• Ask Amanda: How Do I Showcase My Soft Skills on a Resume?
• Good Second Jobs to Earn Cash Outside Your 9-to-5
• Ask Amanda: How Can I Turn Part-Time Work Into a Full-Time Job?

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Your Guide to Making Unrelated Experience Look Relevant on Your Resume

Perhaps you’re a a few years into your career with just a few jobs under your belt. Maybe you’re an experienced professional looking at making a pretty major career change . Or, perhaps you entered the military right out of high school, and now you’re looking for your first civilian job.

Regardless of your specific circumstances, you’re dealing with an all-too-common problem: You know exactly which jobs you’d like to apply for, but the majority of your work experience up to this point seems completely irrelevant .

Believe me, pretty much everybody’s been there. I remember sifting through openings when I was fresh out of college—with work experience that equated to a part-time pizza waitress and someone who did all of the grunt work at a law firm—and getting frustrated by the fact that I would never be able to make myself look impressive (or relevant) enough to even get my foot in the door.

Yes, it can be somewhat discouraging. But, if up until this point you’ve reacted by either crying, cursing, or contemplating throwing your computer out the window, it’s time for a serious change.

Luckily, there are a few different tactics and strategies you can use to make even the seemingly most unrelated experience appear more applicable to the position you’re applying for. Follow these six steps, and you’ll be armed with a resume that makes you look like a no-brainer fit.

1. Study the Job Description

First, let’s start with the obvious. Before you can focus on tailoring your information to fit a particular role, you first need to have a clear idea of what exactly the company’s searching for.

This means you need to read through the job description with a fine-tooth comb. Print it out and grab a highlighter if it helps you!

I know that job descriptions can feel a little overwhelming, particularly if your brain’s just obsessing over all of the ways you’re unqualified. So, to make this easier, grab a notepad and focus on identifying just these two key elements: The major responsibilities of this position and the core skills that are required.

Once you’ve zoned in on those nuts and bolts, you’ll have a much better handle on how you can appropriately tweak and tailor your own information to be more suitable.

2. Think Outside Your Title

Now, it’s time to take a cold, hard look at your own experience. What positions have you had up to this point, and what duties were associated with those roles?

When doing this, it’s all too easy to get wrapped up in your title and only the core functions of your position. But, don’t limit yourself and narrow your lens to only the major things. Instead of thinking back on what you did day in and day out, switch your focus to identify any projects or tasks—even if they seem small—that are related to the job you’re applying for.

Jenny Foss, a long-time recruiter and career coach provides a fitting example. “Maybe you’re an office manager trying to become a marketing coordinator,” she explains, “In addition to your administrative responsibilities, you manage your company’s Twitter feed and help with trade show coordination. That’s marketing! So, be sure to highlight the marketing stuff you’re doing—or have done in other roles—even if it was not your primary job function.”

3. Focus on Problems and Results

Of course, your resume needs to share your major skills and previous experiences. But, rather than spitting out bullet points that look as if they’re copied directly from a job description, place the majority of your emphasis on the results you achieved—rather than just your responsibilities.

“Every company wants people who can problem-solve,” explains Rajiv Nathan, Muse Career Coach and Founder of RajNATION Innovation, “Don't just list your experience. Also write what problems you solved or results you obtained because of that experience.”

While your skills might not necessarily translate, success definitely does. So, make sure to adequately emphasize that you can successfully address problems and produce results—that’s impressive, regardless of industry or position.

4. Create a Special Section

Let’s face it—resumes are designed to be easy to read, which means they can also be somewhat limiting. You can often feel like you’re trying to cram a career story that deserves a novel into a one-page, bulleted document.

While many of the traditional rules still apply, don’t be afraid to play around with the structure and format to find something that suits your career history best.

In an article about telling a compelling career story , Muse author Erica Foss recommends adding a special “qualifications” section to the top of your document, which will draw attention to the specific skills that are most relevant to the job you want.

“This way, you own your story, and you demonstrate to the hiring manager that you’ve thought about the way your various experiences align with the position,” Foss explains in her article.

(Read more about how to write what’s sometimes called a hybrid or combination resume .)

5. Remember the “Highlight Reel Rule”

Alright, the “highlight reel rule” isn’t actually a real rule. But, I think it should be—which is why I just made it up.

So, what exactly does this mean? Well, to put it simply, your resume doesn’t need to tell your entire life story. Instead, the entire point of your document is to focus on the most important pieces that show why you’re a no-brainer fit for a particular role.

Resist the urge to list every single minor duty, project, or skill you can think of and narrow your focus to only the most impressive or the most relevant.

“Not everything you’ve ever done has to go on your resume,” Erica Foss adds in the same article about telling a career story, “If you’re applying for a client-facing position, highlight your time in retail, as a server in a restaurant, and leave off that part-time summer gig where all you did was file paperwork.”

6. Share Your Success

Yes, tailoring your resume is undeniably important for making your experience seem as relevant as possible. But, don’t always rank relevancy ahead of your most impressive accomplishments. You don’t want your desire to appear like a perfect fit to limit you into only including the things that obviously and seamlessly complement the job description.

Are you confused yet? Don’t be. Instead just remember this golden rule: While you want to appear relevant, you also want to be impressive.

So, don’t skip listing that prestigious medal you received in the military or that major presentation you conducted simply because they don’t fall directly in line with the job description. Hiring managers can still recognize (and be impressed by!) your success and achievements, even if they’re a little bit out of the box.

Making your experience seem relevant to the job you’re applying for—particularly if you’re changing industries or have a sporadic career history to date—can be a challenge. But, it’s an undeniably important part of the process.

“No one is going to deduce how or why you make perfect sense for any given role. It's your job to make it super easy for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly connect the dots between 'This is what we need' and 'This is what a candidate can walk through our doors and deliver,'” concludes Jenny Foss, “The easier you make this, the better the odds that they will invite you in for an interview.”

Photo of person on laptop courtesy of svetikd/Getty Images.

CVs & Résumés

• Jul 13, 2022

The 30 Funniest Résumés and Job Applications We’ve Ever Seen

We can’t stop laughing at these résumés!

Joanna Zambas

Content Manager and Career Expert

Reviewed by Chris Leitch

When looking for a job , you want to make sure you have a powerful résumé that grabs the hiring manager’s attention. Some jobseekers, though, take it a little too far and end up standing out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons.

We jumped down the internet rabbit hole in search of some of those résumés and job applications that — whether intentionally or not — had hiring managers (and us) rolling on the floor laughing.

There were hundreds of candidates for this list, but we narrowed it down to 30. So, without further ado, here are the funniest résumés and job applications you might not want to replicate.

1. The excellent communicator

I mean, kudos to his sky-high ego, but apart from being a comedian , he hasn’t demonstrated any transferable skills that will get him hired.

2. The drug dealer

This applicant is brutally honest… maybe too honest! It goes from bad to worse from no education to running a “marijuana delivery service”. It’s clear he has some sales skills , but not the type you’d want in a professional establishment!

3. The self-loving actor

Is this really a résumé, a hilarious joke or a meme even? If one picture wasn’t enough, Daryl decided to share three. The fact that he was cast as a rapist is slightly alarming too!

4. A teen with a good sense of humor

This funny teen actually bagged himself a job at McDonald’s with his awesome and honest answers.

5. Simply the best

This devilishly handsome candidate thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread. He’s definitely brave for responding to a job application like this.

6. Or, you know… Whatever

I mean, who else wouldn’t be impressed by an applicant with cat-like reflexes, a horse-like laugh and a large appetite?!

7. The boss

A self-proclaimed boss who is good at nearly everything, but has no work experience or education — who wouldn’t want to take the risk and hire this stud muffin?

8. What an interesting hobby!

Brad had been sending out his résumé with this interesting hobby listed on it for a while before he realized that his friend had written it as a joke. Brad, my friend… you got punked!

9. The zero f*cks guy

Although many of us give zero f*cks from time to time, it’s probably not the best idea to list it on your résumé…

10. Is he for real?

It has to be a practical joke; from the bad picture to the jail time story. I’m a little scared just reading his résumé, let alone meeting Mr Santangelo.

11. Ms Desperation

Besides the poorly written résumé full of typos, nothing screams “desperate” more than “HIRE ME” written all over the bottom of this ridiculous résumé.

12. Job for the summer

Despite the obvious punctuation and typographical issues , this young teen “with a good soul” only wants a job for the summer . What a real go-getter!

13. Simplicity is key

I’m not quite sure that the direct approach here will get this candidate the job. Any thoughts?

14. Nicolas Cage

So cringe! This candidate attached a funny picture of Nicolas Cage instead of her actual résumé! Always remember to proofread and ensure your attachments are the correct ones!

15. The c*ck

What a funny c*ck-up of a résumé. It’s safe to say that this is one way you shouldn’t apply for a catering position.

Someone teach this applicant some manners, please! I’m all for a bit of light banter, but this is the worst résumé I have ever seen. It’s outright rude and obnoxious.

17. The devil wears what?

If you’re going to reference a film, it’s probably best that you double-check the title first. I’ve never heard of Devil Wears Prague — have you?

18. The distraction

Clearly, this candidate’s filter from brain to paper sucks. Although hilarious, his ego will clearly be a distraction to his personal work.

19. References unavailable

Funny how this résumé wasn’t burnt in the fire too…

20. Monkey business

Was this made by a 10-year-old with WordArt? This example will leave an outstanding impression, but maybe not the best one.

21. Google autocomplete

We’ve all had situations with predictive text in the past, right? Well, this person decided to let Google write his résumé for him. Don’t get us wrong: it’s a funny résumé, but it doesn’t really show many skills other than creativity and a sense of humor.

22. The death certificate

Wow. This guy really wanted the job. So much so that he kept an eye on the obituary and sent the deceased person’s death certificate in with his application as proof there was an open position. I can’t see him getting the job, as it’s a bit callous, if you ask me.

23. The GoT and Stranger Things expert

This isn’t a great example of a graduate résumé , so try not to take inspiration from it. Clearly, this person is a TV connoisseur, though, because they’re both great shows.

24. Pandemic résumé

I think we can all relate to certain things on this résumé (for me, it was the “staring into the void” listed in the skills section). The pandemic was a weird time, but at least this person has thoughtfully gathered examples of things they did and learned during it (and created the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time!).

It seems that Bruce Wayne applied for a hospitality position, and even noted his desired salary as “justice”. I think this is a joke, but if it wasn’t, I don’t think his application will have gone far.

26. Insert text here

If you’re using a template when writing your résumé, make sure you delete any placeholder text like “text here”. While it might not be detrimental, it shows a complete lack of attention to detail .

27. The race and sex change

This is one résumé mistake that Marissa won’t ever forget. In a similar fashion to the entry above, this person decided to use a résumé template . If your template has a picture, make sure you update the stock photo to a picture of yourself, or it could lead to some confusion when you’re invited to an interview. Can you imagine their faces when she walked in?!

28. The wild bear fighter

If the company is wanting someone brave and courageous, then this person gets a big fat tick. Who else do you know who is willing to fight a bear?

29. A typical teenager

Well, this would definitely stand out on the résumé pile — if it was real, that is. This girl’s father decided to create a résumé for her and let’s just say it didn’t highlight many positive skills — including “giving out all clients [sic] information to fraudsters” and “chopping colleagues [sic] toes off with a spade”. Ouch!

30. Dungeons and Dragons

If you’re an avid gamer, you might wonder how you can use these skills to get a job. Well, here’s a great (and funny) example of how you can show the skills you learned from playing D&D. You’re welcome.

Final thoughts

While some of these résumés might be inadvertently (or even intentionally) funny, they definitely wouldn’t make it to the next stage of the hiring process. With a little under 30 seconds to impress hiring managers, you want to make sure you put your best foot forward — if, that is, you’re serious about your job search . So, whatever you do, don’t take a page out of these jobseekers’ book!

Have you come across any other funny résumés on the internet, or have you ever submitted an application that hilariously went wrong? We want to hear from you in the comments section below!

Originally published on September 30, 2015. Updated by Hayley Ramsey.

Job Applications

Résumé Examples

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43 Really Odd Jobs That Actually Exist (And Actually Pay Pretty Well)

Liane Starr is a staff writer at Cheapism covering food, shopping, and personal finance. Liane was previously editor-in-chief of footwear trade WSAToday and a senior editor at HitFix and EW.com. Her TV guidebook, "Stream This Next," was published in 2023.

PeopleImages/istockphoto / Pekic/istockphoto

Want a Weird Job?

Maybe you know someone with one. Maybe you just want one for yourself. Maybe you're just curious about them. But incredibly odd jobs are out there, and some of them pay pretty well . (Some of them are also wildly gross.) Here are 45 bizarre jobs that we can't believe actually exist.

The majority of average pay was sourced from ZipRecruiter.

1. Snake Milker

Pay: $2,800 per month

This isn't actually milking, but getting venom from the snake. It's a job that requires nerves of steel and an ability to move quickly should a snake decide it doesn't like the process, but the brave can make roughly three grand a month  in a job that doesn't require a degree.

2. Body Part Model

Pay:  $32 per hour

While having beautiful hands  or feet can pay off, they don't have to be perfect. There's sometimes a need for ugly or even average limbs, too. You can also make a decent living from ears that look good next to a phone or jewelry. 

3. Gross Stunt Tester

Pay: $86,000 per year

If you've seen gross stunts on reality TV, it turns out there's someone behind the scenes  making sure the tricks are not only doable, but safe. So yes, there really is a job perfect for that weird kid in your junior high class who ate bugs to get attention.

4. Professional Mourner

Pay: $28,000 per year

This seems sad for many reasons, but if no one is going to a funeral you're overseeing, you can hire someone  to sit in (and, in the case of professional mourners in China, even go to the wake afterward). Crying may cost extra.

5. Professional Cuddler

Pay:  $40 to $80 per hour

While most people look to their furry pets for cuddling, there are people who will provide the service  for those willing to shell out for it. 

6. Armpit Sniffer

Pay: $52,000 per year

If you have a heightened sense of smell and don't mind sticking your nose into up to 60 strangers' sweaty armpits per hour, this is the job for you . You'll be helping deodorant manufacturers ensure they're selling a product that doesn't stink, literally and figuratively.

7. Legal Bank Robber

Pay: $127,000 per year

These tough customers are also known as Penetration Testers , as they're also trying to identify weaknesses in a bank's security system. This isn't an easy job, but for those who've fantasized about making a teller fill a bag with cash, it's probably fun. 

8. Intimacy Coordinator

Pay: $47,000 per year

Having actors pretend to get hot and heavy in various states of undress isn't as fun as it might seem. An intimacy coordinator  oversees all moves to make sure nothing sparks a #metoo scandal. 

9. Professional Bridesmaid

While most bridesmaids find themselves paying for dresses, parties, and gifts for the bride, professional bridesmaids  have those costs covered. This job may entail handling family tension or bridezillas, but it could also mean enjoying the fun part of a wedding. 

10. Iceberg Mover

Pay: $41,000 per year

If you're thinking, hey, the Titanic could have used that, guess what? After the massive ship sank following a collision with an iceberg, this job  became a thing. Go figure.

11. Face Feeler

Pay: $90,000 per year

Otherwise known as a sensory scientist , this requires being able to discern changes in skin after a product is applied. The scientist must judge the smell, taste, and even sound of a product. 

12. Golf Ball Diver

Pay:  $20 per hour

For all the people who have hit a golf ball into a lake, there's someone willing to fish out that ball . While it seems like a thankless task, it actually turns out to be sort of profitable.

13. Airplane Painter

Pay: $60,000 per year

Ever seen brightly painted planes at the airport? Well, someone has to paint  them, and it's not easy. You have to be on your feet while lugging around supplies, whether you're creating a new design or just freshening up the old one. 

14. Ice Rink Hand Holder

Pay:  $61,000 per year

While this sounds fun, a timid skater can not only pull down someone else but create a collision. While a hand holder may just help a newbie, they usually function as an ice rink monitor , especially during the busy season around the holidays. 

15. Online Dating Ghostwriter

Pay: $44,000 per year

Is your dating profile getting zero traffic? You may need a professional to take over. While results aren't guaranteed, a ghost writer  can probably make you sound slicker than you did when you posted a profile yourself. 

16. Paper Towel Sniffer

Never noticed a smell from your paper towels? It turns out there's a reason for that. A sniffer  makes sure paper products, which are often recycled, don't have a funky scent. 

17. Chicken Sexer

Pay:  $32,000 per year

It turns out that it's hard to tell a hen from a rooster, as sex organs are located inside the bird. And, if you're someone who isn't eager to experience a rooster and his wake-up calls, it's necessary to get help. A chicken sexer  can usually determine who to let in the hen house with an anal exam.

18. Dog Food Taster

While gobbling down dog food doesn't sound like a great job, it is necessary. A dog food taster  mostly determines the nutritional value of food, though it also usually entails putting some in your mouth to make sure it might pass muster with real pups. 

19. Line Stander

Pay: $18 per hour

For anyone who pined for the latest Apple product or a limited edition pair of sneakers, a line stander  might be a worthwhile investment. 

20. Furniture Tester

Pay:  $41,000 per year

Nothing is worse than a bed or a sofa that's lumpy or bumpy. A furniture tester  determines what's working and what isn't, which may require more moving around than you might think. 

21. Adult Toy Tester

Pay: $39,000 per year

Let's not get into too much detail here. Suffice it to say, a tester  determines whether the toy ... gets the job done, and may note what could be improved.

22. Fortune Cookie Writer

Pay: $87,000 per year

Ever open up a fortune cookie and think, whoa, it's like the cookie knows me? If so, you've got a  fortune cookie writer  to thank. 

23. Flavor Chemist

Pay : $63,000 per year

Ever grab a uniquely-flavored drink  or bag of chips out of curiosity? There are people whose job  is to cook up those weird and wacky flavors. Some are great, and some ... aren't.

Pay: $107,000 per year

Sure, you probably have to wear rags  and walk around with your arms in front of you, calling for brains, but we bet it's fun no matter what.

25. Party Cleaners

Pay: $34,000 per year

If you're already cleaning up  a messy house, why not charge a premium after a party? Your hangover will thank you.

26. Crime Scene Cleaner

You may not realize this, but if someone has been murdered in your home, you can't just call any house cleaner to vacuum and dust. It's necessary to get a crime scene cleaner  who can handle any hazardous material issues that might arise. 

27. Panda Fluffer

Pay: $59,000 per year

Pandas don't procreate all that often, so sometimes they need a little help . Using feathers and other objects, these helpful souls get pandas in the mood (hopefully). If you're eager to assist one of these cuddly animals, take note that this job only exists in China (so far!). 

28. Train Pusher

Pay:  $21 per hour

A train pusher probably has many different definitions in the U.S., but in Japan, there's just one. People are stuffed onto trains and, to make sure every inch is utilized, a train pusher  squeezes in every rider he or she can. 

29. Professional Foreigner

Pay: $147,000 per year

While posing as a foreigner  might be more doable in countries where you live as a foreigner, it's a gig you could consider while you're traveling. You will likely be asked to meet executives and wear corporate dress. 

30. Listening Officer

Pay:  $151,000 per year

If you're addicted to social media, this is the job for you . Your duty would be finding out what others are saying about your company on social media, then passing that info along to executives. 

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31. Professional Mermaid

Pay: $22 per hour

Want to get in touch with your inner Ariel ? Then consider donning a mermaid tail, holding your breath, and diving into the water. 

32. Feng Shui Consultant

Pay : $93,000 per year

Telling people to put rose quartz in a corner of their home or tie red ribbon around their sink pipes may be odd, but learning about feng shui and helping others incorporate  its rules (your front door should be painted the right color for the direction it faces, for example) could be a rewarding job. 

33. Dog Surfing Instructor

Want your dog to surf but don't want to teach him yourself? There's someone who'll do it  and won't judge you at all.

34. Soap Boiler

Pay: $65,000 per year

While this could also be called a fat boiler, soap boiler  sounds much better. A soap boiler basically boils fat until it becomes liquid that can be pressed into bars with added scent. 

35. Movie Watcher

Pay: $2,500 per season

While most places call these people critics, a movie watcher  is only tasked with giving a review, which is then posted if it's favorable. It's not Roger Ebert, but most people would jump at the chance to do this.

36. Ostrich Babysitter

Pay:  $39,000 per year

Before you swoon over how cute this must be, the reason these birds need someone to watch  over them isn't that cute. They tend to peck one another, and if they target one of the weaker ostrich babies, there will be a grisly end.

37. Rental Boyfriend

Pay:  $34,000 per year

This seems to be a trend only in Japan and in rom-com plots, but if you need a plus-one, it's a quick fix. Because rental boyfriends  are available online, you can pick one you wish you could date in real life based on appearance. 

38. Bed Warmer

Pay:  $25 per hour

While getting an electric blanket might be more efficient, you can also  get someone  to warm your sheets. Fingers crossed they don't drool on your pillow.

39. Bicycle Fishing

Pay:  $44,000 This is mostly a pastime in Amsterdam, where 14,000 bikes end up in canals every year. It's great that someone is willing to fish them out , but it doesn't seem like a job to strive for.

40. Teddy Bear Surgeon

Pay: $40,000

While this is probably more sewing  than anything else, it does sound fancier to be a teddy bear surgeon. Your duties would likely include stuffing, stitching, and possibly cleaning. A side of empathy and tear-drying is helpful.

41. Fake Wedding Guest

Pay: $2,500 per wedding

While most people are trying to find ways to trim their guest lists , some people want lots of attention at their nuptials, even if it's from strangers they have to pay to attend . If you have a fancy suit or dress and like talking to strangers, it can be a good way to make some extra cash and get a free meal (and some cake) to boot. 

42. Makeup Namer

Pay: $57,000

Ever pick up a bottle of nail polish or lipstick and think, huh, that's a weird name?  Someone has to name  this stuff, and you can bet every name is given a once-over by an executive or PR department. 

43. Hippotherapist

Pay: $34,000

Before you get excited about a job working with hippos, it's actually about treating physical, emotional, or mental issues with the aid of a horse. It's a job with requirements , such as already being a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist.

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'It Would Be My Pleasure' and Other Little Fibs Your Waiter Tells You

And the award for best actor goes to...

Darron Cardosa, also known as the Bitchy Waiter, is the voice of restaurant servers. His decades-long career in the restaurant industry and his very active social media presence have made him an expert on all things service related. He says out loud what other servers wish they could say.

Expertise: food service, restaurant industry, waiting tables.

Experience: Darron Cardosa is a food service professional with over 30 years of restaurant experience. He has waited tables in diners, pubs, chain restaurants, neighborhood bistros, clubs, and had a short stint in a celebrity-owned restaurant before he was fired for blogging about his experience.

Over the last 15 years, he has written more than 1,500 articles and blog posts, each and every one about the food service industry. He has written for Food & Wine, Plate, the Washington Post, and others. Darron has been seen on NBC's the Today show and CBS Sunday Morning discussing the service industry. His book, The Bitchy Waiter, was published in 2016, and his years as a professional actor eventually led to the creation of his one-man show, The Bitchy Waiter Show, which tours around the country.

Hinterhaus Productions / Getty Images

When I first started waiting tables , it was because I was an actor and it was the one career that allowed me to make decent money while having a flexible enough schedule to audition and do the occasional non-paying gig in a dilapidated theater held together by duct tape and hope. Even before I started auditioning, I got a job in a restaurant because I wanted to fulfill the stereotype of  the struggling actor who waited tables.

Plenty of A-list celebrities have taken food orders while waiting for their big break. Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, and Jennifer Aniston all spent time wearing an apron before hitting it big. Not all servers have their headshots and resumes tucked away in their order pads, but all of them are pretty fine actors, worthy of accolades. 

Acting is so crucial when waiting tables because you never want your customer to see you sweat. There could be an actual dumpster fire happening behind the swinging doors to the kitchen, but showing any stress can be the cue that some customers are looking for to tip less . Since servers depend on tips to make up most of their wages, that’s why acting is so important. We all know there’s no crying in baseball, but there’s no crying in restaurants either. A server has to appear professional while not being off-putting, confident without being cocky, friendly without being too personal, and always giving the appearance of a happy person even though they may be slowly dying inside. 

A bank teller who seems grumpy isn’t going to see their salary reduced, but a server certainly will. That waiter may not have a BFA in Theater or be a Juilliard or Yale graduate, but their acting chops are still on par with some of the greatest actors known to mankind. Marlon Brando was able to wail for Stella to come back to him with an intensity that jumped right off the screen, but have you ever seen a server who forgot to ring in an order explain to a customer why their food is taking so long? That is the kind of acting that even Konstantin Stanislavski simply could not teach. No amount of classes at the Actor’s Studio is going to prepare a server to react a certain way when a 15-top all asks for separate checks . 

The inner monologue is “I do not have time to do that and if I do separate these checks , I can’t leave the automatic gratuity on them anymore and now I might get stiffed oh my goodness, I cannot handle this” while the face and dialogue are saying, "It will be my pleasure. One moment, please.”

While Meryl Streep may be able to recite the daily specials as someone who grew up in the West Midlands of England and spent her summers in Boston which resulted in an odd mishmash of a Birmingham-Boston accent, it’s really no match to the waitress who’s in the weeds, but has to act like she has all the time in the world as a three-year old tries to order their chicken nuggets. Where’s her Academy Award, huh? 

When the restaurant closes at 10:00 and someone swoops in at 9:59, congratulating themselves on having made it “just in time,” something happens to most servers. Acting: activated. They dig deep into their emotional well to conjure up a sense memory that helps them convey the feeling that staying at work is something they truly want to do, even though staying an hour longer could result in no tip whatsoever. Displaying any hint of frustration or disappointment can only jeopardize the potential gratuity. These are the people who deserves SAG awards. 

This doesn’t mean that every server is constantly hitting their mark and turning out an award worthy performance. There are plenty of times servers are genuinely happy, grateful, cheerful, empathetic, and a slew of other emotions. In fact, I would say most of the time they are sincere with their feelings, but if they need to, they can turn it on like a light switch and put Daniel Day-Lewis to shame.

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