Unconventional Jobs You Never Thought of Doing
When you were growing up, your imagination probably ran free in terms of what you “wanted to be” when you got older.
Maybe you wanted to be a professional football player. Or, perhaps, you dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut and setting foot on the moon.
As we get older, our imaginations tend to quiet down and we start thinking about our careers in a more conventional (and less creative) sense.
Still, maybe you stare out the window from your cubicle occasionally and dream of leaving the nine-to-five grind, hitting the road, and trying to star on the next American Idol.
We understand how you feel, which is why Empire Resume has scoured the internet to come up with a list of fun and unconventional jobs that’ll satisfy your need for adventure and, possibly, support a creative lifestyle.
Ghost Hunter
Ghost hunters are self-employed people who investigate the unexplainable or paranormal, such as ghosts, demons, spirits, aliens, or UFOs.
Ghost hunters don’t make much money, though, if any at all. The Society for Paranormal Investigation says ghost hunting is basically “an expensive hobby at best,” and it advises aspiring investigators to keep their day jobs.
Ghost hunters usually pay for their own equipment, such as video cameras and night-vision goggles, which can be expensive. And since there’s no such thing as accreditation or licensing for ghost hunting, most Paranormal Investigators don’t charge a fee for their investigations. Their best hope is to have a sponsored YouTube channel.
House Sitter
House sitting is a fun job that could earn you some cash, or at least give you a fancy and potentially free place to stay for a while.
The payment for house sitting is all negotiable between the sitter and the homeowner. In most cases, the sitter cares for the house and perhaps the pets in exchange for a free place to stay.
There are some ways to make money from house sitting, though. Homeowners pay a stipend or salary to people who do more than just watch the house and care for pets. This means you’ll be more of a caretaker than a house sitter.
The Caretaker Gazette , which has been around for 30 years, advertises jobs like these. Empire Resume found one caretaking gig in the publication’s archives that requested someone to care for a ranch and five horses in exchange for a salary and a furnished apartment.
Scribe
A medical scribe is a relatively new healthcare position that’s a bit challenging, but potentially fun for the right person.
Medical scribes take over the data entry, writing, and recording of patient visits to free up doctors for better patient care.
The average wage for scribes is around $14 per hour, according to Indeed.com. While the pay isn’t great, a background in scribing is quickly becoming the standard experience for pre-medical school acceptance.
Human Statue
Human (or living) statues usually work as street performers, designing their own outfits and posing for hours like statues typically in places with large crowds.
The job may sound fun and easy, but it’s harder than it looks. Sitting or standing completely still for long periods requires a lot of stamina.
Anyone with enough guts can try this gig to make some money on the side, though most creative people who do try it have a background or at least an inclination to the performing arts.
Bounty Hunter
Perhaps the most dangerous job on our list, bounty hunters are hired by bail bond agencies to track down and capture criminals who have skipped bail.
It’s a grueling job, but it can pay well . An experienced bounty hunter who works 80 to 150 cases per year can earn as much as $80,000 annually. And though it’s like law enforcement, bounty hunters only require a state license to operate (although some states prohibit this line of work).
Friend for Hire
The gig economy has created some weird side hustles, and perhaps one of the strangest is from RentAFriend.com. On the website, you can create a profile, rent out your friendship, and get paid to hang out with strangers.
If you charge $20 per hour and work three days per week, the website claims you can earn about $480. People who have worked as friends for hire say it can be awkward at times getting paid to go accompany someone to a sporting event or museum, but it may be the easiest job Empire Resume has heard about.
Submarine Chef
Being a cook at a busy restaurant is stressful enough, so just imagine what it’s like cooking for the U.S. Navy aboard a submarine.
In the U.S. Navy, the sailors who feed the rest of the troops are known as Culinary Specialists, and it’s a vital – and stressful – position. Cooks in the Navy are under constant pressure to serve three meals per day, clean, and maintain a monthly food budget.
If you can survive the service obligation, the typical annual salary is just over $33,000 – and you’ll have the experience to work as a civilian cook.
Underwater Photographer
Being an underwater photographer (UP) is a fun dream job for many people that demands a very specialized skillset. UPs delve deep into the ocean to capture pictures and videos of natural sea life and ecosystems, which are usually used for magazines or scientific research.
Most UP jobs are freelance based unless you’re good enough to get a residency with an organization. On average, UPs earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, and they usually make money in other creative ways, such as working as guides or instructors.
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Maria Gold is a Content Manager/Writer for Empire Resume. She is dedicated to helping educate and motivate people with the latest career articles and job search advice. Her interests range from writing to programming and design. She is also passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.
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