Have you ever considered getting paid for cuddling pandas, playing video games, testing amusement parks and sweets, playing a friend for a day, or being a guest at a party? These are often called "the most exciting jobs in the world". They are so much fun that it's hard to believe they actually exist. But can expats take up such jobs?
Dream jobs that make you actually enjoy your career
No one said that work had to be boring, restrictive, or annoying. The pursuit of well-being has become crucial in the workplace. We're hearing more about chief happiness officers (CHOs), employees who ensure the well-being of their colleagues and friendliness in the company. Of course, they are not yet available in every company. Still, we hope that CHOs have fun while working.
Many other jobs around the world symbolize fun in a good atmosphere. Before becoming accessible to the general public, amusement parks undergo a multitude of tests, and they will continue to be tested regularly throughout their operation. It requires workers to do such jobs. Fortunately, theme park testers are there to help—attention thrill-seekers. If you're looking for more gourmet thrills, other uncommon jobs exist. You can become a chocolate, sweets, or pet food tester (to suit everyone's tastes) and get paid for it.
During Covid-19, the gaming industry has been one of the most resilient. While gaming is still considered a world reserved for teenagers, gamers are more likely to be in their thirties and over. Video games are, above all, a business for adults that pays well. Are you tempted to make a living from gaming? Video game streamers and content creators are proving that this can be a great option. Game studios often require testers who are paid to play. And there's no shortage of professional gamers whose salaries (for the experts) are equivalent to those of senior executives.
And why not be an actor for a day? You could be a partner, guest, groomsman or bridesmaid on hire. All you need is to smiles and show your sense of humour.
Are these jobs made for expats?
Many other jobs are considered fun, such as panda cuddler, mermaid, joke writer, pet nanny, etc. But are they suitable for expats? In general, there are no restrictions on the nationality of applicants. However, these jobs require mainly technical and life skills. Because yes, even if you're having fun, you still have to work hard.
Having fun at work
Let's take the gaming industry, for example. The game tester job is still subject to many misconceptions. Do they really spend their time playing the games of their choice? Not really! They are expected to test the games proposed by the company, detecting and noting bugs, paying attention to every detail: is the game level too difficult or too slow, depending on the target audience? Is the animation fluid? Does the camera orientation track the player's movements correctly? Do the musical tracks correspond to the different moods? Is the soundtrack set correctly? Are the dialogues consistent? What role do the cinematic scenes play (too present, not enough, etc.)?
There are still a lot of questions. The tester's role is to get in the player's skin. American, Japanese, French, German and Czech studios often hire foreign professionals. International companies are regularly on the lookout for foreign talent. Other gaming professions include art (music, drawing, scriptwriting, etc.), marketing, accounting and management. There is discipline as much as there is fun.
The reality behind fun jobs
Are these fun jobs fascinating? It's all a matter of opinions. Not everyone can play the role of a guest, mermaid, food taster or game tester. Another constraint for prospective expatriates is obtaining a work visa. If they respond to a job offer and the foreign company sponsors them, then there is no issue. But job offers for some of these activities are not advertised online. For example, there are more job offers for the gaming industry, which is well-established internationally.
There are also jobs in theme parks. Again, the jobs vary, and the fun depends on the character. Others are more niche sectors. You have to be physically present in the country with a working visa. You also need to be sure that you can make a living from it. It's not sure that working temporary roles will be sufficient to pay the rent. It should be seen more as an extra or a fun experience (although these jobs do raise the problem of isolation. The friends for hire act as friends that the customer doesn't have.). Hence the need for empathy and kindness. After all, you will know about a stranger's personal matters for one day.
Should you take up a fun job abroad?
All jobs, whether fun or not, have advantages and constraints. While theme park enthusiasts have fun testing the attractions, they also need to check that the bolts are tight. They don't work just to be able to shout from the top of the Grand 8 but also to ensure everything is working correctly. The same approach applies to tasters who fill in sheets for the company. Should the creators use less sugar or add more spices? Once again, they have specific tasks. Mermaids offer an enchanted interlude while ensuring their safety. Panda cuddlers have to look after the well-being of their precious residents.
What if the most exciting job was the job you love? Mathematicians immersed in their world will have as much fun as panda cuddlers. Conversely, looking after pandas when you don't like animals does not make it exciting. This might sound conventional, but it reflects reality, even for a job that doesn't seem fun: loving your job makes it enjoyable.
