In this series, we highlight some of our favorite recent job posts on Craigslist. If you have seen or, even better, responded to any interesting posts recently, please comment below!
You know, they say it’s good to push yourself to get out of your comfort zone. One great way to do that would be to respond to any number of unusual ads for jobs and gigs on Craigslist. This month brings plenty of good opportunities for just such an occasion.
The Best/Worst Tutoring Gig
What: It’s not entirely clear why, but someone wants an 18- to 21-year-old female to teach them “kissing skills.”
The Good: You are, presumably, pretty well trained. Also, it says the compensation is $100–$500.
The Bad: Either this person is posting this because they don’t understand something pretty intuitive/easy or because they are creepily looking to practice kissing with a young woman. And the pay probably has such a wide range because it depends on how, ahem, in depth your lessons are.
Democracy!
What: Go around Pacifica “educating” voters on issues deemed important by whoever posted this ad.
The Good: Pacifica is nice. They have that cool little Taco Bell on the beach.
The Bad: That moment when you find yourself face to face with a clearly impressionable person, and you wonder to yourself, “Should I do what I’m being paid to do? Should I contribute to everything wrong in our society by effectively allowing my employer to buy this person’s vote?” To which you will reluctantly say yes after considering your credit card debt, monthly insurance premium and that lofty dream of going back to school.
Pursue My Dreams for Me
What: Speaking of capitalism, you can pay people to do anything, including your own work. Someone posted this because they need help getting into the graduate school of their dreams.
The Good: Helping someone go to grad school is better than a lot of other jobs out there. Also, “some compensation” will be provided.
The Bad:You haven’t “chosen” a school when you need help applying. And despite this person promising “some compensation,” it says “no pay” below the map there.
The Other: Look out for another ad titled “Help me to pay someone for helping me to apply for my master’s.”
Right Idea, Wrong Substance
What: UCSF is looking for “healthy cigarette smokers” for a study. What that means is beyond me (and not really specified in the post), but I’ll assume it’s not just a doctors’ joke.
The Good: $750. That’s almost 100 packs of cigarettes! And you have to have smoked for only three months.
The Bad: They don’t say whether cigarettes are provided. That would be really sweet if they were.
My Favorite: “No recruiters, please.”
Fido, Meet Fire
What: Cremating animals.
The Good: This is a full-time position—and a real job—which seems like the whole point of your job search.
The Bad: Describing your job to people. Even worse, you might have to do your work as a dead pet’s former owner watches. As if you won’t already feel bad about throwing an adorable, soft, orange tabby into the flames, you’ll have someone standing there, crying their eyes out.
