Nearly 35K Apply for “The Best Job In The World”

You probably heard about the marketing campaign encouraging applicants from around the globe to apply for the “The Best Job In The World” as the caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. In addition to the beautiful surroundings, the job boasts a salary package of AUD$150,000 for a six-month contract. Plus, accommodations will be provided on Hamilton Island.

When Tourism Queensland launched the campaign and the microsite at islandreefjob.com, many people initially thought it was a fake. Though it seemed too good to be true, that didn’t discourage the number of applicants. The Australian tourism agency has now had add extra staff just to go through the 34,684 applicants (11,565 of which are from the United States).

Candidates applied by completing an online application and uploading a short video (60 seconds or less) explaining (in an entertaining way) why they are the best person for the job.

Next, a short list of 50 top candidates will be chosen and displayed on the website beginning on March 2nd. The top 50 will submit further information about themselves. Visitors to islandreefjob.com then can vote on their favorite from the 50 applicants. This person with the highest number of votes will become the Wild Card candidate.

Tourism Queensland will select 10 people from the 50 applicants to move on (along with the Wild Card) to the final interview event, which will be held on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Economy airfare and accommodations provided. Finally, after a series of events, interviews and activities, Tourism Queensland will announce the winner at a media event on the evening of the May 6th and details will be displayed on the website.

This is a fun campaign that, over several months, allows visitors to the website to learn more about the Islands through photos, videos and more. While on Survivor candidates get voted off the island, one lucky person will be voted ON the island as the winner of “The Best Job In The World.”

Photo credit: islandreefjob.com (screen shot)