Creative videos by Canadian students Linda Hoang (left) and Mitch Moffit (right) got them onto the shortlist for the ‘Best Job in the World.’ ( Photo Provided )
These two students were chosen from over 34,000 applicants from across the globe and placed on a shortlist of 50 people for the ‘Best Job in the World,’ a position offered by Tourism Queensland in Australia. Though the job is listed as ‘Island Caretaker,’ the successful candidate’s duties will be more geared towards promoting tourism to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef through blogging and capturing video.
Hoang, a journalism student at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, and Moffit, a biological sciences major at the University of Guelph, both heard about the contest back in February and created one-minute-long videos explaining why they were well-suited for the job. Along with five other Canadians, they placed on the top 50 shortlist based on their videos.
Until March 24 the public was able to view videos of the shortlisted candidates and vote for their favourite applicant. The individual with the most votes will win the Wild Card spot and be invited to the next selection round along with 10 other people handpicked by the tourism board. These 11 individuals, who will be announced April 2, will be flown to Queensland, Australia free of charge for the next round of interviews.
“I decided that it’d be cool to Photoshop myself into some exotic, adventurous settings,” said Hoang of her video, which shows photo manipulations of her exploring the islands.
As for Moffit, he knew his video had to stand out. “I thought, ‘What is the craziest thing I can do?’” he said. He eventually decided to compose and perform, with the help of some friends, an original song that explained his qualifications.
Although they were overjoyed when they found they had made it onto the shortlist, the past few weeks have been busy for both candidates. They’ve sought exposure in the media, on the Internet and around their campuses.
Hoang said the tourism board will be watching their campaign efforts. “I don’t think that I’m going to get the Wild Card spot,” she said. “But I’m trying to keep my video up near the top where maybe the judges will see it a little better.”
While a lot of the other candidates are older professionals, both Hoang and Moffit think their youth and excitement will make them stand out.
“I’m still young and I have a fresh perspective,” Moffit said.
“I don’t think my inexperience handicaps me,” Hoang said. “I think it helps me. It shows I’m a fun, regular person.”
Both students emphasize how grateful they are to everyone who has voted, especially their family and friends.
Although she acknowledges she is still far from landing the job, Hoang remains hopeful. “My life has changed so much already,” she said.
Moffit is taking the process one step at a time, setting his immediate sights on making the top 11, while enjoying the experience and all the opportunities it offers. “This is the craziest thing. I could never expect it to be happening right now,” he said.
Hoang agreed, and has used the exposure to promote herself as a blogger and journalist. She sees the island caretaker job as another way for her to communicate.
“What really, really appeals to me is that I would be talking to the world.”