Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.

Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.

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Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
'Absolute insanity' (or a 'dream job?')
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'Absolute insanity' (or a 'dream job?')

Must like "river swimming," the ad said. Plus, 7 other things worth a click.

Bill Murphy Jr.'s avatar
Bill Murphy Jr.
Jan 31, 2020
∙ Paid
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Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
'Absolute insanity' (or a 'dream job?')
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What’s the most ridiculous job you ever applied for?

I’ve thrown my hat in for a few ridiculous ones. Heck, I had an entire career that wasn’t really the best fit, in retrospect.

I kept thinking of all that when I saw the reaction to a Silicon Alley job ad recently, looking for a “Household Manager/Cook/Nanny.”

People couldn't help but talk and share and laugh at it.
The ad ran nearly 2,000 words (about four times as long as this email), looking for someone to take care of twin 10-year-olds, but who also:

  • has excellent Microsoft Excel skills

  • is a “great, consistent” cook

  • can “conduct research into domestic and global vacation options,”

  • “likes river swimming.”

  • can “compare and make recommendations regarding using credit card points to booking vacations versus paying cash”.

  • has a “University degree or equivalent knowledge,” and

  • could do calisthenics with the kids “(sit ups, lunges, squats, pushups).”

And on and on and on. You get the picture. It’s an exacting job.

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