Count-down on for Best Job in the World applicants
Published Saturday, 14 February, 2009 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Aspiring Island Caretakers for Tourism Queensland’s Best Job in the World have just over a week left to submit their application, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said today.
More than 15,000 people have so far applied for the role of caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef in what has become arguably the most talked-about job vacancy in the world.
“Over 15,000 people from more than 180 countries including Bhutan, Mongolia, the Palestinian Territory, Bulgaria and Togo have so far applied for the Best Job in the World, and we still have just over a week to go,” Ms Boyle said.
“The response to the Best Job in the World campaign has been incredible and we are astounded at some of the effort people have invested in their applications.
“It’s amazing how creative people can be, in addition to their video, some applicants had created their own websites, blogs and forums talking about the Best Job in the World.
“Shortlisting the final 50 and then the final 11 is going to be a very tough job.”
The Best Job in the World is part of a Tourism Queensland marketing campaign aimed at raising awareness of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef as a holiday destination.
For a salary of $AUD150,000, the successful candidate will spend six months based on Hamilton Island, exploring the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and reporting back on their experiences via a range of communications channels including website and video blogs.
Ms Boyle said those who haven’t applied yet only have just over a week to submit their videos.
“I’d still recommend you put some time and thought into putting together the best application you can.
“Even though you only have 60 seconds, it’s amazing what can be done in just that short amount of time.”
Ms Boyle said so far around 850 Australians had applied, placing them as fourth in the list of contenders by country, behind applicants from the US, Canada and Great Britain.
“The Aussies have so far made a great showing and there are some fantastic applicants, but I encourage more to apply,” she said.
“For example, we have a male model, a former Young Australian of the Year and a young Queenslander who has posted her own ‘top 50’ on a forum discussing the Best Job in the World.”
Ms Boyle said all applications need to be submitted by 11.59pm UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on the 22nd of February – which was 9.59am on Monday 23 February Queensland time.
“Given the huge task ahead in short-listing down to the top 50, we aren’t able to accept applications lodged after this time and I advise those who are thinking of leaving their submission until the last minute to not do so at the risk of missing out,” Ms Boyle said.
The 50 shortlisted applicants will be announced on the 2nd March and voting for the one wildcard candidate will be held from the 2nd to the 24th of March.
In that time Tourism Queensland and its international offices will select 10 final candidates, and they and the wild card candidate will be announced on the 2nd April.
The 11 shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island to participate in an interview selection process which will be held on a number of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, between May 3 and 6. The successful candidate will be named during a sensational final event, which will be held on luxurious Hamilton Island on May 6th.
For further information, including details on how to apply visit www.islandreefjob.com.
Further information:
Minister’s office – 3225 1005
Tourism Queensland – 3535 5010
Ends
More than 15,000 people have so far applied for the role of caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef in what has become arguably the most talked-about job vacancy in the world.
“Over 15,000 people from more than 180 countries including Bhutan, Mongolia, the Palestinian Territory, Bulgaria and Togo have so far applied for the Best Job in the World, and we still have just over a week to go,” Ms Boyle said.
“The response to the Best Job in the World campaign has been incredible and we are astounded at some of the effort people have invested in their applications.
“It’s amazing how creative people can be, in addition to their video, some applicants had created their own websites, blogs and forums talking about the Best Job in the World.
“Shortlisting the final 50 and then the final 11 is going to be a very tough job.”
The Best Job in the World is part of a Tourism Queensland marketing campaign aimed at raising awareness of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef as a holiday destination.
For a salary of $AUD150,000, the successful candidate will spend six months based on Hamilton Island, exploring the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and reporting back on their experiences via a range of communications channels including website and video blogs.
Ms Boyle said those who haven’t applied yet only have just over a week to submit their videos.
“I’d still recommend you put some time and thought into putting together the best application you can.
“Even though you only have 60 seconds, it’s amazing what can be done in just that short amount of time.”
Ms Boyle said so far around 850 Australians had applied, placing them as fourth in the list of contenders by country, behind applicants from the US, Canada and Great Britain.
“The Aussies have so far made a great showing and there are some fantastic applicants, but I encourage more to apply,” she said.
“For example, we have a male model, a former Young Australian of the Year and a young Queenslander who has posted her own ‘top 50’ on a forum discussing the Best Job in the World.”
Ms Boyle said all applications need to be submitted by 11.59pm UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on the 22nd of February – which was 9.59am on Monday 23 February Queensland time.
“Given the huge task ahead in short-listing down to the top 50, we aren’t able to accept applications lodged after this time and I advise those who are thinking of leaving their submission until the last minute to not do so at the risk of missing out,” Ms Boyle said.
The 50 shortlisted applicants will be announced on the 2nd March and voting for the one wildcard candidate will be held from the 2nd to the 24th of March.
In that time Tourism Queensland and its international offices will select 10 final candidates, and they and the wild card candidate will be announced on the 2nd April.
The 11 shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island to participate in an interview selection process which will be held on a number of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, between May 3 and 6. The successful candidate will be named during a sensational final event, which will be held on luxurious Hamilton Island on May 6th.
For further information, including details on how to apply visit www.islandreefjob.com.
Further information:
Minister’s office – 3225 1005
Tourism Queensland – 3535 5010
Ends