Ten Unusual Jobs That Actually Exist

Hired to provide platonic snuggles for emotional comfort and stress relief.

Humans employed by pet food companies to taste-test new dog or cat food recipes for quality control.

Scuba-certified pros who retrieve thousands of lost golf balls from water hazards on courses.

Sniff testers used by companies to evaluate the effectiveness of deodorants, soaps, and other hygiene products.

Gets paid to hold spots in line for product releases, event tickets, or DMV visits.

Travels to amusement parks to test new water slides for fun factor, speed, and safety.

Uses fingertips to evaluate skin texture in cosmetic testing labs, especially for lotions and creams.

Attends funerals and grieves—loudly—on behalf of families, especially in some Asian and African cultures.

Watches and categorizes movies and shows with descriptive metadata (like genre, mood, pace).

Employed in places like Newfoundland to tow drifting icebergs away from oil rigs or shipping lanes.