Which Job is Really the Best?

Back in January, I told you about a job opening for what was thought to be “the best job in the world.” The job was for a caretaker of an Austrailian tropical island. The caretaker would essentially live on the island and blog weekly about his/her adventures – for the small take-home of $100,000.

As you may or may not have heard, a lucky man by the name of Ben Southall, 34, won the opportunity yesterday. He was chosen from 16 finalists.

The buzz generated around the job opening was basically all from viral marketing, and inspired another company to do the same thing. A new article advertising yet another dream job was published last week; this time, it’s for a “wine country correspondent.”

I decided to break down the two jobs and decide one and for all which of the two is the “best job in the world.”

Island caretaker

Job description: Explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef for six months and report back to Tourism Queensland and the world via blogs, a photo diary, video updates and interviews. Also, if you feel like it, feed the fish, collect the mail and clean the pool – and earn $110,000 for your efforts.

Education/Experience Requirements: Excellent interpersonal communication skills, good written and verbal English skills, an adventurous attitude, willingness to try new things, a passion for the outdoors, good swimming skills and enthusiasm for snorkeling and/or diving, ability to engage with others, at least one year’s relevant experience

Perks:

• Return airfares from your nearest capital city (in your home country)
• Accommodation and transport on Hamilton Island
• Travel insurance for the contract period
• Computer, internet, digital video and stills cameras access
• Travel to a number of the other Islands of the Great Barrier Reef
• $100,000 USD, $150,000 AUD

Wine Country Lifestyle Correspondent

Job description:

• Exploring the vineyards of Murphy-Goode and surrounding areas and discovering what the Sonoma County Wine Country has to offer, from well-known destinations to off-the-beaten-path spots.
• Tasting hundreds of wines and meeting the locals in our tasting room.
• Increasing your wine wisdom: while studying isn’t required, our winemaking and vineyard experts will take the time to show you how it’s all done.
• Working with our winemaker, David Ready, Jr., to create a new wine commemorating your job with us.
• Filing reports on your experiences, via weekly blogs, photo diaries, Twitter, Facebook, video updates and ongoing media interviews.

Education/Experience Requirements: You must be at least 21 years old and eligible to work in the U.S. and should be an excellent communicator, imaginative and inquisitive. Show us your marketing and public relations track record for effectively using Web 2.0 tools including social networking sites, video-sharing sites, blogs and more on both computer and mobile devices. You should be passionate about wine. In addition, you’re a “people person” who can speak to customers, colleagues and media. You have great verbal and written English language skills and are able to provide multiple writing samples.

Perks:

• Housing in a deluxe private home in the heart of Wine Country, within walking distance to tasting room on Healdsburg Square.
• Paid a salary of $10,000 a month (U.S.) for the six-month contract.
• You’ll receive return airfare to your hometown, accommodations and transport in Sonoma County, travel insurance for the contract period, computer, internet, PDA, and digital and still camera access.
• This is a full-time temporary position.

It’s a tough call — but I think the wine correspondent is more up my alley.

What’s your dream job?