My Wish - If I could have this job

I AM VERY DESPERATE to change my work environment at the moment. I started this research work 3 years ago and Im struggling to finish it. No regrets of doing it but as time passes by, my focus and determination to complete is totally diminishing which worries me. Anyway, as early as of this new year, Im now in the process of looking for possible job opportunity, hoping that at the later of the year, I will get the "best job in the world" offered by the Queensland Tourism as the "island caretaker" of the Great Barrier Reef GBR), Queensland, Australia.

The location is not new to me since I lived in Brisbane for 2 years but I did not able to visit the Reef but maybe this time, I will be able to visit GBR because of this best job posted online which also catch the imaginations of the people around the globe.

What is this global job search?

I found the online ad thru Yahoo!news on the 12th January - when Queensland Tourism (QT) announced the new position - island caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The online application started on the 10th January and will end on the 22nd of February. Everybody is invited to apply as long as you have the following qualifications.

What are these qualifications?

Well QT emphasized that there is no definitive educational and experience requirements, thus a broad range of experience will be accepted. However, the successful candidate should possess: good swimming skills, enthusiasm for diving and snorkeling, good written and verbal English skills, excellent interpersonal communication skills and engage with other people5, with adventurous attitudes to try new things,and the passion for the outdoors.

Since I have this qualification, without any hesitation I submitted/uploaded a 60-seconds video in English which highlights why I do want the job and how I could help QT achieve their goals in promoting this heritage site globally. As part of the submission, I have to fill-up a brief application form which will be forwarded thru the official website: http://www.islandreefjob.com/.

It took me two weeks to finally recorded and edited my video clip using my Sony digital camera. While waiting for the approval of my application and the video will be downloaded to the official site of QT, I already did preliminary marketing of my ultimate quest for this job by having new blog dedicated to my application, including several posts to my other travel blogs and community sites. After 12 days of waiting, I finally got an email from QT that my video is already available in the official site and I coud start asking my friends or anybody to watch and of course to vote. Cut and paste the url link below:

http://www.islandreefjob.com/#/applicants/watch/WVfNxrFYxNY

How the selection process works?

It is expected that 30,000 applications will be screened by QT towards the last day of submission. My application will be one of the candidates to be subjected in the initial selection of the 50 shortlisted candidates and one "wildcard candidate will be picked by online voting. Eleven finalists will take the final interview to be held in the GBR.



So, what is the catch for this hype search?

IF I COULD GET IN THE TOP 50 SHORTLIST, I will be delighted to ask my friends and online community friends to cast their votes - aiming for the wildcard position. If I could get the attention of the organizer, QT, there is a chance that I will be able to get more votes in support to my quest. If I could also persuade the organizer through my blogs and travel sites that Im the right person for the job - willing to learn new things and challenges. My existing blogs and online review sites could enhance my popularity from the rest of the finalists. This is My Diary.

IF I COULD GET THE TOP ELEVEN FINALIST, then I will be happy to travel to Australia in May to prove to them that Im the best applicant for the best job. My travel will be shouldered by the organiser from UK to Queensland.

IF I COULD GET THE JOB, I will be able to sign a six-month contract and based on luxurious Hamilton Island . My key responsibilities includes: exploring islands of GBR to discover what this heritage area has to offer especially for tourists and the like. I will be feeding the fish, clean the swimming pool, and collect the mail.

IF I COULD GET THIS POSITION AS THE ISLAND CARETAKER, this is my big opportunity to understand the importance of caring our seas and oceans - including the living creatures under it. In some way, I could help QT to manage the Great Barrier Reef in a "sustainable manner" and to prevent this place to be "bleached-out" in 25 years time due to global warming.

IF I COULD GET THIS OFFER IN MAY, I will start my work in July and get a contract salary of £70,000 (A$150,000). If this will happen, I will promise to share my blessings in my home country, helping young children to attend primary and secondary schools. My plan to have a mini-library or information centre in my hometown will come true, benefiting both children and adults.

IF I COULD GET THIS BEST JOB IN THE WORLD, I will also be required to do a weekly reports thru blogging which entails posting of photos and videos about the area, including regular media exposure.


IF I COULD HAVE THIS ULTIMATE DREAM, by the end of my contract as the island caretaker, I have already visited and explored the 2,600 kilometres of this world's largest coral reef system; covering more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands; more than 1500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusc, 400 different types of coral. Finally, I have seen the most dangerous water creatures: sharks, box jellyfish, scorpion fish, and the blue-ringed octopus.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IF I COULD NOT GET THIS EMPLOYMENT, I will continue to inspire others and to dream big things will not stop. Having this application is fun and have the opportunity to meet friendly people in the internet - people with the same aspirations in life - to explore and travel, and most importantly to protect our environment in a different way. My blogs will still exist and will be the first to know if Im successful to visit the heritage site.

BUT AGAIN, IF I COULD GET THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD, I will be the most happiest living creature on earth to explore this world's largest living organism. Wish me luck!

My Aussie co-candidate breaks the top

AS OF TODAY (UK time), the battle for the job is getting popular after 4 weeks being announced worldwide. QT announced that more than half of the people sent their video clips rejected than being approved and posted online in the official site, islandreefjob.

Even up to now, I havent receive any confirmation yet from my future employeer that my video (above) is approved for viewing. Im anxious to see my clip in the site and ask my friends to watch and vote for it.

For the meantime, today Im sharing another potential hopeful for the position, of course direct from Australia. She lives in Queensland where the GBR is located and she is currently on the top board for the most popular application. Watch her video and find out why she is popular. What do you think of Hailey Turner, could she make it to the top 50. Maybe yes! 4 stars from me...


It is also fascinating to see that the applicants who are now in the top positions for popularity and most viewed are mostly ladies! It seems that men are watching too much nowadays...

My georgous competitor from the UK

It is inspiring to watch beautiful faces around the world and she is one of them from Britain but at the moment a tourist in Dubai. She is also inspired to apply as the island caretaker in the Great Barrier Reef. If the selection panel chose her, she can be an excellent model for advertising the island...

Find more videos like this on Island Caretaker - Best Job in The World

The other things that impressed me and why I featured her video here in my blog is that, we have the same objective why we want the job - to help QT preserve, protect and manage this world heritage site where people around the world could enjoy and will be sustained for the next visitors - 50 years from now or more! What do you think, is she georgous as the island caretaker, then vote now!

My Proposal: Island Caretaker Applicants' Meet-up 2009/2010

What: Island Caretaker Candidates Meet-up 2009/2010


When: between July - Dec 2009 ( November is recommended) or sometime in 2010

Where: Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Tentative Programme: (2 nights/3days) Day 1: Welcome Party/Socialising; Day 2: Official meeting with QT authority and the Island Caretaker; Island hopping (explore the Great Barrier Reef) as a group and Farewell party (night) Day 3: Island hopping ( own schedules)

Organiser: Each continent will have its own contact team leader like US, UK/Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, etc. which be responsible for organising their trips to Australia.

Attendance: All the people who applied in the job search and we might open it to other non-participants (friends/relatives).

Travel Agent: We will ask someone (travel agent) to do the itinerary in terms of group accommodations to get cheaper and discounted deals. The travel agent will only arrange our itinerary and lodging from the time we arrive the Great Barrier Reef. Travels from point of origin (UK) to Australia entry point are responsibility of the individual participants. Otherwise you can arrange among yourselves within your country and contact your local travel agents.
What to bring: swimming gears, cameras, videcams, etc. Dont forget to bring a file of your video clip just in case that there is no wireless connection in the island. Each one has the opportunity to introduce themselves in the Welcome Party...

Promotion Blogsite: Island Caretaker - Best Job in the World powered by Ning (created by SusieParish) will be the official website for the meet-up. For additional updates of this proposal, please click the blogsite above and you can sign-up even you are not a candidate for the job.

NOTE: THIS IS ONLY A PROPOSAL...ANYONE INTERESTED? SIGN-UP AND ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME...THANK YOU!

My popular (and viewed) competitors for the job

AS OF TODAY, there are 1,387 videos posted in the official website of QT's IslandReefJob. While browsing them, it seems that majority of my competitors are coming from Europe, particularly in Britain, followed by US and then of course from Australia. I have seen four clips from the Philippine candidates.

According to the site, the clips below are the most popular (maybe in terms of rating stars) and the most viewed(30,307 counts) ones, respectively. Take note that, the most viewed does not really reflects the total number of individual persons watching the video. Even watching it as your own video clip is also counted, which means visits are generated by the owners themselves! The most popular is much more credible. For the most discussed ones, visit the official youtube channel of islandreefjob.

NOTE: Clicking twice the video will direct you to the youtube profile which you could also write your comments and give ratings. Im not sure if the rating posted in the official site and the one in the youtube site is the same. I have noticed that the videos are now uploaded in different channels such as like this islandreef31 with serial numbers after the candidate's name.

My best competitor so far

HONESTLY, watching this video in the newly created site, initiated by SusieParish where candidates or applicants could sign in islandreefjob powered by ning (non-candidates are also invited to join), I have an impression that she will be selected. What do you think? Good luck Anny!

My funny (short) competitors' videos for the job

AFTER WRITING ON GUIDES FOR GOOD VIDEO as suggested by BBC NEWS UK in my previous journal, I tried to find who did not follow and there is no way they will be selected. However, QT has already posted them officially in the site, so watch these shortiest and (funny) clips!

Honestly, because of this rare opportunity, whatever it takes, people will do their best, regardless of language barrier! That the spirit of perseverance and determination...Good luck to them!

My future job's profile

QUEENSLAND TOURISM prepared a two-page flyer for the job description of the caretaker of the island. Click the photo above for details.

My adviser - BBC News UK

BBC NEW UK posted an article that provides helpful tips to be in the top of the competition and successfully securing this coveted position. Unfortunately, I did not follow all as part of my one-minute video clip considering my time and resources to do it. Honestly, I love outdoor activities, love nature, forest and animals and wildlife. This is the environment that I was born and raised back in my home country, the Philippines. So, there is no point of telling this, except for people who did not experience really living in an island or tropical environment like Australia.

As quoted from the article and my reflections: (watch the video as well, photo above from BBC News UK site)

1. Get the basics things right - in terms of video format application - I have the right format using my Sony DSC W55 digital camera and using the Microsoft movie maker software available in my Sony Viao notebook.

2. Make the video as strong as possible - I dont have a camrecorder which might gives better quality; nevertheless my digicam really reliable to capture my quest for this job. It is candid, relax, and clear.

3. Demonstrate a spirit of adventure - Well my blogs show this adventures and travelling experience. Unfortunately, I dont have extreme sport activities but I will try if it is necessary.

4. Mention all your relevant experience - I dont have a scuba experience but I have experience to find food under sea while growing up in the Philippines. It does not really matter if I dont have a geography background as long as I know the basic things to stay alive in the wild! I think my strong qualification is really my knowledge in water, wasterwater and waste management which is really essential in sustainable tourism in Hamilton Island.

5. Know your marine wildlife - Again, it is bias for people who do not have background (both academic or actual working experience) on marine life and wildlife. There is always time to study/review about these things if I will be shortlisted.

6. Show your genuine love of animals and the outdoors - I love animals but there is no point to mention it or have it recorded for the sake of convincing the judges that I love outdoors! I dont to show them that I can sit besides the tiger or lion or even carrying a python. There are more dangerous than that - pirates and thieves!

7. Enhance your application - 60 seconds not enough to show all but I have included the url of my blogs for them to see that I do blogging and I have the communication skills both oral and writing.

8. Balance the fun factor with a more serious side - Im not nervous but calm doing my clip and at the end my friend who took the clip did something which made it funny to watch, then I laughed!

9. Dont waste money on a course - This is the reason why I make my clip simple and besides I do what QT needs for the job. I can take photographs, record events, and write blogs, including reviews online.

10. Are you sure you're the right person - Honestly, I am left-handed person but Im the right person for the job and I can start in July as soon I receive my airticket from Northern Ireland to Australia. Philippines is just up of Australia so any time I could have a weekend break and market the island to my "kababayans".

What do you think, can I make it in the top 50?

My Informant - Telegraph UK

SEVERAL SOURCES AVAILABLE in the internet to find more about this hype job search - looking for the candidate to work as the caretaker of one of the islands in the Great Barrier Reef with a 6-month contract salary of £70,000 (A$150,000).

Is it indeed tempting to have a try. Why not. I have the qualifications, expertise and personality to do the job...I am an islandeer - ready to explore new things in a desert island!

Click here for Telegraph Article 1

Article 2 ; Article 3