The Job

Is this a real job?

Absolutely. This is a genuine position with Tourism Queensland. There’ll be a thorough recruitment process – this isn’t a competition based on luck.

It sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?

There is no catch. This is a rare opportunity to help Tourism Queensland promote the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. So, we’re looking for someone to experience Queensland’s unique islands and report back to us (and the world) about the adventures they are having.

What are the duties of the Island Caretaker?

The Island Caretaker will need to post a weekly blog, photo diaries and create video updates to let the world know about the unique experiences available on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. There will also be some interviews with members of the media. The contract involves spending six months on Hamilton Island, one of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. The Island Caretaker will also travel to other islands and enjoy activities such as sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, picnics, bushwalking and more.

What is included with the job?

One return airfare from your nearest capital city in your home country, accommodation and transport on Hamilton Island, travel insurance for the six-month contract period, access to a computer, internet, digital video and stills camera, plus travel to a number of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

What are the start and finish dates for the job?

The position commences 1st July 2009 and the contract finishes on the 1st of January 2010.

If I am the successful applicant, can I bring my partner and/or family as well?

The Island Caretaker will be able to bring a friend or relative (maximum numbers apply). Tourism Queensland will provide one return airfare for the successful applicant from the nearest capital city in your home country. Any additional costs associated with having other people participate in the experience won’t be covered by Tourism Queensland and will be the responsibility of the people travelling.

Where will I be living if I am successful?

The Island Caretaker will live in a three-bedroom home on Hamilton Island.

What are the facilities and transport like where the successful applicant will stay?

The home is equipped with all modern facilities, including kitchen and laundry facilities, air conditioning, a computer and internet access (so you can complete your weekly blog entries and upload photos and videos). You’ll also have transport to get around the island and ferries are available between Hamilton Island and the mainland.

How often will the successful employee be paid?

The salary will be paid fortnightly throughout the contract period. If the contract is terminated prior to the 1st January 2010, the salary will be paid prorata.

Who will be my employer and who will I report to?

Tourism Queensland will be employing the successful candidate, reporting to the Senior International Marketing Coordinator, Brand and Marketing Services Department.

If any unforeseen circumstances arise, will there be an opportunity to travel back home?

The successful candidate must be available for the six months of the contract, but in the case of an emergency, you’ll be able to travel home (at your own cost).

Applying

How do you apply?

Create and upload a short video explaining why you’re the best person for the job and demonstrating your knowledge of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Make sure it's entertaining and engaging. Videos should be under 60 seconds long with a file size under 90MB. There’s also a brief application form to fill out.

How old do you have to be to apply?

All applicants must be eighteen years of age (or over) as of the 1st January 2009.

Will all applications be displayed online?

Video applications will be moderated to ensure they’re suitable to be posted, but every application that’s accepted can be viewed on the website.

I don’t have a video camera, how do I enter (or how do I record my entry)?

Every application requires a video element. If you don’t own a video camera or have a video feature on your phone or computer, use your network of friends and family to access a video recording device.

What should my application/video include?

Briefly explain why you’re the best person for the job and demonstrate your knowledge of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Most importantly, create an entertaining video.

How will I know if my video has been accepted?

You will receive a confirmation email once your application has passed through moderation with a link to your video online to send to your friends and family.

What kind of checks will be carried out?

The selection process will include psychological testing, as well as a possible police background check and medical examination (for visa applications).

Stage - Close of Applications

How many applications did you receive in total?

34,684

How do you / have you been processing all of the videos?

We have a team of approximately 15 people, who have viewed the video applications on an ongoing basis. All team members involved in viewing the applications have undergone rigorous training and are fully versed on the selection criteria.

The videos are first viewed and accepted or rejected based on a simple criteria (e.g no nudity, obscenity, meets the time limits and has relevant content) and stand out video applications have been flagged for further short-listing where they will be viewed again in more detail..

Why would a video be automatically rejected?

Videos that contained nudity, obscenity, exceeded the time limit or had no relevant content were automatically rejected.

How are you sure that you haven’t missed any good applications?

Our team have all undergone extensive selection process training and are fully versed on the selection criteria.

What countries did you receive the most applications from?

The most applications came from the US (11565), Canada (2791), Great Britain (2261) and Australia (2061).

Doesn’t the process favour people from English-speaking countries?

Proficiency in the English language is a must, as the successful applicant will be communicating to the world.

Doesn’t the process favour people from more advanced countries who have access to better technology?

We have been judging applicants on the content of their video application. The job requires the successful applicant to produce blogs and video diaries, so technical proficiency is advantageous.

Were there any applications that really stood out?

With over 34,684 applicants, there were hundreds that stood out for a number of reasons. The applicants that we think really stood out will be in the Top 50, to be announced 2nd March 11.59pm UTC.

Is this going to be a tough decision?

My word, yes! Narrowing the best of the best down to just 11 will be very tough for the team.

How will you go about narrowing down the applicants?

We have a team of approximately 15 people, who have been dedicated to viewing and assessing the applications. All have undergone rigorous training and are fully versed on the selection criteria. The videos are first viewed and accepted or rejected based on a simple criteria (e.g. no nudity, obscenity, meets the time limits and has relevant content). Exceptional video applications have been flagged for further short-listing, where they will be viewed again and assessed in more detail.

How do you ensure this is a fair and transparent selection process?

Clearly, the Best Job in the World is a highly unique recruitment campaign that has attracted interest from across the world and can only lead to one successful person being appointed as Island Caretaker. Tourism Queensland has taken advice from experts to ensure the recruitment process is rigorous, robust and effective. It has also established quality assurance measures to ensure all candidates are judged equally, fairly and impartially on strictly applied selection criteria.

Will the top 50 only come from those countries in which TQ has representation?

We have received applications from approximately 200 countries, so the Top 50 could come from anywhere.

Stage – Top 50 and wildcard voting stage

What is the process once the applications close?

See also timeline of selection process for dates.

Step 1 – Initial vetting of all videos

We have a team of people who have undergone rigorous training and are fully versed on the selection criteria. The videos are first viewed and accepted or rejected based on a simple criteria (eg. no nudity, obscenity, meets the time limits and has relevant content). Exceptional applications have been flagged for further short-listing. They will be assessed on more detailed selection criteria.

Step 2 – Short-listing and online testing

TQ and its international offices will view flagged applicants in more detail and assess them against a robust selection criteria. Applicants who are being considered for the Top 50 short-list will be required to undergo 30 minutes of psychometric testing online. The test results will be compiled and combined with the assessment of the applicant’s video submission. On this basis Tourism Queensland and it international offices will select the Top 50 applicants.

How do you short-list down to the top 50?

See above.

What are you looking for in the top 50 what is the selection criteria?

We are looking for 5 key elements from the videos

1. English language proficiency
2. personal presentation
3. technical proficiency as shown in the video
4. content and experience
5. motivation.

Proficiency in English is a must, as the successful applicant will be communicating to the world.

Personal presentation is obviously important in such a high profile position.

The technical proficiency demonstrated in the video application is an important element, as the job requires the successful applicant to produce blogs and video diaries.

The applicant’s experience and knowledge/understanding of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef as demonstrated by the content in the video submission is vital in assessing whether they are the right person for the job. Like any job you apply for, it’s important to show you have researched the role and the company – or in this case the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Demonstrating motivation and a genuine enthusiasm for this position is vital. We need someone who can sustain worldwide interest for six months.

Is the selection criteria ranked / rated / weighted?

Applicants will be rated against the key elements of English language proficiency, personal presentation, the technical proficiency of the video, the content and experience demonstrated in the video and their motivation. Tourism Queensland has taken advice from external experts in ensuring the construction of the Best Job in the World recruitment process is rigorous, robust and effective. It has also established quality assurance measures to make certain that all candidates are judged equally, fairly and impartially on strictly applied selection criteria.

Who is involved in the short-listing of the top 50?

Team members from Tourism Queensland and its international offices, who have all undergone training and are fully versed on the selection criteria will be involved in short-listing the top 50.

In your Terms and Conditions you mention the involvement of media partners – how have they been involved in the short-listing of the top 50?

Tourism Queensland offices in international markets have involved media partners in promoting this activity. These media partners will be involved in the further promotion of the campaign, through profiling the short-listed applicants.

It has been reported that Tourism Queensland is selecting the 50 short-list candidates based on five per region - is this true?

We had originally anticipated the coverage of this campaign, and therefore the applications and resulting short-listed applicants, would come from only the countries in which the job was advertised. However the global response to the campaign has been truly overwhelming and we have received applications from every corner of the globe. All applicants are judged on the same criteria and will be equally assessed, regardless of where they come from. Those who make the top 50 have done so because they demonstrated they met the criteria and scored more highly against the selection criteria than other applicants.

There seems to be more applications from the US, Canada does that mean there will be more applicants from these countries in the final 50?

All applicants are judged on the same criteria and will be equally assessed. Those that make the top 50 have done so because they demonstrated they met the criteria and scored more highly against the selection criteria than other applicants.

Do people with existing profiles / blogs / media coverage automatically rate higher?

Good communication skills are a must and applicants need to demonstrate this in order to be considered for short-listing. Having an existing profile / blog / media coverage does not however guarantee an applicant will be rated higher or short-listed.

Is it fair if one short-listed candidate has more media support than others?

In order to secure a place in the Top 50, short-listed applicants need to agree to a set of conditions about the type of campaigning and or profiling they can undertake during the voting period. The purpose of these conditions is to ensure that all short-listed candidates engage in fair and equitable campaigning practices.

Is TQ actively promoting applicants from certain countries?

Tourism Queensland will be providing all of the Top 50 short-listed candidates with public relations support and advice, from both its head office and regional offices located around the world.

Isn’t the short-listing of candidates a very subjective process?

Clearly, the Best Job in the World is a unique recruitment campaign that has attracted interest from across the world and can only lead to one successful person being chosen. Tourism Queensland has taken advice from external experts in ensuring the process is rigorous, robust and effective. It has established quality assurance measures to ensure all candidates are judged equally, fairly and impartially on strictly applied selection criteria.

Online Testing

What type of online testing will the potential short-listed applicants have to go through?

Applicants in the consideration list for the top 50 will be required to undergo 30 minutes of online psychometric testing, which will be assessed by outside recruitment experts who have been engaged for this project.

What is psychometric testing?

Psychometric testing refers to the process of measuring a candidate’s cognitive abilities and personality or behavioural style. The tests employed in this process are powerful tools used by many organisations to select, develop and manage people. They provide a comprehensive insight into individual traits, abilities, preferences and behavioural tendencies.

Why is Tourism Queensland submitting the potential applicants to psychometric testing?

We require all potential top 50 applicants to complete this test as it is an important part of the process which ensures we identify the right person who has the best fit with both the position and the organisation as a whole.

When do the potential applicants have to complete this online psychometric test?

Once we have significantly narrowed down the applications, we will be contacting potential top 50 applicants via email explaining the next phase. They will then be contacted via email by our contracted recruitment specialists with details of the online test.

Potential applicants will be required to undertake two psychometric tests online (in their home or where they have internet access). The deadline is tight and they must have them completed within two days (they have Friday 27 February and Saturday 28 February to complete and return the tests).

There are two tests at this stage, which will take about 30 minutes in total to complete.

How do you rate applicants in the psychometric test?

Our contracted external recruitment specialists, who are experts in this field, will be compiling the test results and providing feedback to Tourism Queensland.

How do you know people won’t cheat in their online psychometric test?

Experience shows that people generally complete such tests in an honest manner, and if they don’t are usually ’found out’. Ideally these tests are completed under supervision, however in today’s world, with job applicants often geographically dispersed, online testing is becoming increasingly common. While we are not in a position to confirm the legitimacy of those undertaking the testing at this stage of the selection process, there are a number of checks built into the process subsequent to testing that will check and confirm the identity of applicants. Applicants who are found to have been untruthful about their identity or responses will be automatically disqualified from proceeding to the next stage of the selection process.

Is this test culturally neutral – eg. will it be easy to understand for someone who is from a non-English speaking background?

Yes this test is culturally neutral and furthermore the tests use high school level English and are commonly used in international recruitment processes.

Stage – Final 11

Do the 11 candidates who receive the most public votes in the ’Wild Card’ voting automatically go on to the final 11 short-listed candidates?

No. Only the applicant who received the highest number of votes will automatically go to the final event. The other 10 candidates will be selected by Tourism Queensland and its international offices.

Why don’t the top 11 automatically go on to be the final 11?

This is a genuine job and as the employer it is Tourism Queensland’s prerogative to choose short-listed applicants based on their suitability for the position.

What happens if there is a tie for the top voted candidate?

Should there be a tie in the highest number of votes for two or more candidates Tourism Queensland reserves the right in its absolute discretion to select the applicant that will progress as the Wild Card candidate. Tourism Queensland’s decision in this matter is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Are there any limits on how a top 50 candidate can promote themselves in order to be successful?

In order to secure a place in the top 50, short-listed applicants need to agree to terms and conditions about the type of campaigning and or profiling they can undertake during the voting period. The purpose of these conditions is to ensure all short-listed candidates engage in fair and equitable campaigning practices. Specifically at all times during the selection process, applicants must not participate in any illegal, obscene or inappropriate conduct which may bring Tourism Queensland or its marketing activities into disrepute. This includes, but is not limited to any illegal, obscene or inappropriate conduct designed to promote your own application or to discredit other applications. Applicants must not attempt or undertake any form or bribery to entice votes during the voting phase of the selection process. Tourism Queensland has the absolute discretion to determine what constitutes such conduct and to disqualify any individuals from the selection process.

Is it fair if one short-listed candidate has more media support than others?

To secure a place in the top 50, short-listed applicants need to agree to a set of conditions outlining the type of campaigning and or profiling they can undertake during the voting period. The purpose is to ensure all short-listed candidates engage in fair and equitable campaigning.

How do you short-list down to the top 10?

Applicants who are being considered for the final 10 will need to submit a short story to provide more information about themselves and their desire to secure the position. The 300 – 500 word short story should include

• a little about the applicant’s background, previous employment, family, where they live
• what’s most important in their life
• if successful in securing The Best Job in the World, who would be joining them
• anything else they would like to share.

Furthermore they will be assessed on

Their English written skills, their motivation, content of their application and short submission. In addition they will be assessed on how they engage with media during this phase (i.e. their media presence, confidence and ability to clearly convey their messages).

What are you looking for in the top 10?

See above

What qualities set these final 11 apart from the other top 50 applicants?

See above

Who is involved in the short-listing of the top 10?

Team members from Tourism Queensland and its international offices, who have all undergone training on the selection process and are fully versed on the selection criteria will be involved in short-listing the top 10.

Furthermore, Tourism Queensland has taken advice from experts to ensure the Best Job in the World recruitment process is rigorous, robust and effective. It has also established quality assurance measures to ensure all candidates are judged equally, fairly and impartially on strictly applied selection criteria.

Is the selection based on where the applicants come from and where TQ’s international offices are?

All applicants are judged on the same criteria and will be equally assessed. Those that make the final 11 have done so because they demonstrated they met the criteria and scored more highly against the selection criteria than other applicants.

There seems to be more applications from big countries like the US and UK – does that mean there will be more applicants from these countries in the final 10?

All applicants are judged on the same criteria and will be equally assessed. Those that make the final 11 have done so because they demonstrated they met the criteria and ‘scored’ more highly against the selection criteria than other applicants.

The Interview / Choosing the Successful Applicant

What are the selection criteria?

We’re looking for applicants with an adventurous attitude, passion for the outdoors and good communication skills. See the full position description and criteria here.

How will I know if I’m selected for an interview?

Candidates selected for interviews will be announced on this website and contacted by Tourism Queensland.

What happens if I’m selected for an interview but can’t make the dates?

Applicants must be available for a 4-day interview (plus travel time) from 3rd–7th May 2009 and the six-month contract period of 1st July 2009 to 1st January 2010.

Where will the interview be held?

The job interviews will be held on Hamilton Island – one of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Do I have to pay to attend the interview?

Travel costs and accommodation for candidates selected for an interview will be covered by Tourism Queensland. However, personal and incidental expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate.

What will the interview be like?

There’ll be a panel-style interview as well as group activities with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the life above the Great Barrier Reef.

Visa, Passports and Travel Requirements

Do I need a passport?

If you’re travelling from a country other than Australia, you’ll need to have a valid passport to visit the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

What about visas?

Applicants from countries other than Australia will need to qualify for an Australian visa. Tourism Queensland will provide successful candidates with the paperwork they need to complete. Click here for more information on Australian visas.

Key dates

What are the key dates?

Applications close 22 February 2009
Voting on 50 short-listed candidates from 2 March to 24 March 2009
11 short-listed candidates announced 2 April 2009
Interviews take place in Queensland from 3 May 2009
New employee announced 6 May 2009
Island Caretaker starts work 1 July 2009