It’s probably not something that came up when you were talking to your careers adviser at school (though if it did then it’s possible that you should have worked a bit harder!) but this summer you could find yourself in the unique position of being a hired zombie in Edinburgh. Intrigued? Read on to find out if the undead jobs market is for you…
Scotland – zombie nation
When we’re not busy revolutionising global telecommunications or cloning sheep, these days Scotland has become the world’s go-to zombie destination. Brad Pitt’s World War Z saw Glasgow used for much of the filming and this time it’s the capital that’s playing host to the staggering descendants of George Romero’s apocalyptic vision.
How can you join the ranks of the undead?
Potential zombies are currently being recruited for a 3-week ‘live action immersive experience’ during Edinburgh’s tourist season. Basically, a giant zombie apocalypse running during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In fact, if you’ve ever been trapped among a big enough herd of people flyering for their Fringe shows – you might struggle to notice anything out of the ordinary.
Don’t worry if you’re not available for the full three weeks, they can even work around your availability – hence the chance of being a part-time zombie. So if you don’t feel like you can’t yet fully commit to being a zombie, this way you can simply just dip your toe into the (slightly putrified) water.
What are the kind of skills that you’ll need for the role?
Well, a taste for human flesh, obviously. You should also be able to shuffle along slowly, something ideal if you have experience of heading to a family gathering that you’re struggling to raise your enthusiasm for. That low, bloodcurdling growl? Think back to any office you’ve ever been in when the topic of working over a weekend has been raised.
What will it add to your CV?
We’ve all heard about gap years but these days it’s important to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Many of them will have done amazing things in the Amazonian rainforest… but have they smeared themselves with fake blood and shuffled after an American tourist in Leith? An employer seeing that on your CV may well think ‘adaptable, go-getting, willing to throw themselves into different roles’, but they’ll probably also think ‘creative, game for a laugh and a team player’.
Interested? Find out more about how to become a worthwhile member of zombie society and apply for the role through s1jobs now.
Image by Martin Soulstealer, used under Creative Comms licence.
