The time has come. Netflix has finally created the best job ever.
In order to improve its recommendation system, the on-demand media streaming site is looking for a "tagger," or someone who will watch movies or TV shows and then choose from a pool of over 1,000 tags that best describe the program's plot and mood. This pretty much means that someone out there is actually willing to pay you (with real currency) to binge-watch Orange is the New Black and then describe what you just watched. It's a win-win situation.
Unfortunately for Americans though, the position is only open to those in Ireland and the U.K.
According to the Huffington Post, Netflix already employs taggers in multiple countries around the world. The system was put into effect when the company realized that its users were not rating what they were viewing, making it difficult for the computer algorithm to make recommendations to other subscribers.
Though the position may sound like a couch potato's dream, a few qualifications are required to get the job; plus, you have to be prepared to take a huge amount of descriptive notes. The job listing on Netflix says:
"The role will offer flexible hours working from home and would suit those with a passion for films and TV programmes, as evidenced by a degree in film or film history and/or experience directing, screening writing or filmmaking. Applicants with analysis experience (e.g. as a critic or work in development) would also be well suited."
In 2012, Jordan Canning, a Canadian filmmaker and Netflix tagger described her tagging experience to Canada.com. Canning would get assigned to watch about five programs per week with no particular genre. While watching the programs she would take notes in an Excel spreadsheet, writing down almost every single detail about what she was watching.
"It covers everything from big picture stuff like storyline, scene and tone, to details of whether there is a lot of smoking in the movie," Canning said.
So, think you can handle it? The competition for the job is probably going to be out of this world, but if you think you can successfully manage to not recommend someone watch The X-Files based on her interest in Gossip Girl (and you call the U.K. or Ireland home), you can apply here. Good luck!
