Looking For Your First Job? Drive the Wienermobile

Despite what the stock market may tell you, people across the country are struggling. For the week ending January 9, nearly one million Americans filed for unemployment for the first time, and the overall unemployment rate for December 2020 hovered at 6.7 percent.

While being out of work eventually becomes a burden for anyone who isn't ready to retire, the stress is compounded for recent college grads saddled with burdensome student loans. So if you're fresh off of a virtual college graduation, need a paycheck, and happen to love hot dogs, then maybe a job driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is right for you. Seriously.

Now through the end of January, the hot dog brand is soliciting applications to join 2021's class of "Hotdoggers," which amounts to a dressed-up term for an Oscar Mayer brand ambassador. The company is looking to staff the ranks with recent college graduates (ideally from a marketing, PR, or communications background) to not only spread the Oscar Mayer gospel, but drive a 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels. Outside of maybe Harry and Lloyd's "Mutt Cutts" van from Dumb & Dumber, it's the most famous costumed vehicle in existence.

In addition to cruising the open road in a vehicle that resembles a tube of meat, the one-year gig (running from June 2021 through June 2022) comes with other responsibilities as well. They include repping Oscar Mayer in "media appearances, charity functions and special celebrations," as well as "'meat[ing]' safely with fans of all ages [to] spark joy." Before officially taking on the public-facing role, there's also a two-week training program called "Hot Dog High," which walks the hired help through "the ins and outs of life as a Hotdogger."

In order to join the 34th class of Hotdoggers, you'll want to submit a job application (including resume and hot dog pun-filled cover letter) by January 31, 2021. In addition to a bachelor's degree and a valid driver's license, the ideal applicant will have an outgoing personality, the ability to work major holidays, and a level of comfort with life on the road that captaining the Wienermobile requires. So, basically a traveling sales job with a really weird company car.

A job like this may not be for everyone, but you have to get your foot in the door somewhere. And though your term as a hotdogger will only last a year, it'll sure make your resume stand out the next time you're looking for a gig — or at least give you an interesting story to tell.