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Professional Sleeper

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  • Test mattresses, pillows and quilts
  • Write detailed reports on comfort, room lighting, feelings and noise disruption
  • Occasionally take sleep aids that will help you fall asleep for medical trials
  • Take sleeping pills to remain still for art exhibitions

A short job description:

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Essential skills and qualities:

  • the ability to sleep in new surroundings, away from home for long periods of time
  • the ability to sleep with wires attached to you, knowing that people will be watching you
  • good overall health and fitness
  • excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • the ability to write compelling and interesting reports
  • good observational skills
  • a strong character and not be bothered about spending a lot of time secluded from others
  • strong organisational skills

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Pros:

  • Getting paid to sleep
  • Learning more about your own sleeping patterns
  • Receiving medical treatment for any detected problems
  • Getting to stay in luxury hotels and enjoy five-star treatment as a mattress tester — for free

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Cons:

  • Needing to make some lifestyle changes — for example, to participate in some studies, you won’t be allowed caffeine, alcohol or vitamins, or will be asked to drink or eat certain foods
  • Spending a long time indoors and possibly feeling out of touch with the outside world
  • Spending long periods of time away from family and friends, depending on the gig
  • Having no regular source of income and other benefits
  • Having to wait up to a month to be allowed to participate in other tests

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