?35k-a-year nail polish testing job receives 65,000 applicants

Rather unsurprisingly, a ‘nail tester’ job paying an annual salary of £35,000 has received 65,000 applicants just 10 days after the advert went up.

Nailbox, the nail polish delivery company looking to fill the position, tempted applicants with questions such as: ‘Are you bored with your current job? Would you rather be painting your nails? Do you like getting freebies? Would you like to earn £35k (pro rata)?’

Seems a lot of people would - 65,000 to be exact – applying for the position at Nailbox and showing interest by way of a personal statement explaining in 100 words or less why applicants would be the best candidate for the job, just as the beauty brand had requested.

“We’ve been completely blown away with the interest in this job role. We knew it was likely to be popular; who wouldn’t want to receive tonnes of free nail polishes and accessories? But never in our wildest dreams did we ever imagine we would have this many applications,” explains Nicholas Whitmore, managing director at nailbox.

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So what are all these applicants signing up for exactly – and is it really that easy? Well yes, it really is. The official ‘nail tester’ will receive 50 polishes and nail accessories to trial, test and photograph each month in the comfort of their own home, but in doing so must hereby solemnly swear to ‘refrain from any physical labour or household chores which may damage their hands e.g. washing up and gardening,’ as the job ad explains.

In-between testing top coats, base coats, treatments, polishes, files and foils – all in the employee's own time however as the job is ‘flexi hours’ - the successful applicant also be expected to help contribute to the design and theme of Nailbox’s subscription boxes. Well, what are you waiting for?

Not much; but many candidates were so over-excited by the glamorous-sounding job were that many didn’t read the small print: to be eligible you must be based in the UK, and you must do your personal statement in under 100 words.

“32 per cent of the 65,000 applications that have been submitted are from outside of the UK, including Greece, Brazil, the USA and numerous African countries. A further 26 per cent haven’t stuck within the 100 word limit, with many exceeding even 200 and 300 words about why they feel they deserve the job. A small handful of candidates have even sent indecent images of themselves in an attempt to bribe their way to getting the job,” explains Whitmore. Well that's one way of digitally enhancing your chances.

“Whilst we have had an awesome amount of applications for this role, the vacancy is still open and we’d still encourage UK residents to apply. The competition is fierce, yes, but you never know unless you apply,” he adds.

Closing date for applications is June 30, so if you tick the following boxes: you’re genuinely interested in beauty and nails; based in the UK; have a critical eye; keep up with new fashions and are a trendsetter; have well maintained hands and nails and understand basic photography, apply here - you might just nail it.

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