When determining a career path to pursue, one factor we need to consider is our personal interests. Many people still wish that they could earn money just by sleeping. While this may seem like a far-fetched dream, in reality, there is a “sleeping profession” in the world.
It sounds like you just need to lie down and close your eyes, but in fact, this job requires a lot of conditions and principles.
What is a Professional Sleeper?
A “professional sleeper” is someone who is paid to sleep for the purpose of supporting research studies.
They work with a variety of clients, such as producers, scientists, and medical experts. Their task is to relax and sleep under specific conditions and provide feedback on their experience.
Some Specific Fields Where Professional Sleepers Can Work
Installation Art: Professional sleepers pursuing this field may sleep in special environments, such as during an art exhibition.
Medical Research: Professional sleepers can serve as subjects for organizations wanting to learn more about the effects of sleep on the body. They can also help test various sleep and medical products.
Product Testing: Professional sleepers can test beds, mattresses, bedding sets, and pillows, sharing what they like and dislike about them. Manufacturers can use this information to improve products or support their marketing efforts.
Hospitality Services: The sleeping profession is particularly valued in this field. Accommodations always want to provide the best experience for their guests. They often do not hesitate to spend money to hire a team of sleepers, then record their impressions and feedback to the management about any shortcomings or dissatisfaction with the room.
Not stopping there, the hired sleepers will also blog or post on the hotel’s social media about their feelings and experiences during their stay.
Salary of Professional Sleepers
Currently, there is no specific information about the salary for professional staff. However, in the United States, some people earn over $46,000 (approximately 1 billion VND) per year. It is important to note that specific salaries can vary. Factors such as the project, employer, geographical location, and experience will affect how much you earn.
In 2017, a dietary supplement company in Shanghai, China, posted a job seeking someone “capable of professional sleeping” with excellent compensation: 100,000 RMB (approximately 347 million VND)/year.
The job of this staff member was to use products, sleep at different times to simulate specific tasks, and write reports about their experiences after taking the supplement. The most challenging part of this job is that the staff must sleep at any time.
In fact, there was even a company in the U.S. that offered $300,000 (nearly 7 billion VND) for a similar position. The Sleep Medicine department of Harvard Medical School once spent about $10,125 (approximately 236 million VND) for a study lasting just over a month.
How to Become a Professional Sleeper?
1. Understand the Requirements
Most professional sleepers are required to be 18 years or older. It is crucial to check if your health condition qualifies you.
These requirements vary by project and specific job types. For example, some studies specifically seek individuals with sleep issues.
2. Have Relevant Experience
Becoming a professional sleeper is not as simple as we think; you also need to have relevant experience. If you want to try this job, you might consider volunteering for market research organizations. This way, you can learn more about product testing experiences and related situations. These experiences will be very useful for practicing report writing and feedback later on.
3. Ability to Fit the Job
Before pursuing this job, it is essential to research whether the specialized positions fit you. Before applying, you also need to determine how well the job aligns with your schedule, interests, and abilities. This helps you proactively arrange your time without affecting your personal life.
4. Build a Network
When you start working in this field, build a relevant connection network. Always present yourself professionally whenever you participate in studies and try to create relationships. This can help you search for jobs more effectively.
Job Prospects for a Professional Sleeper
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have specific information about job prospects for professional sleepers. However, according to experts’ predictions, this profession has a promising future.
Researchers predict employment for hired sleepers will grow by 6% from 2020 to 2030. This rate is on par with the average growth rate for all other occupations. They also stated that this growth stems from the need to replace individuals leaving the workforce and to meet the demand for new product services.
According to Indeed