From...

October 29, 1999
Web posted at: 9:33 a.m. EDT (1333 GMT)

by Eileen Smith

(IDG) -- You probably love your job. You'd probably do it for free. You probably never want to leave it. Well, aren't you the lucky one?

If you're not the lucky one, you should try your hand at Yahoo's fantasy careers contest located on the site's careers division. By submitting your resume and writing an essay, you could win a day in the life at a dream job that's probably better than yours.

In September, Yahoo conducted a poll to find out what was keeping people from going for the gold and actually pursuing their dream jobs. The company found that most people couldn't even figure out what their dream job would be. (No doubt the effect of one too many prepackaged business lunches.) So Yahoo decided to give them some help.

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"We chose the fantasy theme in keeping with the Yahoo spirit," says Tanya Singer, producer of Yahoo Careers. "We put together careers that people wouldn't think of normally or wouldn't know how to get into."

How would you like to be a taste-tester for Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream in Vermont? Or would you rather be a sports agent, Jerry Maguire-style, for International Management Group? Or maybe you've always dreamed of being an all-powerful venture capitalist for Hummer Winblad Venture Partners.

These three sponsors will judge their individual entries. If you can convince them in 200 words or less that you're the person they're looking for, you'll win a day in the life of that career, including airfare and hotel accommodations.

IMG just wants to know why you want to be a sports agent. Hummer Winblad Venture Partners asks about the ingredients of a great entrepreneur. Ben and Jerry's wants you to describe the ice cream of the future.

Personally, I'd take a few pints of Cherry Garcia over venture capitalism any day. I think I could craft a compelling essay on flavors like Rocket Road or Fudge Cyberswirl. And I'm not alone. Many of the entries already received have been for the ice cream taste-tester position.

All of the organizations are hiring full-time as well, Singer says. They're looking for passion and creativity.

But you'd better hurry. Entries must be submitted by midnight October 31. Yahoo will announce the lucky winners in December. And the site promises more contests with a wider diversity of careers.

Maybe you'll even land your dream job.