From mind-numbing data entry to waving signs on the street, opportunities abound for those seeking work that’s anything but fulfilling.
Everyone experiences moments in their career where the days feel endless, the tasks monotonous, and the work devoid of purpose. However, in most jobs, these periods of boredom are balanced out by bursts of activity that provide a sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, some jobs offer no such reprieve—roles that are obsolete, uninspired, or outright pointless in the grand scheme of things.
What Defines a “Useless” Job?
Determining whether a job is truly useless can be subjective. Some positions, like reality TV stars or social media influencers, may not contribute to society in a traditional sense, but their demand-driven existence keeps them lucrative. Others, however, serve no lasting function and are slowly being phased out by automation, changing consumer habits, or more efficient business models.
Each year, the CareerCast Jobs Rated report adjusts its rankings to reflect the shifting job market, adding and removing careers based on their relevance. For example, word processors and data entry clerks were once integral to office environments but have since been eliminated from the rankings as those roles fade into obsolescence.
And yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), tens of thousands of people were still employed as word processors as recently as last May. Even more surprisingly, in 2010, over 300,000 compositors—professionals responsible for arranging text and images for printing—were still part of the workforce.
The Reality of Meaningless Work
For those stuck in declining fields, the reality of an outdated job can be draining.
“The worst part about it is that it’s so basic,” says a former data-entry clerk from California who preferred to remain anonymous. “Data entry just eats away at your day.”
This type of work is sometimes referred to as “featherbedding,” a term used to describe jobs that exist primarily to fill space rather than provide any real function. Many such jobs persist because companies haven’t yet automated them, or because certain tasks—however mundane—still need to be performed by a human being.
For workers caught in these roles, the challenge becomes finding ways to transfer their skills into something more sustainable.
“You can always spin your experience into a more marketable light,” the former data-entry clerk suggests. “It’s just a matter of identifying which aspects of your job are transferable to something better.”
Technology: The Ultimate Job Killer
Perhaps the biggest force behind job obsolescence is technology. The rise of self-service travel booking, for example, has rendered traditional travel agents nearly extinct. Once upon a time, travel agents were the gatekeepers to vacation planning, handling everything from flights to hotel reservations. Now, travelers can book their own itineraries in minutes using platforms like Expedia, Kayak, or Airbnb.
That said, specialized travel agents have managed to carve out a niche by catering to high-end clientele. While the average travel agent is struggling to stay relevant, those who specialize in luxury, corporate, or exotic travel have turned what was once a dying industry into a boutique business model.
Similarly, typesetters, once responsible for preparing print layouts, have been nearly wiped out by digital publishing. While 300,000 typesetters still held jobs just a few years ago, the steady shift toward online-only media ensures that this role will eventually disappear entirely.
Some Jobs Were Never Useful to Begin With
Not every “useless” job was once practical. Some positions exist purely as frivolous luxuries—and yet, people still get paid for them.
Take “atmosphere coordinators”, for example. These professionals—who are, in essence, paid partygoers—are hired by nightclubs and bars to pretend to have fun so that other patrons feel compelled to stay longer and spend more money. Their job? Dance, socialize, and create the illusion of a packed and thriving venue.
While this gig may sound like an easy payday, others in the “useless job” category are far less glamorous.
Sign Spinners: A Job Hanging by a Thread
One of the most physically exhausting yet entirely expendable jobs is that of a sign spinner. These individuals stand outside in blazing heat or freezing cold, twirling signs in an effort to direct customers toward real estate developments, tax services, or mattress sales.
The reality? Most people ignore them.
Sign spinning is a prime example of “guerilla marketing”—a low-cost, attention-grabbing advertising tactic. However, as cities implement stricter regulations on roadside soliciting, the future of human-powered sign spinning is under threat. Local governments are increasingly cracking down on the practice, which could make an already fading job completely obsolete in the near future.
How to Escape a Useless Job
If you find yourself stuck in a job that feels pointless, there are ways to make the most of your situation while working toward something better.
- Seek additional responsibilities – Look for ways to expand your role by offering to take on new tasks or help implement improvements.
- Pursue training and upskilling – Online courses, certifications, and learning new software can increase your marketability.
- Find purpose through volunteering – If your day job lacks meaning, volunteer work can provide personal fulfillment and valuable experience.
- Leverage your network – Even if your current job isn’t ideal, maintaining good relationships with colleagues and superiors can lead to better opportunities.
Top 10 Useless Jobs
1. Atmosphere Coordinator
Description:
Hired by bars, nightclubs, or events to pretend to have fun and create the illusion of a lively, in-demand venue. Their job? Dance, drink, and socialize—all while ensuring paying customers feel like they’re part of an exclusive scene.
2. Professional Cuddler
Description:
Catering to lonely or stressed individuals, professional cuddlers offer paid platonic snuggling services. While human connection is important, it’s debatable whether hiring a stranger for a spooning session is truly essential.
3. Fortune Cookie Writer
Description:
Someone has to come up with those vague life insights inside fortune cookies, right? While mildly entertaining, this job contributes little to society beyond producing brief moments of confusion after a meal.
4. Sign Spinner
Description:
Stationed at street corners, waving giant cardboard arrows, sign spinners advertise businesses while performing tricks and twirls to grab attention. However, most people ignore them, making this job’s effectiveness questionable.
5. Social Media Influencer (Without a Niche)
Description:
Unlike experts in beauty, tech, or fitness, generic influencers earn money by taking selfies, posting vague life advice, and promoting brands they don’t use. With paid promotions often misleading, their actual value is highly debatable.
6. Elevator Operator
Description:
Once a necessary job for manual elevator systems, modern operators simply push buttons—a task anyone can do. Despite automation, a handful of locations still employ them for nostalgia or customer service.
7. Professional Mourner
Description:
Also known as “moirologists,” professional mourners are paid to cry at funerals. Common in some cultures, their only task is to appear deeply sorrowful—even if they never knew the deceased.
8. Human Alarm Clock (Knocker-Up)
Description:
Before actual alarm clocks, “knocker-ups” tapped on windows to wake people up. While once useful, anyone doing this job today is either a nostalgic reenactor or a persistent landlord.
9. Handwritten Letter Transcriber
Description:
In a digital-first world, some companies still hire people to manually write letters to add a personal touch. However, given the rise of AI-generated handwriting, this job’s longevity is highly uncertain.
10. Golf Ball Diver
Description:
Tasked with retrieving lost golf balls from water hazards, golf ball divers scavenge murky ponds for balls that could just be replaced with new ones. Given the risk vs. reward, this job seems wholly unnecessary.
