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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why would this woman offer to work for free?

32 replies

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 12/04/2026 21:38

And how much should I pay her?

I posted on a local job page on Fb asking for someone to do a small admin job. I need three different Cv’s making to target different establishments. I have all my info, but am just rubbish at setting it all out properly and have little time really.
A young woman messaged me and I explained what there was to do and asked for her fee. She messaged back that she would do it for free as she liked helping people. I told her not to be silly as it’s a job, albeit small and I will of course pay her.
She wrote back that she was happy to help and to decide what to pay her if I feel I should.
I sent the info to her and she has got onto it straightaway, although I said there was no rush.

Does this seem a bit odd or is she simply a nice person?

I will of course pay her.

How much would you pay for this job?

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Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 14/04/2026 23:19

Batshitgreens · 14/04/2026 23:16

I've once done a massive job for someone I barely knew and didn't take any money. I wanted to help, simple as that.
Shame that we live in the world where this seems suspicious.
Edit: I've seen OP's newest update so agree it's really strange how that person is acting now and it's not on. However, I still think that sometimes people just want to help.

Edited

No that part doesn’t. I feel guilty but think she maybe needs some support and have invited her to join the group which has many women and chances for meet ups and space to advertise her work

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Batshitgreens · 14/04/2026 23:16

I've once done a massive job for someone I barely knew and didn't take any money. I wanted to help, simple as that.
Shame that we live in the world where this seems suspicious.
Edit: I've seen OP's newest update so agree it's really strange how that person is acting now and it's not on. However, I still think that sometimes people just want to help.

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 14/04/2026 23:05

Chocolatecoffeecup · 14/04/2026 22:51

Why do you regret it? Does she want to be friends?

I’m not sure and I feel really bad, but it was just a quick job and she’s sending quite a lot of messages and asking to meet up for a coffee and asking how she should advertise and saying about her confidence and mental health
I probably sound awful, but I have so much going on in my own life with a child with Sen and trying to get extra work in and lots of things
I’m not sure if she seems a bit off

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MasterBeth · 14/04/2026 22:54

pouletvous · 12/04/2026 21:46

send her some flowers?

why didn’t you run through chat gpt?

Because running something through ChatGPT guarantees you will get a generic CV exactly like everyone else's so you won't stand out.

Chocolatecoffeecup · 14/04/2026 22:51

Why do you regret it? Does she want to be friends?

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 14/04/2026 22:47

Ok so, as awful as it sounds, starting to regret it. She seems very lovely, I paid her a *Gift and she was very grateful, I said I would recommend her etc, all was good. She was very positive saying thank you for the opportunity and asking if I ever wanted to meet up for a coffee. Then tonight she messaged saying she was trying to advertise her services but wasn’t sure what to put as sometimes feels confident but sometimes really doesn’t and told me it’s due to mental health issues and that she’s sorry for saying about it
I feel sad for her, have paid her for this small group and added her to a ladies & mums group I am on with hundreds of members.
I just want to leave it there now

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AngryHerring · 13/04/2026 13:25

buy her a bunch of flowers/box of chocolates/bottle of wine when one of the CVs results in a job?

Meadowfinch · 13/04/2026 13:23

Minimum wage is £12.71 an hour.

Judge the quality of work, and how long it takes her and then pay accordingly.

mindutopia · 13/04/2026 13:20

So when I do editing, I charge 5p a word. A CV is very short though and requires a lot more formatting and attention to detail than normal editorial work would. If you’re happy with what she’s done and it’s taken less than a day, £50?

Vodka1 · 13/04/2026 13:13

Maybe to get experience behind her? Like when the local colleges do cheap cuts or I see beauty people all the time offering low price/free work if they can use the photos.

Could be that.

Ask her how long she thinks it will take?

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 13/04/2026 09:35

IAxolotlQuestions · 13/04/2026 08:58

So bung her some cash as a gift.

Oh I’m definitely paying, just not sure how much 😬

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Trumpisacunt · 13/04/2026 09:18

Probably wants the work experience or for a portfolio? Theres a lovely young hairdressing student who offers free hair cuts on our local FB page as she wants the experience-personally I think thats a brilliant idea to not only get some extra practice in but to get future customers for when she's qualified.

IAxolotlQuestions · 13/04/2026 08:58

So bung her some cash as a gift.

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 13/04/2026 08:28

So she’s done the first one, corrected a couple of mistakes, laid it out neatly, i’m pleased. She said she’s completing the other two today

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Mysticguru · 13/04/2026 06:38

I don't charge but expect donations to cover expenses. So pay what you feel is the correct amount for the service provided.

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 13/04/2026 06:20

Did you ask her for an example of what she has done before or is she just randomly replying to your ad? This should take half a day, say £20 an hour so £75/80.

sashh · 13/04/2026 05:43

Maybe she is looking for experience and s a PP implied she might be on benefits.

Maybe she is trying to build up a business.

If the work is good then offer to write her a reference.

YayRain · 13/04/2026 05:39

It's possible she's lacking work experience, or has a gap, and is hoping you'll be a reference for her as a result?

notatinydancer · 13/04/2026 05:23

INX · 12/04/2026 21:51

She'll just run it through AI to be honest.

Still weird though that she doesn't want to charge.

I'd be a bit concerned about giving her all my personal info to be honest, because something sounds a bit off.

Agreed.

LaverneBakerImtheonetodoitNSOUL · 12/04/2026 22:06

deserthighway · 12/04/2026 21:51

More like £45 if they are really good.

I had one done a few years ago £126..I was clearly diddled I'm not a high flying professional more run of the mill minion.

deserthighway · 12/04/2026 21:51

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 12/04/2026 21:49

But if it’s all ok, how much would you say? £20? Or more

More like £45 if they are really good.

INX · 12/04/2026 21:51

She'll just run it through AI to be honest.

Still weird though that she doesn't want to charge.

I'd be a bit concerned about giving her all my personal info to be honest, because something sounds a bit off.

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 12/04/2026 21:49

Fernic · 12/04/2026 21:41

Decide when you see her work!

But if it’s all ok, how much would you say? £20? Or more

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deserthighway · 12/04/2026 21:49

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 12/04/2026 21:46

Ahh yes possibly 🤔 maybe doesn’t want to advertise it as any sort of business or work

Yes, and her messages will leave a clear audit trail if she is ever asked to provide bank statements to the authorities. It's quite a sensible thing really.

Now you need to google the going rate for 3 CVs.

Wantingmoreyorkshirepuds · 12/04/2026 21:48

pouletvous · 12/04/2026 21:46

send her some flowers?

why didn’t you run through chat gpt?

I did do it through Chat 🤣 that’s how rubbish I am though, I struggle putting it altogether and pdf’ing and what not, i’m too tired with kids and my actual job and know this is easy for most people

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