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Original poster

To wonder if you work from home, what do you do?

345 replies

JonahAndTheSale · 16/08/2016 21:04

Hello! Mumsnet Jobs team here. We've noticed this thread is fairly old now, and some of the information is out of date. We've put together this article of advice, tips and tricks to start working from home. Alternatively, you can look at the work from home opportunities on Mumsnet Jobs. We hope this is helpful!

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I don't know anyone who works from home in rl but I see it all the time on mumsnet.

If you work from home, what is your job?

Obviously not referring to sahp here!

OP posts:
FayaMAMA · 19/08/2016 21:32

I'm a student mainly, so I'm not sure if I count - but I also write freelance for online magazines and websites, as well as running my local branch of my mother's photography business from home (editing, promoting, planning, shooting, etc). I'm also a waitress. I'm very busy.

iMogster · 19/08/2016 21:39

I work from home as a freelance Pattern cutter for womenswear. I do Couture and ready-to-wear patterns and sometimes sew the samples too.

PoopyGirl · 19/08/2016 21:50

I have been wfh for a tiny recruitment company for a year. Pros are flexibility around DS and DH, former in nursery, latter leaves house at 6.27am. Cons are commission only (and in dry patch right now) and no office buzz as just do occasional Skype with business partner. Being natural extrovert I am finding this difficult. And previously was the main earner now hate asking DH for ££. But on positive note, we adopted our son 3 years ago and he is totally part of the family, is very happy and confident. We also just bought a buy to let which I found, did all paperwork, helped renovate and about to rent out. Remind DH that this would not have happened so quickly if i was ft af work. But do miss my own salary.

Skiver123 · 19/08/2016 21:56

I'm have a few elements to my job. Social media management, graphic design, PA and Co-ordinator in the medical field. Love it a lot especially the design aspects and the industry is brilliant as is working from home.

Nimmykins · 19/08/2016 22:11

I write blogs for a training company and a nursery. I also manage each organisation's social media presence. Next month I'll start managing social media for a theme park.

I'm a freelance journalist and tutor.

RedDwarf7 · 19/08/2016 22:16

I do artwork to commission and make silver jewellery

LaurieF · 20/08/2016 00:22

I'm a payroll manager. I have a flexible working schedule where I work 9 hours a day Monday to Thursday then a short day from home every Friday so I can take the kids to school, pick them up and have a bit extra family time as I usually do extra work over the weekend. Not sure if I worked from home permanently that I would get much done except for housework tho lol!!

NewRoadToHappinessxx · 20/08/2016 08:02

I'm parish clerk and Responsible Finance Officer for two Parish Councils - totally from home apart from one evening meeting a month x

Notmuchtosay1 · 20/08/2016 08:21

Declutterqueen that sounds a good idea. I've had people suggest I do that sort of thing before. I wouldn't know where to start. Not sure it would be very profitable though as I live in a fairly rural area. Better for a large town.

PigeonPie · 20/08/2016 08:25

Lovely to see three other Parish Clerks here. It's a great job to fit round family, but there is a bit of evening meeting work too which, for me, means DH has to be home in time to make sure the DSs get to bed.

Gothamsgirl · 20/08/2016 09:06

I work in human resources and write reports, policies etc..

Selenatwins · 20/08/2016 09:37

I'm a freelance transcriber, although I've also just opened a Greek restaurant, so just part-time transcribing at the moment. I love working from home, I'm a real morning person so I often get all my work done 5-10am and have the rest of the day to chill (as in do housework, herd children etc) :)

MotherKat · 20/08/2016 09:45

Project Coordinator, need to do a fair amount of time on sites and in different offices though.

Sundance01 · 20/08/2016 10:35

Regional Manager for a National Charity. We have a small head office but all the staff across the rest of the UK work from home. I work 3.5 days a week 1.5 in my home office on phone calls emails planning, write ups etc and 2 days visiting our peer support groups, public info, awareness raising etc.

I have always had a job that I have been able to work from home for all or part of my time.

pontynan · 20/08/2016 18:15

I train teachers, write text books and run websites for teachers. Mostly I am at home but if I have a training course then obviously I drive to wherever the venue is.

newshiny · 20/08/2016 18:52

I'm a translator and handyman. Translating I do at home, handyman I do at other peoples' homes.

gemma19846 · 20/08/2016 20:16

What language do you translate newshiny?

StarlingMurmuration · 20/08/2016 20:37

Publishing. Two days from home, two days in the office. It's literally the best thing ever.

VA1983 · 20/08/2016 21:46

Self employed virtual assistant

Donna1605 · 20/08/2016 23:28

I do work but to help me be a part time teacher (as opposed to full time) I sell PartyLite. It helps me have few days with my boys but not having to work full time which I have done for past 12 years :) xx

KnittyFoxyMa · 21/08/2016 00:43

I work for an online retailer, as marketing, social media and also translating and responding to all the German customer service issues. I currently work 3 hours a day but will increase to 6 when my youngest is full time in Reception. I know I totally got the best job ever, totally by good fortune. Grin

Eiram49 · 21/08/2016 08:22

Full time social worker - there are days when I can work from home when report writing etc.

emmeline8228 · 21/08/2016 20:13

Hi
I'd be really interested to hear from any freelance content writers/copywriters on how you went about going it alone...I'm currently working in such a role for a company but am thinking about going solo...not sure where to begin.

HCTurner · 21/08/2016 20:46

I'm an editorial manager for a typesetting company, but will be going freelance at the end of October.

Wordsmith · 22/08/2016 06:47

Emmeline8228

Do you work with an agency/consultancy or in-house? I moved from an agency to freelancing twice - the first time by negotiating a 2 day/week freelance contract with the agency I was working for. Then I had 3 days to develop other business. The second time one of my clients (whom I had brought into the agency for which I was working) asked me to go and work for them in-house. I suggested a similar 2 day/week contract to act as their outsourced marketing manager.

Either way I would try and line up some clients who would be willing to go with you if you leave to go freelance. Moving from a salary to no guaranteed income at all is scary, so if you can't afford to lose your income you need to have something lined up beforehand or have some savings put by to cover you for 3-4 months.

If you work in-house you could suggest going part time and freelance for your current employers. Make them an offer that would be attractive to them: if you could guarantee an agreed level of service it might make financial sense to them, although obviously you would lose the job security.