To think I won't get a decent job?

[Fioretta]

If anyone has any advice for me I'd really appreciate it.

I'm 34, no kids.

Live in a big city.

I've been teaching ESL remotely for the past 7 years on a freelance basis. The industry isn't what it used to be and, to be honest, I need to get out of the house and see people again.

I have a degree and I also have experience in basic sales/ hospitality.

I have absolutely no idea where to start. I feel embarrassed that at my age I still have no defined career path/ goals.

I've looked at admin jobs, but the salary seems really low and I have no idea what they actually involve. I feel so out of touch with the modern workplace and like I've just let myself fall behind.

What would you do in my shoes?

Translation, University student support, charities supporting refugees, editing/proofreading? Set up your own language classes in community centres locally?

Pick up some IT skills and quickly, even an admin job can be a good stepping stone. Every year it will be harder to get anything that pays if you're not IT savvy, the software changes so fast these days.

I had a long career break and had to take a pretty crap job, 3 years later I'm earning £12k a year more. It can be worth it.

Teaching?

If you want to continue teaching, you can do a paid teacher training programme to get QTS and become a teacher.

If you fancy something different, I think you need to think about what you enjoy doing and what job would suit you/ interest you and look for an entry level position. With your skill set maybe a HR assistant, or marketing assistant?

I would sign up with an agency and get some current workplace experience. I know people who do this when acting work dries up and they have no trouble getting work, and have turned down offers to go permanent on 35k and 40k.

What sort of work do you think you’d enjoy, and what’s your main skill set? I’m sure you have lots of transferable skills from both your teaching job and hospitality, as both are hugely challenging!

Bit of a random suggestion, but as no one has mentioned it yet, I wonder if you’ve thought about working for the civil service at all? They have a huge range of jobs available all over the UK (and sometimes abroad too), the salary and benefits are quite good and there’s normally lots of room for progression. I am biased as I’m a civil servant though 😊 feel free to PM me if you’d like any more info.