To ask for your help figuring out how I can get some income in fast

[Moneyproblemz]

Legal options only please 🫠
I'm really panicking. I've been a freelancer for two decades now but my industry is being destroyed 😭 I'm a translator, and before you suggest interpreting - don't bother. My languages don't have heavy interpreting demand in the UK.
Like many translators, I've been watching my profession slowly die for a while now. But this week my biggest client said they were shutting down.
I'm absolutely screwed. I only have two months of outgoings I can cover.
I live in a city which is helpful, but I just don't know what the hell to do. I know I need to think of a proper long term career pivot, but right now all I can feel is panic. I need to find something quickly, and I've applied for some jobs already, but I just feel like who the hell is going to hire me as a 40-something with zero experience of anything other than my own industry. I'm assuming anything to do with hospitality and retail they are just going to prefer someone 20 years younger than me.

I'm just asking on here in case anyone has a few off-piste ideas I might not have thought of other than "desperately trawl through Indeed". Like I said, I do have some ideas for a bigger picture plan, but right now I need an immediate solution.

Thanks all

Tutoring online?

There are various apps that offer to match you up with someone so you can practice speaking a language you’re learning. I’ve been thinking of signing up for one as learning a language. A friend talks to a guy once a week as he’s learning Italian. No idea what they pay but definitely worth looking into if you’re fluent.

For the time being, I would register with a temp agency to secure some income whilst you figure things out. You’ll be fine. It’ll come together for you.

My husband lost his job recently and got a job as a postie as a stop gap whilst looking for something else. With early starts and finishes, it made it easier to schedule interviews with the added benefit of fresh air and exercise. He actually really enjoyed it and if the pay was better would have stayed on.

Thank you 😭🙏 This is basically what I needed to hear

Set up as a cleaner - doesn't take much investment and the demand for house cleaners here outstrips what's available. People are always looking for decent, reliable cleaners.

No not highly paid, but actually this could be an opportunity to get away from the screen. I'm really personable if I do say so myself and always felt that translating didnt really exploit the fact that I actually like people and the outside world 😂

If you are in a big city sign up with a babysitting agency. You'll get some cash in hand while you're looking for jobs.

French and German are commonly taught languages in schools, could you do some private tutoring?

Language Line are actually advertising for a part time French interpreter at the moment. https://languageline.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/LLS_UK_Careers/details/French-Interpreter_R12311?q=interpreter&hsCtaTracking=fb4608c7-9971-49da-820b-fd9978d2453b%7Cfe3d785e-6c53-44fe-8672-547d84c86f3f

i can’t remember the name of the service my Trust uses, but I can check when I get back to work.

The other thing that is needed is for hospital reports and letters from abroad to be translated. Patients pay for a medical translation service to do this. You may need to do some training to interpret the technical language. Other sectors will require this too.

There might be a bit of a portfolio career opportunity - I’ve seen friends of mine with MFL set up as online tutors for GCSE/A level, or even younger.

Any skills you could advertise on task rabbit? There's loads of people looking for things on there, we used it recently to have some ikea furniture built. Long term i saw this the other day about Easyjet actively looking to recruit the over 50s.https://www.easyjet.com/en/news/airline/story/easyjet-more-than-doubles-over-50s-cabin-crew-and-is-now-launching-a-new-recruitment-drive-encouraging-more-to-join if you'd be interested. BA at least seem to let you do it v part-time around other commitments, v jealous of mothers I've met who just jet off somewhere longhaul once a month or something

I live in France and most parents i know are very keen for their DC to learn English and ask quite frequently if I know any tutors.
Teaching French children online could be a realistic option.
A short course like preparation for 6eme (begining of secondary) could be quite popular.
Also organising exchange visits with English families.
This would probably apply to Germany as well.
Would moving to France or Germany be an option ?

If you have a university in your city, have a look for roles supporting students with things like notetaking. Some disabled students gets funding for this and suitable help is hard to find.

Similarly, support worker roles for disabled people at work which are funded via Access to Work. Includes things like taking notes, making materials accessible etc.

Schools always struggle to find governors' clerks. It's very part time, but you could fit around other thing.

If you like and are good with kids, that gives more options with your language skills. Mothers' help or afterschool nanny for a French or German family? I know a few people who've taken on people who don't have previous formal childcare experience for their language skills, particularly if say they're wfh but need someone to entertain their child. Maybe a preschool parent/child French or German class - these are popular in my area.

Tutoring?

I'd be cautious with this. I have done matched betting in the past, and picked up an easy couple of thousand on my bus commute over a few months. It is guaranteed money, and you will see a lot of success stories.

BUT - you need a starting pot, and I personally wouldn't put in any money i couldn't afford to be held up in an ombudsman despute for a few months. Bookies are getting quicker and quicker at spotting the patterns and blocking you, sometimes with your balance in their account, chancing it that you won't complain. Responsible gambling regulations are reducing the number of offers also... I'm all for taking money off the bookies, but it's maybe not for you, at this time.

Could you do language tutoring for students maybe?

I wouldn't rule out retail. I'm a manager in retail & where 'older' candidates apply they usually score really well. Teenagers are recruited because they are the ones who apply.

Drivers are constantly in demand. Supermarket delivery drivers get a bit more than minimum wage & it's fairly easy work, you obviously have to deal with the public but usually one at a time which is okay. Can be some heavy lifting.

As well as this, translating for courts/solicitors/police (at least in the UK) is worth looking into. Probably in other countries too (not sure where you are, OP)
Multinational companies often need translators or interpreters (I'm aware they're not the same thing) (I used to be 'industry-adjacent', let's say)

Another vote for applying somewhere like language line, it’s still very well used

Have a look at the civil service jobs website
for admin type roles. Apply for areas that they find it difficult to recruit for (probation, prison service).

send your cv to https://www.transperfect.com/

https://outlier.ai/languages/de-de

https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=german+speaking&l=&sc=0kf%3Aattr%28DSQF7%29%3B&from=searchOnDesktopSerp&vjk=8a7128f9d720727a

https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=german+speaking&l=&sc=0kf%3Aattr%28DSQF7%29%3B&from=searchOnDesktopSerp&vjk=71a3f617359942f0

EasyJet are advertising that they want older cabin crew. Do you fancy that?

I work for a company that periodically hires linguists, particularly European languages, for customer service roles (high end products, high end service). We struggle to fill the vacancies because it’s in a really unpopular part of the country, so they are pretty well paid.
You haven’t said where you are based (I don’t think) but if you are willing to do a national search and move area, there are probably quite a few roles at companies like ours

@Portmoresorry to jump on but am thinking of stepping away from my career project management job for a career in retail. Like the OP I am really personable and just think I’d thrive in a career where I meet and speak to people everyday, whilst being able to utilise my other experience. Do you ever employ career changers? And is it easy to work up, as my only concern is starting salary.