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

Oops. Professional.

OP I know you’ve looked at school roles but are there any private schools near you? I’m in a similar position & managed to get a part-time job at a local private school (no previous experience & they trained me for the role), which has been a god send.

Also tutoring. See if any agencies are looking for language tutors (online or in person) or again tap into private school market.

Tutoring ? You can prob charge £40-50 per hour, but don’t do A level tutoring without teaching credentials and do make sure you familiarise yourself with KS3/4 syllabus.

Royal Mail are now recruiting as they're needing extra staff for the run up to Christmas. Definitely this is one which often will start as temporary and can usually lead to a permanent post.

Private schools would snap you up, no need to have a PGCE they sometimes offer to pay for this once you’re on the job. No experience needed.

For TA roles, complete level 3 cache course in being a TA and free courses on the gov website in safeguarding and read the kcsie, it will help strengthen an application. Contact local schools even from a distance and ask about volunteering work to get experience even if its one morning a week. Do you have kids? Did you help on the pta another great thing schools look for. Also start a dbs if you don't already have one. Schools will do their own but if you volunteer they will do it for you and if you are good this can lead to a job offer. Good luck @Moneyproblemz all is not lost :)

French German and English are the languages of the European Patent Office. Anyone with patent - anything will have a need for those (but the competition is fierce). Translations are still human and not machine there. And even if not, you would be a great Assistance for any parent private practice (as a formalinie officer in training etc).

English / German / French conversation classes for foreigners.

I would get any job you can at the moment and then look for sth more suitable.

This type of thing in local government is an example.

I think.yku will find some kind of work but whether it will pay enough for your outgoings is a different matter . Retraining gnis an option but usually requires money.
Could you take in a lodger until you are back on you feet ? .under HMRC rent a room scheme e£7500 per annum rent is tax free.

Prison officer having languages is an added bonus

What about Preply for private remote tutoring. Be cheaper at first to get new customers.

My DD’s friend just got work in a company where she has to take calls in the language she has studied to masters level (she’s a translator not an interpreter). So like customer service type roll taking queries I think.

My brother teaches English online to non-native speakers all over the world (so.sometimes weird hours but he can choose his clients) so there presumably would be a demand for other languages.
It's on a.specific site which I can't remember (sorry!) Bu must be Google-able

Also private tuition in French and German. Just dbs!

hub.transperfect.com/public/learn-more

Please, before you think of ironing or deliveroo or cleaning, use your amazing language skills in English - private hospitals and NHS hospitals always need medical audio-typists. My friend does audio-typing for them, through an agency, because she does not want to work full-time. They will do your DBS at their expense, the agency I mean and you can audio-type. I was surprised when I found out about it - I thought it would have been done by AI, but no. Lots of other areas where they still use audio-typists. You can do it from home, extremely flexible. Don't know now, but my friend was paid £24 per hour 2 years ago, she is still doing it now, but I know know what the rate now is.

Doing a PGCE might be an option if you will consider retraining as a language teacher. There is a 20K bursary for languages.

Tutoring is also an option.

In the short term if you have a driving licence you could do deliveries or work for a cab company.

Most vacancies these days seem to be for care works but it is not for everyone.

You will have lots of transferable skills have a look at civil service vacancies.

Have you thought of being a companion? The Lady magazine runs adverts like that occasionally - or a live-in tutor? I know it is a weird idea, but maybe for a short time?

The probation service use The Big Word interpreters - they provide in-person, online, and telephone service, so might be worth looking into.

You don’t say if you can drive or where you’re based.

Have you got an up to date CV? That would be with doing so that it’s easy to just tweak as needed.

I’d have a look and get registered on Indeed.

There are always jobs in the care sector available. You could look for PA positions if you prefer to support the same person regularly.

Shops and delivery firms are starting to advertise for Christmas staff, some do get kept on afterwards. DH worked for Asda delivery not so long ago when he got made redundant, he’s also applied to Tesco and they offered him a job the day after he started with Asda.

Retraining is an option, but your salary would be lower during those years and you would have student loans to consider for degree subjects such as SALT.

Good luck.

A few posters have suggested you do private tutoring with your language skills. I do post grad tutoring. I charge £80-£120 ph depending but I am a retired academic operating at MA and Ph.D level. There are also postgrad students looking for someone with French and German qualifications who can help them structure their thesis. Student or undergrad tutors can charge £25-£35 ph - more if they have qualifications. You would probably need a DBS check if tutoring children or vulnerable people. Not necessary for adults.

I’d look at more skilled roles not just entry level as entry level/retail are often inundated.

Set up your own tutoring business