need a new job!

[lydialemon]

I've got to go back to work at the end of March and, frankly even thinking about it is making me panic. I currently work 3 evenings a week in a well known supermarket as a Supervisor, but the money is crap for the amount of responsibility we have. At the moment my options seem to be go back but ditch the responsible bit and sit on the till all night (won't affect my money) or find something else. I have to work for financial reasons, and I don't mind working, I just hate the situation I'm currently in.

1. Any suggestions for evening work thats not a shop or a pub?

2. DH suggested proofreading from home. Does anyone do this, or does anyone in the publishing business know how it works?

Please somebody, save me from Sainsburys

teaching in evening classes?

I suppose I could do 'Introduction to Mumsnet'

lol

Anyone else out there?

Does it have to be evening work? Could you do a couple of days a week or would that start getting expensive in childcare terms/ be difficult to fit round the bigger boys?

Proofing is a reasonable option, although like most freelance work there'll be times when you have masses and it might take up more than three evenings. And you'd have to be available to take calls/send emails during the day. It isn't easy to set up in it though from nothing. You'll have to do a training course and build up contacts. I do know poeple who've done it, and if you're interested I could put you in touch with them - although I'm sure if you posted a thread on this lots of MNers would surge forward.

I will continue to think.
MIxxxxx

I don't mind working during the day from home, but I don't really want to start forking out for childcare. At the moment I can work part time because I don't have to use any of the money for any thing like that.

I'm actually meant to be on the PC at the moment looking in to all this, but couldn't resist checking in on Mumsnet! MI, definitely interested in finding out more - how it actually works etc.

childminding? it's not evenings though. babysitting? Waitressing? not easy or well paid but at least you get tips too and you could just do a couple of evenings. cinema usheretting? (don't know anthing about it, may not be pos) excuse typing, baby asleep on other arm!

Stuffing envelopes? typing? always ads in the paper for these. I type and stuff once the kids are in bed. Just as long as it is all done by collection day, I can work when I want to. Money's not bad either. Approx. £6 per page I type and £1.50 per envelope.

market research interviewing? either calling at people's houses for in dpeth interviews (after they have agreed to an appointment, so not cold calling) or phoning them up at home with a short consumer survey. You see ads for this quite regularly, either from the private or public sector.

Or helping to man the out of hours emergency call service for your local council?

There must be hospital jobs that do not fit the usual 9 - 5 working day - try contacting your local hospital.

Working for a cab company? their busy time is in the evening. Driving a taxi or supervising and taking calls for cabs?

HTH

Post a q about proofing and I bet you'll get loads of response, LL, and I can also put you in touch with a friend (who'll tell it to you straight - she built it up from nothing, but it wasn't always easy).

If you work during the day you'll need someone to look after the babe even if you're at home, though, believe ME. So it sounds like evenings, really, plus possibly the odd unpredictable break when the little angel is having a kip. Would you rather be at home than heading out or would that be too distracting?

LL - I used to work in publishing, and intended to move onto freelance editing .. A publisher paid for me to do a correspondence course to refresh my skills, and I went on their editors' retreat ... but actually I found it didn't work for me. This sort of work is quite demanding (well on my brain anyway), and my prime need was to get out of the house anyway. You might think the pay is OK, but you need to bear in mind you get no holiday pay, no sickness pay, no pension ... Also the deadlines are usually urgent, and the stream of work intermittent ...

Sorry, am I putting you off If you do want to go for it, it's quite hard to get into, to actually find the paid work. The best way is to phone, email or write to loads of (small) publishers. If you can find one who is short of freelancers at the moment (editing or proofreading - there's not such a huge difference these days), they may be willing to pay for you to do a course, as an advance against earnings ... This way they have a financial commitment to you, and are more likely to give you some work at the end of it.

Not all training courses are the same - some are rubbish. Some of the best are run by The Publishing Training Centre There's also lots of information on this website.

HTH

I also used to work in publishing and set up as a freelance editor when we moved to Scotland. I lasted a year. I did make as much money as when I was working at the publishing company, but was so lonely and bored so much of the time. I had to work to very tight deadlines, including over weekends and holidays (including working on Boxing Day). I also found that, in contrast to when I was the person in charge of the job, I was given the boring/ irritating stuff to edit - the type of stuff I used to push off on to freelances! I was also very dependent on my contacts in the industry, and aware that I needed to really start marketing myself. To be frank, I was glad when my current position came along. I am still in a position to give advice to would-be freelances, and I tend to advise that it is easier if you have worked in the industry; it's good to have a specialism (mine was education); and you need to be able to promote yourself.
If I haven't completely put you off, please feel free to email me off the board. I actually lecture in the subject, but promise I won't just promote my course!

Have to be quick as I'm meant to be cooking dinner!

Thanks for all the posts, particulary the proofreading ones. It hasn't put me off entirely, but I have realised that I'm going to have to go back to Sainsburys no matter what, at least in the short term whilst I really look into my alternatives. On the bright side, I have discovered that I am needed, so I'm going to go back on my own terms (more money, change of hours) or they can go whistle, and I will just sit my bum on the tills and relax....

Re; childminding, this is my 'if' career option - if my MIL moves back to Cyprus and sells us her house for £40k, if the council finally transfers us to a 3 bed house (if we win the lottery etc) then I'd almost definitely do it. Where I live now is just too small.

Libra - when I get a chance I'll contact you with some questions if you're sure thats OK.

Thanks again everyone

Hi Lydialemon

I have been selling children's books to toddler groups, preschools, friends and family since April 2002, when my son was 10 months old and love it. You receive excellent commission, there are no minimum sales targets and no pressure as you are your own boss. A large number of parents do this job and really enjoy it and earn lots of extra cash.

No-one who does this job is a salesperson, people think that selling is making people buy something they do not want, people love our books and want to buy them. I just recommend books suitable for the child's age and interest. The customer then decides what they like.

This job is not just about money, even though you can earn as much as you like, you also, have fun, meet lots of brilliant people, and are recognised and rewarded for hard work and achievement. I can't stress enough how great it is and how much I love it. I believe I will never have to find another job again, this is definitely the job for me and is for anyone who is willing to give it a go.

If you would like more info please e-mail me at [email protected] You do not need any experience and will receive lots of training and support.

We have a special kit offer for January £19 for £100 worth of books. If you find it isn't the job for you - you just keep the books.

Hope I can help.

Nicola