changing career path

[JokersGiggle]

I'm a qualified nursery nurse with quite a few years experience in nurseries (as room assistant - did all the planning, observations ect as room leader didn't want to). Also experience as a nanny and private maternity nurse for prem babies.
My most recent job has been nannying and editing my blind grandfathers book and dog waking.
the plan is to move in with my dp but he's recent pointed out I have limited job security and I've ended up self employed.
I'm ending my currant nanny job in a few Weeks and have been looking at sales/admin jobs - and I can't do any of it! All my eggs are in ine basket. I'm reluctant to stay in child care as work is scarce, pay low and I'd have to stay self employed.
How do I change path? I'm so confused. I can't take the time to do voluntary work (i could but only for a really shirt period of time, i.e one/two weeks) as I have rent to pay.
I've never worked in an office environment before so i'm clueless on everything
Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

Surely most people have all their eggs in one career basket?

Have you thought about temping? That could be a good way to get some experience.

I have tried signing up to a local temp agency but they've said "you'll be lucky if anyone takes a chance on you"
What I mean is I have.limited transferable skills. A friend used to work in sales but easily moved over to PA for a lawyer as she was good with data input, client facing and other things.

But I can't see how dealing with colic-y babies, specials needs children and fussy eaters is going to appeal to other employers. All I have to offer is : keeping confidential info not a problem and a good team player.

I expect you can also:

Organise and plan
Keep accurate records
Communicate clearly with a range of people
Adjust quickly to changing priorities
Work well in a busy environment
Stay calm under pressure
Meet timescales and deadlines

And loads more things you do in your current job but may not be used to thinking about? If you've decent computer skills from other areas of your life, I see no reason you couldn't transfer to an office or sales environment. You will need to make sure your application explains your skills though, so that employers think a bit more creatively.

Wow better never thought of I'll like that! Thanks, how do I put that in a CV which is all about childcare to make it more universal?
Think i've got used to looking at my CV one way and just can't see how to adapt it.

What about a move into children's centres or children's services or hospital play worker to get (slightly ) better pay , also increases the number of transferable skills snd more secure.

That of course only applies if the only reason for leaving CC work is the pay!

I would set up your CV so that it has:
Name and personal details
Key skills (especially those relevant to new types of job)
Qualifications
Employment history

Then in the Employment History bit, list your jobs as usual, but under each one put "Skills gained:..." and then list things like time management, balancing conflicting priorities etc.

I think you could also try a different temping agency and ask to sit their computer skills and typing tests. Then you'll know what your skill level is for your CV, and it will also help convince the agency to put you forward for work. Good luck!

Thanks everyone!
I've looked into play therapy and art therapy but there are no openings in my local area, but great suggestion.
I'm going to edit my CV now my currant CV is about 3 pages long (drawn up by a childcare agency) but I think its a bit long? Should I cut it down? Its got loads of relevant info but if i've put "skills gained" at the bottom of each job I won't need the long detail description of what I did there, will I?

No more than 2 sides of a4

Also incase you talk about job now it is current not currant-they are for cakes.

Sorry! auto correct struck again and I didn't notice - dyslexia and auto correct aren't a good match lol.

You say you have been looking at sales and admin jobs. Have you researched these roles - looked at job descriptions online; considered availability of jobs within a distance you would be prepared to travel for work? You also need to think about any gaps between your skills/experience and those ideally required by the jobs you would like to do. What are the differences, and how can you acquire the missing elements? Are there things you would need to have in place before applying for the roles; what sort of training are company's generally prepared to provide (e.g. on specific sales software)? You might find that there is access locally to subsidised/free training that could be relevant. There are also quite a few colleges offering reasonably priced evening classes for the community, some relating to IT/software skills that you might need for the job areas you mention.

You could also ring prospective employers and try speaking to somebody (e.g. in HR or department relevant to your desired job), and ask for their advice. You say you haven't got time to do anything on a voluntary basis, but what about asking to spend a day or two helping out/shadowing a department or individual relevant to a job you think you would like to do? Sometimes an approach like this can pay off, and at the very least, it demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm. At the moment, you think you know what sort of job you might like, but it sounds untested. Gathering as much information, and getting at least some experience of your desired working environment will help inform your decision making.

Do you have any friends/contacts who can help advise you? People who might work in a job relevant to the ones you might be interested in? If so, you could ask them about what the job entails; pros and cons; availability of opportunities etc.

So this morning i've looked at desirable skills for areas i'm looking at for work and found I actually fit quite a lot (yay!) I've edited my CV to be shorter and more universal. I've sent if to friends who work in marketing, PR, lawyers PA, someone who has their own shop & a secretary to look at and comment on.
Ive just emailed a friend who works at the local library to see if I could shadow people there (is a library ok? Or should I shadow somewhere else?) Going to ask around other places to see if I could shadow them.
Anything I've missed?

Do I need all my GCSE results on my CV? Or can I just have the core ones? Other wise I have almost one page of lists of gcse, as level and a level grades.

Are the GCSEs relevant to the job being applied for? If not then I would but something like: 10 GCSEs including Maths (grade), English (grade).
List the Alevels.

Set things out uding columns so you have space to do short lists.

Thanks very much. Freed up lots of space