As a full-time carer, looking to earn some extra money or secure a part-time job that allows you the flexibility to fulfil your caring responsibilities, can be a challenge.
However, with the rapid growth of the Internet and its global connectivity, remote working and starting an online business are options that will give you almost everything you need to:
- Earn extra money
- Work part-time and flexible hours
- Continue with your caring duties
What kinds of jobs can you do online?
As long as you have good internet connectivity, there are several online opportunities that can work around your caring duties.
- Be an eBay or other online marketplace seller
eBay is an online marketplace, where anyone can sell their items, and buyers can browse through them, and buy them if they choose to. That’s it. It’s like selling off your old possessions at a car boot sale, only online.
There are many people who, whilst they want to sell items on eBay, don’t have the time or know-how to do so. They need someone who would spend the time online and do what’s necessary to sell their goods for a fee. That could be you.
You would need to organise storage, packing and postage and insurance for the goods, but these are logistics that you could work around your time schedule.
- Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are contract or freelance workers who do their jobs from home and focus on administrative tasks that are similar to those of an executive assistant or secretary. Depending on your skills and experience, you could take on responsibilities such as:
- Bookkeeping
- Online Research
- Data Entry
- Data Presentations
- Managing Email and correspondence
- Social Media Management
- Travel management
- Management of tasks and scheduling
- Following up on new business
In the UK, typically, VA’s earn between £20-25 per hour. You could set your hours e.g. 9:00- 12:00 every day or work in the evenings after everyone has gone to bed, being in control of how you want to or can structure your day.
- Freelance
Depending on your skill set, you could freelance via sites such as www.upwork.comor www.fiverr.com. These sites allow you to add your skill set and experience and give you the opportunity to find jobs you may be interested in or allow potential customers to find you. You have the advantage of setting your own hourly pay, which is usually dependent on skill level and experience.
Typical skills that are in demand via these websites are:
- Graphic designer
- Web developers
- Mobile developers
- Copywriters
- Translation
- Digital /Online marketing
- Accounting
- Administrative
- Customer Services
- Consultant
Often, people find themselves taking on the role of full-time carers later in their lives, after being in the work-force for several years. If this is you, you should know that your experience is invaluable and may benefit companies who could use your expertise as a consultant. With systems like Skype and Zoom, you could share your industry or technical knowledge with companies across the world. And you could set your own hourly and daily rates, working around your caring schedule.
- Tutors
Today, many adults and children use Skype and Zoom to get help, learn new skills or pursue hobbies in several different areas. There has been an exponential growth in online tutoring across the world and if you have teaching experience or in-depth knowledge of a particular subject, you could be a tutor. For example,
- Academic tutors – Maths. English, Science for Exams 11+, GCSE, A-Levels
- Language – for adults and children looking to learn or improve their French, Spanish, German, Hindi, Gujarati
- Music – Piano or Guitar lessons via Skype
- Hobbies – Art, Photography
There are several options for either starting a business online or doing some part-time work from home remotely. At Working for Carers, we’ll be glad to help you through the process, should this be the best career option for you at this stage.
Whilst, these are some extremely practical options, there are a couple of areas, we believe, need to be considered.
- Working from home, online, doesn’t give you the opportunity to go out, meet people and be part of a team. It can be very isolating and if your caring role is intense, you may want to find a job or career that gets you out of the house.
- You would effectively, be setting up your own business. This comes with the need to create a company, register with Companies House and managing your accounts and taxes. Ideally, you would need an accountant to help you out. If you are an accountant, that’s great. If not, perhaps you have a friend or family member who can assist and guide you.
If starting a business online or getting a job that allows for remote working interests you, please give us a call on 0208 868 5224. At Working for Carers, we work closely with both carers and employers to find the best solutions to help carers get back into work. Our team of expert advisors will assess your needs and support you in the areas you need help. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.