By Jane CombenThe holidays are over and maybe this is transition time for you.
Maybe your youngest has finally got to school and it's time to re-enter the workforce. Or you're a working solo parent and you can't see how you'll manage 13 weeks of holidays along with before and after-school care.
I REALLY wanted my son to walk to the local school rather than keep commuting to the city. I looked for part-time jobs but had no joy. In the end I took the plunge into working for myself from home. I was terrified. I got help and advice from various generous souls and a friend offered me a small project to get me going. It was 6 months sooner than I planned but I've been Pogo Design ever since.
Another friend in my position managed to get a 4 day week at work and had a wonderful and reliable private caregiver to provide cover before and after school.
Childcare
For more help and information about childcare check out OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation, it's also Ministry of Social Development approved). You may even be eligible for a subsidy as part of Working for Families. If you prefer something more informal, there may be friends or people in your community that could help you out.
Getting back to work
Is now the time to get back to your career or start a new one?
Career NZ is a good place to start and they have some CV and cover letter templates. If your confidence and skills need a boost first, perhaps volunteering is an option. You might be like my friend who stumbled on something that she really loved and is now training in that area.
Starting a business
New Zealand is a nation of small businesses, fancy joining them?
Here's an article with a few home based business suggestions. Avon, Tupperware and other party plan products are a popular choice but don't suit everyone's personality, lifestyle or budget. You'll need a wide network of friends to draw on and may require buying stock upfront.
Find your local Chamber of Commerce here or check out business.govt.nz for the basics. BNZ have loads of online resources that may help.
Good luck!
(JC)
Working from home is a pleasure on a sunny day like this! I've been doing a mix of office-based contracting and working from home for the last five years - with a lot of encouragement and advice from you and your Works Wonders partner, Ange Bensemann. Being my own boss has changed my life so much for the better.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia. Yes, we really appreciate working more flexibly and WorksWonders is all about spreading that support net a bit wider!
DeleteHave a good day in the sun.