Spring has arrived and rejuvenated the plants and trees – but if you feel that your career could equally do with a springtime spruce, then explore our selection of jobs ideal for mums, career-changers and the over 40s…
Best jobs for mums
Fostering
This offers you the opportunity to provide a child with a loving home and build an exciting and rewarding career at the same time. The majority of councils in the UK have fostering schemes, but there are also private organisations that offer foster care openings.
Why it works
- You can work from home.
- Fits in with your own children.
Qualifications You don’t need any particular qualifications to foster, but you must have a spare room in a caring environment to offer to a child. You will undergo an assessment by social services and local authorities and a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check will be necessary to ensure you’re ‘safe.
Salary This varies depending upon your location, the age of the child and which organisation you foster with. With independent fostering agencies, generally you receive a basic weekly fee of £400 regardless of the age of the child. Comparatively, pay from local authorities is dependent upon the child’s age; and in London, for example, ranges from £154.30 for children aged 0-4 up to £266.01 for those aged 16 and over (rates in other regions will vary).
Teaching assistant
This profession involves providing vital assistance within primary, secondary and special schools. You’ll support the teacher, help with general classroom organisation, assist children with their work and help with admin. This may
be in a class, group or one-on-one situation, or with children that have special educational needs.
Why it works
- Hours fit in with your own kids’ school opening times.
- Part-time posts are available.
- It may be possible to find work in the same school as your children.
Qualifications Formal qualifications aren’t always required, but previous experience of working with children is beneficial. You’ll need to be confident with maths and English. NVQs at Levels 2 and 3 are offered by some schools.
Salary Between £12,400 and £13,900, is the norm, possibly rising to £16,000+ in some areas.
Registered childminder
If you’re keen to stay at home and look after your own child, but make money in the process, then childminding is ideal. You can legally look after up
to six children: up to three under-fives and up to three more five- to eight-year-olds. You must register with Ofsted who checks that you, as an individual, and your home are suitable to provide childcare.
Why it works
- You can work from home.
- Your child can stay with you.
Qualifications You must be over 18 and will be required by law to have a CRB check. A training and first-aid course are required once you start.
Salary Varies depending upon your location, but typically around £10,000 to £18,000.
Best jobs for over 40s
Direct seller
Essentially, this career involves selling goods from the comfort of your own home – think of the Avon lady or The Body Shop parties. In the UK, direct selling is the largest provider of part-time, independent earning opportunities, which means if you are looking for part-time flexible work, then life as a direct seller could be the perfect career path for you.
The majority of direct sellers tend to be women (81% in 2010 in fact) and the Direct Selling Association has witnessed a 29% increase in recruits over the age of 50 in the past year. Indeed, there are currently estimated to be around 120,000 direct sellers over the age of 50 in the UK.
Why it works
- Direct selling is a flexible career that allows you to work as much – or as little – as you wish. You can aim to adjust your earnings accordingly, too.
- It gives you a chance to break away from the regular nine to five.
Qualifications Direct selling is open to anybody. It doesn’t matter what qualifications you have or what age you are, although a passion for the product is important.
Salary Depending on the amount of time and effort you are able to put into your direct selling, you can expect to earn anything from under £1,000 up
to £50,000 in a year.
Franchisee
This is a great opportunity to get started in business, without the worries that can arise when setting up on your own. A franchise is an agreement that exists between a company and the franchisee, whereby the latter is licensed to sell the organisation’s product or service and will immediately be associated with
an already-established brand.
This doesn’t mean that becoming a franchisee is an easy option, by any means, but if you are in possession of that entrepreneurial drive then it could be the perfect solution.
Why it works
- It gives you the opportunity to go it alone without taking big risks.
- You can use the life and work experience and self-motivation you have built up throughout your career to drive your own business.
Qualifications No formal qualifications are necessary but an entrepreneurial flair and passion for business are essential.
Salary This varies depending upon the franchise you choose but the average start-up cost of a franchise is £46,600. This is formulated from a number of charges including franchise fee, equipment, stock, training, working capital and other such charges.
Freelancer
In this career, you will be classed as self employed and hired by companies on a contractual basis to carry out some kind of service. Services provided can be anything from website building to accountancy, as freelancing has permeated almost every industry and sector. However, it is particularly prominent in the creative and digital sector – so if this is where your skills lie, it could be worth doing.
Why it works
- You can be your own boss.
- Gives you the flexibility to work on an as-and-when basis.
Qualifications These will totally depend upon which profession you are freelancing within – industry-specific qualifications will show potential clients that you are skilled in that field.
Salary This varies depending upon your industry, level of experience and how many hours you work each week.
Best jobs for a total change
Care assistant
Working in care allows you to help vulnerable people on a hands-on basis alongside healthcare professionals in either a hospital or in a patient’s home in the community. It’s a really varied role and may involve carrying out simple medical tasks such as taking patients’ blood pressure. With the number of over 65s predicted to constitute 23% of the UK population by 2034, the demand for care that caters to this growing bracket will certainly increase in coming years.
Why it works
- It allows you to re-train in a field where helping others is paramount.
- It’s a UK growth sector.
Qualifications Although no specific qualifications are needed, experience
of caring will definitely prove beneficial. Additionally, you can study for an NVQ in health or health and social care to take on more responsibilities.
Salary Newly qualified, expect around £13,000 to £16,000. More experienced assistants can earn around £18,000.
Science and medical sales representative
A career in sales can be a very rewarding but demanding choice. In the case of pharmaceutical or medical sales, you will typically be selling B2B (business
to business) and building relationships with other businesses that require specialist medical equipment or devices. For this reason, the confidence and ability to have in-depth dialogue about the products with key decision makers will be critical.
Why it works
- If you’re experienced in the medical or care profession, your knowledge can be applied to an entirely new challenge.
- A career in sales – if successful – will often prove very remunerative indeed.
Qualifications A science- or healthcare-related qualification or degree will often be expected, although many people do enter the field with work experience in the sector instead. Good communication and negotiation skills will be essential.
Salary Sales positions are usually commission- or target-based with a low basic salary. Salaries usually start at between £18,000 and £24,000, rising to £60,000+ at senior level.
[This article was originally printed in at home magazine's 'Just the Job' careers supplement in April 2012.]
Words: Jessie Bland
Image: Shutterstock
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