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05.29.08, 08:03 AM General Topics
58 replies
Anyone have an idea for me? I really need to get some sort of job or find some way to bring in some money. I've never had a real job except waitressing. Spent most of my working life as a singer/commercial actress and then got pregnant. have 2 kids, a few hours off during the day when older DC is in school and I have a sitter for younger DC. Usually take that time to workout, run errands and volunteer at older DCs school, but need to make some money. College degree, typing, great at organizing and talking to people. Very good writer. I stay up late at night so could do some work from home. Ideas? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 05.29.08, 08:03 AM Flag
 

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waitressing at a high end lunch place in midtown? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:04 AM Flag
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i used to be a great waitress but I can't go back to it. first of all, the shifts are too long. 2nd, my body can't take it any more. Third, and please don't flame me for this, but it wouldn't be a good moment if I ended up waiting on one of DH's colleagues or some of our "friends". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:06 AM Flag
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I understand this, truly. It is probably the best paying work you could get in that time period with your resume. I waited tables at various points in my life First, make sure your daughters don't put themselves in this position (my mother stressed this kind of thing to me, based on the limited choices she had). How about a teaching assistant or teaching a drama class? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:10 AM Flag
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Teaching would be great for me, but I'm wondering if it really is a way to make money. I'm sure I'd love doing it, but I'd probably make less than I pay my babysitter! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:12 AM Flag
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With your lack of experience and need for flex hours, I honestly don't think you are going to make much money no matter what job you get. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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that will be true of most jobs for you, unless kids are in school....call something like Broadway Babies or Hands On or Music Together and see what openings they might have [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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I do have a fantasy of being one of the Little Maestros. I used to take my kids to maestros classes and harmonize with them the whole time! Think they take 38 year old Maestros? Probably not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:17 AM Flag
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I might make a case for myself as a mom.....same with any of the above....and experience with children. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:22 AM Flag
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Teach exercise classes -- that's what my SIL does. Basically combines the working out with making money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:05 AM Flag
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Almost no money in doing this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:07 AM Flag
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that's a thought. Although I'm not in THAT great shape. I'd have to do some major, major training to be that person! I was thinking more of a desk or phone type job. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:07 AM Flag
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With no experience and no contacts, I think it's going to be tough. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:08 AM Flag
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OP: I have a lot of contacts....in other words, I know a lot of people in lots of different fields. But I have to know what I want before I can go to friends/associates and ask for help. If I could figure out the kind of job I need, I'm sure I'd have a friend or a friend of a friend who could help me. Also, I know this sounds silly, but I really think that my volunteer work (both in my DCs school and in charities) could make up a decent resume. I used a lot of skills in those "jobs" and had a lot of responsibility, even if I wasn't paid. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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Okay. I think you're being a bit optimistic, but I'm not going to burst your bubble. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:17 AM Flag
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try for a paid job at one of your charities [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:24 AM Flag
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[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:27 AM Flag
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madison avenue clothing sales job [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:29 AM Flag
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You know what? Now THERE'S an idea! Plus I bet I'd get a discount on clothes! (you know...for gifts. LOL) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:10 AM Flag
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It sounds like you do have good skills and have had a lot of responsiblity, but you are really limited by the hours you can work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:08 AM Flag
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OP: Yes that is true. It's like I want (and need) some earning hours but I'm still committed to the idea of being a SAHM. I liked that freelance writer idea because I do have writing skills and I could do that work at night or a few hours during the day. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:12 AM Flag
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what kind of hours are you thinking of? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:09 AM Flag
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afternoons during the week or working at home after the kids are down at night? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:11 AM Flag
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Maybe try a temp agency. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:13 AM Flag
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that's really tough. Maybe a freelance writer? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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Freelance writer is a great idea....do you have any idea at all how one begins to get that kind of work? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:15 AM Flag
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the freelance writers on UB laugh at people with no experiene who think they can just start doing this out of thin air. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:16 AM Flag
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I laugh at anyone who has no experience working in an office who thinks she can just land a job in an office based upon her organizational skills and make more money than her sitter. But that's just me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:18 AM Flag
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OP: That's OK, they can laugh. They started out one day, too. nobody was born with freelance writing experience! I have experience writing for the charities I've volunteered for and I've written for our school newsletter. I also have some playwriting experience and I've written copy for some friends' web sites. So any idea how I could get started? TIA. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:21 AM Flag
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send your resume to publishers like mcgraw-hill and aspen publishers, both of which hire freelance copy editors. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 10:05 AM Flag
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thanks! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 10:58 AM Flag
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go to a temp agency -- you could probably get placed as a receptionist somewhere. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 10:02 AM Flag
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Are you single mom or do you have a partner? My dw is in food service. She works a few nights per week after I get home. She makes good money and if she had to could go back to rest./food service management. (You might also look to corporate food service. They do a lot of lunches. Need wait staff.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:08 AM Flag
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I have a DH who is in finance. I really don't want to wait tables right now. I'd prefer something at a desk, on the phone or on a computer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:10 AM Flag
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OK, what is your degree in? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:20 AM Flag
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np: It doesn't sound like OP has a degree. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:21 AM Flag
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she said she did, but no non-acting professional experience [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:23 AM Flag
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OP: right. Singing and acting only. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:26 AM Flag
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OP: I have a BFA from NYU in Theatre. Four year college with full academic credit load plus 3 days week/8 hours a day studio work for my theatre major. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:24 AM Flag
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She said in her original post that she has a college degree. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:24 AM Flag
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have an office job now and would love a flex schedule, hard to get. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:24 AM Flag
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I think in your case you're going to have to spend a little money first brushing up on some skills. Sounds like you want an admin position and you need something more solid than typing. Perhaps an online course in MS Office. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:27 AM Flag
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OP: Right now I know excel and word. What else do you think I need? Like Power Point maybe? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:28 AM Flag
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How well do you know them? Like you've used them somewhat, or you are very proficient? I work in an office, and a lot of the admins *think* they know them, but all they can do is really type into them, not use most of the advanced features. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:32 AM Flag
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I would say I am very profient at Word...I have had to use it for graphic design-type purposes for the charities and schools I've volunteered for, just because I don't know/have access to a real grafics or layout program. I feel like I can make Word do just about anything I need it to do. Excel I am proficient at if I don't have to wrap my head around too much math. in other words, i could not use Excel to crunch numbers but I can use it to its full extent for data processing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:14 AM Flag
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You should get into the resume and coverletter writing business [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:33 AM Flag
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That's something I'd be good at. Any idea how I could start that? I wouldn't want to start my own business simply because I don't yet know the industry standards for each resume/cover letter. i'd like to learn the business from someone else first. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:15 AM Flag
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you could do medical transcription from home at night if your typing skills are good. Do you mind if I ask -- if your dh is in finance and you have a baby sitter, why do you need to make $$? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 08:38 AM Flag
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OP: this is a legit question. Teh best way to pay yourself might be to fire your babysitter. You'd be bringing home $15 per hour after tax. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:10 AM Flag
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[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:20 AM Flag
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[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:25 AM Flag
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Gotta support that OTB habit. ;) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:12 AM Flag
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OP here (the person two up from me is not OP, she was just addressing me I think). OK so basically, my DH has lost money in the last 2 years, just like all of us wall street families. However we have not made reductions to our standard of living. We have encountered a few large expenses this year, household and medical. We have not taken a vacation because of this. i have not purchased any new clothing or anything for myself or DH in over a year. I am not sending younger DC to any extra curricular classes or activities. I do not claim any of this to be a hardship. We are very lucky people with a nice home, school and food on the table. I just feel that with this reduction in income I need to start contributing. I do contribute of course in my role as a SAHM, but I think given that I'm a smart and educated person I should also bring in a bit of cash. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:18 AM Flag
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I don't really understand this. If you work, it's highly likely that unless you totally luck out you'll not even be covering the cost of the babysitter. So you won't be contributing. Honestly it sounds like you need to suck it up and get rid of the sitter. Put the kids in your gym's babysitting while you work out or something for your free time. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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Have you thought of PR? I run a firm and good writing skills, as well as ability to communicate/sell well on the phone (typical of actors) is a plus. Of course you'd need to show writing samples or similar [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:15 AM Flag
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I've always had an interest in PR. In fact, I'm the on-call PR consultant for my friends in show business...I always write out for them what they should say at auditions or on the phone to their agent. I also offer this kind of advice to friends applying to schools. I'm good at phrasing things in a positive or constructive light! I'm also good at delegating, multi-tasking and managing. I have a great sense of how things "come off" and how brands and people are (and will be) perceived. I do NOT have great spelling skills but I am a slave to Spell Check and would be mortified if any professional work EVER went out with spelling errors on it! Any interest in letting me send you some writing samples? BTW, I'm good in person. Professional actress, put together, yada yada. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:22 AM Flag
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Sure, I have to log off, but if you want to send your email I'll contact you. I'm actually looking for a business development person now....which is probably not what you want/can do given the hours but I've found ex-actors are generally very good at it. But it's "smiling and dialing," and not really doing PR or writing. Still I will watch this post and we can talk, if only via email. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:28 AM Flag
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I am totally interested! Please email me at SearchingForNewNanny@gmail.com! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 09:29 AM Flag
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why not be a music together instructor or something like that [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.29.08, 11:03 AM Flag
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