Typing and/or proof reading from home

kell.b

Can anyone please reply with a list of reputable companies who recruit typists to work from home. I would also be interested in proof reading from home.

I'm a touch typist and have always used this in jobs I've done and have been doing proof reading in my latest job and I would love to do this in my spare time.

Unluckly I received the news that I have been dreading, my contract at work is not going to be renewed. I've been on a temporary contract for just over three years but now due to this stupid recession my company are having to cut costs, so they are getting rid of all temporary contracts. I've been looking for jobs but there's not much out there. I would really love to do some typing from home to boost my income and fit around job interviews that I'll hopefully be getting.

All help is greatly appreciated.

kell.b

Appreciate a list of companies, times are getting desperate. I really need to build up some money before my contract end as I don't get any redundancy money and my savings are very little

Sarahjovi

Try searching on google for Virtual Assistant. There are loads of websites... which hopefully will point you in the right direction!

Amber_Sunshine

You'd be better off trying to get another temporary job to keep you going, TBH. Home-based jobs are often poorly paid, and on bidding sites such as Odesk you're competing against people who can work for very low rates (I saw one job advertising for a proofreader at under $0.50 per hour ...). Proofreading is actually very difficult to get into, don't believe the adverts for courses that imply there is plenty of well-paid work out there. There isn't. I don't know much about typing jobs, but do beware of scams.

Home_Alone_2

How many years typing experience do you have and in what speciality or field?

stebiz

Amber_Sunshine wrote: »

You'd be better off trying to get another temporary job to keep you going, TBH. Home-based jobs are often poorly paid, and on bidding sites such as Odesk you're competing against people who can work for very low rates (I saw one job advertising for a proofreader at under $0.50 per hour ...). Proofreading is actually very difficult to get into, don't believe the adverts for courses that imply there is plenty of well-paid work out there. There isn't. I don't know much about typing jobs, but do beware of scams.

Definitely agree here. I work from home but have built my business up over many years. Some months are very poor, others aren't. Fortunately my wife works and we also have a fair amount put to one side.

Gazing_On_Sunsets

Proofreading is a case of who do you already know. The proofreading courses you see advertised are pretty much scams. Proofreaders for publishing houses tend to be already known to the company as editors or the like, and I rather suspect that many places don't use proofreaders at all now - judging by the quality of the prose from our local council.

I do actually work part time as a proofreader. I originally bought a book that purported to tell me how to do it, but I had no joy in phoning or writing to anyone. I got my current work through word of mouth - a writer friend put me in touch with one of her publishers and I ended up working on a royalty basis, proofreading... erotica. Which has been educational. From that, I've been referred on to two other small presses - one royalty based, one commission based.

I make peanuts from it. I'd love to do more.

I don't want to dishearten you but I got into it through sheer luck, and being in the right place at the right time. So keep your options open, and put word around, and network like mad... but don't make it your principle aim.

kell.b

Thanks for the replies.

I wouldn't be using a work from home job instead of going out to work, but I'm wanting something that I could start now as part time and build some much needed funds up, just in case I don't have a new job when my present job ends. I would then either give it up completly or I would just do it on very, very part time hours to give me some 'treat' money.

I'd never go near the proof reading courses, like everyone said they are often scams, but for 2 other reasons - I can't afford it and I already have the skills.

I have already been doing the word of mouth and networking but everyone I've spoke to is either cutting costs themselves or already has someone doing the work. But I'll keep on trying.

simone1

Keep your fingers crossed. The right job will find its way to you. Keep on advertising, you might run into someone who needs a proofreader one of these days.

Pont

Check your legal position re: redundancy/termination of present contract. I believe temporary workers have the same/similar rights as permanent employees now. Also, not sure if your employer can just opt to get rid of all temporary contracts, thus giving preferential treatment to others. There are others here far more knowledgable than me - hopefully someone will along to advise. In the meantime give your circumstances a google, you may be surprised what gets thrown up! Here's one to start.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/RedundancyAndLeavingYourJob/Redundancy/DG_10029836

You've been working for the same company for more than 2 years?

beth58_2

Check out your employment rights.. Is it a re-newable contract every 6mth or so or, have you had the same contract for the term of your employment?? As you've been with the company 3 yr you may have rights and entitlements as your with an agency. Unfortunately if it's through an agency you sign away all your rights.

Good luck with the proof reading, why not set up your own business? You can apply for all sorts of grants and government loans to do this.