Long term unemployed looking for suggestions on jobs (WFH/Remote?)

PeteSouthgate72

Sorry in advance if this post sounds a bit waffled but I've been self employed online poker player since the age of 18 to 30 living mainly abroad in Thailand. My situation is unusual for potential employers as sometimes I feel poker is misunderstood and I'm immediately marked as a "gambler". I'm even hesitant to mention it at all on my CV, however if I don't mention poker there will be a gap of nearly 15 years to account for. I don't have a degree from University and only have a little bit of work experience that's on my CV from when I was late teens in a clothing store. 

I'm in a position in my life now at 33 where I'm fortunate enough to not HAVE to work as I've managed to create a decent net worth. However this is due to me currently living in Thailand where my cost of living is lower than the UK. I may be getting married and having a family in the next year or two so thinking of relocating back to the UK may be a wiser move. I'm unsure whether trying to jump into full time employment would even be best or perhaps trying to get some part time experience would be better at first. My preference would be to find something which I could do from home, maybe some type of online admin? In general I feel as though I've been fortunate to live a life of leisure with plenty of free time since my mid twenties however the last year with Covid around has got me feeling a little bored with my spare time. I'm still fairly young and would like to explore ideas which may take my interest in terms of something to focus on and earn a bit of money at the same time. I've a natural passion for sports, keeping healthy, video games and animals. In the last few years I've taken it upon myself to set up multiple online groups for sports (via Meetup) in which I'm the main admin and I've also organised small fundraiser events through sports for some animal shelters and children's homes. I feel as though I'm organised and enjoy doing the admin side of things for the groups though I'm unsure what skills I've attained throughout the years and how they would be useful in terms of any times of employment - I feel totally out of touch with the realities of a regular working life. I've always been pretty handy with computers so two years ago I enrolled onto a basic CompTIA certification course with the plan on completing it and trying to get an entry level IT support role. But decided after 2/3 months of studying the material that I wasn't really enjoying it. I don't think? I'm opposed to learning a new skill but for some reason I gave up on the course - maybe I am unmotivated. 

In the next few months I was hoping to do some volunteering football coaching out here in Thailand so I could add some recent experience onto my CV (I've got basic coaching qualifications from the FA). However I'm unsure if this will even be possible due to the Covid situation right now.  I'm posting here as a first call for any advice and appreciate any inputs.

Realistically what chances would I have getting any types of job offers and what should I be aiming at? If I was particularly interested in working from home doing admin tasks is there any certifications out there that may improve my chances of getting this type of work?

Cheers

Marcon

PeteSouthgate72 said:

Sorry in advance if this post sounds a bit waffled but I've been self employed online poker player since the age of 18 to 30 living mainly abroad in Thailand. My situation is unusual for potential employers as sometimes I feel poker is misunderstood and I'm immediately marked as a "gambler". I'm even hesitant to mention it at all on my CV, however if I don't mention poker there will be a gap of nearly 15 years to account for. I don't have a degree from University and only have a little bit of work experience that's on my CV from when I was late teens in a clothing store. 

I'm in a position in my life now at 33 where I'm fortunate enough to not HAVE to work as I've managed to create a decent net worth. However this is due to me currently living in Thailand where my cost of living is lower than the UK. I may be getting married and having a family in the next year or two so thinking of relocating back to the UK may be a wiser move. I'm unsure whether trying to jump into full time employment would even be best or perhaps trying to get some part time experience would be better at first. My preference would be to find something which I could do from home, maybe some type of online admin? In general I feel as though I've been fortunate to live a life of leisure with plenty of free time since my mid twenties however the last year with Covid around has got me feeling a little bored with my spare time. I'm still fairly young and would like to explore ideas which may take my interest in terms of something to focus on and earn a bit of money at the same time. I've a natural passion for sports, keeping healthy, video games and animals. In the last few years I've taken it upon myself to set up multiple online groups for sports (via Meetup) in which I'm the main admin and I've also organised small fundraiser events through sports for some animal shelters and children's homes. I feel as though I'm organised and enjoy doing the admin side of things for the groups though I'm unsure what skills I've attained throughout the years and how they would be useful in terms of any times of employment - I feel totally out of touch with the realities of a regular working life. I've always been pretty handy with computers so two years ago I enrolled onto a basic CompTIA certification course with the plan on completing it and trying to get an entry level IT support role. But decided after 2/3 months of studying the material that I wasn't really enjoying it. I don't think? I'm opposed to learning a new skill but for some reason I gave up on the course - maybe I am unmotivated. 

In the next few months I was hoping to do some volunteering football coaching out here in Thailand so I could add some recent experience onto my CV (I've got basic coaching qualifications from the FA). However I'm unsure if this will even be possible due to the Covid situation right now.  I'm posting here as a first call for any advice and appreciate any inputs.

Realistically what chances would I have getting any types of job offers and what should I be aiming at? If I was particularly interested in working from home doing admin tasks is there any certifications out there that may improve my chances of getting this type of work?

Cheers

You have a decent amount of money stashed away and looking at your other posts, also own at least one (?more) BTL properties.

Would you really be happy doing some sort of basic admin job as somebody else's employee? You might find the novelty wears off quite quickly - by lunchtime, say.

There must surely be some way to monetise your skills and experience in the UK - but with your background, doing it on your own terms (i.e. setting up your own business) is surely a better way to go than a fruitless job hunt which isn't likely to give you any real satisfaction. Try https://www.gov.uk/browse/business for all sorts of helpful info.

Savvy_Sue

I used to work with a semi-professional bridge player: they needed a job to keep them solvent, because when they needed the money they would lose at Bridge, but when it didn't matter they would win. Well, that was their story. I have a feeling that was on their CV, although I can't be sure. 

This was in the days before 'online' was ubiquitous: if you wanted to play Bridge, you went and sat at a card table in a physical venue. They would occasionally arrive at work after a long night at the club and no sleep. 

We also had a semi-professional musician, similar story: they needed a job to keep them solvent because the gigs didn't. One day they were very late to work, and that day their reference arrived - reading between the lines, they'd left their previous job before being asked to do so for poor timekeeping. As it turned out, they'd had a flood at their flat. No landline, no mobile (no-one did, back then) so couldn't get out to phone in. They turned out to be perfectly reliable after that, maybe our expectations for timekeeping were lower. 

So I think I'm with Marcon, you might be able to get a suitable job (and goodness knows the employment market has changed since then) but I'm not sure how easy it would be, or how easy you'd find it to stick at it. 

Grumpy_chap

PeteSouthgate72 said:

I've been self employed online poker player since the age of 18 to 30 

My preference would be to find something which I could do from home, maybe some type of online admin?

I'm still fairly young and would like to explore ideas which may take my interest in terms of something to focus on and earn a bit of money at the same time. I've a natural passion for sports, keeping healthy, video games and animals. 

Could you provide training in how to play poker - possibly could be an online business?

Video games could be a business if your skill level is suitable for treating it as a sport.  Some will laugh at that link, but there are people who make money from it.  Again, it may be possible as a remote task, or at least the training could be.

Otherwise, leave the house and either a PT / sports coach, dog trainer or dog walker etc.

PeteSouthgate72

Marcon said:

PeteSouthgate72 said:

Sorry in advance if this post sounds a bit waffled but I've been self employed online poker player since the age of 18 to 30 living mainly abroad in Thailand. My situation is unusual for potential employers as sometimes I feel poker is misunderstood and I'm immediately marked as a "gambler". I'm even hesitant to mention it at all on my CV, however if I don't mention poker there will be a gap of nearly 15 years to account for. I don't have a degree from University and only have a little bit of work experience that's on my CV from when I was late teens in a clothing store. 

I'm in a position in my life now at 33 where I'm fortunate enough to not HAVE to work as I've managed to create a decent net worth. However this is due to me currently living in Thailand where my cost of living is lower than the UK. I may be getting married and having a family in the next year or two so thinking of relocating back to the UK may be a wiser move. I'm unsure whether trying to jump into full time employment would even be best or perhaps trying to get some part time experience would be better at first. My preference would be to find something which I could do from home, maybe some type of online admin? In general I feel as though I've been fortunate to live a life of leisure with plenty of free time since my mid twenties however the last year with Covid around has got me feeling a little bored with my spare time. I'm still fairly young and would like to explore ideas which may take my interest in terms of something to focus on and earn a bit of money at the same time. I've a natural passion for sports, keeping healthy, video games and animals. In the last few years I've taken it upon myself to set up multiple online groups for sports (via Meetup) in which I'm the main admin and I've also organised small fundraiser events through sports for some animal shelters and children's homes. I feel as though I'm organised and enjoy doing the admin side of things for the groups though I'm unsure what skills I've attained throughout the years and how they would be useful in terms of any times of employment - I feel totally out of touch with the realities of a regular working life. I've always been pretty handy with computers so two years ago I enrolled onto a basic CompTIA certification course with the plan on completing it and trying to get an entry level IT support role. But decided after 2/3 months of studying the material that I wasn't really enjoying it. I don't think? I'm opposed to learning a new skill but for some reason I gave up on the course - maybe I am unmotivated. 

In the next few months I was hoping to do some volunteering football coaching out here in Thailand so I could add some recent experience onto my CV (I've got basic coaching qualifications from the FA). However I'm unsure if this will even be possible due to the Covid situation right now.  I'm posting here as a first call for any advice and appreciate any inputs.

Realistically what chances would I have getting any types of job offers and what should I be aiming at? If I was particularly interested in working from home doing admin tasks is there any certifications out there that may improve my chances of getting this type of work?

Cheers

You have a decent amount of money stashed away and looking at your other posts, also own at least one (?more) BTL properties.

Would you really be happy doing some sort of basic admin job as somebody else's employee? You might find the novelty wears off quite quickly - by lunchtime, say.

There must surely be some way to monetise your skills and experience in the UK - but with your background, doing it on your own terms (i.e. setting up your own business) is surely a better way to go than a fruitless job hunt which isn't likely to give you any real satisfaction. Try https://www.gov.uk/browse/business for all sorts of helpful info.

Marcon

I've got one BTL that I own outright that's valued at around 650k and I've got around 350k in financial markets. These assets generate me roughly 25k-30k each year through the rental income and dividends.

It doesn't sound that appealing but I think being able to do something from the comfort of home may be my preference - I don't doubt what you say about the novelty wearing off quick. I'm going to explore some jobs that perk my interest but I think having the flexibility to work from home is important for me.

I believe I do have some degree of experience in risk management and problem solving both which are important factors to be successful as a professional. Though I haven't been able to be in a regular working environment to put these to the test and not entirely sure what careers would benefit from someone with these skills.

Appreciate the reply anyway and I'll take a look at the gov site for business whilst in a lockdown here.

Savvy_Sue said:

I used to work with a semi-professional bridge player: they needed a job to keep them solvent, because when they needed the money they would lose at Bridge, but when it didn't matter they would win. Well, that was their story. I have a feeling that was on their CV, although I can't be sure. 

This was in the days before 'online' was ubiquitous: if you wanted to play Bridge, you went and sat at a card table in a physical venue. They would occasionally arrive at work after a long night at the club and no sleep. 

We also had a semi-professional musician, similar story: they needed a job to keep them solvent because the gigs didn't. One day they were very late to work, and that day their reference arrived - reading between the lines, they'd left their previous job before being asked to do so for poor timekeeping. As it turned out, they'd had a flood at their flat. No landline, no mobile (no-one did, back then) so couldn't get out to phone in. They turned out to be perfectly reliable after that, maybe our expectations for timekeeping were lower. 

So I think I'm with Marcon, you might be able to get a suitable job (and goodness knows the employment market has changed since then) but I'm not sure how easy it would be, or how easy you'd find it to stick at it. 

Sue

I could go back to playing poker full time offline as nowadays it's a lot more profitable than playing online. However unless I'm based in London the live poker scene only really gets going from evening and goes on into the night. I've always had a preference for trying to stay on a relatively normal schedule waking up during sunrise and not being sat at poker tables until late into the night. Funnily enough I don't really like casinos or the gambling scene in general.

Appreciate the reply

Grumpy_chap said:

PeteSouthgate72 said:

I've been self employed online poker player since the age of 18 to 30 

My preference would be to find something which I could do from home, maybe some type of online admin?

I'm still fairly young and would like to explore ideas which may take my interest in terms of something to focus on and earn a bit of money at the same time. I've a natural passion for sports, keeping healthy, video games and animals. 

Could you provide training in how to play poker - possibly could be an online business?

Video games could be a business if your skill level is suitable for treating it as a sport.  Some will laugh at that link, but there are people who make money from it.  Again, it may be possible as a remote task, or at least the training could be.

Otherwise, leave the house and either a PT / sports coach, dog trainer or dog walker etc.

Grumpy

There are businesses that offer training courses already so it's fairly saturated. I think I'm a little too old now to get into trying to make some money from playing video games unfortunately. 

I've been looking into doing the FA course for disability football it seems like it would be a very rewarding coaching position. Though I'm not sure how many jobs out there that may give me the chance to use that.

Appreciate the reply

Grumpy_chap

PeteSouthgate72 said:

I've got one BTL that I own outright that's valued at around 650k and I've got around 350k in financial markets. These assets generate me roughly 25k-30k each year through the rental income and dividends.

I've been looking into doing the FA course for disability football it seems like it would be a very rewarding coaching position. Though I'm not sure how many jobs out there that may give me the chance to use that.

Appreciate the reply

You are 33 and financially fortunate enough to be in a position of self-sufficiency should you choose.

Perhaps, in that position, the focus is on personal worth as reward rather than financial, so something like the sports coaching for disability would score highly.  I am sure there is a large demand for such services, though funding (hence salary) will always be limited.

I know someone who provides music (guitar and piano) tuition for a local care home (working age adults with mental impairment) and he finds it extremely rewarding.  He does get paid *something* for his time, but the care home are so pleased to have him work / support them as, apparently, there are many people that are too inhibited to work in such an environment, or simply find it too straining.

Good luck.

PeteSouthgate72

Grumpy_chap said:

PeteSouthgate72 said:

I've got one BTL that I own outright that's valued at around 650k and I've got around 350k in financial markets. These assets generate me roughly 25k-30k each year through the rental income and dividends.

I've been looking into doing the FA course for disability football it seems like it would be a very rewarding coaching position. Though I'm not sure how many jobs out there that may give me the chance to use that.

Appreciate the reply

You are 33 and financially fortunate enough to be in a position of self-sufficiency should you choose.

Perhaps, in that position, the focus is on personal worth as reward rather than financial, so something like the sports coaching for disability would score highly.  I am sure there is a large demand for such services, though funding (hence salary) will always be limited.

I know someone who provides music (guitar and piano) tuition for a local care home (working age adults with mental impairment) and he finds it extremely rewarding.  He does get paid *something* for his time, but the care home are so pleased to have him work / support them as, apparently, there are many people that are too inhibited to work in such an environment, or simply find it too straining.

Good luck.

Yes you're right that I'm seeking a job that will reward me with personal worth. I'm fully aware how difficult being around a care home can be as my late nan was in one the last few years.

Thanks for the advice here anyway Grumpy!