South West London BranchCareers Conference31 March 2012

Alternative Careers

Myrna Hamilton & Alain Hendrich

…. but it is not the only way to make a living.

If you want to pursue an alternative, do so with your eyes open.

You can be an employee …

Consultancy Non-Executive DirectorCoaching Public AppointmentsInterim Selling productContracting Writing/reviewingTrainer Voluntary [Internship]

Alternative Career Choices

The upside of working for yourself

• Choosing what you do and when you do it• Variety of who you work with• Personal learning and development• Freedom from office/organisation politics• Increasing earnings• Tax advantages

…………and the Downside

• Fluctuating earnings• Lack of security• No paid sick pay, holiday pay, pension

contribution• Personal responsibility for your own CPD• Loneliness

• A clear Skill or Skillset that has a market• Marketing skills• Social/networking skills• Organisational skills• Resilience• Flexibility

What Skills do you need?

• Your Market • Your Network• Your office, equipment, resources• Marketing tools – business cards, website,

brochure, trading name• Accounts and taxation• Insurance

How do I get started?

Interim WHEN?• to cover a vacancy • to lead a change programme• or to develop new business

HOW?• Suitably over-qualified• Hits the ground running• No-fuss finish

TERMS• Usually daily rate (by invoice)• Can be contracted under PAYE (pro rata salary)

ConsultancyWHEN?Specific expertise for specific purpose• e.g. chosing an HR System, developing new policy, conducting a staff survey• Coaching

HOW?Client expects deep specialist knowledge (and some general)

TERMS?Day or hourly rate payable by invoice

Trainer

CALLS FOR

•Specific expertise area in Learning & Development methodology•Facilitation skills

Can be in an HR subject – eg diversityCould be in a non-HR subject – eg project management

So need subject area expertise .. or an ability to develop this

Non-Executive Directorships

• Nominal number of days per month• Paid fixed amount per month• Hidden extras• Excellent CPD • Excellent network development• … Have to be one to become one ?

Some Examples

• Charities • Housing Associations • non-execs.com £70pa www.exec-appointments.com• NHS Trusts• Various Commissions• Professional Bodies – Fitness to Practice eg GMChttp://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Public Appointments

• Nominal number of days per annum• Paid per diem• Not many hidden extras• Limited CPD • Some network development• … May need a very specific skill set

Thank You

Myrna Hamilton and

Alain Hendrich

South West London Branch