Get a better work-life balance: Two successful typing contractors tell us how
Catherine ByrneIf getting a better work-life balance is your New Year’s resolution, why not consider becoming a typing contractor with Pacific NZ?
There are many benefits to becoming a successful typing contractor. You get to be your own boss and have the satisfaction of running your own business. Every day is different, and you get to participate in lifelong learning.
Getting a better work-life balance is a goal for many people. I asked two successful typing contractors what attracted them to this type of work. Here’s what they said.
What first attracted you to becoming a typing contractor?
Tanya S.: The ability to work from home. At the time I started I had a newborn, and it gave me the opportunity to be there for her while she grew up. Also, I really love typing, so this was always going to be my dream job.
Tanya W.: My husband and I decided to move out of the big city. We’d had enough of having to leave home in the early hours to get to work, sitting in traffic and then not getting home until quite late in the evening. It was a dream of ours to live on the Coromandel but employment opportunities are few and far between with a lot of the work being seasonal. Becoming a typing contractor meant that I could take the skills I’d gained from working as a Police typist and work potentially anywhere in New Zealand so long as I had access to the internet, so off to the Coromandel we went.
What things do you like most about being a typing contractor?
Tanya S.: I love the work itself; you can learn so much from what you type. Also, I love the feeling of accomplishment of completing jobs.
Tanya W.: I love being able to work from home during the hours that suit me. For the first time in my working life, I feel I have the work-life balance just right. Having a school-aged child means that I can be there for her after school. The work is varied and interesting. I don’t know from one day to the next what the subject matter will be, but every day I learn something new.
Are there any things you don’t like about typing contracting?
Tanya S.: Being self-employed can be tricky at times, you don’t get holiday pay, you have to sort out your own taxes. But the benefits far outweigh any downsides.
Tanya W.: There’s nothing I don’t like about typing contracting, but being self-employed can have its drawbacks. I work alone which can feel a bit isolating at times. All the decision-making is done by me, which can have both positive and negative consequences, but I’ve got no one else to blame if I make a bad call.
What advice would you give anyone who wanted to become a typing contractor?
Tanya S.: Brush up on your grammar and spelling, accuracy is so important. Make sure you are happy to work from home, as it’s not for everyone. If you like the hustle and bustle of an office with lots of people to talk to, this may not be the career for you. But if you have great time management and enjoy typing, I’d definitely recommend it.
Tanya W.: Working from home means you have to be disciplined about working when you should be. If you’re not typing, you’re not making money. Speed and accuracy are key in this line of work.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Tanya S.: It’s important to do your research on what company you’d be working for, there are a lot of scammers out there, and also a lot of places that don’t pay what you’re worth.
Key take-outs: Working as a typing contractor…
- enables better work/life balance and flexibility – you can set your own hours to fit in with your family and community life.
- provides varied and interesting work – you are actively engaged in your own lifelong learning.
- means you’re self-employed and responsible for every decision you make. Remember, you have to sort out your own taxes and you don’t get holiday pay unless you set that aside, yourself.
- is perfect for people who thrive and flourish when working alone. It may get isolating on the odd occasion, so you need to enjoy your own company and genuinely enjoy typing!
- requires self-discipline and strong time-management skills, and exceptional grammar, spelling, typing speed and typing accuracy.
One more tip: make sure you do your research. Pacific NZ encourages prospective typing contractors to thoroughly research the company they wish to contract to, not only to find out the skills and talents sought after but to also ensure the company is a reputable company.
If you’re interested in becoming a successful typing contractor with Pacific NZ, click on Pacific NZ’s Careers section to find out more. You’ll also find a link to submit your online application with Pacific NZ.
