So you have set off on your grey nomad adventure and waved goodbye to your normal life.
Good for you. And no doubt you have done the sensible thing and (hopefully) made a budget. But like the rest of your life, a little bit of extra money helps along the way. So what are some ways to make an income while you are on the road?
Here are a few tips to get you started.
Planning is everything
First of all, you can do a few things before you leave.
It’s a good idea to update your CV. If you haven’t done this in a while, it’s worth either having a tech-savvy younger person go over it with you or pay for it to be edited. Employer expectations have massively evolved over the years and your resume could be out of date, even if it’s a few years old. Apart from anything, you will almost certainly need it in digital form.
If you have any trade qualifications, make sure they are updated and have your certifications as part of your CV.
It’s also a good idea to get a few simple qualifications such as a Responsible Serving of Alcohol certificate, Working with Children Check, Police Check and a baby first aid and first aid qualifications. Check online for requirements.
If you are feeling particularly ambitious, it may also pay to get at least a light rigid driving licence, which can make you eligible to drive tractors and trailers depending on what state you are in. Find out more here. This page is for Victoria, but has links through to all other states and territories.
Work it out
If you have the contacts, it may also be worth volunteering in a role you think may be useful on the road to build up your experience before you leave. Maybe learn how to pour some beers at the local footy club, ask a mate to help out on his farm or offer to do some free relief shifts as caravan park manager or at a cafe.
Apart from anything else, these ‘trials’ may make it abundantly clear what work you don’t want to do.
For example, farm work may seem ideal with plenty of potential to follow harvests as you travel but it can be physically exhausting and, let’s be honest, terrifically boring.
I grew up in an area with plenty of vineyards, the last I picked grapes was more than 40 years ago and still the memory lives on in a dark part of my brain. It was backbreaking, hot and dirty and there were plenty of spiders who loved to make their webs around the grape bunches to round out the horror. Never again.
Start searching
Next up, it’s time to get online. There are plenty of online sites to get you started. Simply type in ‘grey nomad jobs’ and a veritable smorgasbord of sites come up.
If you are registering with a grey nomad job site, they all have helpful tips about how to stand out and make your profile noticed. Once you are on the road, update the profile regularly to include any recent work or employer recommendations.
You can also register on house or pet-setting sites. You won’t always be on the road, and a good ‘sitting’ job could break your journey, or even just provide a free place to stay.
It’s a good idea to accept a few sitting jobs before you leave so you have recommendations on your profile before you head off.
If you are considering childcare work, you can also register with a governess, nanny or au pair site. Many remote governess positions are also advertised on employment sites, but agencies have the advantage of providing protection for certain working rights such as pay and conditions.
A close personal friend spent some time as a governess for two young boys, one with learning disabilities, on a Northern Territory station. As well as her workload teaching and babysitting the two boys, there was a heavy expectation that should would also be the unpaid housekeeper. She very quickly learnt to go through an agency for her next position.
Facebook is another excellent resource. As well as pages for travellers, there are also pages for tips and tricks and one to connect farmers with potential caretakers.
Ask around
Another good tip, is when you are on the road, simply ask around. If you are parking your van or camper trailer at a caravan park, just ask your fellow travellers. They often have tips or tricks or contacts that could lead to work without having to lift a finger.
And lastly, like any job, first impressions matter. Just because you are on the road, that’s no excuse not to turn up to a job interview neatly dressed and prepared for any questions.
Have you done a grey nomad trip? Did you work along the way? Why not share your tips in the comments section below?
