The job market is tougher than ever, so if you’re looking for a bit of extra cash, you’re going to have to get creative when student money making.
Private tutoring is something that many students do to make ends meet. You’ll already have a lot of the necessarily skills, and though you’d need a PGCE to go into teaching in schools, there’s nothing stopping you from setting up shop and offering the service on a private basis.
If it sounds like something that could float your boat, we’ve put together everything you should know.
Why is it such a good option?
It’s a great money maker
You can earn some pretty decent cash being a private tutor. The exact amounts will vary depending on where you’re based and what your subject specialism is, but you can expect to be able to charge between £25 and £35 per hour. That definitely beats working in a bar.You’ll get some fabulous experience
Private tutoring will look good on your CV, and in many ways, you’re showing your initiative and ability to think outside of the box. When it comes to applying for a graduate job further down the line, you’ll have a clear advantage over those who have just worked in shops during their time at university.
You can work the hours you want
Most students have a hard time balancing their jobs with their studies, but when you’re self-employed, you can pretty much pick and choose the hours you work. A lot of private tutor jobs can now be done online, so you might not even need to venture out of the house!
Are you the right sort of person?
Just like any job, private tutoring isn’t for everyone. If you’re going to succeed, there are a few personal qualities that you’ll need.
Can you manage your own workload and finances?
One of the joys of working for an employer is that they’ll look after the tricky stuff, such as knowing how much work you have to do and sorting out the finances. If you go into tutoring, you’ll have to manage these things yourself, as well doing the actual day job.Can you work with people?
Even if you’re working online, you’ll need to deal with people on a regular basis. This requires empathy, understanding and the ability to tailor your work to their needs. If you’d rather just get on with what you’re doing without having to interact with others, this line of work probably isn’t for you.
Not forgetting that you may have to deal with people of all ages.
4 things you need to know
So, you’re loving all the benefits of private tutoring and you think you’ve got what it takes. Before you rush into anything, here’s what you need to know!Registering for tax
Being self-employed, you’ll need to register withHMRC for tax purposes. Unfortunately, working for yourself doesn’t mean that you can escape the taxman. This is really important, so make sure you do it sooner rather than later.
But remember if you earn below the personal income allowance threshold you will be eligible to avoid paying any tax.
CRB checks
If you’ll be working with people under 18, it’s worthwhile getting a CRB check. Many parents will ask to see this before they’ll even consider taking you on.
Legal issues
When you’re working as a private tutor, you should have a contract in place between yourself and your students, which covers the technicalities of your relationship. This will include your rate of pay and the hours that you’ll work. Taking a little time to get this in place will save you a lot of potential headaches in the long run.
Deciding how much to charge
As mentioned, private tutoring can be lucrative. When it comes to setting your prices, the ball is pretty much in your court. Try starting out at the lower end of the spectrum, and increase your prices as you get more experience.
Where to advertise
To get your private tutoring off to the best start, you’ll need to advertise your services. Here are a few ideas.The Internet
There are several websites where you can sign up to be matched with potential students, including First Tutors. A lot of these will charge either a one-off fee or an ongoing cut of your wages, so bear this in mind before committing yourself.
Your local area
If you’re going to be offering your services in your local area, it makes sense to advertise locally. Find out how much it’ll cost to place an ad in the newspaper, and look out for newsagents that will let you put a card in their window. It’s a great way to spread the word about what you’re doing.
Be creative to get yourself out there. You could ask to talk at a local school parents’ meeting for example.
When it comes to making cash on your own terms, private tutoring could be just the ticket.