Your Stories: Making the switch from teacher to homeworker

Corby-based agent Jon Berridge tells Samantha Mayling that teaching skills transfer perfectly to an agent’s role

Q. Why did you become a homeworker?
When I left university, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I became a foreign exchange consultant in a First Choice agency, but after six months I decided to be a teacher. I worked in education for more than 20 years, becoming an assistant vice-principal in a secondary school. During the pandemic, I felt less in control of my life and started to reassess the way I was living and working. My work-life balance was wrong; I couldn’t switch off. It was a bit frightening to think whether I could afford to take this risk. Then I thought: can I afford not to? I had always loved travel and planning trips, so this felt like a natural step. I joined Hays Travel as a personal travel consultant in June. I’d researched many options, but Hays Travel felt right… it feels like family. Everyone has been warm, welcoming and friendly.

Q. How was the training?
The three weeks’ training with Hays Academy was intense at times. However, the trainer was brilliant and there was plenty of time to ask questions in a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. I met my excellent business development coaches, who are continuing to support me, along with my mentor. It was full-on, with lots of mock bookings, taking enquiries, listening to clients, role playing and creating bespoke holidays that met their needs.

Every day someone would come online from Hays, from the business development team, HR or IT. I started training on June 17 and took my first booking by June 30. I’m amazed by how busy and successful I have been. Initially, I thought I’d build up my business in the evenings and weekends and do supply teaching during the day, so I signed up to a couple of supply teaching agencies, but I’ve not needed to use them.

I began to get messages and my phone was pinging with enquiries

Q. What was your first booking?
I was very excited! It was a cottage in Whitby, for £320, for my brother and sister-in-law. They said Premier Inn prices had gone up, so I suggested cottages and found one with Hoseasons. The following day, I started my Facebook page. I began to get messages and my phone was pinging with enquiries. Over the next three days, I booked five holidays. I’d thought I would book holidays for a couple of friends, family and myself, building up over six months to a year and working as a side hustle that I could do in the school holidays. But I have been so busy with enquiries and bookings, it has gone crazy.

Q. Where do you go on holiday?
I love doing road trips in the US. My husband and I have done Route 66, Washington, New Orleans, Washington DC, Shenandoah Mountain, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dollywood, Florida and California, plus a few cruises and the Greek islands. We’re not tied into school holidays anymore, so next year we will go on a road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City in September. While I am ‘out of the office’, Hays can take over if a customer needs support and I can buddy up with someone. We’ve got a motorhome and we’re away every other weekend. Last week I was in Northumberland and I could work while I was there.

I don’t feel like I’m working – I’m selling joy and hope

Q. How do you find clients?
It started with friends, family and word-of-mouth recommendations. I had expected to do lots of leaflet drops and speaking to organisations and clubs, but it’s not been needed so far. It has all been quite organic. Chasing the sale is brilliant, even though it is alien to me, because I’ve never worked in sales before. I’ve booked the Maldives, Sri Lanka, a safari, New York, lots of cruises and Iceland. I sell anything and everything, but most enquiries seem to be long-haul. I really enjoy the variety. One family I am working with have not been on holiday for 10 years and they are so excited. Some people have lost confidence in travelling, too. I speak to clients on the phone or via Facebook Messenger. I’ve seen a couple of clients at home and I’ve met others at places like Starbucks. I am very flexible to the needs of the client; it is about ensuring that I’m available.

How does the job compare with teaching?

As a teacher, I’d done training, assemblies and parents’ evenings, as well as being a leader in the classroom. Those skills transfer perfectly to an agent’s role, because you’re leading someone to the right information to help them make the right choice. I used to get the Sunday evening blues, but not anymore. I don’t feel like I’m working – I’m selling joy and hope. I love the freedom and flexibility of the role. I tend to deal with enquiries in the morning, then in the afternoon, I arrange normal life stuff – take the dog for a walk – before responses start coming in and I’m working again.

I love planning my own days rather than following a school timetable. I’m in an environment where people are happy because they’re booking a holiday. I get the best of both worlds: no one is telling me what to do, but I’ve got people who support me… they genuinely care for each other and want to bring the best out in each other. It’s everything I loved in my old career without the stress. My only regret is that I didn’t make the move sooner.