As more people seek flexibility in a transforming workplace, Ashley Stahl* lists the jobs that are most likely to conform to what they want.
The workplace is transforming, and the cubicle 9-to-5 office life might become a distant memory sooner than we think — for good reason.
Employees want more flexibility. In fact, 30 per cent of people reported leaving a job because it didn’t offer flexible work options.
Employers seem to hear these demands, considering that 78 per cent of open roles posted since 2016 claim some form of flexible work options — but what does ‘flexible’ really mean?
One employer might consider ‘flexible’ to mean arriving at 9:15am as opposed to 9am.
On the other end of the spectrum, it could mean full-time remote work or alternative scheduling.
When looking into careers with more flexibility, it is very important to get curious about what this actually looks like to your employer.
If you don’t get the information you want, take note to ask them about their flexible work options after you have a job offer in hand.
While it’s fair to want flexibility, employers tend to opt for the hire who has the least resistance to signing their soul over to the organisation.
Once you have a firm understanding of what your version of a flexible job entails, you can begin to consider the benefits it will bring into your career and your life.
Out of employees with flexible jobs, 91 per cent reported being more productive, less stressed and happier overall than those in the office for a standard work-week.
Happy employees keep retention levels high, and avoid the high cost of replacing a lost employee.
Google allows employees to set their own working hours. Microsoft lets their employees choose their starting time, as long as it is between 9am and 11am.
Dell allows employees to work from home and believes that work is a thing you do, not a place you go.
If having more flexibility in your career is a key for you, here is a list of the top fields and careers you can pursue to make this dream a reality.
Tech
If developing, creating and modifying computer applications and programs interests you, this could be the right fit for your flexible needs.
Like most software jobs, you can work remotely and the hours that fit your needs best.
Do note that the hours can run long, and even into the weekend if a project is on a deadline or a major issue pops up.
Media and communications
Some of the most common career paths for flexible work revolve around writing, editing and creating communication content.
All you need is a laptop, a sharp creative mind, and attention to detail to typically get these jobs done.
This looks like anything from being a copywriter, copy editor, content writer, and brand strategist.
Another career path that falls under this category is that of a translator, and typically entails translating documents from one language to another.
If you have the gift of speaking multiple languages, this is an excellent option to allow yourself the flexible schedule you crave.
Most translators work for Government, universities or charities.
This is different from an interpreter, as that is someone who translates verbally in real time.
Medical
This may surprise you, but medical jobs aren’t always confined to the hospital.
With an increase in at-home care, more medical tasks are happening remotely.
Nurses are now able to offer diagnoses and medical advice over the phone, x-rays can be reviewed via computers and services for therapy can happen at your home.
I once had a client come to me ready to give up her physical therapy career due to feeling stuck.
Once we figured out her frustrations were rooted in not feeling free to explore, she began to practice as a travel therapist moving to new cities a few times each year.
This completely filled her free spirit while reinvigorating her passion for helping others.
Most times, it’s all about making small adjustments in your career to find the right fit.
When it comes to finding a flexible job, the sky is really the limit.
If you have the drive to develop the necessary skills for these career fields you will be able to find a job that meets the level of flexibility you desire.
It’s time to stretch out and get flexible with how you view your job options.
*Ashley Stahl is a career coach, keynote speaker, podcast host and author. In a previous life she was award-winning counter-terrorism professional. She can be contacted at ashleystahl.com.
This article first appeared at forbes.com
