Want A More Flexible Job? Here Are The Top 4 Career Fields To Consider.

By Ashley Stahl, Originally Published in Forbes

The workplace is transforming, and the cubicle 9-to-5 office life might become a distant memory sooner than we think—and for good reason.

Employees want more flexibility. In fact,?30% of people ?reported leaving a job because it didn’t offer flexible work options, and out of all the members on LinkedIn,?31% claim flexible work arrangements ?are very important when considering a new job.??

Employers seem to hear these demands, considering that?78% 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 9:15 a.m. as opposed to 9:00 a.m. 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.?An easy way to understand this during an interview is to ask, “How would you describe the work culture here?”... And pay attention to their adjectives.?

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 you want flexibility, employers tend to opt for the hire who has the least resistance to signing their soul over to the company.?

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% reported being more productive , less stressed and happier overall than those in the office for a standard workweek. In this way, the flexible job increase isn’t just a benefit for employees, but also employers. Happy employees keep retention levels high, and avoid the high cost of replacing a lost employee.?For every employee that is lost a company losses on average?33% of their annual salary ?to replace them. These flexible work options also?helps employers ?reduce overhead costs on real estate.

Google ?allows employees to set their own working hours.?Microsoft? lets their employees choose their starting time, as long as it is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.?Dell ?allows employees to work from home and believes that work is a thing you do, not a place you go. There are many different flavors to flexibility.?Why one are you?

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.

1. Tech Jobs?

Among flexible jobs, software development and IT are career paths with a major?growth projection of 30% by 2026 , and the salaries are only going to rise with more and more companies placing larger funding into their IT budgets.?

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.

Another area within tech careers is the unique combination of sales and engineering. Sales engineers work about?64% remote and make roughly $108k per year. ?Although you do need an engineering background, and the soft skills to work in sales, the flexibility benefits that come with this career path are quite large. If you are able to both explain and sell complex products and services in a compelling fashion, you can find financial and career success in this niche.

Although the remote work does lend itself to flexibility, do take note that there is often stress associated with the sales aspect of the career, since compensation is often hinging on the closure of deals.

2. Media and Communications Jobs

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, brand strategist, and PR representative.?And since most of these options are freelance, you have the ability to pick and choose who, what, where and when you create content...?It doesn’t get much more flexible than that.

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 agencies, universities or charities with an?average salary landing around $50,000 . This is different than an interpreter, as that is someone who translates verbally in real-time.

3. Trade Jobs

Most of the jobs in this field, such as a plumber, electrician, mechanic or carpenter, require specialized training, however, they do offer major flexibility in working hours.??

What is interesting about these careers is that as more and more young people went to four-year universities, fewer students went to trade schools.?When you consider that the?last wave of Baby Boomers , who make up the majority of trade workers, are set to retire in this decade, it leaves their crafts in high demand.?And we know what that means, an increase in the value of their expertise.?

The majority of these careers offer flexible scheduling, a sense of entrepreneurship if you own your own trade business and?an increased salary .?These jobs are something to consider if you enjoy work outside of the office, problem-solving and helping others.

4. Medical Jobs

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.

Roles such as masseuses, personal trainers, and physical therapists are now about to go to a clients home or office early in the morning or later in the evening.?The work schedule is really up to you and when you choose to see clients.

If flexibility looks like having the opportunity to travel, consider becoming a travel therapist or nurse.?Not only is this great for flexible living, but if you are looking to pay off the medical student loans, travel nurses make on average?$10,000 per year ?more than a standard registered nurse.??

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 here.?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.

For a FREE course to land a new job you love, launch your dream business, or find your purpose, visit https://ashleystahl.com/