Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Do you always seem to juggle about four different tasks between 2 and 3 p.m.? Or, perhaps you have a commute that isn’t dreadful except for rush hour, and then it’s positively hideous! Have you thought about how lovely it would be if you could begin work an hour earlier and then take an extended break in the afternoon?
Maybe what you need is a job with a flexible schedule.
When considering the best way to grow your career while creating a work-life balance, a flexible work schedule can be one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Although there are many forms of flexible work options, the one with the most flexibility is a job that offers you the ability to build a flexible schedule.
However, not all flexible jobs offer the same scheduling options, so understanding the nuances is essential to avoid moving to a new role only to discover that it still doesn’t meet your needs.
What Is a Flexible Job?
A flexible job is a job that offers more flexibility than the traditional 9-to-5, in-office job. While people often think of flexible schedules when they search for flexible jobs, there are positions available that offer other types of job flexibility.
Remote, hybrid, temporary, per diem, and compressed schedule jobs are all examples of what a flexible job can be.
For many people, however, a flexible work schedule is a job’s biggest perk. Choosing when you work can make a big difference in your quality of life, and it’s one of the most important factors to consider when looking for a new job.
It’s crucial to remember that not all companies offer the same level of flexibility.
Taking Control of Your Schedule
Essentially, flexible schedule jobs allow people to be mostly in control of which hours they work. These hours can be varied by day, week, month, or year.
Flexible schedules can be created and managed by the employee, or the employee and employer may work together to create a flexible schedule that works for both parties.
If what you’re looking for is flexibility, make sure to ask about the specifics of a company’s flexible work policy before applying for a job. With an increasing number of companies offering flexible schedules, finding a job that fits your scheduling needs is becoming easier.
So, if you discover that a company you’re considering doesn’t provide the flexibility you’re seeking, there’s a good chance you can find a different company that does with a little more digging.
7 Types of Flexible Schedule Jobs
There are a variety of flexible schedule jobs available, including full-time and part-time opportunities.
Some allow employees to work outside the 9-to-5, while others offer a compressed schedule. There are also freelance or temporary jobs for workers who prefer even more-flexible careers.
It’s all a matter of knowing what job flexibility you want and where to look for it.
Following is an overview of types of jobs that can entail flexible schedules or other forms of flexibility in hours.
1. Alternative Schedule
Alternative schedule jobs are jobs where your working hours are not the traditional 9-to-5. Jobs with alternative schedules can allow you to take on a second shift or work only on the weekends, leaving your weekday, daytime hours available.
Other examples are jobs where you work early mornings or late in the evening, which enables you to tackle other tasks during the day, such as going to classes or caregiving.
Note that jobs with alternative schedules are similar to but not the same as jobs that offer flexible schedules. The main difference is that flexible schedule jobs give workers more control over which hours they work.
2. Compressed Schedule
Having a job with a compressed schedule means working more hours over fewer days. A prime example of this type of schedule is the four-day workweek, where employees work 10 hours a day for four days.
The benefit of jobs that offer this schedule is a three-day weekend without a reduction in pay.
However, this isn’t the only schedule compression available.
For example, there are jobs where employees can work 12-hour shifts, three days a week. In this arrangement, workers get four days off every week they can use to rest or dedicate to other interests.
3. Freelance
While there are jobs that let employees make their own schedules, freelancing allows people to have even greater control over what hours they work.
Freelance jobs can be ideal for self-motivated individuals who’d rather work for themselves. Freelancers have the liberty to pick and choose who they want to work with from project to project.
In addition to picking their work schedule, freelancers can often work from anywhere.
4. Full-Time
While a full-time job is often thought of as a fixed 9-to-5, there are employers that structure their schedules differently, both in work hours and location. Full-time jobs with flexible schedules allow employees to schedule their workday to overlap with the hours where they feel most productive.
On the other hand, full-time hybrid work creates a balance between working in-office and remotely. Both these and other flexible options offer employees the benefits of full-time jobs bundled with greater day-to-day variability.
5. Part-Time
Generally, part-time jobs are those where employees work 35 hours or less in one workweek. Apart from the shorter work commitment, this type of job could also allow you to work outside of regular business hours.
In fact, some employers even allow part-time workers to choose their hours or what days they will work. Part-time flexibility means you can schedule classes, appointments, or even freelance gigs while still having a steady job and gaining professional experience.
6. Remote
Nowadays, there’s more than one remote work arrangement. Some employers offer the option of working remotely, while others offer hybrid arrangements where you spend some days in the office and others working from home.
There are also 100% remote and freelance positions where workers have the freedom to set their work schedule. The main benefit of remote jobs, regardless of the exact arrangement, is increasing flexibility and work-life balance, such as by reducing the time and costs of commuting to an office.
7. Temporary
Temporary jobs are short-term positions, often opened when an employee is out on leave or during seasons when employers need more workers to cover demand, such as tax season or busy holiday seasons.
These positions require only a temporary time commitment. Temp workers can enjoy a steady income for a fixed period and have the freedom to plan trips or other work projects for when that period ends.
Discover Companies Hiring for Jobs With Flexible Schedules
While you can find a flexible schedule job in almost any industry, we’ve rounded up companies that post flexible schedule positions to give you an idea of the career possibilities in the flexible job market.
- Aramark is an award-winning facilities management, foodservice, and uniform provider that serves wide-ranging industries, clients, and businesses around the world.
- Lockheed Martin is an international security company that conducts research and designs, develops, and manufactures technology systems, products, and services.
- Nexthink is a software company that combines end-user feedback and real-time endpoint analytics to help other information technology (IT) businesses improve how they impact their own customers.
- Postman is a privately held startup that offers a complete API development environment that allows developers to utilize tools during every stage of the API lifecycle.
- Welocalize, a global translation and localization company, helps brands capture business worldwide by reaching, engaging, and growing their international audiences through multilingual content and data transformation.
More Companies With Flexible Schedules
- Circle Medical is a health care services company employing board-certified doctors who visit patients in their homes or offices to provide a range of preventative and lifestyle health care services.
- Khan Academy, a nonprofit organization specializing in online instruction and education support, offers an online learning platform to provide free, world-class educational tools for people everywhere.
- Prime Therapeutics helps people get the medicine they need to manage their health by managing pharmacy coverage for patients through employers, health plans, and government programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare.
- TELUS is an award-winning, Canada-based company that provides superior broadband and communication systems to customers throughout the northeastern Americas.
- WalletHub is a financial services company that provides a one-stop resource to help individual consumers and small-business owners make more informed financial decisions.
