For a better work-life balance, think about these 12 flexible careers

Do you feel stuck in the nine-to-five grind? If you leave work wishing for more hours in the day, you may want to explore some jobs with a better work-life balance. Whether you want to work fewer hours or do your job from home, a flexible career can give you the freedom you crave.

In this article, we’ll help you explore some flexible careers for work-life balance, including:

• A list of 12 flexible jobs in different industries

• Information about each job, including its responsibilities

• The educational and skills requirements for these careers

1. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistants provide remote support to individuals or businesses. They can handle a range of tasks, such as answering calls or emails, scheduling meetings, performing data entry, and conducting research. They can also provide virtual support to company executives. For example, they might make travel arrangements or prepare reports.

Since virtual assistants don’t need to be in offices, they can work from anywhere. Some companies also hire part-time or freelance virtual assistants, which can offer even more flexibility.

If you’re interested in this flexible career, you’ll need a high school education. Some skills necessary for this job include:

• Verbal and written communication to make calls and respond to emails

• Familiarity with computer programs and office applications

• Organizational skills to stay on task in remote environments

2. Interior designer

Interior designers plan the look and feel of spaces, such as homes or office buildings. They create functional design plans and choose interior fixtures, such as lighting, paint, flooring, furniture, and other materials.

Some companies hire full-time interior designers who can work remotely. Other designers work for themselves, choosing their clients and setting their own schedules. With technology, such as videoconferencing tools and design software, interior designers can do most of their work from home.

Most interior designers have a bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field. In some states, you’ll also need to pass a certification exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. Essential skills for this job include:

• Presentation skills to explain interior design goals in clear terms

• Proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) software to create 3D models

• A sense of creativity and imagination

3. Data scientist

Data scientists make sense of information using math, programming skills, and statistical techniques. They use machine learning algorithms and data mining methods to gather and interpret information. With this data, companies can predict trends and make informed business decisions.

It’s an in-demand job, since many companies need professionals who can manage and translate large amounts of data. Some businesses offer remote jobs for data scientists. You can also work on a part-time or contractual basis to process data for companies as needed.

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for this job, and some employers require data scientists to have a master’s degree. Besides an education, you’ll need these technology skills to become a data scientist:

• Data mining

• Data visualization

• Statistics

• Machine learning

• Programming languages, such as Python or SQL

4. Photographer

Professional photographers take and edit photos for clients. In this flexible career, you can work in a variety of industries, such as e-commerce, sports, or media. You can also choose to specialize in an area of photography, such as weddings or real estate.

Many photographers work as freelancers, which allows you to set your own rates and schedule. While you may need to travel to photograph clients, you can perform much of the work at home, such as editing photos and meeting clients remotely.

You can become a photographer with a high school diploma, though a degree in art, visual design, or film can be helpful. You should also have these skills:

• Marketing and networking skills to promote your business

• Knowledge of camera technology

• Proficiency with photo-editing software

5. Freelance writer

Freelance writers create content, such as news articles, website copy, blog posts, and books. They may also research topics, find verifiable sources, and conduct interviews. These writers complete projects for clients, so they need to be flexible in their writing style to match a client’s brand voice and style guide.

You can have flexibility as a freelance writer by choosing the clients and projects you want to have. You can also write for different industries, such as healthcare, travel, or technology. Freelance writers usually work from home or in remote office spaces.

There are no educational requirements to become a freelance writer, though it helps to have a degree in English, communications, or a related field. You’ll also need to build a work portfolio and have the following skills:

• Excellent writing ability to produce clear, informative content

• Research skills to learn about new topics and verify information

• Adaptability to write for different audiences

6. Graphic designer

A graphic designer creates visual materials, such as logos, illustrations, advertisements, or website graphics. Many businesses hire graphic designers to make creative, memorable images for their brands.

Many graphic designers work on a freelance basis. They find and accept commissions and perform their work remotely. Other graphic designers work in-house at companies or agencies, though they may still work from home thanks to illustration software and desktop publishing tools.

Some graphic designers are self-taught, while others earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. To pursue this flexible career, you should also build these skills:

• Proficiency with design tools, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

• Customer service to meet clients’ requirements and respond to feedback

• Time management to complete and submit projects by their due dates

7. Personal trainer

Personal trainers help others achieve healthy lifestyles through diet and exercise. They create nutrition plans and fitness routines for their clients. They may also lead training sessions or group classes.

Some personal trainers work in gyms or fitness centers, where they often have flexible schedules. Others work for themselves and have private clients. If you choose this route, you may be able to increase your rates as you build a client base, allowing you to work fewer hours.

While educational requirements for personal trainers can vary, most need a professional certification. You should also be certified in CPR and first aid. Some helpful skills for this career include:

• Communication skills to motivate and encourage clients

• Familiarity with human anatomy and physiology

• Knowledge of exercise techniques, strength training, and nutrition

8. Developer

If you’re looking for a flexible career in technology, consider becoming a developer. As a developer, you build, test, and troubleshoot software applications. There are different types of development to explore, such as software development or mobile app development. You can also become a web developer, a cloud developer, or a front-end developer.

Besides the wide range of roles you can pursue, this career comes with additional flexibility. Many companies hire developers who can work from home in both part-time and full-time roles. You can also become a freelance or contract developer, working with various clients on your own schedule.

Developers usually need a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field. Along with a knowledge of programming languages, you should have these skills to be successful:

• An understanding of user experience (UX) design principles

• Creativity skills for designing functional, visually appealing interfaces

• The ability to troubleshoot software and find solutions to bugs or glitches

9. Massage therapist

Massage therapists use therapeutic techniques to help clients minimize pain or relieve stress. They can specialize in a specific area, such as Swedish or deep-tissue massage. As a massage therapist, you can find work in different settings, such as spas, gyms, and hotels.

Many massage therapists work flexible hours based on when they have appointments. You can often find part-time positions for massage therapy. You can also work for yourself and offer private massage services. 

While you won’t need a bachelor’s degree for this career, you may need to complete a massage therapy program and become licensed in your state. Some skills you will need as a massage therapist include:

• Physical stamina to give massages to multiple clients each day

• Familiarity with human anatomy, including muscles, joints, and tissues

• Compassion to work with clients who may have stress or pain

10. Real estate agent

Real estate agents represent clients to buy or sell properties. They usually specialize in an area of real estate, such as residential, commercial, or industrial. Real estate agents also negotiate offers and handle paperwork to finalize sales.

Real estate agents who become brokers can work for themselves. They can set their own hours and choose how many clients they want to have. Additionally, many agents work from home when they’re not showing properties or attending networking events.

You don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent, but you will need to complete a course and become licensed in your state. Besides those requirements, real estate agents usually have these skills:

• An understanding of the real estate market and industry trends

• Sales and marketing skills to find clients and promote properties

• An ability to negotiate offers to get the best deal for clients

11. Social media manager

A social media manager oversees a company’s presence on different platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. They plan social media campaigns, respond to followers’ comments, and represent the company online.

Many companies hire full-time social media managers, though you can often find remote jobs in this field. You can also go into business for yourself by becoming a freelance social media manager. This path allows you to make your own schedule and work from anywhere.

A bachelor’s degree in marketing or business can be an asset for social media managers, though a strong portfolio may be all you need to find work. You should also have these skills:

• A comprehensive understanding of different social media platforms and trends

• Proficiency with analytics software to measure the success of campaigns

• Marketing skills to represent companies positively on social media

12. Customer service representative

A customer service representative interacts with a company’s customers to answer questions or provide support. They may recommend products or services, handle complaints, or process returns.

You can find customer service positions in many companies and industries. Some hire representatives who can work from home, using remote technology to answer calls or emails. You can choose whether to apply for full-time or part-time positions. You can even work in temporary customer service roles, such as over the holidays.

Most customer service jobs only require a high school diploma. In addition, these skills are essential for the role:

• Communication skills to answer questions and explain policies to customers

• Patience when interacting with frustrated or dissatisfied customers

• A knowledge of business tools and systems, such as customer relationship management (CRM) software

Not sure which flexible career is right for you? Discover different career pathways with Career.io’s Career Exploration and plan your way to freedom!

Key takeaways

1. There are many types of flexible careers you can pursue based on your interests and skills.

2. Some flexible jobs have minimal education requirements, while others may require you to earn a degree or certification.

3. You can have more work-life balance by looking for jobs with flexible schedules or work arrangements.