Tips To Find A Career That Offers Greater Flexibility
A 2023 survey revealed that over 80% of UK workers viewed flexibility as instrumental to enjoying a healthy work-life balance. As surveys indicate that factors including well-being, job satisfaction and flexibility have become increasingly important for job-seekers, more and more people are seeking alternatives to traditional 9-5 roles. In this guide, we’ll share some top tips to help you find a career path that offers greater flexibility.
Speak to your boss
The first thing to do if you enjoy your job and you’d rather stay with the same company is to talk to your boss. Data from the British Chambers of Commerce suggests that over 75% of UK businesses now offer flexible working arrangements. Talking to your employer may open doors in terms of working at home more frequently or adopting a hybrid model. It may also be possible to explore options, such as part-time or condensed hours. Remote work has become more commonplace since the pandemic. It’s worth asking the question even if you suspect that the answer may be no. Many employers are willing to be more flexible to attract and retain the best employees.
Look for other roles that complement your skill set
If you love your job but it doesn’t give you the freedom, control or work-life balance you crave, try looking for other roles that complement your skill set. If you are an experienced medical receptionist or you have training and qualifications in healthcare, for example, you could apply to become a medical virtual assistant. Virtual assistants work with medical facilities and providers, offering seamless support services remotely. You can adapt this example to suit your personal preferences and requirements. From sales and marketing to nursing and mentoring, remote roles are more widely available than ever.
Go freelance
Statista figures show there were more than 2 million freelancers in the UK in 2023. This represents an increase of over 600,000 from 2008. Going freelance may suit you if you want to enjoy greater freedom and flexibility, but there are cons as well as pros. While freelancing enables you to manage your schedule and decide which clients or projects to accept, it can be less secure than traditional employment. If you’re a freelancer, you also miss out on employee benefits, such as paid leave and sick pay.
If you’re thinking about leaving your job and going freelance, it’s crucial to consider how you’re going to earn money, find clients and manage your finances. You may decide to stay with the same company but work on a freelance basis, or you might want to explore other contacts and opportunities. It’s important to ensure there’s a demand for the services you offer before you hand in your notice unless you’ve got a rainy day fund you can use to tide you over until you’re earning again.
Being a digital nomad
Being a digital nomad has become increasingly common in the last decade, particularly since the pandemic. When businesses closed in 2020, millions of people worked remotely. Thanks to advanced technology and tools, many people can now work from almost anywhere.
It is estimated that there are around 35 million digital nomads in the world. If this idea appeals to you, it’s critical to understand the reality of working remotely. Some people may have a rose-tinted vision of tapping away at a laptop in a chic cafe in a European capital city or swinging from a hammock on a desert island while negotiating a deal over the phone. This may be representative of some people’s experiences, but being a digital nomad doesn’t mean travelling all the time or going on a mammoth holiday. Most people will need to work hard to secure a steady income. There are also other factors to consider, including logistical challenges, limited access to technology and homesickness.
Set up your own business
Conventional employment offers an array of benefits, but it’s not for everyone. One of the main reasons why people leave the 9-5 is to achieve a better work-life balance. Setting up your own business is hard work, but it’s the ultimate way to take control of your diary and your earnings and pursue a passion. Being your own boss means you don’t have to sign in and out at specific times or complete a set number of hours per week. It also gives you the freedom to take time off when it suits and provides opportunities to be more selective in terms of what you do on a daily basis.
Launching a business requires substantial groundwork and ongoing commitment and dedication. It may look relatively simple on TV shows, but there’s a lot more to it than conjuring up a fantastic idea. It takes time, money and effort to get a product to market or set up a company that delivers services. It’s essential to carry out extensive research and create a detailed business plan. This should cover everything from funding and finding customers and clients to marketing, human resources and sales strategies.
Running a business may be more flexible than going to work for an employer every day, but it can be all-consuming. You may find that you work much longer hours, especially during the early days. A 2022 survey of small business owners in the UK revealed the average entrepreneur worked over 50 hours per week. This is significantly higher than the average employee, which is 36.6, according to the Office for National Statistics.
