You don’t need to be at a crossroads in your career to want a job that offers more flexibility and a better work-life balance.
More and more of us are seeking professional fulfilment in a role where we can work around what matters most to us as individuals, be it our family, friends, a sense of purpose or otherwise.
But, taking the first step along a new career path can be incredibly daunting. With so many options and unknowns, deciding which route is right for you can feel impossible.
To make the job-hunting process less intimidating, we’ve compiled this definitive list of the best flexible careers in the UK. Whether you’re a single parent with childcare responsibilities or just searching for a role with fresh challenges, you’ll find everything you need to start your career change journey.
1. Online tutor
If you have a passion for education and want to benefit people on their academic journey, online tutoring might be the career for you.
Whether you’re a seasoned educator or an expert in a specific field, online tutoring allows you to choose your work schedule while empowering others to achieve their full potential.
Advantages of online tutoring
- Flexible hours: As an online tutor, you can choose when you want to work, whether you prefer full-time or part-time.
- Work from anywhere: Online tutoring eliminates the need for a physical classroom, as you can teach from the comfort of your home (or any location with a stable internet connection).
- Positive impact on students’ lives: Being an online tutor allows you to witness (and have a hand in) the progress and success of your students. Helping students achieve their goals and gain confidence in their abilities can be incredibly rewarding.
Things to consider
- Technical challenges: Online tutoring relies heavily on technology, and technical issues such as internet connectivity problems, software glitches, or hardware malfunctions can disrupt your sessions.
- Lack of personal interaction: Unlike traditional in-person tutoring, online tutoring lacks the same level of face-to-face interaction. Tutoring online can make it challenging to connect with students.
- Competition and market saturation: The popularity of online tutoring has led to increased competition in particular subjects or niches.
Despite these points, many tutors overcome challenges and create a successful and rewarding online tutoring experience. As an aspiring online tutor, if you’re aware of these things, you can develop strategies to mitigate them effectively.
Online tutoring is for you if…
You love the idea of positively impacting your students’ academic lives and want to leave your daily commute in the past!
2. Healthcare assistant
The healthcare sector offers many flexible roles that allow you to make a difference while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Whether you’re a seasoned medical professional or exploring a new path in healthcare, flexible roles in nursing and care home support offer the freedom to tailor your work hours to suit your lifestyle.
Advantages of flexible healthcare assistant roles
- Work-life balance: Flexible healthcare roles allow you to have better control over your work schedule. This flexibility lets you balance your professional commitments and personal life, reducing burnout and improving overall well-being.
- Customised hours: Flexible healthcare roles often allow you to choose your weekly working hours, whether through part-time positions, job sharing, or adaptable shifts.
- Personal growth and skill development: In a flexible healthcare role, you can take on diverse responsibilities, work with different patient groups, and engage in various healthcare specialities. You’ll constantly be learning and growing on the job.
Things to consider
- Inconsistent income: Flexible healthcare roles may come with fluctuating income, possibly making financial planning and stability more challenging.
- Limited benefits: Some flexible healthcare roles may not have the same benefits as full-time positions. This can include reduced or no access to pension plans or paid time off.
- Difficulties with career advancement: In some cases, flexible healthcare roles may need more career advancement or promotion opportunities. Climbing the career ladder or accessing higher-level positions within your chosen field may be challenging.
A healthcare assistant role is for you if…
You’re after a dynamic and adaptable work environment that allows you to thrive and positively impact patient care.
3. Driving instructor
Becoming a driving instructor presents a fantastic opportunity to steer your career in a new direction. In this career, you’ll empower new drivers with the skills and confidence they need to navigate the roads safely. There are many pros and cons of becoming a driving instructor, but for the right person, this flexible, people-first career couldn’t be a more perfect choice.
Advantages of becoming a driving instructor
- Flexible working hours: As a driving instructor, you’ll often have the flexibility to set your own work hours. You can choose a full-time or part-time position to accommodate your needs and give you the ultimate work-life balance.
- Job stability: People will always need help obtaining their driving licences, so the demand for driving instructors is relatively steady. This stability will provide you with a consistent stream of potential clients and job security.
- Rewarding job: Being a driving instructor allows you to teach learners an essential life skill, coaching them to become safe, competent drivers. Having your students succeed and gain independence can bring you great satisfaction – especially when you see their faces light up after passing their driving test.
- An in-demand profession: There is currently a shortage of driving instructors in the UK, so ADIs are in high demand. This means qualified instructors with good work ethics can easily fill their diaries with paying customers.
Things to consider
- Working with students: As a driving instructor, you’ll need strong communication and interpersonal skills to build trusting relationships with students from all backgrounds. You must also remain calm and professional in all situations to prevent accidents and while being vigilant for potential accidents or dangerous situations on the road.
- Licensing and certification requirements: Of course, you can’t just start training straight away. To make sure you’re teaching students to the best possible standards, you’ll need to complete your driving instructor training first. This can take around 6-12 months to complete, although you can begin earning money while you’re a trainee driving instructor by working under a PDI licence.
Driving instruction is for you if…
You want a flexible job that lets you work as much or as little as you want while providing an important service to people of all ages.
4. Freelance writer or content creator
With the rise of digital marketing and online content, freelance writers and content creators are in demand. Whether you possess content writing, graphic design or web development skills, freelancing is an exciting opportunity that allows you to choose projects that align with your passions and interests.
Advantages of being a freelance writer or content creator
- Schedule flexibility: You can set your work hours, allowing you to create a schedule that fits around commitments, your social calendar and other interests.
- Location independence: Freelance writing can be done anywhere with an internet connection, whether from the comfort of home, your favourite coffee shop, or while travelling.
- Variety of projects and clients: As a freelance writer/content creator, you can work on a wide range of projects and with a wide range of clients. This diversity keeps the work engaging and allows you to continuously expand your knowledge and expertise.
Things to consider
- Irregular income: Freelance writers often experience fluctuations in revenue due to the variable nature of projects and clients. There might be periods where your skills are in high demand, leading to good earnings, followed by lulls in work, resulting in financial uncertainty.
- Admin responsibilities: You’re responsible for your creative work and administrative tasks such as invoicing, contracts, and managing finances. These additional responsibilities can be time-consuming.
- Lack of collaboration: Freelance writers often work independently, leading to feelings of isolation and a lack of regular collaboration with colleagues.
Freelance writing or content creation is for you if…
You want a rewarding and independent career that combines creative freedom, flexibility, and the potential for professional growth.
Train as a driving instructor with Bill Plant Driving School
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a driving instructor, consider Bill Plant Driving School. We employ hundreds of dedicated instructors nationwide and provide flexible instructor training courses so you can learn in ways that suit you.
But don’t just take our word for it. The Intelligent Instructor Awards recognised our team as the Training Provider of the Year and the National Driving School of the Year 2023!
We provide a wide range of nationwide driving instructor training courses so you can learn to teach in a way that suits you. Some of our training courses even include accommodation, so you don’t need to worry about finding a place to stay after a day behind the wheel.
Moreover, once you receive your qualification, you can become a Bill Plant Driving School franchisee and make the most of that impressive average driving instructor salary of £31,000.
So what are you waiting for? Get in touch to take the first step towards an exciting, flexible career.
FAQs about flexible jobs
What are the best jobs for parents?
The best job for you, as a parent, depends on your individual skills, interests, family dynamics, and priorities. However, there are some job roles more suited to family life thanks to their flexibility and work-life balance, including:
- Driving instructor
- Content writer or blogger
- Online tutor
- Photographer
- Remote software developer
- Freelancer or consultant
What are the best part-time jobs for mums/single parents?
Part-time jobs are often a great option for mums and other single parents who want to balance work with their parenting responsibilities. Here are some of the best jobs for single parents/mums:
- Retail sales assistant
- Teaching assistant
- Driving instructor
- Administrative assistant
- Freelance writer or editor
- Graphic designer
- Pet sitter or dog walker
- Hairstylist or makeup artist
- Home staging
- Childcare provider
