With a tough job market that discourages job seekers, you’re wondering if there are any recession-proof jobs with flexible schedules that pay well that you can take on. Thankfully, these jobs exist but you won’t always find them in the local classified ads or online job boards. You’ll need to tap into the hidden job market to locate these jobs. Network with friends, relatives, and former colleagues to find work. Tell them about your career goals and previous work experience. Attend job fairs and industry events to speak with potential employers. Send professional cold emails to hiring managers and inquire about openings. Here are a few good-paying jobs with flexible schedules.
Substitute Teaching
If you love to work with children and you want a job with flexible hours, substitute teaching is a neat job for you. Your main duties include reviewing and carrying out the absent teacher’s lesson plans, maintaining order in the classroom, take attendance, provide extra activities as needed, assist students with classwork, and leave reports of their day to the absent teacher. The pay varies by state and school district and the hours are flexible.
Social Media Manager
This is one of several jobs with flexible schedules that you can do from home. Social media managers create social media marketing campaigns, monitoring and posting on clients’ social media accounts, analyzing data from campaigns to measure their effectiveness, and responding to users’ questions and comments. You also don’t need a four-year-degree for this job since you can take certification courses online or create and manage social media accounts for relatives and friends.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are responsible for cleaning patients’ teeth, performing oral care, and educating them on the best dental care procedures to use at home. You can work full-time or part-time and the average annual salary is $87,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You’ll need an associates degree in dental hygiene and this program generally lasts three years. Once you complete the program, you’ll need to obtain a license from your state by taking a certification exam.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers often work for design agencies or for themselves as freelancers. They meet with their clients to discuss how they want their projects to be completed and they use photo editing software and layout software to create these projects. Once the graphic designer knows what the client wants, he develops a plan for how he’ll do the project. Some graphic designers get a bachelors degree in fine arts while others are self-taught. The average annual salary is $58,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data Analyst
Data analysts collect, store, and analyze data for companies to assist companies with making the best decisions. They use software programs such as Python, SQL, and Tableau to create their projects. Data analysts earn $74,000 annually. You can work from home and the hours are flexible. Many data analysts hold bachelors degrees in data analysis, computer science, or mathematics.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists assist injured persons in managing their pain and improving their mobility. They develop plans of treatment for patients that detail the goals and outcomes they desire for them. Physical therapists do this through exercises, certain equipment, and hands-on therapy. They primarily help patients who suffered back injuries, falls, accidents, and strokes. You’ll need a bachelors degree and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited program. After graduation, you’ll complete a clinical residency. Finally, you’ll need to take a licensing exam and get your license from the state.
Pharmacists
There will always be a need for pharmacists and their work is especially in demand by the growing number of aging Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. Pharmacists distribute medicines to patients and give information to the patients about dosage and instructions for using the medicines. Other duties include:
- Administering vaccines
- Checking patients’ medical conditions to ensure that the medicines don’t cause negative reactions.
- Resolves patient complaints and communicates with insurance companies and doctors.
- Trains new pharmacy technicians
Pharmacists will need to get a bachelors degree and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited pharmacy program. The pharmacy program lasts four years and after graduation, you’ll take a licensing exam to get a license from your state. Pharmacists earn $136,000 annually.
Virtual Assistant
This is another one of several jobs with flexible schedules you can do remotely. Virtual assistants provide online administrative assistance to businesses. These tasks include scheduling appointments, managing and sending emails, organizing calendars, and doing live chats. Some virtual assistants do tech support duties such as troubleshooting technical issues and assisting customers with fixing their websites.
Proofreader
Proofreaders edit written materials for proper grammar, sentence structure, and factual accuracy. Proofreaders must pay attention to detail and have a strong knowledge of English grammar. Start by doing practice proofreading projects and putting them on your website. Then create a professional profile on LinkedIn and include a link to your portfolio website. Apply for freelance proofreading jobs and send cold emails to employers who would hire proofreaders such as magazines, local newspapers, and other publications.
Online Tutors
Online tutors are one of the best educational jobs with flexible schedules. Online tutors assist students with a variety of subjects across all grade levels. You can work on websites such as VIPKID and Chegg. If you’re a retired teacher, this is a neat option.
Freelance Photographer
The good thing about this job is that you can create your own schedule and choose your clients. Build a portfolio of pictures and show it to potential clients. Ask relatives and friends to let you take photos at their events and refer you to people they know.
Childcare Center Worker
This is a flexible job that involves the care of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. You’ll need to have patience, attention to detail, and the ability to come up with creative ways to entertain and educate younger children. You may also need certification and an associate’s degree in early childhood education to enter this career. You should also adhere to strict safety regulations to protect the children you care for.
These jobs are not only flexible but are also in high demand. Some pay better than others, but if you want a job that lets you work around your schedule, these are great choices.
