The Top 25 Flexible Jobs With the Most Growth Potential in 2016
“One of the things people don’t realize about flexible jobs is that they exist in practically every career field,” says Brie Reynolds, director of online content at FlexJobs. “Most of them are jobs you’d recognize – but there’s still a feeling that flexible and remote jobs are only for certain professions, like writing and consulting.”
To help dispel the myth that flexible work – i.e., telecommuting options, flexible schedules, and freelance arrangements – is only available to certain professionals in certain industries, FlexJobs put together a list of 25 flexible jobs that are likely to be in high demand in 2016. What may be surprising about this list to some is the wide swath of industries present here: Roles in every field from law and education to finance and medicine show up on FlexJobs’s list.
“We loved lists from Business Insider and Lifehack about future job opportunities and high-potential jobs for 2016 (‘The 21 Best Jobs of the Future ‘ and ‘10 Jobs with the Most Potential in 2015 and 2016 ‘), and [we] compared the jobs that made their lists with the flexible job listings on our site,” Reynolds explains. “This gave us a great list of the the most high-potential flexible jobs in 2016.”
Reynolds hopes that this list will show job seekers and career changers that yes, flexible work opportunities do exist in most professions.
“We hear from people like working parents, baby boomers, military spouses, caregivers, millennials, people with disabilities, and others who either want or need flexible work options, and a list like this shows them where the most opportunity exists in 2016,” Reynolds says.
The list also has some repercussions for employers: Given how in-demand flexible work is, companies looking to attract top talent in the job market would do well to implement flexible work policies in their workplaces.
“As more companies adopt flexible work policies or update their current policies to offer better options – and see how flexible work benefits the bottom line – there will hopefully be more pressure on other companies to follow suit,” Reynolds says.
The Top 25 High-Potential Flexible Jobs in 2016, According to FlexJobs
1. Accountant
Accountants work in a variety of capacities to help individuals and companies prepare tax returns, research tax issues, and perform budgeting, assessment, and reporting tasks.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, temporary and seasonal options, freelance options
2. Athletic Trainer
Working in a variety of locations, like sports medicine centers, gyms, health care companies, schools, sports teams, and medical centers, athletic trainers are responsible for providing patient care, performing injury evaluations, developing treatment options, and implementing rehabilitative athletic treatment plans.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, flexible schedules, temporary and occasional jobs
3. Auditors
Auditors are responsible for the examination, analysis, and interpretations of accounting records in a variety of circumstances.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, seasonal and temporary options, freelance options
4. Computer and Information Systems Manager
Systems managers work to plan, direct, and coordinate computer systems and their administrators.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, short-term and long-term options
5. Computer Systems Analyst
For many different industries and clients, computer systems analysts are hired to configure and maintain application and system software and diagnose and troubleshoot software issues.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time schedules, freelance options, short-term and temporary assignments
6. Elementary School Teacher
Elementary teachers plan lessons, lead students, create an environment conducive to learning, prioritize each student’s needs, and partner with parents and colleagues to manage curricula, materials, and goals.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time or part-time schedules, freelance or permanent options
7. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers are responsible for developing new solutions to assist companies, organizations, and government entities in bettering their environmental footprints and cleaning up previous environmental issues. Tasks include managing projects, writing reports, collecting samples, and more.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, part-time schedules, freelance jobs
8. Financial Manager
Depending on the industry and company, financial managers are responsible for developing financial plans and concepts, evaluating and resolving issues, and directing financial activities across organizations.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time or part-time schedules, freelance roles
9. Home Health Aide
As the population ages, home health aides are becoming increasingly in-demand. These professionals work to provide patients with in-home support for tasks such as meal preparation, ambulation, homemaking chores, and personal care.
Types of job flexibility offered: part-time schedules, occasional jobs
10. Lawyer
Lawyers work in a variety of capacities to help clients navigate the legal and judicial systems in the U.S. Opportunities are found in corporate, litigation, labor and employment, real estate, and many other areas.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, short-term and temporary options
11. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
In home settings, hospitals, medical centers, and hospice care facilities, LPNs assist with patient care, telephone triage, patient treatments, and related activities. A current license is required.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, occasional and temporary options
12. Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
LVNs maintain medical records, assist with call screening, help with physical exams, collect lab samples, and provide other support as needed. A current license is required.
Types of job flexibility offered: full- and part-time, occasional work, flexible schedules
13. Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts work with a variety of clients to help strategy and market planning through research analysis. They design research instruments, collect data, conduct analysis, and issue reports.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules
14. Medical Assistant
Certified medical assistants register patients, document medical notes, assist physicians, review medical charts, and assist with patient care plans.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, occasional jobs
15. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide clinical oversight and coordinate patient care, as well as examine, diagnose, and treat patients, counsel and educate patients, and prescribe medications. A master’s degree and current licensing are required.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time or part-time hours, flexible schedules, telecommuting, occasional and temporary options
16. Office Manager
Office managers are responsible for keeping offices in a huge variety of industries running smoothly. They manage support staff, assist with travel arrangements, manage office supplies and equipment, and do much more.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, short-term and temporary options
17. Operations Manager
Operations managers are responsible for providing assistance to the functioning, planning, and directing of companies and organizations. They typically work closely with other departments like accounting, marketing, sales, and IT.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, temporary and short-term jobs, freelance options
18. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists work with patients with injuries to provide assessment, develop care plans, treatment options, and work with other healthcare providers.
Types of job flexibility offered: part-time, alternative, and flexible schedules, telecommuting, occasional job options
19. Registered Nurse
The responsibilities of a registered nurse include educating patients, performing procedures, and conducting medical assessments. They work closely with other members of the medical staff.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, occasional jobs
20. Software Application Developer
Application developers are hired to create software applications, develop and troubleshoot existing software, and assist with quality-assurance testing.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, freelance options, short-term jobs
21. Software Systems Developer
Software systems developers are responsible for developing operating systems, creating compilers, and developing network software, as well as maintaining these programs.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, freelance options, short-term options
22. Surgeon
Surgeons treat patients for a variety of injuries and ailments, and they also work in management and consulting capacities to help others in the profession with procedures, appropriate care, and claims reviews.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, part-time schedules
23. Survey Researcher
Survey researchers are typically responsible for designing, developing, administering, and analyzing surveys and studies for one or more clients.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, flexible schedule options, freelance options
24. Web Designer
Web designers are responsible for developing a variety of Web-related creative components like websites, newsletters, graphics, digital campaigns, and more.
Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, freelance options, full-time and part-time schedules, short-term jobs
25. Wholesale Sales Representative
Wholesale sales representatives are responsible for overseeing business relationships, maintaining existing accounts, and prospecting new accounts related to selling wholesale goods and services.
Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting