Careers with flexible work hours

Families these days are looking for careers that allow them to strike a healthy work-life balance, and thanks to the Internet, it is possible. The key is to find something that fits your personality, skills and long-term career goals. Jobs with flexible work hours are not limited to retail and fast food anymore. Teachers, home health aides, freelance writers and graphic artists also enjoy variable work hours without sacrificing family time. Here are some more careers with flexible hours.

Real estate agent

As a real estate agent, your primary duties are to help people buy and sell homes, locate the best properties for buyers, arrange open house events, educate clients on the home-buying process, and assist with closing on the sales of properties. The good thing about real estate is that you can set your own work schedule.

Nursing

There is a high demand for nurses and nursing assistants these days, and you do not always need a college degree to enter this field. Many nurses start out as nursing assistants having completed a few nursing courses and a certification exam. Nurses perform physical exams, run lab tests, counsel patients, administer medicines and sterilize medical equipment. Nurses also work flexible hours.

Hairdressers and barbers

Some hairdressers and barbers rent out spaces at established salons, while others have their own businesses. Regardless of which option they choose, hairdressers and barbers often have flexible work hours. The key is building and maintaining a strong clientele. During times when you are not working, you can seek out new clients through your website, social media, and word-of-mouth.

Public transportation drivers

Bus drivers might work a variety of shifts during the week based on customer needs. For example, some drivers might work from early in the morning to late afternoon while others might drive from early evening to overnight. In addition to the flexibility, bus drivers get to talk with diverse people in the community.

Online freelance work

The Internet has made it possible for people to ditch their traditional jobs and find more meaningful and flexible careers. Some types of online freelance work include web writing, tutoring, book publishing, graphic design, and data entry. Many online positions pay decently, although scams do exist. Research online opportunities before choosing which companies to work for.

Call center workers

Many call centers offer positions where you can work from home as an operator who handles issues with customer service. The job gets tedious sometimes, but in the end you will have the satisfaction of helping customers on a daily basis.

Administrative assistants

Administrative assistants perform duties such as scheduling appointments, making phone calls, greeting visitors, preparing business letters and presentations, presiding over meetings in the manager's absence, and organizing files on the computer. They generally work from morning to late afternoon.

These jobs offer a nice work-family balance and they are plentiful. Another plus is that they do not always require a formal degree -- just commitment, hard work and enthusiasm.