Being a single parent comes with its own unique set of challenges. Finding a job that offers flexibility, stability, and a decent income can be crucial to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As a single parent, it’s important to explore job opportunities that provide the necessary support and flexibility to juggle the responsibilities of parenthood while still maintaining a successful career.
In general, the employment rate for single parents in the UK is quite high. As of July 2022, almost 70% of single parents were employed, with a slight majority (51.8%) employed in full-time jobs and the other 48.2% in part-time positions.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best jobs for single parents, taking into consideration factors such as flexible work hours, competitive pay, and job stability.
Factors to Consider
When searching for the best job as a single parent, there are some key factors to consider:
- Flexibility: Look for jobs that offer flexible work arrangements such as part-time roles, remote work options, or flexible working hours to effectively manage both work and parenting responsibilities.
- Stability: Jobs that provide job security and steady income are important to ensure financial stability for you and your children.
- Childcare Support: Many jobs offer on-site childcare facilities or options for flexible working hours so you can manage childcare responsibilities effectively.
- Work-Life Balance: Consider jobs that offer manageable workloads, reasonable working hours, and opportunities for time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Financial Considerations: Search for jobs that offer competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for additional income or bonuses.
By taking these factors into account, you can find a job that meets your needs as a single parent, allowing you to effectively manage your parenting responsibilities while maintaining a successful professional career.
Jobs We Recommend
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best jobs for single parents to give you a better idea of what’s out there.
Customer Service
While not all customer service jobs offer flexibility, many offer part-time hours and the ability to choose shift patterns or swap with colleagues. Customer service jobs can also be good for single parents who do not want to commit to long-term employment contracts. Many companies hire seasonal workers, so this could be a good option if you are a good communicator looking for flexible work.
Financial or Administrative Jobs
A lot of administrative jobs can be done from home, making them perfect for single parents with young children. Tasks such as data entry, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and online research can often be completed without leaving the house. So if you have experience in the financial industry or in administrative jobs, this could be the perfect fit.
Creative Jobs
If you’re a creative person, there are many opportunities for you to work from home. Graphic design, content creation, and social media management are just a few of the options that allow you to set your own hours and fit your job around your lifestyle.
Transcribing
If you have good typing skills and strong attention to detail, transcription could be the perfect flexible job for you. As the demand for transcription services across streaming platforms grows, so does the demand for audio transcribers. You can work from home as much or as little as you like, and many companies are happy to hire beginners.
Sales
As most sales are conducted online these days, there is potential to work in sales or retail remotely. This gives you the freedom to spend time with your children during the day and make money at a time that suits you. Many sales jobs require no previous experience in the industry, with employers focusing on applicants’ transferable skills instead.
Teaching Assistant
A teaching assistant job is perfect for a single parent who wants to work in education but doesn’t want to commit to a full-time position. Many schools are happy to offer flexible hours and working part-time as a teaching assistant can be a great way to gain experience in the education sector. Your schedule may also coincide with your child’s, making you available to spend time with them in the evenings.
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing jobs can be flexible and allow you to work from home. This could be perfect if you want to be at home to spend time with your children but still build your career. Also, every company approaches marketing differently, so this can be a versatile and interesting career choice.
In Conclusion
Single parents have a lot to think about when it comes to their careers. However, with so many flexible job options available, it’s easier than ever to find a job that suits your needs. For more support and information, take a look at Refreshing a Career’s advice for single parents.
We also have dedicated guides on a variety of topics for parents, including:
Be sure to take a look at our single parent’s jobs board for the latest opportunities in your area.
Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions. And finally, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below for all the latest news and opportunities from Refreshing a Career.
