Top Career Choice for Flexible Work Hours: Independent Contractors

One-third of visitors named flexible work hours the most-desired job perk in a survey at LearningAndLife.com (http://www.learningandlife.com). Being able to work at home and in a creative environment also appealed to many of the poll respondents. These poll results and recent government statistics emphasize that more and more people are attracted to the rewards of working as independent contractors and sales consultants.

(PRWEB) November 29, 2006 -- When asked, "Which of these job perks appeals to you the most?" 33 percent of respondents voted for flexible work hours in a survey at LearningAndLife.com (http://www.learningandlife.com), a resource for career tips, education advice, and school listings. Government research shows that from February 2001 to February 2005 the number of people employed as independent contractors grew to 10.3 million people, roughly 7.4 percent of total U.S. employment. This desire for flexibility appears to be catalyzing this growth and creating a stronger demand for flexible career training options as well.

The LearningAndLife.com career poll received more than 3,000 responses. Over 1,000 visitors chose "flexible work hours" as the factor most important to their own careers. The next most popular choice was the ability to work from home (29 percent), followed closely by a fun and creative work environment (28 percent), and rounding out the list was the opportunity to take lots of vacation (9 percent).

The independent contractor and sales consultant lifestyle has struck a chord with a number of groups. Stay-at-home moms is one group that appreciates the flexibility of working as an independent contractor. According to the Direct Selling Association, nearly 72 percent of its salespeople are female and 76 percent of their sales force is married.

"Our readers tell us that they want to balance their career choices with work and family commitments," says LearningAndLife.com spokesperson and Managing Producer Lee Ashton. "Many professionals take on a career as an independent contractor because it gives them the power to choose how and when they do their jobs to advance their careers."

Companies like Avon, Mary Kay, and Tupperware employee millions of independent sales consultants looking for job flexibility. According to MaryKay.com, the company's independent sales force exceeds 1.6 million independent beauty consultants in more than 30 markets worldwide.

Many e-business and e-commerce contractors can do a lot of their work online, and high speed Internet connections allow them to do so anytime and anywhere in the world that they have a connection. In addition, employers have embraced the trend towards flexibility, which allows them to contract out short-term projects without making the long-term financial commitment of hiring new staff.

LearningAndLife.com features helpful information and tips on education, career options, and job training, including creative careers (http://www.learningandlife.com/creative-careers). The site offers the advice and tools you need to enrich your life and advance your career.

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