Searching for non traditional jobs? Well, you’re not alone. Many professionals don’t stay in one job or career their entire working lives. In fact, studies show most professionals change jobs and career paths quite often. In this article, I’ll write about non traditional jobs that pay well, as well as the steps you can take to ensure your resume is clear, concise, and most importantly, shows employers you have the right skills and experience for non traditional jobs.
Traditional vs non traditional jobs
Before we define non traditional jobs, let’s first talk about traditional jobs. A traditional job or career path typically means that a professional receives training in a specific profession and then works in that profession for a good portion of their career. A traditional career path might involve staying at the same employer and progressing through occupational levels (i.e. entry-level to senior level), or it could also involve moving between companies but staying in the same industry.
In contrast, a non traditional job or career typically involves working in several industry sectors throughout the course of your career. For example, re-training or getting a new degree and changing career fields later in life, or even taking breaks from your career at different life stages.
If you are a jobseeker with a non traditional career path, you might have started your career in one industry and then decided to change professions and start again from the bottom of the ladder in an entirely different field. Or you may have taken a career break to raise children or pursue other interests. Perhaps you’ve even had more than one job at any given time. Any of these circumstances could make your career path look less conventional or non traditional.
Pros and cons of non traditional jobs
Pros
Flexibility
Many non traditional jobs offer flexible hours, allowing you to set your own schedule or work remotely. This can be ideal for work-life balance or for people who prefer not to adhere to a rigid 9-to-5 structure.
Example: Freelancers, content creators, and remote workers can often choose when and where they work.
Independence and Autonomy
Non traditional roles, especially freelance and gig work, provide more autonomy in choosing projects, clients, or tasks. You are your own boss in many cases.
Example: Life coaches, tattoo artists, and consultants often work independently and manage their own schedules.
Higher Earning Potential
In some cases, these jobs can be highly lucrative, especially for those who build a strong reputation or skill set. Earnings may not be tied to a standard salary but rather depend on skills, experience, and demand.
Example: Influencers, successful freelancers, and ethical hackers can earn much more than their counterparts in traditional roles.
Creative Freedom
Non traditional jobs often encourage creativity and innovation. You have the freedom to express yourself or develop unique solutions without being bound by rigid corporate structures.
Example: YouTubers, artists, and professional gamers can often let their creative skills guide their work.
Work-Life Balance
These jobs may allow better integration between personal life and work. You can fit work around family, hobbies, or travel.
Example: Airbnb hosts or personal shoppers can manage their time more fluidly around their personal life.
Cons
Income Instability
Income can be inconsistent, especially if you’re freelancing or working in gig-based roles. You might have months of high income followed by periods with little or no work.
Example: Freelancers, content creators, or gig workers may experience fluctuating earnings based on demand, client acquisition, or platform algorithms.
Lack of Benefits
Non traditional jobs often do not come with traditional benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, or job security. You may need to arrange these yourself, which can be costly.
Example: Freelancers and gig workers typically need to purchase their own insurance and manage their retirement savings.
Isolation and Loneliness
Many non traditional jobs, especially those done remotely or independently, can lead to feelings of isolation due to the lack of a regular workplace or colleagues.
Example: Remote workers, digital nomads, or freelance designers may miss out on the social interactions of a traditional office setting.
Self-Discipline Required
Being your own boss can require a high level of self-discipline and motivation. It’s easy to get distracted or procrastinate when there’s no one holding you accountable.
Example: YouTubers, online coaches, and freelancers must manage their time effectively to meet deadlines and sustain productivity.
Use a non traditional job to your advantage!
While this type of career path might seem like a disadvantage in some work settings, it can also give you the edge over other candidates if you approach it the right way on your resume. For example, while you might lack consistent, linear career progression on your resume, you can more than make up for this by showcasing a range of diverse, transferable skills and experiences that can be applied in any industry.
In fact, professionals who pursue more than one career and develop transferable skills may even be better off in the coming years than those who follow a traditional path. The World Economic Forum predicts that workers in the future will have many careers and that it will be transferable skills and a willingness to adapt and learn throughout our careers that will be the main predictors of success.
Accelerate Your Career
How to write your resume for non traditional jobs
Follow these resume tips to make the strongest impression with recruiters and hiring managers:
Consider a functional resume format
If you’re concerned that your resume for non traditional jobs might look off-putting to employers in a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format, you could use a functional (or skills-based) format instead. A functional format places skills at the heart of your resume rather than focusing on your chronological career progression. This layout allows you to showcase skills that match those listed in the job description and that you’ve developed through various experiences in work, education, and other activities.
Use keywords and phrases
One of the best ways to make a non traditional career relevant to the job you’re applying for is to use keywords and phrases from the job description. Review the job posting and note the key skills and experience listed. Mirroring the job posting with the language on your resume will show the hiring manager that despite your non-traditional career history, you’ve picked up skills and experience that directly match the requirements for the role.
Focus on transferable skills
Employers are increasingly focusing on transferable skills over technical skills, so make sure your resume showcases these skillsets. Transferable skills include skills that you can acquire and use in just about any field and job, like communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and project management skills.
Don’t just list these skills on your resume. It’s important to also provide evidence of how you’ve used and honed these skills throughout your career. In other words, show, don’t tell. Rather than writing “excellent verbal communication skills,” write “delivered 20 speeches to audiences of 100+ on topics involving climate change and the green economy.”
Make the most of your unique experience
Don’t try to hide the fact that you’ve had a non traditional career. Embrace the unusual journey you’ve been on because it can allow you to stand out in a positive way from other candidates.
You might have picked up an experience or skill that the employer didn’t even know they needed when they drafted the job description. For example, maybe you have experience coaching soccer. You might want to include this experience on your resume if you find out that the company you are targeting has a soccer team.
Don’t hide gaps in your resume
If you’ve taken a career break, for example to care for children or to take a sabbatical, don’t hide it on your resume. A complete timeline of your career, education, and other life experiences will be more helpful to employers than a resume with unexplained gaps. Think about the important skills you have gained while taking the career break. For example, let’s say you did volunteer work at a senior home during your time away from the paid workforce. You could market people skills and patience on your resume which also happen to be crucial skills in our ever-increasing technology-driven workplace.
Moving from traditional to non traditional jobs
If you’ve had a more traditional career path up until now, but you’re looking to move to a less traditional job or work arrangement, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare your resume for your new direction:
- Tailor your resume: Whatever change you’re making in your career, tailor your resume to make sure it’s relevant to the new types of roles you’re applying for. There’s little use using an old resume that’s designed for a different career. You may even need to create a new resume from scratch.
- Focus on the necessary skills: Key skills for non-traditional career paths tend to involve flexibility, adaptability, initiative and a willingness to learn new skills. Make sure your resume showcases these skills and provides evidence of how you’ve used them in your career.
- Explain your career change: You can use your resume summary or cover letter to explain why you want to make a change in your career. Be clear and honest about your reasons and show enthusiasm for the new direction you’re taking in your career.
What are non traditional jobs that pay well?
1. Voice Actor
- What it involves: Providing voiceovers for commercials, video games, animations, and audiobooks.
- Why it’s non traditional: This work can often be done remotely or on a freelance basis.
- Potential earnings: Experienced voice actors can earn $100+ per hour, and top talent in the industry can make six figures annually.
2. Ethical Hacker
- What it involves: Testing the security of systems by attempting to hack them in order to find vulnerabilities.
- Why it’s non traditional: It’s a specialized tech job that doesn’t require a traditional IT degree and can often be done remotely.
- Potential earnings: Experienced ethical hackers can make anywhere from $80,000 to $130,000+ annually.
3. Social Media Influencer
- What it involves: Creating and sharing content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Twitter to build a following and partner with brands.
- Why it’s non traditional: It’s a new form of entrepreneurship, based on personal branding and social media reach.
- Potential earnings: Influencers with a large following can earn thousands per post, with top influencers making millions annually.
4. Professional Gamer or E-sports Athlete
- What it involves: Playing video games professionally, competing in tournaments, or streaming games online.
- Why it’s non traditional: This job has emerged from the rise of esports and online streaming platforms like Twitch.
- Potential earnings: Top players and streamers can make from $50,000 to millions annually, depending on tournament wins, sponsorships, and streaming revenue.
5. Airbnb Property Manager/Host
- What it involves: Renting out properties (often through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO) for short-term stays.
- Why it’s non traditional: This is part of the gig economy and a non-typical real estate venture, often done in spare time.
- Potential earnings: Skilled hosts managing multiple properties can earn six figures annually.
6. Freelance Web Developer
- What it involves: Building and maintaining websites, often on a project-by-project basis.
- Why it’s non traditional: Freelancers have flexibility, choosing clients and work hours, often working remotely.
- Potential earnings: Freelancers can earn $75,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience and client load.
7. Tattoo Artist
- What it involves: Designing and creating permanent body art on clients.
- Why it’s non traditional: It’s a craft-based job with artistic skills and flexibility in work hours.
- Potential earnings: Skilled tattoo artists can make between $30,000 to $100,000+ annually, especially if they have a strong clientele.
8. YouTuber/Content Creator
- What it involves: Creating video content on YouTube or other platforms, monetizing through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
- Why it’s non traditional: It blends entertainment, education, and entrepreneurship, and success depends on audience engagement.
- Potential earnings: Depending on niche and viewership, creators can make from $50,000 to millions per year.
9. Drone Operator/Photographer
- What it involves: Flying drones to capture photos, videos, or conduct surveillance for industries like real estate, agriculture, or filmmaking.
- Why it’s non traditional: It’s a relatively new profession, often requiring specific certifications.
- Potential earnings: Professional drone operators can earn $50,000 to $150,000 annually.
10. Life Coach
- What it involves: Helping individuals achieve personal, professional, or emotional goals.
- Why it’s non traditional: It doesn’t require formal certifications in many places, though some training helps.
- Potential earnings: Life coaches can charge anywhere from $50 to $300+ per session, with top coaches earning six figures annually.
Final thoughts on non traditional jobs
Non traditional jobs are the wave of the future. The world of work is changing fast, with technological innovations and flexible work having an impact on the notion of the traditional career. Non traditional jobs offer different types of experience and skills versus more conventional career paths. Therefore, if your career has had some unusual twists and turns, you’ll want to showcase them on your resume. Own your unique career journey and think about how your transferable skills make you a stellar candidate by highlighting the unique experiences that set you apart.