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Is Job Flexibility Right For You?
A Quintessential Careers Quiz


 

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

 

Many societal trends are leading job-seekers to seek flexible work schedules, from caring for young children to dealing with elderly parents to simply seeking a better balance between work and family obligations. And according to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, flex-time is the most popular alternative work schedule offered by the responding companies, with two-thirds of the companies offering such a benefit. About a quarter offer job sharing, while 41 percent allowed at least some telecommuting options. Other flexibility options include meal-time flexibility, part-time work, and compressed workweek.

 

Experts agree that most employers are open to flexible work scheduling, even if they don't currently offer it or have a relevant policy. Many employers see the benefits of boosting loyalty, strengthening morale, and minimizing turnover while reducing recruitment costs, training program expenses, and lost productivity yet incurring minimal new expenses. A key component of obtaining a flexible job schedule is your boss - and if you are considering requesting some type of job flexibility, read our article, Making Your Case for Telecommuting: How to Convince Your Boss.

 

So, how do you decide if job flexibility is right for you? Take our Job Flexibility Quiz and see for yourself.

 

Be sure to also review our telecommuting job and career resources in: Telecommuting and Work-at-Home Jobs.

 

Just complete this form. Click on Submit button when ready to send.

 

You will receive the answers and a scoring guide via e-mail.

 

IMPORTANT: To ensure that you receive a response to this quiz, please be sure to (a) enter your full e-mail address in the space provided and (b) please enter your email address twice to ensure that we get your correct e-mail address. We cannot provide you with feedback if your e-mail address is incorrect or not supplied. Read our Privacy Policy if you have any concerns about providing your email address to us. If you don't want to take this quiz interactively, print out this page and mark your answers. Then go to our Job Flexibility Quiz Scoring Guide to see if job flexibility is right for you.

 

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Directions: Answer yes or no to the following questions.

 

  1. Do you find yourself constantly under time pressures between work and family demands?
    Yes
    No

     

  2. Do you have certain family obligations (young children, elderly parents) that require a growing amount of your time and energy?
    Yes
    No

     

  3. Are you preparing to make major purchases, such as a new house or car?
    Yes
    No

     

  4. Are you -- or do you want to be -- on a fast-track toward corporate management?
    Yes
    No

     

  5. Are you ready to give up some responsibilities and power in your job?
    Yes
    No

     

  6. Is your spouse/partner supportive of your work-balance needs?
    Yes
    No

     

  7. Are you aware of the financial implications of some flexible work options, such as a reduction in insurance benefits, social security, and retirement plans?
    Yes
    No

     

  8. Are you prepared to pass up future promotions and raises and possible difficulty collecting unemployment if the arrangement fails to get a flexible schedule?
    Yes
    No

     

  9. Do you have a sense your boss and employer are supportive of flexible work schedules?
    Yes
    No

     

  10. Will your feeling of job satisfaction be lessened if you choose to work fewer hours?
    Yes
    No

     

 

      

 

Don't forget to check out our entire collection of Tests and Quizzes for Job-Seekers.

 


 

Questions about some of the terminology used in this quiz? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.

 

QuintCareers.com Founder Dr. Randall Hansen Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers, one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of Quintessential Careers Press, including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter, QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his personal Website or reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.

 


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