What Are Some Jobs for People Who Hate Working?

If you’re struggling to find a job that suits your preferences, we’ve gathered insights from professionals across various industries to help you out. From utilizing your natural talents to becoming a mystery shopper, discover these nine job suggestions provided by founders, CEOs, and other experts for those who dislike traditional work environments.

Use Your Natural Talents
Embrace Entrepreneurship
Consider Freelance Writing
Explore Freelancing Opportunities
Create Online Courses or Products
Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
Find Your Motivation
Teach a Skill or Subject
Become a Mystery Shopper

Use Your Natural Talents

The key to finding an ideal job for someone who hates working is figuring out what skills or traits you’ve always had, despite no formal training‌. Working in these jobs shouldn’t feel like work. Luckily, there’s no shortage of professions that require what’s vaguely described as an artistic touch, for instance, or good intuition. Interior designers, fashion designers, or writers all work primarily with what they’ve always had, and if you’re naturally talented, these jobs shouldn’t feel like work at all.

Natalia Brzezinska
Marketing and Outreach Manager, ePassportPhoto

Embrace Entrepreneurship

We all have unique gifts to share with the world. There are some gifts where there is a well-defined path, such as being good with one’s hands, which could make an excellent surgeon. But there are other gifts quite valuable where there are no well-defined paths; instead, create the space and show others the value of your gift.

This path is the journey of entrepreneurship, where your vision and your ability to communicate this vision will turn dreams into reality. We are made to be contributors to this world and are uniquely gifted‌.

What is your gift? What is something that is so fun and natural to you that time flies by? Explore that. So many people are struggling with the 9-to-5 shackle of conformity that they think they need to wear for at least 20+ years. That does not have to be your reality. You can make a different choice. No one said it would be easy; it will be scary, but it will be worth it.

Elisha Peterson MD Med FAAP FASA
Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine Physician, Elisha Peterson MD PLLC

Consider Freelance Writing

For people who hate the monotonous 9-to-5 grind, freelance writing is a flexible and rewarding option that allows for a great work-life balance. Writing can be done from the comfort of your home, and with the rise of digital media, there’s a high demand for quality content. With a little creativity, you can make a steady income while working on your own terms.

Freelance writing also allows you to choose the topics that excite you, making work more enjoyable. The best part is that there’s no need for years of experience or specific qualifications. Anyone with a knack for writing can get started and build a successful career.

Basana Saha
Founder, KidsCareIdeas

Explore Freelancing Opportunities

For someone who despises their job, working as a freelancer is an option. They may choose their own tasks because they are independent contractors. Freelancers can essentially choose their employment and clients without having to commit to a single, long-term employer.

The best occupation to pursue if you dislike dealing with lots of people is certainly freelancing. You are solely responsible for your clients. According to studies, the highest-paying freelance occupations involve computer programming, web development, and graphic design.

The income varies depending on the industry you work in. The level of education needed to pursue a job as a freelancer is still up for debate. Yet in the end, you must put in extra work to become an expert in the freelance industry you want to pursue if you want to be successful.

Starting a career as a freelancer is difficult. Before you can attract enough clients to cover your needs, you must first build a reputation.

Joe Li
Managing Director, CheckYa

Create Online Courses or Products

If you don’t enjoy working, try creating and selling an online course or digital product! Both online courses and digital products have high-profit margins and can be set up to scale on autopilot. You don’t need a Ph.D. level of expertise in your subject to make it profitable, either.

To start, identify a topic you could easily teach someone else. You’ll have the easiest time if the course can be tied to a specific outcome. From there, you can create an engaging course outline and produce high-quality video or written content. Once it’s done, you can reach out to potential affiliates, as they’ll allow you to advertise your course without the cost risks associated with pay-per-click advertising.

As your course gains traction, you can enjoy a more flexible work-life balance with a highly passive income.

Axel Deangelis
Founder and Marketing Strategist, Jumpcoast

Dog Walking or Pet Sitting

I think dog walking or pet sitting is one of the low-stress jobs out there. And if you are an animal lover, this could be the perfect role you want to try—and get paid for it. This can be a therapeutic experience that will allow you to spend quality time with cute and cuddly pets, enjoy some fresh air, and get exercise in the meantime.

Shaun Connell
Founder, Writing Tips Institute

Find Your Motivation

Any job that does not require work is a job everyone will line up for, and that competition will require a person to work harder to be better than others. An example would be the gaming industry: Video Game Tester was a fun gig that seemed like no work at first.

Then everyone wanted to do it, so they started expecting testers to speak multiple languages, record bugs, create reports, and do quality assurance. If you hate work, the issue runs deeper. One must ask themselves, “What makes me feel motivated?” and look for opportunities connected to that motivation.

Kristina Ramos
Reverse Recruiter, Find My Profession

Teach a Skill or Subject

If you are good at something, you can use this to your own advantage and teach what you know to others. If you are a person who doesn’t particularly like to work, this will come easy to you because you already know the subject so well that it won’t feel like work.

If you can play an instrument, know multiple languages, or are great at math, you can use these skills to teach others and make a living. If you love to play music, then teaching someone else won’t ever feel daunting, and it will feel more like a hobby.

Allen King, CEO, Fun Join

Become a Mystery Shopper

Looking for a new way to escape the daily grind? Become a mystery shopper. By assuming the role of a regular customer, you’ll embark on a thrilling adventure, visiting stores, restaurants, and other locations to evaluate their customer service, product quality, and overall experience.

And the best part? You’ll have a unique opportunity to test the products or services of a particular business for free, with every expense reimbursed. Whether you’re enjoying a delicious meal at a restaurant or browsing the aisles of a supermarket, you’ll be getting paid to do it.

Your primary responsibilities will take notes during your visit and prepare a detailed report highlighting the pros and cons of the business you are testing.

Plus, with flexible hours, various locations to visit, and the freedom to work independently, you’ll never feel you’re actually “working” again—the perfect job for those who hate work.

Nina Paczka
Community Manager, Resume Now