Side Gigs: How to Position Side Projects on your Resume
It’s no secret that many professionals use their skills outside the office. More than 57 million U.S. workers participate in the gig economy! Side gigs or projects provide employees with opportunities to learn new skills, perfect current ones, and explore other industries. Plus, they can be a source of entertainment, a passion project, or a means for additional income.
When exploring job opportunities, side projects can help you stand out from the crowd. To do that, however, you must position them properly. Here are 3 tips to help you effectively integrate them.
Which side projects should I include?
As you probably know, you should target your resume to the position you are applying to. Hence, only add side projects that are relevant and demonstrate your abilities as they relate to a job. Otherwise, they add little value. The hiring manager may view your resume as unfocused and less professional than it needs to be.
Where should they go?
When adding a side project to your resume, include it in your work history under a separate header. Consider titling this section “external projects,” “consulting,” or something similar. You can also include side project details in other areas of your resume. For example, you can highlight an achievement related to a side project in your professional summary area.
What information should I list?
On your resume, treat your side gigs just like your “regular” jobs. If you haven’t used a required skill in a previous role, you can demonstrate your experience in that area as part of your side project. With that, be sure to include important details. List the company name and title (including your own name/title if you are a consultant). Also, list out project details, your specific contributions, and measurable results. If you have a significant amount of side jobs or clients, be sure to keep your resume streamlined and clutter-free. Consider, for example, listing your side projects under one company name or category.
Side projects are a great way to round out your skill set and give you an advantage with employers. Be sure to follow the above tips to properly position them on your resume and stand out from the crowd!
Looking for experienced marketing recruiters to meet your search, staffing and job search needs? We’re here to help!
- Contact us about your marketing search & staffing needs
- Search marketing, communications, and creative jobs
