Having a side hustle or obtaining other sources of additional income is generally seen as crafty and clever. But how do recruiters react when they notice side hustles mentioned in candidates’ resumes? For some, it might be a harmless addition that shouldn’t keep a potential hire from consideration. However, other hiring teams may be less optimistic about people actively involved in personal projects or businesses.
Let’s discuss when you might want to avoid mentioning side hustles in your resume, and when it is appropriate to do so.
The question of focus and loyalty
Disclosing details of your side hustle or passive income shouldn’t make you any less focused on performing your traditional job duties. However, if recruiters see that you are running your own business, they can silently question how dedicated you will be to your 9-5 role. They may also wonder whether you'll be a long-term employee or someone filling the gap until your side hustle takes off.
You can and should mention if the side hustle is similar to a role that you are applying for. For example, if you have little official experience, long-term freelancing contracts can show you enjoy your craft and can stay loyal.
However, the question may not be about loyalty; it may be about how relevant the side hustle is for the recruiter to know. That could mean you are always looking for options to earn money online, which can show a certain level of craftiness. For instance, Honeygain is an incredible tool to discover, and it lets you earn money by selling your unused bandwidth. Although selling unused connectivity is a side hustle, your recruiter might not be interested in reading about it (unless they actually start doing it themselves).
Other potential concerns with candidates having side hustles
Recruiters can also have other concerns relating to people running side hustles:
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Whether you will have the time to support your side hustle and perform your work obligations fully.
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Burnout can be a factor recruiters consider, which can reduce productivity and lead to people quitting earlier than expected.
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Some side hustles could be a potential conflict of interest. For example, if you’re offering SEO services to clients and are interviewing for a position in an SEO agency, it could be problematic. After all, once you quit, the company doesn’t want the risk of you poaching their clients.
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Some job contracts may include clauses that require employees to work only for the company, with no outside activities. However, such cases are extremely rare.
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Some companies value their team spirit and bonding opportunities. Side hustles could be used as an excuse not to attend internal events, such as team-building or even training conferences.
Why mentioning side hustles might be worth it
Of course, mentioning side hustles in your resume may not always be a risk to you being considered for a position.
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A side hustle could reveal skills that you cannot showcase through your official work experience.
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A side hustle can show that a candidate is productive and has strong potential. Thus, some companies will love to have such people join them.
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If you have gaps in your work experience, side hustles can show that you were actively pursuing your career goals.
Questions to prepare for in your job interview
You should be able to present your side hustle well. For example, if you can, discuss results and what you have learned from your experience. Ideally, it should strengthen your position as a viable candidate to hire. However, you should also consider how to answer the following questions:
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How will you manage your time and responsibilities if you join our company?
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Can there be any chance of a conflict of interest?
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Are you looking for a full-time or a part-time position?
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How will you handle a deadline at your side hustle that overlaps with your work responsibilities?
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Do you expect your side hustle to become a full-time obligation?
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What did you learn from your side hustle, and how did it make you a better employee?
Conclusion
Generally, include side hustles in your resume if they are relevant to the job you are applying for, could potentially trigger a conflict of interest, or showcase skills that are not reflected through your work experience.
