Should I include side hustle on resume
Short answer
Yes, you should include a side hustle on your resume if it helps show skills, experience, or qualities that relate to the job you want. Including a side hustle demonstrates responsibility, work ethic, and abilities that many employers value, especially if you don’t have much traditional work experience yet.
What exactly is a side hustle, and why does it matter on a resume?
A side hustle is any work or project you do outside of school or a main job, usually to earn extra money or learn new skills. For teens, this might be babysitting neighbors, tutoring, mowing lawns, or selling crafts online. Including a side hustle on your resume matters because it shows employers you’re motivated and can manage responsibilities on your own. For example, if you tutor math after school, you demonstrate communication, patience, and leadership. These are skills employers want, even if the job you apply for is different. Listing side hustles gives your resume more depth, showing you have real experience and aren’t just relying on school activities alone.
How do you decide whether your side hustle belongs on your resume?
To decide if your side hustle should be on your resume, ask: Does this experience show skills or qualities the employer values? Does it relate to the job? If yes, include it. For example, if you want a job at a grocery store and you’ve delivered newspapers regularly, that shows you’re dependable and can work a schedule. If you’ve created and sold handmade jewelry, that shows creativity, business knowledge, and customer service. Also think about how long you did the side hustle. A one-time task probably doesn’t belong, but regular work over months shows dedication. If your side hustle helped you grow skills or shows responsibility, it’s a good fit.
How can you write your side hustle experience clearly on a resume?
Write your side hustle like a job. Start with a clear job title, include dates, and describe your duties and skills in bullet points. Here’s an example:
Example: Babysitter January – Present
- Supervise children ages 4-9 during evenings and weekends
- Plan and lead educational games and activities
- Communicate with parents regularly about children’s needs and behavior
Use strong action words like “managed,” “organized,” “assisted,” or “communicated” to describe what you did. If your side hustle has a formal name, use it (for example, “Freelance Graphic Designer”). If not, pick a clear, simple title. Quantify your work when possible, such as “Cared for 2 children after school, 3 days a week.” This helps employers understand your role and skills.
What are related terms people often confuse with side hustles?
People sometimes mix up side hustles with freelancing, gig work, or hobbies. Freelancing means doing projects for clients, like writing or designing, often paid per project. Gig work includes short-term tasks like delivering food or driving for a rideshare. Hobbies are activities done just for fun, like playing an instrument, without payment. Side hustles usually involve earning money regularly outside of school or a main job and help develop skills. Understanding these differences helps you decide what to include on your resume and how to explain your work clearly.
Why should teens especially include side hustles on a resume?
Many teens don’t have a lot of formal work experience, so side hustles fill that gap. They show potential employers you’re responsible, hardworking, and have useful skills. Side hustles also build skills like money management, communication, and problem-solving. For example, if you sell crafts online, you learn about pricing, customer service, and marketing. Putting this on your resume sets you apart from other teens applying for the same job. It also prepares you to talk confidently about your work during interviews, which is important for landing a job.
What are step-by-step tips to prepare your side hustle for your resume?
- List all your side hustles: Write down every job, project, or gig you’ve done outside school.
- Select the most relevant: Pick side hustles that relate to the job you want or show important skills.
- Choose clear job titles: Use titles like “Babysitter,” “Freelance Writer,” or “Online Seller.”
- Add dates: Include when you worked on the side hustle, for example, “June – Present.”
- Describe your duties in bullet points: Use action verbs like “managed,” “created,” or “communicated.”
- Include results when possible: For example, “Served 5 regular clients weekly” or “Sold 30 crafts in 4 months.”
- Review and get feedback: Ask someone you trust, like a teacher or parent, to review your description.
- Practice talking about it: Prepare a short explanation of what you did and what you learned for interviews.
Should you include unpaid or informal side hustles on your resume?
Yes, unpaid or informal side hustles can be included if they show responsibility or skills. For example, volunteering to organize school events or helping a family business counts as valuable experience. Label these clearly, like “Volunteer Event Organizer” or “Family Business Assistant.” Describe what you did and what you accomplished. This helps employers see your initiative and leadership, even if you weren’t paid. It also shows teamwork and time management, skills important in many jobs.
How is adding a side hustle to your resume different from adding it to LinkedIn or other profiles?
Your resume is a focused document used to apply for specific jobs, so include side hustles that fit the role you want. LinkedIn is a broader professional space where you can list more experiences, even if they don’t perfectly match the job. For example, if you freelance as a writer, LinkedIn lets you show samples of your work and get recommendations. Your resume should highlight side hustles that most relate to the job, keeping it clear and targeted. This makes your resume more effective and easier to read.
Frequently asked questions
Can side hustles hurt my chances if they seem unrelated?
Usually not. If the side hustle shows skills like responsibility or teamwork, it’s helpful. Focus on explaining how the skills apply to the job. If very unrelated, you can leave it off.
Should I separate side hustles from other jobs on my resume?
You can list side hustles under “Work Experience,” “Additional Experience,” or “Projects.” Pick what makes your resume clear and easy to follow.
How long should side hustles stay on a resume?
Keep them as long as they show skills you want employers to see. When you get more formal jobs, you may remove older side hustles.
What if my side hustle is a hobby I want to turn into a job?
Include it and describe it like a job or project. This shows passion and skills, which employers appreciate.
Can side hustles help with college applications?
Yes, they show initiative, responsibility, and skills outside school. This can make your application stand out.
How should I explain my side hustle in a job interview?
Be clear and confident. Say what you did, what skills you developed, and how it prepares you for the job. Use specific examples.