5 Impressive Side Hustles Guaranteed To Get a Hiring Manager's Attention

You’re sitting at your work desk, finishing up your resume. You notice that there’s a large space that’s begging to be filled in. You’ve already written down your experience, educational background and key skills. What else is there to add? The answer is your side hustles.

Now, you might be thinking, “Won’t putting in my side hustles make me look less professional?” Not necessarily. If anything, choosing the right ones can enhance your resume. One of the top skills recruiters look for is autonomy, or the ability to manage yourself. The fact that you’ve got side hustles along with your full-time job is proof that you’ve got the time-management skills and discipline to get multiple work projects done.

Here are five side hustles that are sure to get your recruiter’s attention.

1. Business ventures

When the pandemic began, the country saw a surprising surge in business applications. New companies were formed just as others closed down. Were you one of those people who decided to pursue a new business venture? Was it successful? If yes, then you should include that in your resume. Whether it’s a consultation business, an e-commerce store, or even your clothing brand, it’s worth putting in your resume because it shows your dedication and marketing skills. 

2. Personal investments

If you’re an active trader with a consistently good streak, consider adding some details from your investment portfolio in your resume. This can show your employer that you’ve got numeracy skills and have great attention to detail. 

Starting your personal investing journey is easy if you haven’t already. Once you’ve got your research down and know what it is you want to invest in — will you be putting your money in stocks, or will you start practicing forex trading? — then it’s time to open a brokerage account. This is a financial account that will hold your investments, whether you’re investing in stocks, ETFs, bonds, or other kinds of financial assets. Apart from looking great on your resume, investments can also be a means of saving and growing your wealth.

3. Volunteering gigs

Volunteering is a great way to showcase your passion for a cause that you stand for. It shows your employer that you’re a person with integrity and heart. Additionally, if you took a managerial role in any of your volunteer gigs, that’s a big plus. 

Looking to get some volunteering under your belt? Luckily for you, there are still plenty of volunteer opportunities despite the ongoing pandemic. With more and more people wanting to help the community out, volunteer organizations have started offering virtual volunteering opportunities.

4. Clubs, organizations, and societies

This can be anything from a book club to an honor roll society. Being part of a community (especially an exclusive one) shows that you have a certain skill set and expertise. To your recruiter, this shows communication skills and the ability to cooperate with others. Just be careful when you decide whether you’re going to add a group to your resume. The fact that you’re in the drama club isn’t exactly relevant if you’re applying for a cybersecurity company.

5. Relevant hobbies

While not exactly a “side hustle” in the strictest sense, hobbies could also add value to your resume. It’s the trickiest of the bunch because you need to consider your options carefully. At the end of the day, it’s a question of relevance: does this hobby make your application look better? If it does, feel free to add it. If not, leave it out. For example, let’s say you enjoy drawing. That could be a relevant hobby if you’re applying for a graphic design position, but not so much if you’re applying to be an HR representative.

These five show-stealing side hustles will make your resume shine. Don’t forget to proofread and edit accordingly before passing it to your recruiter. 

Have you ever included side hustles in your resume? If you haven’t, what side hustles are you going to include?