Side projects have become increasingly common in the modern workforce, especially for those in tech, design, marketing, and entrepreneurship. From hackathons and personal apps to podcasts and freelance gigs, these projects demonstrate a wide range of skills, passion, and initiative. However, the decision of whether to include side projects on your resume can be tricky. Should you list your hackathon victory, podcast series, or the app you built in your spare time? In this blog post, we’ll explore the value of side projects on resumes, when to include them, and how to present them effectively to boost your chances of landing your dream job.
Introduction
Side projects are an excellent way to showcase your skills, creativity, and dedication outside of your regular job. For many employers, especially in fields like technology and media, side projects can offer a deeper understanding of your expertise and potential. However, knowing whether to include these projects on your resume depends on several factors, such as relevance, quality, and the impact they may have on your overall candidacy. In this guide, we’ll delve into why side projects can be valuable additions to your resume, the types of side projects to consider, and how to present them professionally.
Why Include Side Projects on Your Resume?
Showcase Skills and Initiative
Side projects offer a unique opportunity to demonstrate a variety of skills that may not be reflected in your day-to-day work. Whether it’s technical expertise, creative problem solving, project management, or collaboration, side projects can showcase your ability to innovate, learn, and grow in ways that stand out to potential employers. For example, a podcast you created might highlight your communication skills, while an app could demonstrate your coding ability and technical proficiency.
Stand Out from Other Candidates
Including side projects on your resume can help differentiate you from other candidates vying for the same job. In competitive industries, hiring managers often review dozens if not hundreds of resumes for each job opening. A side project shows that you go above and beyond, putting in extra effort to develop skills outside the constraints of your formal job. It also speaks to your passion for the field, a trait that is highly valued by employers.
Types of Side Projects You Might Include
Hackathons
Hackathons are a prime example of a side project that can make a significant impact on your resume. These events require participants to work under pressure, solve real-world problems, and often present their solutions to a panel of judges. If you’ve participated in a hackathon and contributed to a winning team, don’t hesitate to include it on your resume. Be sure to highlight your specific role in the project, the skills you applied, and any recognition or awards you received.
Podcasts
If you’ve created or co-hosted a podcast, it can be an impressive addition to your resume. Podcasting demonstrates multiple skills, including content creation, public speaking, marketing, and audience engagement. Highlight the topics you covered, the number of episodes you published, and any measurable growth or audience engagement metrics. If your podcast gained traction or had notable guest speakers, those are points to emphasize as well.
Apps and Other Software Projects
Building an app or developing software outside of your regular work is another excellent side project to include. This showcases your technical prowess and problem-solving abilities. Be sure to provide context for the app what problem it solves, how it works, and the impact it had on users. If the app gained significant downloads or user engagement, mention those statistics to highlight your success. Additionally, providing a link to the app’s store page or your GitHub repository allows hiring managers to explore your work further.
When Should You Avoid Including Side Projects?
Lack of Relevance to the Job
While side projects can be valuable, they should be relevant to the job you’re applying for. If your side project is unrelated to the position or industry, it may not add much value to your resume. For example, a podcast about cooking may not be relevant for a software engineering position. In such cases, it’s better to focus on projects that demonstrate skills aligned with the job description, such as programming, project management, or problem-solving abilities.
Poor Quality Projects
Be cautious about including side projects that are incomplete, poorly executed, or lack tangible results. If you participated in a hackathon but didn’t contribute meaningfully, or if your app failed to gain traction or solve a real problem, it might be better to leave it off your resume. Hiring managers are looking for quality over quantity, and showcasing subpar projects could negatively impact your credibility.
How to Present Side Projects on Your Resume
Quantify Results and Impact
Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your side projects. Use metrics and numbers to demonstrate your success. For example, if you built an app, include the number of downloads or user ratings. If your podcast gained a following, mention the number of listeners or social media shares. Quantifiable results help potential employers understand the real-world impact of your efforts.
Keep It Relevant to the Job
Tailor your side project descriptions to align with the job you’re applying for. Focus on the skills, tools, and outcomes that are most relevant to the position. For example, if applying for a marketing role, emphasize the audience growth and engagement from your podcast. If applying for a development position, highlight the technical aspects of your app or hackathon project.
Conclusion
Including side projects like hackathons, podcasts, or apps on your resume can be a great way to stand out and showcase additional skills that are not always visible in your day-to-day job. However, it’s important to ensure that these projects are relevant, high-quality, and presented in a way that highlights their value to potential employers. By following the tips in this post, you can effectively leverage side projects to boost your resume and increase your chances of landing your next job.