Strategies for Including Side Projects on Your Resume

Including side projects on your resume can be a powerful way to showcase your skills, interests, and self-initiative to potential employers. Many job seekers, however, struggle to seamlessly integrate these projects in a way that complements their employment history and academic credentials. This article will explore the strategic ways to present your side projects to make your resume stand out.

The Value of Side Projects

Side projects can demonstrate a variety of qualities to a potential employer. They show a proactive nature and a willingness to engage in self-directed work. Often, side projects involve learning new skills or deepening existing ones, which can be highly attractive to companies looking for adaptable and self-motivated individuals.

Crucially, including side projects can also help fill gaps in professional experience, especially for new graduates or those transitioning to a new industry. For freelancers and consultants, side projects can underline your ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.

How to Select Appropriate Side Projects

It's important to mention only those side projects that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Assess each project's impact, the skills involved, and the relevance to the position. Avoid listing projects that are too personal or unrelated to your profession, as these can detract from your professional image.

For instance, if you're applying for a programming role, include coding side projects or open-source contributions that allowed you to utilize and improve upon your technical skills. Conversely, if you're vying for a marketing position, highlighting a blog you've maintained, or a successful social media campaign you orchestrated can be very beneficial.

Integration into Your Resume

Where to Include Side Projects

You can either create a dedicated section for side projects or integrate them into the 'Experience' section of your resume, depending on their scale and significance. If you deem a side project comparable to a professional experience, it’s worth giving it similar prominence.

Crafting Descriptions

When describing your side projects, apply the same principles you would when detailing your professional experience. Use action verbs to start each bullet point, quantify the results when possible, and highlight the skills and technologies you used. Be sure also to draw a clear line between your responsibilities and the project's overall success.

Tailoring for Relevance

Tailor your side projects to the job description. Analyze the requirements and preferred skills of the position and mirror the language used in your descriptions. This not only makes your resume more aligned with the role but also helps it to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Including Side Projects in Different Resume Formats

Chronological Resumes

In a traditional chronological resume, include side projects within the work experience section if they are highly relevant and substantial. If they are less significant, place them in a 'Projects' or 'Additional Experience' section towards the end of the resume.

Functional Resumes

Functional resumes focus on skills rather than work history. In this format, group your side projects under skill categories. For example, if project management is a required skill, list any project where you demonstrated this ability, regardless of whether it was a paid position or a side project.

Combination Resumes

Combination resumes merge elements of both chronological and functional formats. Here, you can list side projects alongside your work history to exemplify how your experience and capabilities interlink.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid being too vague or too detailed. If your description is too cryptic, employers may not understand the value of your project. On the other hand, too much technical detail can overwhelm non-technical hiring managers.

Overstating the impact of your side projects can also backfire by raising unrealistic expectations. Stay truthful and provide context to clarify the scale and your role in the projects.

Side Projects on Cover Letters

While your resume should provide a succinct overview of your side projects, your cover letter offers the chance to delve deeper. Use it to tell the story behind why you pursued the project and how it has prepared you for the role at hand.

Conclusion

Side projects can significantly enhance your resume by filling gaps, demonstrating initiative, and showing a breadth of experience. Strategically incorporating them is crucial to ensure they complement your professional narrative rather than distract from it. By carefully selecting, describing, and positioning your side projects, you can present a well-rounded image of your professional self that appeals to future employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are side projects important to include on a resume?

Side projects are valuable additions to a resume as they demonstrate proactive behavior, willingness to learn new skills, and the ability to take on self-directed work. They can help showcase a broader range of skills and experiences beyond traditional employment roles, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

2. How do I determine which side projects to include on my resume?

When selecting side projects to include on your resume, consider relevance to the job you are applying for, the impact of the project, the skills utilized, and how it aligns with the position. Choose projects that showcase your strengths and abilities that are directly related to the job you are seeking.

3. Where should I include side projects on my resume?

You can include side projects in a dedicated section specifically for projects or integrate them into the 'Experience' section of your resume. The placement depends on the significance of the projects and how they relate to your overall professional narrative.

4. How should I describe my side projects on my resume?

When describing side projects on your resume, use action verbs to highlight your involvement, quantify results when possible, and emphasize the skills and technologies you utilized. Provide clear and concise descriptions that convey the impact and relevance of each project.

5. Should I tailor my side projects for each job application?

Yes, it is recommended to tailor your side projects to align with the job description and requirements of each position you apply for. By customizing the descriptions of your side projects to match the skills and language of the job posting, you increase the chances of your resume getting noticed by hiring managers.

6. How can I avoid common mistakes when including side projects on my resume?

To avoid common mistakes, ensure your descriptions strike a balance between being too vague or too detailed. Be honest about the impact of your side projects and provide context to clarify the scope of your contributions. Tailor the level of technical detail to suit the audience, and avoid overstating the significance of your projects.

7. Should I mention my side projects in my cover letter?

While your resume should provide a concise overview of your side projects, your cover letter is a great opportunity to delve deeper into the story behind your projects. Use this space to explain your motivation for undertaking the projects and how they have prepared you for the role you are applying for.

Further Resources

1. LinkedIn Learning Courses

• Building Your Resume
• Crafting an Effective Cover Letter

LinkedIn Learning offers a range of courses to help you enhance your resume and cover letter writing skills. These courses provide valuable insights and tips from experts in the field.

2. GitHub Projects Showcase

• GitHub Projects Showcase

Explore various projects on GitHub to get inspiration for side projects that you can include on your resume. GitHub is a valuable platform for showcasing your technical skills and collaboration abilities.

3. Udemy Courses on Professional Development

• Professional Development Courses

Udemy offers a wide range of courses on professional development, including resume writing, interview skills, and career advancement. These courses can help you refine your resume and job application strategies.

4. Resume Writing Guides

• The Muse Resume Writing Tips
• Indeed Resume Guide

Refer to these comprehensive guides for detailed tips on crafting a compelling resume. They cover everything from formatting and structure to content and customization for different job applications.

5. Online Portfolio Platforms

• Behance
• Dribbble

Create an online portfolio to showcase not only your side projects but also your design and creative works. These platforms are great for visually presenting your skills and projects to potential employers.