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By: MJ Gonzales | Executive Chronicles
A side project or something that consume time out of passion is possibly the least thing to do for many. It takes away energy and attention without security that you’ll earn or at least to include it in your credential. If you think you creating something during your free time is non-sense, you’re wrong and persons behind Gmail, Craiglist, Post-it, and Twitter can prove that.
- Activities outside your job are interesting for employers
A resume is ticket to land a new or better job, but not all can put that they’re come from famous universities and work in top corporations. If you’re one of those, standout using the side projects you do that shows you’re honing your talents and skills. It is interesting for headhunters to know you’re self-starter, enthusiastic and thinking beyond your job. Another note about mentioning your side project in your resume is its good filler for gaps in your employment history.
- It boosts your job performance
Hobbies that let you to become creative are great help for workers to think positive. In a study conducted by San Francisco State psychology Professor Dr. Kevin Eschleman and his team, they found out that creative hobbies made workers “collaborative,” resourceful, did better job performances, and “recover from the demands of their job.”
- It helps to build your personal brand and grab opportunities
The common denominator of Twitter, Craiglist, Post it, and some of useful apps of Google is they started out as side projects. You may not know where exactly your project will get you, but developing it may lead you to someone or something that gives you opportunities like a lucrative business.
“Believe in side projects…I would never hire anyone who doesn’t have side projects. To me, that shows that someone has ideas, self-initiative, and can make things happen,” Tina Roth Eisenberg, a Swiss designer and entrepreneur, advised to new designers and entrepreneurs in her interview with The Great Discontent.
