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- 4 Ways to Transform Your Side Hustle
“There is no passion to be found in playing small — in settling for a life that is less than you are capable of living.” -Nelson Mandela
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
Did you know that 44 million Americans have a side hustle? (Quicken) Let’s be real — side hustles are more than just a way to make extra cash. Whether you’re freelancing, running an online store, or offering consulting services on the side, your side hustle has the potential to open doors you may not have even considered.
By 2034, the classic 9–5 job could be extinct.-Reid Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn.
But what if you could use yours to land your dream job? Here are 4 ways to make it happen
Lesson 1. Build Real-World Skills That Employers Crave
Side hustles aren’t just about passion; they’re a crash course in learning new skills. Whether you’re managing finances, negotiating with clients, or marketing your product or service, you’re developing a range of skills that employers love. Highlight these experiences on your resume
How do I do it?
Showcase Your Skills
Develop a portfolio highlighting your side hustle projects.
Demonstrate expertise and skills relevant to your desired job.
Share your portfolio on platforms like LinkedIn.
Bonus Tip: On your resume or during an interview, frame your side hustle experience as a way you’ve applied real-world skills outside of your 9-to-5. Employers are often impressed when candidates show initiative and resourcefulness.
Example: Freelance writing or graphic design projects.
Lesson 2. Grow Your Network in Unique Ways
Your side hustle can help you connect with people you may not have met otherwise. Maybe you’ve gained clients, collaborated with fellow freelancers, or built relationships in your niche. These connections could be the key to new job opportunities. Networking within your side hustle community can lead to job referrals, mentorship, or even partnerships that might open doors to new career paths.
How to do it.
Network and Make Valuable Connections
Attend industry events and conferences related to your side hustle.
Connect with potential employers, partners, or collaborators.
Nurture relationships and seek advice or mentorship.
Example: Participating in startup accelerators or coworking spaces.
Bonus Tip: Don’t be afraid to share your side hustle on LinkedIn or social media. You never know who’s watching — whether it’s a recruiter or a potential employer who admires your entrepreneurial spirit.
Lesson 3. Gain Relevant Experience and Build Confidence.
Employers love candidates who have an entrepreneurial mindset. Running a side hustle shows that you can think outside the box, take initiative, and aren’t afraid to take risks. It’s proof that you have drive and are capable of managing multiple responsibilities — qualities that are highly sought after in almost every industry.
Soirve. LinkedIn
Source. X
How to do it.
Apply skills learned from your side hustle to your job search.
Highlight transferable skills, such as project management or marketing.
Develop a growth mindset and demonstrate adaptability.
Example: Turning a blogging side hustle into a full-time content creation role.
Bonus Tip: During interviews, highlight how running your side hustle has taught you about motivation, time management, and problem-solving skills. These are all attributes that hiring managers want in an employee.
Lesson 4. Create a Personal Brand and Establish Thought Leadership.
If your side hustle is in a creative or project-based field — such as graphic design, writing, or coding — you’ve likely already built a Personal Brand without even realizing it. Every client you’ve worked with, project you’ve completed, or solution you’ve provided adds to your Personal Brand. Use this body of work to show social proof online and .
How to do it.
Turn Your Side Hustle into a Portfolio.
Establish an online presence through blogging or podcasting.
Share industry insights and showcase expertise.
Position yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Example: Building a YouTube channel focused on industry tutorials or expert interviews.
Bonus Tip: Make sure your portfolio is easy to access. Whether it’s on a personal website, LinkedIn, or a specialized platform like Behance or GitHub, having your portfolio readily available shows you’re serious about your craft.
Identifying your transferable skills.
Building a professional online presence.
Networking with people in your industry.
Creating a portfolio of your work.
Remember, having a side hustle can give you a competitive edge in the job market. ”
Turn your side hustle into a career catalyst. They can be the golden ticket to landing that dream job.
Don’t just dream about your ideal job — take concrete steps to make it a reality. So, start building your side hustle today and take the first step towards achieving your career goals!
Job Board 💼
Blockchain & Web3 development company
Business development manager
New York City
Full-time
Building a better financial world
Enterprise Go-To-Market
New York City · $170-250k · 0.1-0.5%
Full-time
Actively Hiring
Enterprise Account Executive at Oden Technologies
$100k – $150k • 0.05% – 0.2%
Remote • Austin • Chicago • New York City • Raleigh • Charlotte
Full-time
Job Skill-Based Training. 🚶♂️💡
Find your North Star.
Stay positive. Stay focused. Keep learning. Stay connected
Wishing you continued success!
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