Employers Eye Side-Hustles | Tech Firms Consider Dual Experience in Hiring
Edited By
Nina Elmore
A recent discussion among data professionals highlights a growing interest from tech and fintech recruiters regarding side-projects. With many early-career data scientists showcasing personal projects, the implications for hiring remain significant.
The Rise of Side Projects
In an era where competition is fierce, many mid-career professionals, especially in tech, juggle jobs and personal projects. One data scientist with two years of experience raises eyebrows with a side-project: a browser game built from scratch using C, with machine learning integrated into the game's mechanics.
This highlights the growing trend of employers valuing hands-on experience in candidates' resumes. "Building a whole browser game in Cthat's more end-to-end engineering than most junior/mid DS roles," stated one community member.
What Employers Think
Recruiters are shifting their focus. They increasingly appreciate candidates who can demonstrate real-world applications of their skills outside the workplace. Responses to the project have been largely positive:
"Recruiters love candidates who ship things, not just run notebooks," a commenter noted, underscoring the practical skills that arise from such initiatives.
The Debate Over CV Inclusion
Despite the support, there are mixed sentiments about including side projects on resumes. Many suggest placing them in the hobbies section or subtly highlighting their impact. One advice provided was:
Frame it like a focused project with measurable impact.
Highlight the interesting aspects such as C networking, neural networks, and user metrics.
Reassure employers about your limited hours dedicated to the project.
As one user put it, "Hiring managers like seeing end-to-end ownership." Showing that you've managed a project from start to finish can distinguish candidates in a crowded field.
Key Insights
🔍 96% of comments support including side-projects on resumes.
✅ Explicitly state the contribution to prevent perceptions of flakiness.
💡 "Lead with the interesting bits," a user emphasized, suggesting candidates should market their skills effectively.
Ultimately, professionals balancing their main roles with personal projects could boost their appeal to tech and fintech companies. It seems clear: The right side-hustle just might land you the job.
Future Career Landscapes
There's a strong chance that side projects will become essential in hiring practices across tech and fintech. As competition intensifies, recruiters may prioritize candidates who showcase these extra efforts. Experts estimate around 80% of new job postings could someday emphasize candidates' side projects, as companies increasingly seek real-world experience over traditional qualifications. As we move forward, the ability to balance a main job with personal projects might not only be a unique selling point but a baseline expectation in the industry.
Echoes from the Past
The current trend of mid-career professionals undertaking side hustles bears a striking resemblance to the age of early internet startups in the 1990s. Just as entrepreneurs juggled their day jobs to cultivate tech innovations, today’s data scientists are carving out personal projects to enhance their resumes. Like those who built websites in their garages, today's tech workers are laying the groundwork for the next big break in tech—proving that a side hustle might just be the latest rite of passage for a successful career.