From Side Hustle To Paycheck: Why Employers Are Hiring You For Your Passion Projects In 2025
This shift marks a new chapter in how hiring managers evaluate candidates. Resume gaps are being filled with freelance gigs, Etsy shops, personal podcasts, and YouTube channels. Here's why employers in 2025 are hiring you because of your side hustle, not in spite of it.
1. Side projects signal skill in action
Your side hustle isn't just a hobby – it's evidence that you can turn an idea into something real. Whether you've launched a design portfolio on Behance, grown a niche newsletter, or taught yourself to code through late-night projects, recruiters are paying attention to what you've built.
This aligns with a larger hiring trend: employers are focusing less on where you studied and more on what you can do. According to Deloitte's 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, nearly 70% of Gen Z and 59% of Millennials say they regularly develop new skills outside of formal employment – often through personal initiatives. Passion projects show you can do much more than just follow instructions.
2. Gen Z and Millennials are leading the charge
Side hustles are practically second nature to younger workers. Recent data shows that 57% of Gen Z and 50% of Millennials maintain a side hustle – far more than older generations. According to Intuit, nearly two-thirds of these workers plan to keep side gigs long-term, and 49% say their primary motivation is 'to be their own boss.' Another 42% say it's about following their passions.
This shift isn't just economic – it's cultural. For Gen Z especially, building something of your own, whether it earns £50 or £5,000 a month, reflects identity, resilience, and drive. Employers attuned to this mindset see side hustles as proof of leadership and self-motivation – the very traits missing from many traditional resumes.These aren't just isolated efforts – as explored in this recent Forbes article, some combinations of side hustles are earning Gen Z and Millennials thousands per month while building highly transferable career skills.
In 2025, passion projects like newsletters, podcasts, and creative side gigs are becoming powerful ... More assets in the hiring process – not just hobbies.
3. Employers see passion and initiative
In the past, hiring managers might have seen side hustles as distractions. In 2025, that mindset is fading fast. As one recruiter told Newsweek, 'For me, having a side hustle is what gives me confidence even in a tough job market.'
Recruiters surveyed by GMAC via BusinessBecause also found that 61% of employers perceive Gen Z business-school graduates as just as professional as their predecessors – suggesting that personal projects don't harm credibility, they enhance it.
A well-documented side hustle offers real‑world experience and authenticity, showing you live your values and practice skills outside corporate structures.
4. The gig economy mindset is reshaping full-time roles
Younger professionals – especially Gen Z – are increasingly adopting a gig-style approach even in traditional jobs. A recent Investopedia piece notes that this generation is drawn to autonomy and varied income streams, with many building side incomes to maintain flexibility and independence.
Add to that Deloitte's data: nearly 70% of Gen Z and 59% of Millennials develop new skills outside formal work, often via self-driven projects. And Intuit found 49% pursue side hustles to 'be their own boss' – signalling that a portfolio approach is not a fallback, but a career strategy.
5. Even seasoned professionals are jumping in
Side hustles aren't just for early-career creatives or Gen Z TikTokers. Across industries, experienced professionals are picking up passion projects that reflect changing values – and the job market is embracing it.
CFO.com reports that 52% of Millennials now manage side hustles alongside their full-time jobs. From media lawyers running photography businesses to lab technicians monetising niche blogs, more workers are merging purpose with pay – and some are even being recruited because of it.
For employers, this hybrid profile – entrepreneurial and purpose-driven – is increasingly attractive in fast-moving industries. These 'polyworkers' are motivated not just by money, but by growth, exploration, and future resilience. Even if burnout is a risk, many see the benefits – diversified income, skill development, and a stronger personal brand – as worth it.
6. How to showcase your side hustle in a job search
If you want your side hustle to help land your next role, be intentional in how you present it:
Your passion project could be your best career move
As the hiring landscape evolves, the line between resume experience and personal projects continues to blur. In 2025, employers aren't just asking what you've done: they're asking what you've built.
Gen Z is reshaping the world of work in bold, entrepreneurial ways – from side hustles to micro-career pivots – as highlighted in this recent Forbes trend report. And for employers, these self-starters are becoming the most compelling hires of all.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
25 minutes ago
- Forbes
How The Leadership Ripple Effect Can Help Connect With Younger Workers
Ed Doherty is the founder of One Degree Coaching, LLC. One Degree Coaching helps leaders navigate the new world of work. There is nothing more effective in building a healthy culture than hiring from within. It offers numerous benefits, primarily providing a pipeline of loyal talent who already embody your culture. They are the people you know, and they desire opportunities to grow. The problem is that they may not desire to grow with you. Generational divides are as old as human civilization. As a Boomer, I remember my elders accusing us of many of the negative stereotypes we now apply to Millennials, Gen-Z and the emerging Gen-Alpha. "Lazy" and "entitled" are two of the labels I recall from my youth. Some things never change! Generational Divides Are Overblown—But Don't Ignore Younger Workers' Needs We are in a new era of work. If you are a Boomer or Gen-X boss, you may not like the demands of the younger generations, but complaining about them isn't going to change anything. In this new world of work, organizations will have to adapt and develop a new people strategy. Most businesses I coach are still applying the "IBM Model," the old "climb the corporate ladder" motivational scheme. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer employees are interested in that ladder. They grew up watching the older generations struggle with a lack of work-life balance and burnout, and they have their own plans for their futures. Like their predecessors, younger workers want money and bonuses, but they also want: • Work-life balance and flexibility • Purpose and meaning • Autonomy • Learning opportunities • Open communication and feedback • Mental health support Just to name a few! The Fulfillment Model For Better Training And Development The fulfillment model is beginning to take root in an attempt to create a broader approach to training and development. Instead of asking, "What do you want out of your opportunity at our organization?" the question becomes, "What do you want out of your life?" By connecting team members' future goals with their present roles, leaders are experiencing increased loyalty and engagement. For instance, I work with many restaurant companies, and a majority of their workforce is part-time and transient—especially the front-of-house employees. They are working for the money only and do not see a connection between serving guests and their ambition, which in many cases is to own their own business. But the restaurant industry is rife with lessons for these future entrepreneurs. The customer service aspect alone is invaluable for those with entrepreneurial leanings. The Power Of The Ripple Effect Another opportunity that helps motivate younger workers to remain with a company and rise to middle management is the positive ripple effect that managers can have on their team members. Meaningful and purpose-driven work is at the top of these younger workers' wishlists, and by mentoring them using the fulfillment model, they can come to see the power of that ripple effect. Any longtime, people-centric leader can share stories of the lives that they have positively impacted. Several years ago, my brother-in-law passed. He was a head librarian who worked at a university for over 30 years. At his funeral, hundreds of people gathered to share stories of how he had impacted their lives. We were amazed because he had never mentioned his mentorship work, and we had no idea the ripple effect he created for his students and peers. Final Thoughts: Connecting With Younger Workers Purpose and meaningful work are at the top of many workers' wishlists for their workplaces. When I share with my young mentees the power of the ripple effect and how their influence may be felt for generations to come, it often piques their interest. They ask me to share some examples from my 45 years of leadership experience. Not surprisingly, I have many stories to share. When your primary focus is on people, their stories write themselves. After I have shared some stories with my mentees, their mood often shifts to the problems they see with the modern workplace, where middle managers are under-supported and overworked. The only answer I have for them is, "If you don't help change the work world, who will?" Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Business Insider
You can thank Gen Z for new drink options from McDonald's, Starbucks
Gen Z famously doesn't drink much alcohol, but they still love a cold and tasty beverage. Young consumers' preference for unique, non-alcoholic drinks with eye-catching flavors is driving a surge in new offerings from chains like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Taco Bell. So, you can thank Gen Z for the unusual drink options coming to a fast-food restaurant near you. Think pickle-flavored slushies, coffee drinks with popping boba balls, and soda with dried fruit on the bottom. "As Gen Z is drinking less alcohol, they're looking for drinks that they can customize and get excited about," Michael Della Penna, chief strategy officer at the digital advertising research firm, InMarket, which publishes regular reports on fast-casual restaurant customer loyalty, told Business Insider. He added: "We've seen this across a bunch of different chains, and this trend is just another example of capitalizing on that interest and that buzz and that viral component that these drinks bring." Iced beverages from fast food chains saw 9.6% sales growth in 2024, outpacing burgers — and McDonald's now sees a $100 billion global opportunity, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. McDonald's will test-launch its line of "Dirty Sodas," with add-ins like dried fruit and flavored syrups, in hundreds of stores nationwide beginning in September, the outlet reported. Starbucks last week launched its own "Secret Menu" of drinks, making custom add-ons easier to order with four new offerings pre-programmed into the app. Taco Bell, KFC, and Burger King are also rolling out their own new drink plays, making customizable — and usually cold — beverages the new marketing frontier for many national brands, Della Penna told BI. "Cold drinks, in particular, are hot right now," Della Penna said. "And the personalization aspect of it is aligned to how Gen Z orders their Starbucks and what they want to see when they walk into a McDonald's or a Dunkin' or another quick service restaurant: the ability to actually create their own drink in a way that they love and identify and come back to time after time." Recent examples that have been buzzy online include Sonic's Pickle Juice Slush — surprisingly, not the chain's foray into pickle-flavored slushies — and KFC's new Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning Peaches & Cream Soda, which was released June 9. "In the age where everything is visual, the ability to put something up on social media that is unique — and comment about it and get your friends to comment about it — is how that engagement happens with Gen Z," Della Penna said. Bright colors are particularly important for turning a drink into a conversation starter or viral social media moment, Della Penna said. And as far as flavors go? "The crazier, the better."
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sydney Sweeney is a meme stock icon now
An American Eagle ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney has sent the apparel company's stock soaring. Retail traders on Wall Street Bets piled in, with the stock rising as much as 12%. American Eagle joins the ranks of other meme stocks that spiked this week, like Opendoor and Krispy Kreme. Roaring Kitty. Ryan Cohen. Sydney Sweeney? It may not seem like the famous actor has much in common with the most famous retail trader folk heroes, but Sweeney on Thursday was the unlikely catalyst of a sudden stock surge. An American Eagle ad featuring the actor went viral on the internet on Wednesday, attracting the attention of not only the clothing retailer's fans but also the Wall Street Bets crowd, sending shares of the company surging. The campaign, titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," is tailored toward drawing in the brand's Gen Z customer base. The company's stock spiked as much as 12% on Thursday. "$AEO Who doesn't like Sydney Sweeney. That's my DD," one Reddit user said, sharing a captioned screenshot showing a position of 20,000 shares in American Eagle opened on Thursday. American Eagle shares some characteristics with its meme stock brethren: its short interest level is elevated at around 12% of the total float. That makes the stock a promising target for retail investors looking for a short squeeze. That puts it among the DORKs—Krispy Kreme, Opendoor, Rocket Lab, and Kohl's—which all rallied this week. And like Opendoor and the others, American Eagle's business has been challenged. The new ad campaign featuring Sweeney is part of the apparel company's move to revitalize the brand amid stiff competition and caution from consumers due to lingering economic uncertainty. The company's most recent earnings report showed a 5% drop in revenue, and American Eagle has pulled forward guidance. Despite the recent rally, the stock is still down 32% year-to-date. But at the end of the day, the rise of particular meme stocks might not have much rhyme or reason. For the retail traders piling in, the investment thesis is simple: they think Sweeney is hot. "I'm going in too, it's a meme world now. 🌎🔥," another Redditor commented. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
