
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

Wall Street Journal
35 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
Trade Tensions Could Spell Trouble for Chip Stocks — Heard on the Street
Investors awed by AI hype shouldn't be blinded to the real risks facing this vital component of the modern economy. Indeed, the future looks increasingly murky because of tariffs, writes Heard on the Street. Read more:
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dogs of the Dow: Why Amgen's (AMGN) Dividend Power Makes it a Standout Pick
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is included among the 11 Dogs of the Dow Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. A pharmacist filling a prescription for a complex drug developed by the company. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is on the hunt for its next breakthrough drug— a common pursuit among pharmaceutical companies looking to stay ahead of rivals, especially as biosimilar competition grows. The company boasts a robust pipeline, with dozens of ongoing programs that could result in future drug approvals and expanded uses for existing treatments. Thanks to its strong track record of innovation, Amgen has performed well for years, and that momentum is expected to continue. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) also reported strong earnings in the first quarter of 2025. The company posted revenue of $8.15 billion, marking a 9.4% increase year-over-year. It benefited from strong global demand for its products. Management voiced optimism about its long-term growth prospects, supported by the success of recent product launches and encouraging Phase 3 trial outcomes for multiple treatments. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)'s cash flow makes it one of the most reliable dividend stocks. The company generated $1.0 billion in free cash flow during the quarter, doubling the figure from the same period a year earlier. Operating cash flow rose to $1.4 billion from $0.7 billion in the prior year. The company also returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) offers a quarterly dividend of $2.38 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.11%, as of July 26. The company has raised its dividends every year since 2011, which places it among the best dogs of the Dow. While we acknowledge the potential of AMGN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Yield-Focused Investors Favor Chevron (CVX) in the Dogs of the Dow Portfolio
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is included among the 11 Dogs of the Dow Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. An aerial view of an oil rig at sea, the sun glinting off its structure. It is currently facing some company-specific challenges, including a complicated merger and operations in politically unstable regions. However, these issues are unlikely to affect its long-term prospects. Income-focused investors can generally feel confident investing in Chevron. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)'s integrated business model, covering everything from exploration and production to refining and chemicals, offers operational flexibility and acts as a natural hedge against fluctuations in energy prices, enhancing its resilience through market cycles. Unlike many competitors who chase volume growth, Chevron takes a disciplined approach, investing only in its highest-return projects, avoiding overexpansion during booms, and making strategic, value-adding acquisitions. This strategy, along with a strong balance sheet, establishes Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) as a leading operator with the financial strength to endure downturns and seize growth opportunities. The company has been growing its dividends for 38 consecutive years and currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.71 per share. As of July 26, the stock has a dividend yield of 4.42%. While we acknowledge the potential of CVX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None.