Nowadays, more and more people are starting side businesses while keeping their regular jobs. But here’s the problem – many workers don’t know how to show their side projects on LinkedIn. They worry about making their boss upset or creating problems at work.
Don’t worry though. This guide will help you add your side projects to LinkedIn the right way. First, we’ll cover why it’s good for your career. Then, we’ll show you exactly how to do it step by step.
Table of Contents
Why Should You Add Your Side Project to LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is like your online business card. When you add your side project, good things happen. First of all, more people will see you as an expert in your field. Also, potential customers might find you and want to work with you.
Additionally, it shows you’re hardworking and creative. Most importantly, future employers will see that you can handle multiple projects. This makes you look like a valuable employee.
Furthermore, your side project proves you’re willing to learn new things. As a result, you’ll stand out from other job candidates.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Before you add anything to LinkedIn, there are some important rules to follow. First, LinkedIn is for business and work-related things only. So, make sure your side project fits this rule.
Next, check with your current job about their rules. Some companies don’t allow employees to have side businesses. Therefore, it’s better to ask first than get in trouble later.
Finally, make sure your side project doesn’t compete with your main job. Otherwise, you might create problems with your employer.
How to Add Your Side Endeavor to Your Experience Section
Now that you understand the basics, let’s get to the main part. Adding your side project to LinkedIn is actually quite easy. However, you need to follow these three simple steps to do it right.
Step 1: Pick a Good Job Title
When you list your side project, choose a clear title that tells people what you do. For example, instead of saying “Side Business Owner,” use “Freelance Web Designer” or “Online Store Owner.”
The title should be easy to understand right away. This way, people will quickly know what you offer.
Step 2: Write About What You Do
Now you need to describe your side project simply. Here’s what you need to cover:
What do you provide to sell and/or what services do you provide?
Who are your customers?
What do you already have accomplished?
What new skills do you now possess?
Keep it short but interesting, and don’t forget to include numbers when applicable! For example, “helped 50 plus small businesses” adds more flair than “helped some businesses.”
Step 3: Choose the Right Work Type
LinkedIn lets you pick different types of work. For side projects, here are the best choices:
Image Source: Linkedin Porfile
“Self-employed” if you work for yourself
“Part-time” if you spend regular hours on it
“Contract” if you work on specific projects
This helps people understand how much time you spend on your side project.
Adding Your Side Project to Other Profile Sections
Besides the experience section, there are other places on LinkedIn where you can mention your side project. In fact, using these extra sections can help more people find you and learn about your skills.
Skills Section Enhancement
Your side project likely involves skills that are complementary to your career. Do not hesitate to include these skills in the skills section of your LinkedIn profile. This boosts your visibility when people search for professionals with those skills, as well as adding to the attractiveness of your work to recruiters or new collaborators.
Volunteer Experience Section
If your side project entails any community service or socially-oriented impact, it may fit better under the Volunteer Experience section. This can be a strong alternative, as a non-profit, social impact, or social justice initiative may be less contentious while demonstrating the unique interests and skill set you bring.
Featured Section Utilization
Use LinkedIn’s featured section to share any type of content related to your side project, including articles you’ve written, a presentation you’ve done, or media coverage you’ve received.
Final Thoughts
Adding your side project to your LinkedIn profile can have an amazing impact on your career. However, you need to do it the right way. The most important thing is to remain professional and realistic about your time investment to the work.
Moreover, keep in mind that LinkedIn is a place to build your reputation over time. Therefore, take your time on good descriptions and choosing the right categories. Finally, make sure that your side project enhances your main career.
When you do this, you simultaneously illustrate that you’re a hardworking and creative professional, while keeping LinkedIn a professional and valuable networking tool.
Uneeb Khan is the founder of HowFixer and has over 6 years of experience in tech writing and troubleshooting. He loves converting complex technical topics into guides that everyone can understand. Uneeb has worked with different tech companies, creating user-friendly content to help people make the most of their devices and apps.
