Back
How to Include Side Projects in Your Resume
Side projects are the hidden gems that can turn a good resume into a great one. Whether you built a mobile app in your spare time, contributed to open‑source, or launched a community blog, including side projects in your resume shows initiative, technical depth, and a growth mindset. In this guide we’ll cover why side projects matter, when and how to add them, formatting tricks, real‑world examples, a step‑by‑step checklist, and answers to the most common questions. By the end you’ll have a ready‑to‑paste section that impresses recruiters and passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Why Side Projects Matter in 2024
- Hiring managers love evidence of self‑driven learning. A recent LinkedIn survey found that 78% of recruiters consider side projects a strong indicator of a candidate’s passion and problem‑solving ability. [source]
- ATS algorithms reward keyword diversity. Adding project‑specific terms (e.g., React, Docker, SEO) expands the match pool for job descriptions.
- They fill experience gaps. If you’re transitioning careers or have limited professional experience, side projects provide concrete proof of relevant skills.
Bottom line: Including side projects in your resume can boost interview callbacks by up to 30% when done correctly.
When to Include Side Projects (Do’s & Don’ts)
| ✅ Do | ❌ Don’t |
|---|---|
| Show relevance – pick projects that align with the target role. | List every hobby, even if unrelated (e.g., knitting club). |
| Quantify impact – users, revenue, performance gains. | Use vague language like "worked on a cool app" without results. |
| Keep it concise – 2‑3 bullet points per project. | Write long paragraphs that take up half a page. |
| Update regularly – replace older projects with newer, more impressive ones. | Let outdated projects linger for years. |
Quick Decision Tree
- Is the project relevant to the job? → Yes → Continue.
- Did you achieve measurable results? → Yes → Include.
- Is the project recent (last 3‑5 years)? → Yes → Keep; otherwise consider removing.
Choosing the Right Side Projects
- Technical relevance – If you’re applying for a software engineering role, prioritize code‑heavy projects (apps, APIs, open‑source contributions).
- Business impact – For product or marketing roles, highlight projects that generated revenue, traffic, or user growth.
- Leadership & collaboration – Projects where you led a team, coordinated contributors, or managed a community showcase soft skills.
- Public visibility – Projects with a live demo, GitHub repo, or published article make verification easy for recruiters.
Tip: Use the Resumly AI Resume Builder to match your project keywords with the job description automatically. [AI Resume Builder]
Formatting Side Projects on Your Resume
1. Create a Dedicated Section (Optional)
If you have multiple strong projects, add a separate heading:
## Side Projects
Otherwise, embed them under Professional Experience or Projects.
2. Use a Consistent Structure
**Project Title** – Role (Month Year – Month Year) | Tech Stack
*Brief one‑sentence description.*
- **Result 1:** Quantified outcome (e.g., "Increased user sign‑ups by 40% (5,000+ users)"
- **Result 2:** Specific contribution (e.g., "Implemented OAuth2 authentication using Node.js and Passport")
- **Result 3:** Collaboration detail (e.g., "Led a team of 4 developers through Agile sprints")
3. Highlight Keywords for ATS
- Use exact technology names (React, AWS, SQL).
- Include action verbs (designed, optimized, launched).
- Add industry‑specific terms (e.g., SEO, conversion rate).
Step‑By‑Step Guide to Adding a Side Project
- Select the project – Choose the most relevant one based on the job posting.
- Gather metrics – Pull analytics, user numbers, revenue, or performance improvements.
- Write a concise title – Keep it under 5 words; add a link if publicly available.
- Define your role – Clarify whether you were Founder, Full‑Stack Developer, Designer, etc.
- List the tech stack – Separate with commas; avoid overly generic terms.
- Craft bullet points – Follow the Result‑Action‑Metric formula.
- Insert into resume – Place under the appropriate section.
- Run an ATS check – Use Resumly’s free ATS Resume Checker to ensure keywords are recognized. [ATS Resume Checker]
- Proofread – Verify spelling, dates, and links.
Checklist Before You Hit “Send”
- Project is relevant to the target role.
- Each bullet includes a quantifiable outcome.
- Tech stack is specific and matches the job description.
- No more than 3 bullet points per project.
- Links (GitHub, live demo) are working and shortened if needed.
- Keywords pass the ATS Resume Checker.
- Formatting is consistent with the rest of the resume.
Real‑World Examples
Example 1 – Software Engineer (Web)
**TravelBuddy** – Full‑Stack Developer (Jan 2023 – Jun 2023) | React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS
A peer‑to‑peer travel‑planning web app that matched users with compatible itineraries.
- **Result:** Grew to **2,300 active users** within 3 months, achieving a 25% month‑over‑month retention rate.
- **Result:** Reduced server costs by **30%** through Docker containerization and auto‑scaling on AWS.
- **Result:** Integrated Stripe payments, processing **$12K** in transactions.
Example 2 – Marketing Specialist
**EcoBlog** – Content Strategist (Mar 2022 – Present) | WordPress, SEO, Google Analytics
A sustainability blog that educates readers on zero‑waste living.
- **Result:** Generated **15,000+ monthly pageviews**, a 120% increase in organic traffic in 6 months.
- **Result:** Secured 8 guest posts on high‑authority sites, boosting domain authority from 22 to 38.
- **Result:** Ran A/B email campaigns that lifted click‑through rates from 2.1% to 4.8%.
Example 3 – Data Analyst (Non‑Tech)
**CityBike Insights** – Data Analyst (Sep 2021 – Dec 2021) | Python, Pandas, Tableau
Analyzed public bike‑share data to identify usage patterns and recommend city improvements.
- **Result:** Produced a dashboard viewed by **5 municipal departments**, influencing the addition of 12 new bike stations.
- **Result:** Cut data processing time by **45%** using vectorized Pandas operations.
Mini‑Conclusion: Each example demonstrates how to include side projects in your resume with clear titles, roles, tech stacks, and quantifiable results.
Leveraging Resumly’s Free Tools
- AI Career Clock – Visualize how your side projects fit into your overall career timeline. [Career Clock]
- Resume Roast – Get AI‑powered feedback on the impact of your project descriptions. [Resume Roast]
- Buzzword Detector – Ensure you’re using the right industry buzzwords without over‑stuffing. [Buzzword Detector]
- Job‑Search Keywords – Pull the top 10 keywords from a target job posting and sprinkle them into your side‑project bullets. [Job‑Search Keywords]
These tools help you fine‑tune the language so that both humans and ATS love your resume.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
- Over‑loading with jargon – Fix: Keep language accessible; explain acronyms briefly.
- Missing dates – Fix: Always include month and year for each project.
- No link to evidence – Fix: Add a short URL to a GitHub repo, live demo, or article.
- Duplicating content – Fix: Ensure each bullet adds a new piece of information; avoid repeating the same metric.
- Ignoring ATS – Fix: Run the resume through the ATS Resume Checker and adjust keywords accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Should I list side projects if I have 5+ years of work experience? A: Yes, especially if the projects demonstrate newer technologies or leadership that your recent roles don’t cover.
Q2: How many side projects is too many? A: Aim for 2‑3 high‑impact projects. Quality beats quantity; recruiters spend ~6 seconds scanning each section.
Q3: Do I need to include a link for every project? A: Include a link when the project is publicly accessible (GitHub, website, demo). If it’s confidential, describe the impact without a link.
Q4: Can I combine side projects with freelance work? A: Absolutely. Treat freelance contracts as projects; label them clearly (e.g., Freelance Mobile App – Client XYZ).
Q5: How do I quantify a non‑technical project? A: Use metrics like audience size, engagement rate, funds raised, or events organized.
Q6: Should I list the tech stack for every project? A: Yes, but keep it concise—list the most relevant 3‑5 technologies.
Q7: Will adding side projects hurt my ATS score? A: No, as long as you avoid excessive formatting and include relevant keywords. Run a quick check with Resumly’s ATS tool.
Q8: Is it okay to list a project that failed? A: Only if you can frame it as a learning experience with measurable takeaways (e.g., Iterated on a prototype that informed a successful product launch).
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Art of Including Side Projects
When you include side projects in your resume, you’re not just filling space—you’re telling a story of curiosity, initiative, and real‑world impact. Follow the step‑by‑step guide, use the checklist, and let Resumly’s AI tools polish every bullet. Remember to:
- Select relevance – match the role.
- Quantify outcomes – numbers speak louder than words.
- Format consistently – keep it scannable.
- Test with ATS – ensure keyword coverage.
- Iterate – update as you complete new projects.
Ready to transform your resume? Try the Resumly AI Resume Builder today and see how your side projects can become the centerpiece of a winning application. [Resumly Home]
Happy building, and may your side projects open doors you never imagined!
