resume format for second job

Career Advice for Job Seekers

8 resume writing tips for that second job search out of college

Whenever possible, include numbers and statistics, says McGuiness. These jump out to a recruiter and are a quick way to indicate your impact and value in previous positions. “Increased donations by 30% after implementing an annual silent auction” or “Managed a call center that received over 1,000 calls daily.”

4. Highlight certifications, training programs, stretch assignments and ongoing career or professional development

“It’s important for employers to know that you are invested in your career and are hungry to keep learning and developing,” says Eison.

If you attended a key industry conference, completed a certification or training class (whether online or in-person), reference this. For example, if you work in digital marketing and became Google AdWords Certified, or if you were trained on Adobe Experience Manager, list that. Better yet, list that with a success story/project example using those skills/programs.

In addition, recruiters are looking for candidates with great leadership skills. If you have taken on any additional responsibilities, projects or stretch assignments at your first job, you should include this on your resume.

“Companies are looking for ambitious leaders who are eager to learn and grow with their organizations,” says Eison

5. Highlight soft skills

Listing soft skills is important when writing a resume, because if a company is going to hire you, they will often train you using their own, unique processes.

“Those soft skills – like leadership, communication and team work – are harder to train, so companies want people that have those skills coming into the role,” says McGuiness.

But don’t just say you’re a “strong communicator” on your resume. Instead, show how you’re a strong communicator: “Presented quarterly earnings to senior directors and relayed their recommendations back to the team.”

Related: Communication skills factor into who gets promoted

6. Write the resume to fit the job description

“When applying for any position, at any level in your career, scan the job description and mimic frequently used keywords,” says McGuiness. “Most large employer utilize applicant tracking systems to help them sort hundreds, sometimes thousands of resumes to find the strongest candidates.”

The resumes that are a match to that job description, get noticed.

Related: Avoid common resume mistakes and stand out

7. Open with a strong summary statement

Take the guess work out of the recruiters hands and let them know what position you are interested in based on your skill sets, goals and passion, by creating a strong opening summary statement, says Eison. This isn’t a long-winded paragraph. This is short and to the point, like this:

Seeking financial analyst role where 2+ years of experience at a Fortune 100 organization will add value.

Bold the key terms, results, and language in that summary, and throughout the resume.

“Your resume will be skimmed at first, so make sure to bold your titles and other areas where you want to capture the hiring manager’s attention,” says McGuiness. “If they are intrigued, they’ll read more.”

Said Eison: “If you don’t have a clear summary, recruiters may wrongly assume the role you are applying to or they may not be able to decide where your skills would be an asset for the organization and your resume may be placed in the no pile.”

8. Proofread proofread proofread

“My biggest pet peeve is misspelled words and grammatical errors on resumes,” says Eison.

But it’s difficult to catch your own resume writing mistakes, so have a career coach, trusted colleague, roommate, significant other, or family member proofread your resume. Let’s be clear though: Asking someone (other than a career coach or recruiter whom you may know) to review your resume in terms of resume format or resume layout, is asking for trouble. Your roommate may be a great salesperson, but that doesn’t mean they are skilled at critiquing resumes. Your mom or dad be able to catch grammatical errors, but unless they work in HR, hire, recruit, or manage employees, their specialty is not “critiquing resumes” so save that for the professionals. But proofreading, that’s important. And anyone who can assist reading/reviewing the resume can catch mistakes.

Go to the last page of your resume and read it from the bottom to the top. Looking at it this way can give you another view and help provide clarity to each sentence and give one final proof for spelling, grammar, and/or formatting issues.

“The attention to detail in formatting, spelling, and grammar may seem trivial, but it can certainly make a huge difference and this may help you land an interview and ultimately getting your next job,” says Eison.

Use these resume writing tips to stand out, get noticed, and get an interview. Then in time, you’ll land that second job out of college, and continue to advance in your career.

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How to List Your Side Hustle on a Resume [With Examples]

With many people adopting side hustles to supplement their income amid financial pressures or because they want to work more flexibly, it’s you must know how to present these jobs on your resume effectively. 

But how do you effectively present a second job or multiple overlapping jobs on your resume? This guide offers essential insights on whether to disclose your side hustle, how to articulate it to enhance your career prospects, and detailed steps for listing it professionally.

In this article, we’ll address all the key areas, including:

• Resume enhancement : Learn how to leverage your side hustle to demonstrate valuable skills and initiative.
• Practical examples : Gain clarity with concrete examples of how to format and describe your side gig on your resume. 
• Disclosing side jobs : Understand when and how to mention your second job to potential employers.

Read on to master the art of integrating your side hustle into your resume strategically . Are you in a rush to add your side hustle to your resume? With our user-friendly resume builder and templates, you can easily slot in a second job in minutes.

What Counts as a Side Hustle or Gig Work?

Gig work, which often encompasses flexible, temporary, or ad hoc tasks , has become a crucial part of this economic landscape. 

According to a 2023 World Bank report , the number of online gig workers across the globe could be as many as 435 million , with Reuters reporting that there could be up to 13 million in the US*.

Examples of gig work include : 

• Writing articles for various clients found through platforms like Upwork
• Providing voice-over services or creating video content via online marketplaces like Fiverr
• Delivering food in the evenings or on weekends with intermediary takeaway delivery companies
• Pet-sitting or house-sitting via community platforms

These opportunities allow individuals to tailor their work to fit their personal schedules and needs , providing essential income during challenging times. 

Many Americans are going through a cost-of-living crisis or want to shake up how they work and add flexibility with more remote work . Those considered “Gen Z” sometimes must resort to working a second job to pay their bills and become part of the gig economy. Others simply prefer this way of working. 

In 2022, around 48% of Gen Z Americans had side hustles to help them make ends meet, because they preferred this flexible work, or they planned to launch their own business.

One thing is clear: side hustles are becoming a permanent fixture in our economic fabric, and it’s useful to know how to list this work on your resume.

Should I Put My Second Job on My Resume?

Your resume is a marketing document. Its sole purpose is to highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with the job you’re targeting. 

If your second job enhances your candidacy, it deserves a spot on your resume. It can indicate initiative , entrepreneurship , and a broader skill set.

On the flip side, if your second job is largely unrelated to your primary career focus and doesn’t offer transferable skills, it may end up cluttering your resume.

Consider if your side hustle does the following:

• Helps show off your relevant skills
• Allows you to list transferable skills
• Demonstrates your experience in the job sector
• Allows you to demonstrate skills that can help you find your first full-time remote job
• Sets you apart from other applicants

If your current or previous side hustle helps you in those ways then strongly consider adding it to your resume , otherwise make sure you leave it off to save space for more relevant information.

How To Add a Side Hustle to Your Resume

Including a previous or current side hustle on your resume requires careful consideration, articulation, and presentation . 

After all, it’s not just about stating the fact that you have a side job; it’s about positioning that experience in a way that complements your career trajectory , demonstrates professional growth , and illustrates your multifaceted skill set. 

Here are the steps to help you achieve this:

• Choose the right section : Depending on the nature of your side hustle, you can either include it in your “ Professional Experience ” section or create a separate section like “ Additional Experience ,” or  “ Freelance Work ” if you were not working on a contract but the work is substantial enough to be highlighted. 
• Craft a clear, concise description : Write a brief description of your side hustle. This should cover your roles, responsibilities, and significant achievements. Be sure to include action verbs and quantifiable achievements, just as you would with a regular job description.
• Highlight transferable skills : Make sure to emphasize any transferable skills from these roles that are related to the job you’re applying for.

By taking these steps you can showcase the qualities that you can bring to the position you want to apply to and make your resume further stand out from fellow candidates’ applications.

Side Hustle on a Resume: Examples

In most cases, your second job will go in the experience section of your resume. 

As you’re going to present your side hustle as experience, you must understand how to put gig work on your resume .

To do so, you need to add any side hustle with the appropriate structure and details. That means clearly stating the following:

• Years worked
• Your duties
• Achievements with quantifiable data

💡 Our expert’s advice

You don’t need to mention that it’s a part-time job as it may get confusing for the prospective employer. You can always discuss it during the interview.

In the following example, you can see just how to add side hustle to your resume: 

Additional Experience

Social Media Manager

ABC Apparel | City, State

March 2022 – Present

• Developed and implemented a comprehensive social media strategy that increased follower count by 40% across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter within six months.
• Conducted weekly analysis of social media metrics and adjusted strategy accordingly, leading to a consistent month-over-month growth of 10% in organic reach.
• Collaborated with the design team to create visually compelling graphics, which contributed to a 35% increase in post shares.
• Managed and responded to customer inquiries and comments, improving the brand’s response rate by 50%.

You can use AI tools like ChaptGPT within a resume builder to help you write your job descriptions such as the above example. Just make sure you review and edit the suggestions that it provdes you.

The following is another example of how to list gig work on your resume. This time the side gig is more ad hoc and harder to quantify . Make sure you keep a record of your achievements and any relevant metrics.

Video Content Creator | Fiverr

January 2020 – Present

• Crafted and delivered over 200 engaging videos across various niches including technology, health, and finance, consistently meeting the client’s content standards and deadlines.
• Implemented video SEO best practices that resulted in a 30% increase in organic search traffic over six months.
• Maintained a 98% client satisfaction rate through high-quality production and reliable communication, leading to repeat contracts and referrals.
• Analyzed user engagement data and refined content strategies for a health and wellness website, increasing average session duration by 20% and views by 25%.

How Can I List Overlapping Jobs or Gig Work on a Resume?

You might wonder which job to give priority to if you worked two jobs at the same time.

Remember, it’s best practice to use the reverse chronological format when listing your work experience, no matter the kind of job you are describing.

If you worked multiple jobs at the same time, list the most relevant one first.

You Can List Your Side Hustle as a Freelance Position

If you weren’t given a contract and work self-employed as your side hustle, list your job as a freelance position. 

This is also the case if some ad hoc, infrequent gig work evolves into a role where you receive more regular work in larger quantities .

Here is an example of how a freelance writer could mention their side hustle on a resume

Freelance Writer, UpWork

Self-Employed

January 2022 – Present

• Provide a wide range of writing services to various clients, including blog posts, articles, social media content, and website copy.
• Consistently meet deadlines and maintain high-quality standards, resulting in a 95% client retention rate.
• Collaborated with clients across industries like tech, healthcare, finance, and hospitality to develop targeted content that resonates with their audience.
• Implemented SEO strategies in content creation, increasing web traffic for clients by an average of 30%.

Do You Have to Disclose a Second Job?

Even if the data indicates that it’s becoming the new norm for younger Americans to have a second job, are you obligated to tell your potential new boss that you have a side hustle? 

No, there is no hard-and-fast rule about including side gigs on your resume or informing your current or future boss that you have a side hustle. 

This decision largely depends on your career goals , the nature of your primary and secondary jobs, and the potential employer’s requirements.

You should review the company website to gauge the culture before deciding to include your side job on their resume. The decision also depends on the nature of the side job. If it helps develop skills related to the main job, it might be beneficial to include.

Writing your side hustle on a resume may not always be simple to do, as you want to ensure there will be no conflict of interest with a new job. 

However, a relevant second job can add valuable information to your resume , such as additional skills and experience. 

Simply remember to do the following when including any second jobs:

• Make sure you include them in the appropriate section
• Highlight your transferable skills
• Ensure you are not violating any potential company policies

By using these tips and resume writing tools you won’t have much trouble impressing a hiring manager with what you’ve learned from your side hustle.

*Data taken from US jobs data may be miscounting millions of ‘gig’ workers, research suggests , Reuters, November 17, 2023.

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How to Write the Best Resume for Your Second Job: A Simple Guide to Getting Hired

Posted August 15, 2024

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and land your second job? Whether you're looking to transition to a new industry or climb the ladder within your current field, having a standout resume is crucial. Crafting the perfect resume for your second job can set you apart from other candidates and showcase your growing experience and skills. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to create a compelling resume that will help you get hired for your second job.

Understanding the Importance of Your Second Job Resume

Your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you. For your second job, it's important to highlight not only your previous experience but also your readiness to take on more responsibility and new challenges. This resume needs to show that you have progressed from your first job and are now equipped with the skills and experience needed for the next step in your career.

Key Elements of a Strong Second Job Resume

• Clear Contact Information : Ensure your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile are easily visible at the top of your resume.
• Professional Summary : Write a concise summary that highlights your key skills, experience, and career goals. This section should quickly convey why you’re a strong candidate for the position.
• Work Experience : Focus on your first job and any other relevant work experience. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements, emphasizing how your role evolved over time.
• Skills Section : Include a list of your core competencies, both hard and soft skills, that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Education : List your educational background, including any degrees, certifications, or relevant coursework.
• Achievements and Awards : If you have any notable accomplishments, such as awards or recognitions, include them to showcase your strengths and dedication.
• Volunteer Work or Internships : If applicable, mention any volunteer work or internships that provided valuable experience and skills.

Writing Your Professional Summary

Your professional summary is a brief section at the top of your resume that provides a snapshot of your qualifications. For a second job resume, this section should:

• Highlight your current job title and years of experience.
• Mention key skills and areas of expertise.
• Briefly outline your career goals and why you're seeking a second job.

Example: "Detail-oriented marketing coordinator with 3 years of experience in digital marketing, social media management, and content creation. Proven track record of increasing online engagement and driving brand growth. Seeking to leverage my expertise and passion for marketing to contribute to a dynamic team and advance my career."

Highlighting Your Work Experience

When detailing your work experience, focus on the following:

• Job Title and Company : Clearly state your job title and the name of the company.
• Dates of Employment : Include the months and years you worked in each position.
• Key Responsibilities : Use bullet points to list your primary duties. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb.
• Achievements : Highlight specific accomplishments, such as projects completed, goals met, or improvements made. Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible.

Example: Marketing Coordinator, XYZ Company January 2021 - Present

• Managed social media accounts, increasing followers by 25% in one year.
• Developed and implemented digital marketing campaigns, resulting in a 15% increase in website traffic.
• Collaborated with the content team to create engaging blog posts and email newsletters.
• Analyzed marketing data to optimize campaign performance and improve ROI.

Emphasizing Your Skills

Your skills section should reflect both hard and soft skills relevant to the job you're applying for. This is particularly important for your second job, as it shows that you've developed new competencies since your first role.

• Digital Marketing
• Social Media Management
• Content Creation
• Data Analysis
• Project Management
• Communication
• Team Collaboration

Education and Certifications

Include your highest level of education, as well as any certifications or relevant coursework. This section helps employers understand your academic background and additional qualifications.

Example: Bachelor of Arts in Marketing ABC University, 2018

Certifications:

• Google Analytics Certified
• HubSpot Content Marketing Certification

Showcasing Achievements and Awards

If you've received any awards or recognitions, include them to highlight your accomplishments and dedication.

• Employee of the Month , XYZ Company, March 2022
• Best Social Media Campaign , ABC Marketing Conference, 2021

Adding Volunteer Work or Internships

Volunteer work and internships can provide valuable experience and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth.

Example: Marketing Intern, DEF Nonprofit Organization June 2019 - August 2019

• Assisted in creating social media content and managing accounts.
• Supported event planning and coordination.
• Conducted market research to inform campaign strategies.

Tailoring Your Resume for Each Application

It's essential to tailor your resume for each job application. This means customizing your professional summary, work experience, and skills to match the specific requirements of the job posting. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your resume gets past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catches the hiring manager's attention.

Final Tips for a Strong Second Job Resume

• Keep It Concise : Aim for a one-page resume if possible, especially if you have limited experience. Use concise language and bullet points to keep it easy to read.
• Proofread : Ensure your resume is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well.
• Format Consistently : Use a clean, professional format with consistent fonts, headings, and spacing. Avoid overly complex designs that can distract from the content.
• Highlight Progression : Emphasize how you've grown in your first job and what new skills and experiences you've gained that make you a strong candidate for your second job.
• Include a Cover Letter : When applying for jobs, always include a tailored cover letter that complements your resume and provides additional context for your application.

By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to crafting a compelling resume that showcases your readiness for your second job. Remember, your resume is a living document that should evolve as you gain more experience and skills. Keep it updated and tailored to each job application to maximize your chances of landing that next exciting opportunity.

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