Side Hustles from Home: Online Jobs, Gigs and More Ideas

You've heard about side hustles, and you're thinking of starting one. That's a great idea! A side hustle can be a great way to make extra money, learn new skills, and network with people in your field.

But there's no job category titled "side hustle." So, what exactly is a side hustle? And how do you go about finding one that's right for you? We'll share some tips with you, from researching to finally getting hired.

Need to land a full-time gig before you can focus on your side hustle? Our AI Resume Builder can help you find your next opportunity by streamlining the resume writing process. With AI-powered content suggestions and stylish and professional templates, this tool makes writing or updating your resume a cinch.

What Is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is an activity that allows you to work and earn money outside of your regular job. It can be freelance, flexible-schedule, or gig-based work in various industries. Unlike traditional employment, remote side hustles are often flexible and allow you to set your hours. This can make side hustling perfect for people with busy schedules who want extra income on their own terms.

Where side hustles vary from traditional employment is in the compensation. Side hustles do not typically come with benefits like health insurance or retirement plans. Side hustlers are generally looking for extra income or work experience to boost their careers rather than formal benefit packages.

Also, side hustles are generally not considered the same as part-time jobs, even if you work part-time hours. When you work in an official part-time role, your employer formally dictates your schedule. On the contrary, side hustles are typically more individualized, with scheduling freedom being a massive incentive. This makes it easier to balance a side hustle with a full-time job and personal commitments. Furthermore, you can work on a side hustle from home to eliminate the costs of commuting.

How to Level Up Your Career With a Side Hustle

Many professionals seek side hustles to supplement their retirement, pay bills, and boost their savings accounts. But finances aren't the only reason you might desire a side hustle.

A side hustle can be a great way to level up your career. For starters, side hustles allow you to learn new professional skills that are valuable in the job market. For example, you may pick up digital marketing or coding skills, which could help you when applying for jobs. If you're looking for a career change, side hustles offer an excellent way to build a portfolio while maintaining the security of your full-time role.

Plus, having a side hustle can demonstrate to employers that you're ambitious and driven. It can give you an edge over other candidates because it shows them that you take the initiative and are willing to go the extra mile for success. Being ready to discuss the challenges and successes of your side hustle is one way to help you feel prepared for an interview.

Side Hustles From Home

The time has never been better to find a side hustle. With the growth of technology and the prevalence of remote work, you're no longer limited to what you can find within your home city. Finding a flexible side hustle you can pursue from your home office means no commuting costs eating into your time and income. Consider some of the possibilities below.

Freelance work

Many side hustlers find success in the freelance world. Freelancing is a great way to earn extra income while still having flexibility and control over your schedule. You can decide which projects you take on, how much you commit to, and when you work. Freelance work is also a great way for entry-level candidates in competitive fields to build up their resumes. Plus, there are many fields of freelance work — from writing and editing to web design to data entry.

Gig-based work

Gig work, such as driving for a rideshare service, dog walking, or grocery delivery services, can easily be scheduled around your existing obligations. Plus, these side hustles require no additional training or prior experience. You might tap into your passions and begin tutoring online or locally. Or, you could dig out your camera and take a few classes to prepare for a photography gig. The possibilities are endless.

Online flexible jobs

Many remote professionals are finding success with flexible contract roles. Consider offering your services as a bookkeeper, a social media manager, or a virtual assistant. Flexible work options might require a minimum number of hours each week or month, but you have the freedom to choose when your hours are completed.

How to Find the Right Side Hustle for You

If a side hustle sounds like it might be the best move for you right now, there are a few considerations before launching your search. Like a traditional job search, finding the right side hustle for you should be a combination of planning and research. Identify your goals, consider your skills and available time, and then use those to decide which side hustle is best for you.

Establish your side hustle goals

Before starting your search, decide what you want to achieve through side hustling. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is my goal only to earn extra income?
• If so, do I have a target amount?
• How long do I want to be side-hustling?
• Am I investing in skills that will help my career?
• Do I know exactly what skills I'm hoping to build?
• Do I need other skills to launch and grow my side hustle?

Defining your goals can help determine the type of side hustle that best fits you.

Evaluate your strengths and available time

Make a list of skills you already have that will help you land a side hustle. And consider the hours of side hustle work you can commit to around your current job or other obligations. That will help you narrow down side hustles that may be a good fit for you. For example, if you have strong computer skills but limited available time, establishing your own website is a great side hustle. You can work on it as much or as little as you like. Just remember, when it comes to side hustles you get back what you put into it.

Research different types of side hustles in your field

Once you have some side hustles in mind, check out the competition. What services do competitors offer? And what kind of rates are they charging? Researching side hustles like yours will give you a better idea of where to start and what's possible.

Create a plan to find the perfect side hustle for you

With your side hustle goals and available resources in mind, create a plan to find the perfect side hustle.

Outline your goals and create a specific and targeted strategy to establish actionable items rather than wasting time surfing through endless job and gig postings. For example, you might aim to research and pitch five freelance bookkeeping roles each week. That's a much more robust plan than a vague goal of "apply to bookkeeping roles."

Side Hustles That Pay Well

The side hustle you choose will depend on your skills, available time, and goals. But side hustles that generally provide the best potential returns require a specialized skill set. Here are a few examples of side hustles that often pay well compared to other side hustles.

Freelance writing

As with most freelance roles, there are many variables in how much a freelance writer makes. Industry, experience, and skill level all factor into your earning potential. Freelance writers may charge per hour or per assignment. And more in-demand roles, such as technical, medical, or legal writing, pay significantly more than other industries. If you have the drive to build a portfolio and pitch your work, there's great potential to make this a lucrative side gig.

Check out these flexible writing jobs that you can try as a side hustle.

Graphic Design

Are you a Photoshop whiz? Or do you have a knack for creating impactful visuals? Graphic design side hustles are great for professionals with an eye for design. Rates vary dramatically depending on the project and skill level, but a graphic designer who markets their skills effectively can earn more than enough to make the effort worthwhile.

Check out these listings for remote graphic design jobs.

Social Media Management

Every business needs a social media presence to compete in today's online world. But not every company needs a full-time social media manager. With scheduling tools, it's easy to fulfill your commitments on your schedule. In fact, the more efficient you are with your side hustle, the more you can earn. If you operate a side hustle from home, billing your clients for the quantity of work instead of the actual time spent allows you to earn more money by optimizing your workflow.

Take a look at one of these social media manager jobs.

Video Editing

Video editing side hustles are great for content creators and multimedia professionals. You can make an impressive side income if you're skilled in editing video footage, audio production, color correction, or sound design. Rates depend on the project's complexity, but working independently means that you get to pick and choose which projects to take on. Establish a professional portfolio and build your network of contacts, and before long, you'll be able to prioritize complex and high-paying opportunities.

Check out one of these remote video editing jobs.

Web Design

Web design side hustles can be particularly lucrative, and they're an excellent way to grow your portfolio if you're seeking a career change. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that a web developer's pay can range dramatically, between $22 and $75 an hour. Your salary will typically be determined by the amount of time and experience you have, as well as the quality of work you provide. Web design roles require a strong blend of technical skills and soft skills, so this is a great side hustle for a candidate who wants to build a well-rounded resume.

Try out one of these web design jobs for a side hustle that you can do from home.

Starting Your Side Hustle

By researching side hustles, evaluating your skills, and creating an action plan, you can determine if side hustling is right for you and find the side hustle that's perfect for your goals. Even if you don't have a lot of time to commit to a side hustle, a simple side hustle from home can be a fantastic way to earn some cash and build your skills on a flexible schedule. 

Whatever side hustle you choose, the key to success is dedication. This means managing your side hustle with the care you would give to a full-time job or business. Set up separate accounts for side hustle income and expenses, treat side hustle time like regular working hours, and stay organized to help you make the most of your side hustle.

How to List Side Hustles on a Resume

Even if you find the perfect side hustle, how can you use it to progress your career? For this, you need to learn how to showcase side hustles on your resume. There are a few options:

• You can include side hustles in your resume's experience section. A side hustle is part of your work history and can be used to demonstrate your professional skills alongside your more traditional work history. If your side hustle involves freelance work for multiple clients, combine each freelance role under a single experience entry dedicated to your freelance career.
• For less traditional side hustles, like an independent business venture or a monetized hobby, you may choose to include your side hustle experience under alternative sections. Depending on your circumstances, listing your side hustles as projects or hobbies makes sense. You can even build your own unique section dedicated to the type of side work you do.

No matter how you choose to structure your resume, start by choosing a resume template that suits your career level and needs. From there, focus on creating a unique resume that targets the role you're seeking. Choose which side hustles to include on your resume based on how relevant they are to the role you're applying to.

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Hailey Brophy

Career Advice Expert

Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.

Read more articles by Hailey Brophy