Highlighting a Side Gig Without Compromising Your Professional Commitment

How do you professionally highlight your senior role in a side gig, a startup, or nonprofit without appearing less committed to your primary employer? This is a question many professionals face, especially when maintaining a strong online presence. Here are some tips to guide you.

Understanding the Perceived Value of Your Side Gig

Many might be concerned that having multiple commitments might reflect poorly on you. However, it's important to recognize that taking on additional responsibilities, especially in voluntary or community-based roles, can be seen as a strength rather than a weakness. Lists like the one on your LinkedIn profile, showcasing community radio stations, an I.T. consultancy, and a DJ book startup, can actually be seen as badges of honor. These initiatives demonstrate your willingness to volunteer and commit your spare time to worthy causes, a trait that often earns you valuable brownie points.

Addressing Employer Concerns

The best way to alleviate potential concern from your current employer is to excel in your current role. Ensure that your daily performance aligns with what is expected of you. Your colleagues and bosses should see you as dedicated, diligent, punctual, well-rested, healthy, and energetic. If you continue to be the same person that you are known to be, there’s no reason for them to doubt your commitment.

When it comes to social media, it's crucial to maintain a professional boundary. In my experience as an employer, the primary concern would be about when and how often you engage in side activities during work hours. It's generally wise to avoid having current colleagues or supervisors in your social media groups, including Facebook. Including them in your personal accounts can lead to unnecessary concerns and discussions that might affect your work environment.

Maintaining a Professional Online Presence

While your LinkedIn profile might include multiple commitments, it's what your coworkers and bosses see on a daily basis that truly matters. If they see you are dedicated and performing well in your primary role, they have no reason to doubt your commitment to them.

Managing your social media effectively is key. I've found that avoiding the inclusion of workplace contacts in personal accounts like Facebook and Twitter to be a successful strategy. This helps keep your personal and professional lives separate, reducing the risk of any overlap. For instance, if you have a Facebook account, create a separate one for your non-profit organization. Similarly, if you use Twitter, maintain a separate account for your non-profit as well. Although Twitter may not expose your lifestyle in the same way Facebook does, having separate accounts still makes good business sense.

When it comes to listing your roles on LinkedIn, it's perfectly acceptable to be upfront about your side gig. If someone asks, simply tell them the truth. It may take a couple of hours a day, generally when you get home or on weekends, but that's all it entails. Ultimately, the details of your private time are personal and not the business of anyone else. However, if you choose to reveal this information, it’s always better to be honest.

It's important to note that your current colleagues probably aren’t reading your resume daily, but they do see you every day and work with you. It's their day-to-day interactions with you that count the most, not your LinkedIn profile or social media activities.

Conclusion

Highlighting your side gig on LinkedIn doesn’t have to be a source of concern if you approach it with a balanced and transparent mindset. By excelling in your primary role, maintaining a clear separation between your professional and personal commitments, and being honest about your side gig, you can showcase your dedication and multitasking abilities while maintaining the trust and respect of your current employer.

Remember, the key is to demonstrate consistency and professionalism in all your endeavors, whether they are for profit or non-profit, and balance is the cornerstone of success in both your personal and professional life.