It’s been a few back-to-back weeks of cold hard recruitment talk; commission structures and market trends etc. I think it was Scorsese that said “One for them, one for me” so I’ve been pretty generous. While I like keeping the market updated with what’s going on out there, the easiest blogs are the ones that come up organically in conversation. As I’ve recently got the ball rolling on my own venture a lot of pub talk has revolved around entrepreneurialism, a word so big Rachel on Countdown would need a whole other board just to fit it in. Recruitment tends to attract people with that certain get-up-and-go, people with an entrepreneurial spirit. If you’ve ever started a black market tuck shop from your backpack, chances are you’d be a good fit for recruitment. I mean we’re often told that “your desk is a business, within a wider business’ and it’s true! Sometimes though, you have a business outside of that business within a business. Enter the side-hustle. A term that as of last year was officially added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary along with Yeet, First Gentleman, and Galantines Day. Defined as;
Noun: (originally in African-American usage) a part-time job or occupation undertaken in addition to one's main job in order to earn extra income.
Through my time recruiting recruiters one thing has always rung true, no one grows up wanting to be a recruitment consultant. We all fall into this industry similarly to how one falls in love or falls ill, depending on your experience. But are these supplementary revenue streams an outlet for passion projects or distractions? I rounded up some of the SHs I’ve come across.
Photography
Damn you Instagram! Once a legit art form, reduced to a subliminal advert and Drake quote. Having recently forked out for a wedding photographer I can attest that these guys get paid! You’re looking at a couple of contractors’ monthly margins straight to your pocket.
Acting
It’s a tough one because as soon as someone tells you they make a living by playing characters, as a recruiter you get a little bit concerned. Then again, if you’re the face of Pineapple Lumps’ new campaign it’s a hell of an in and, easy BD.
Clothing
Anything from baby clothes to gym wear it’s a big one to push across socials. Thankfully for hiring managers it is very hard to get off the ground so there isn’t as much fear of it taking off and your recruiter leaving you.
Celebrant
I heard of this not too long ago and to be honest it makes perfect sense. Us recruiters are an empathetic bunch with a keen sense of time management. Plus, we already act as a conjugate between two parties for a fee.
Jewellery
In a separate category as clothing but pretty similar to be fair. It brings in manufacturers, distributors all sorts of different stakeholders for you to hone your people management abilities. Just don’t try selling your wears to colleagues is my only advice.
DJ
Recruitment and late nights are no strangers to each other. Usually, they are in a very well-lit office with the only music coming from the high spirit cleaners circa 8 pm. This is a little bit of a double life but you still have to be able to read the room and navigate the bullshitters.
Dancing, fighting, Uber, and BBQing are a few others but I just kept it mainstream. When prepping candidates for interviews people have often asked “Do I tell them about this?” my answer is always yes. In my opinion side hustles should be applauded, it shows that you are full of ideas, and adds another dimension to you as a person. The only problem employers have is when the side hustle affects the main hustle. Especially as recruitment is so time/energy consuming. Prioritizing the role you’re being paid for doesn’t mean you’re putting away childish fancies, you’re just honoring your obligation. Back in the day if you had more than one gig you were basically Erin Brockovich, now with so many ways of making a quick buck I’m considering putting up a paywall for some of this content.
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