With 36% of the U.S. Workforce choosing to freelance in 2019, answering this question will be essential for many jobseekers.

• Conduct an honest analysis. Will including your side gig make you a better candidate?

• Have you developed skills during your side hustle that will round out your candidacy for the specific role in which you are applying? Listing side gig skills can be crucial when changing industries or transitioning into a new field.

• Does your side hustle detract from your brand or muddy your message? For example,

Could you come across as less than committed or as having a conflict of interest? Could a hiring manager infer that you don’t have time because you are spending 20+ hours per week on your side hustle in addition to your full-time job?

1. Remove old or irrelevant information. The standard length of employment to highlight on a resume is 10 to 15 years. New grads will have less experience than this, and some more tenured folks can make a case for including more years of experience.

2. Update your experience section. Did you add new responsibilities or change departments?

3. Refresh your bullet points. Add major projects, accomplishments, and results. How have you made money? Saved money? Made a process more efficient? How do you stand out from others who hold that same position?

4. Remove graduation dates if you are more than 5-7 years out of college.

5. Update professional development training courses and certifications that you have obtained within the last 5 to 7 years. Include course name, company that offered the course, and the year you took the course.

Two recent clients stand out for how differently they handled rejection.

Both had similar experiences, they interviewed for their dream job, and although they got to the final round of interviews and interviewed well, they did not receive a job offer.

The first client had a difficult time getting beyond his disappointment. Not being chosen tapped into many of his insecurities and caused his self-esteem to plummet. He saw this new job as the perfect “out” of his current, dismal work environment. He desired a fresh start, and this new opportunity provided that. The intense desire for a new/better opportunity triggered severe emotional reactions when he didn’t receive an offer. When we discussed follow up from his interview, he said he absolutely could not contact anyone at the company; his feelings were too hurt. He didn’t feel the company deserved a follow-up. He told me, in not so many words, that not hiring him was their loss.

Here’s how to explain your Covid-19 layoff on a resume, cover letter, and interview.

• Be upfront about your layoff on your resume. If you show your end date any time after March, there’s a good chance most hiring managers and recruiters will know that your layoff was due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Don’t list specific reasons for your layoff on your resume. Instead, provide brief details in your cover letter.

Stick with me here.

In landscaping, you have three choices.

1. You do not do much, only mowing the grass once per week. You don’t invest in shrubs, bushes, perennials, and annuals. Going the minimal effort route is acceptable. As long as you keep your yard up, your neighbors won't likely give you much grief.

2. You invest time and energy into landscaping your yard. You spend your weekends keeping your yard looking beautiful, and you enjoy being outside. It’s fun for you to conduct research, watch HGTV shows, and bounce ideas off neighbors.

Different career advisors, coaches, and resume writers weigh in on how to reduce job search anxiety during the coronavirus epidemic.

Looking for a new job can cause uncertainties and be wrought with anxiety. During Covid-19, many people are feeling turmoil in their careers, have experienced a layoff, or find themselves underemployed. This can cause uncertainty and rejection, as well as financial pressure. I was fortunate to have several job search and career consultant colleagues weigh in on this topic. These tips can help reduce concerns for job seekers going through the stressful and anxious job hunt process.

I attended an indoor cycle class at my gym today. As I entered the room, a gentleman in his sixties smiled like he knew me and hollered a robust "hello!". I chose a bike near him because he was so friendly. He asked me if I was a biker and we discussed the types of workouts we do, in and out of the gym. The man introduced himself as Marty. As another participant entered the class, Marty asked her if she needed any help getting her bike set up. I’d be willing to bet Marty has never had a hard time building his network, expanding his business opportunities, or finding a job. 

If you are like many job seekers, your goal is to attract positive attention and remain visible with recruiters and connections while keeping your job search private. Show your passion for your current employer and industry while showcasing your accomplishments with these 9 tips.