6 Side Hustles for HR Professionals

A ‘side hustle’ – also known as a side gig, side project, or secondary job – is an additional role that someone pursues in addition to their full-time job.

Side hustles have risen in popularity over recent years, as people now realise, they can use their existing skills, hobbies, and professional expertise to build financial security, gain a sense of purpose, and be their own boss.

With 43% of the UK population earning extra income through side hustles, it’s no surprise that HR professionals are also hopping on this trend!

So, if you’re working in HR and interested in starting a side hustle of your own, we’ve outlined six popular choices to help get you started.

1) HR Tech Services

HR tech services help businesses implement, manage, and optimise HR software and systems – and it’s a growing field for HR professionals looking for a lucrative side hustle!

Given that many companies are increasingly relying on technology to streamline HR processes like recruitment, payroll, performance management, and employee engagement, there are tons of opportunities here if you’re a tech-savvy HR professional.

These include:

• System Implementation: assist businesses with the setup and integration of HR systems (HRIS, ATS, payroll software).
• HR Data Analytics: if you’re familiar with data analysis, you can help businesses leverage their HR systems to make data-driven decisions.
• Automation Services: help companies automate repetitive HR tasks. By setting up automated workflows, you can save businesses valuable time and ensure processes run smoothly.

This side gig will allow you to work on some exciting projects and add to your existing expertise!

2) Freelance HR Consulting

If you’re an experienced HR professional, HR consulting can be a rewarding and flexible way to take advantage of your know-how!

Many start-ups as well as small to medium-sized businesses need guidance, advice and support in developing and fine-tuning their HR initiatives. This is where your invaluable expertise comes in!

You can offer organisations (and fellow HR professionals) the support they need, including:

• HR strategies: ensuring that HR strategies are correctly aligned with the overall business objectives – so everyone is on the same page!
• HR policies: creating everything from employee handbooks to equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies and strong compensation and benefits packages.
• HR systems: creating or improving performance review systems, setting up key performance indicators (KPIs), and feedback systems that help teams thrive.
• HR processes: improving recruitment and talent acquisition processes so that they’re clear, unbiased, and attracting the right candidates for each role.

The main goal of a company bringing in an HR consultant would be to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of an HR department, so a natural flair for organisation and prioritisation is key – and project management skills couldn’t hurt! It’s also a good idea to consider and define your HR consulting niche to attract clients.

If you’re interested in this side hustle, it’s a great way to gain valuable insights into a variety of organisations and industries, all while forming new working relationships along the way.

3) CV writing

Crafting a standout CV can be challenging and time-consuming, especially when tailoring it for specific roles.

However, for the HR professional who has sifted through more CVs than they count, and knows exactly what hiring managers are looking for, CV writing can be the ideal side hustle!

If CV writing interests you, start with:

• Confirming your target audience: consider whether you want to focus on one industry (e.g., tech, marketing, or healthcare) or a more general approach. Also, think about who you want to cater to (e.g., executive, senior, or entry-level candidates).
• Refining your skillset: regardless of your focus, make sure you know the ins and outs of CV writing, including industry-specific terms and keywords to make your CVs stand out.
• Designing your package: decide whether you’ll offer basic CV writing, premium CV writing or executive-focused CVs.
• Benchmarking and setting prices: research industry rates and decide whether to charge hourly or by package.
• Building a portfolio: create sample CVs to showcase your expertise to potential clients.

To market your CV writing services, consider:

• Using social media and freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr
• Creating your own website
• Leveraging your network for referrals and word-of-mouth

Once you’re up and running, don’t forget to ask for client testimonials to help you build credibility!

4) Career coaching

The perfect side hustle for the experienced HR professionals, the coaching profession is growing in popularity, spanning careers, health & wellness, leadership – the list goes on.

Being that many HR professionals are already skilled in guiding and supporting employees with their career goals, career coaching is a great side hustle that leverages your existing knowledge of talent management and employee development.

Becoming a career coach gives you the chance to help clients identify and meet their career goals, meaning you’ll have direct and meaningful influence on the personal and professional growth of others.

This includes:

• Helping people through career transitions
• Working on effective communication techniques
• Enhancing client networking capabilities
• Offering tailored job advice

Career coaching provides a unique opportunity for HR professionals to expand their influence beyond traditional HR functions; providing valuable, personalised guidance to those who are feeling stuck professionally, or simply unsure of their next steps.

5) HR content creation

Content creation can be an exciting and profitable side hustle for HR professionals, especially in our technology-driven world.

With your insight on people, processes and workplace dynamics, you’re in a great position to create valuable HR content that both educates, informs and connects with your audience.

This might be in the form of:

• HR blogs & articles
• Industry-specific podcasts
• Whitepapers & case studies
• Social media content

If this side hustle interests you, we recommend:

• Identifying your niche: HR as an industry is broad, so pick one or two topics to begin with. Not only will this help keep you motivated, but you’re more likely to reach your target audience much faster.
• Choosing a preferred platform: spreading yourself too thin too fast is never a good idea, so choose a freelance platform that will help you build experience without burning out.
• Creating a content plan: vital for keeping organised, setting goals, and managing your time, a content plan is a must as you progress! You can find plenty of templates online for free or create your own.
• Tracking your results: not only is this vital for tracking what’s working and what’s not in your written and social content, but you’ll soon be also able to create content based on demand.

This will increase reach, views, clicks, and earn you – and your clients – more money!

Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to stick to HR-specific content. You can start a side hustle as a freelance writer or content creator on virtually any topic and build a portfolio from there!

6) Training and development

For the growth guru, this is a side hustle with an abundance of potential!

If you're passionate about helping people thrive and have experience in designing or delivering training programmes, training and development can be a natural extension of your HR skill set.

Plus, with the rise of online learning and remote work, there’s never been a better time to monetise your expertise in this space. Here’s a few suggestions on how:

• Host workshops or webinars: design and deliver your own live sessions on high-impact topics like leadership development, soft skills, DEI, or performance management.
• Build and sell online courses: platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable allow you to package your training content into self-paced courses, which can generate passive income and reach learners around the world.
• Create downloadable learning resources: develop toolkits, workbooks, checklists, or templates that support working professionals. These can be sold on platforms like Gumroad or Etsy or used as lead magnets to grow your audience!
• Partner with small businesses: smaller organisations often need training support but don’t have an internal L&D function. Offer to build or deliver tailored training solutions on a contract or freelance basis.

The trick is to start small here! A single workshop or downloadable resource is all it takes to get the ball rolling.

Plus, with a solid foundation in HR and learning and development, you’ll already have what it takes to educate, empower and earn!

Important Things to Keep in Mind

Side hustles are exciting, especially when you're doing something you genuinely enjoy and earning a little extra cash on the side.

However, before you dive in headfirst, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure it stays fun and sustainable:

• Time management is your best friend: your full-time job should be prioritised in the first instance, make sure to focus on your side hustle outside of working hours.
• Know the rules: tax implications, NDA's, contracts and data privacy are all things to be aware of, so do your research!
• Money is great, but so is your sleep: nothing is more important than your health, make sure to keep your work/life balance intact.

It’s Time To Get Hustling

Whether you’re diving into career coaching, crafting personalised CVs, or helping businesses upskill, these side gigs not only make use of your HR expertise, but allow you to explore new avenues, expand your knowledge, and create real impact.

Good luck!

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