Hiring Managers Favor Side Hustles Over College Degrees as Gen Z Resale Boom Reshapes Recruitment

Operating an online resale boutique on platforms like Depop and Vinted has emerged as a stronger asset on entry-level job applications than formal university credentials or traditional corporate internships, according to new research.

A survey conducted by resale marketplace Depop reveals that 85 percent of hiring managers advise job seekers to include secondhand selling experience on their resumes. Furthermore, recruiters indicated they would choose a candidate with active resale experience over an otherwise equally qualified peer who lacked it.

The finding reflects a broader structural shift toward skills-based hiring in global corporate recruitment, as major employers increasingly look past formal academic credentials to identify practical, real-world competencies. According to the research, 65 percent of hiring managers ranked managing a secondhand store as the most impressive experience for entry-level applicants, comfortably ahead of corporate internships (46 percent), retail or hospitality roles (39 percent), and social media management (35 percent).

Young professionals appear to share this assessment of formal education’s declining practical value. Approximately 71 percent of Gen Z sellers surveyed said that operating an online shop taught them more actionable commercial knowledge than their higher education courses. The micro-entrepreneurship required in reselling forces individuals to master critical business functions, including dynamic pricing strategy, digital marketing, customer service, inventory logistics, and revenue budgeting.

“For years we’ve watched people come to Depop to earn an income through creativity and entrepreneurship, but what often goes unnoticed are the professional skills they’re building along the way,” said Depop Chief Executive Officer Peter Semple, noting that resale experience is now formally recognized as legitimate career development.

Over nine in ten recruiters surveyed agreed that running a successful resale account demonstrates essential entrepreneurial drive and initiative. An additional 88 percent cited commercial awareness, while 87 percent recognized transferable workplace capabilities. Despite this demand, 49 percent of young resellers surveyed were unaware that their side-hustle activity held professional weight in corporate hiring processes.

For many young adults, peer-to-peer commerce began as a financial coping strategy amidst economic pressures, high inflation, and an intensely competitive entry-level labor market clogged by automated application software. Max Hunt, a top seller on Depop, noted that thrifting and selling clothing helped cover personal living costs and college tuition while cultivating core competencies in branding, negotiation, and client retention.

The emphasis on peer-to-peer enterprise skills highlights growing skepticism surrounding higher education’s return on investment. As organizations prioritize operational capability over degree prestige, leaders across industries are questioning the utility of traditional academic pathways. Michael Bush, Chief Executive Officer of workplace research firm Great Place to Work, noted that corporate leadership focus over the last five years has shifted almost exclusively toward actionable skill sets rather than institutional credentials.

This re-evaluation comes as graduates face substantial student debt and delayed financial milestones. Survey metrics indicate that one-third of university graduates believe their degrees were not worth the financial investment, while 14 percent reported delaying major life events, such as purchasing a home or moving out of their family residence, due to educational debt balances.