From the OP comments about work/value proposition of side projects, the current work you are doing at your job should be the focus as the above mentioned. How

From the OP comments about work/value proposition of side projects, the current work you are doing at your job should be the focus as the above mentioned. How I take it, side projects give a candidate an opportunity to present a passion project and discuss the why, how, what of it and they did so because they wanted to, rather than someone asking them to. Ultimately, I think the why is a very important piece.