1Finding A Green Job (C) 2009 Ogden Publications, Inc.

2Finding A Green Job (C) 2009 Ogden Publications, Inc.

The promise andrealiTy of ‘green’ jobs By 2040, experts estimate that 40% of the jobs available will be green. As a job seeker, you owe it to yourself to consider whether or not a green job is in your future. This e-book will help you make an informed decision and provide you with a path to green career success. What is the landscape for green jobs now? Promising and growing – but still a small percentage of the total em-ployment landscape. Despite the current economic down-turn (this book was written in the spring of 2009), invest-ment in green technologies and services has grown rap-idly, and will continue to do so throughout the rest of the decade due to both private and public funding.

WhaT is a green job? The term ‘green job’ is ex-tremely fuzzy, with almost ev-ery company and employment sector jumping on the green bandwagon. However, for the purposes of this e-book, here is a useful working definition of the general green jobs sec-tors. (These four definitions come from the Minnesota Green Jobs Task Force.): green products are industries re-lated to the manufacture of products that reduce environmental impact and improve use of resources such as energy efficiency, water conservation and use of environmentally preferred materials. Green Products are used in four areas: - Building - Transport - Consumer Products - Industrial Products renewable energy includes

industries related to the production of energy from natural resources such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass, and biofuels such as etha-nol, cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. The Renewable Energy category also includes industries that recover and use waste heat, and industries that use biomass (materials such as animal and crop waste) for energy, including cogeneration.

green services are industries and occupations that provide a range of services that help business and indi-vidual consumers use green products and technologies, and build energy infrastructure and occupations relat-ed to energy efficiency, farming, and recycling and waste management. environmental Conservation includes industries related to con-servation of energy, air, water and land including air emissions control, monitoring and compliance, wa-ter treatment, water conservation, wastewater treatment, land manage-

ment (including prairie land), natural pesticides, aquaculture, and local and organic farms. The fact is that almost every aspect of the current economy will include substantial numbers of posi-tions that can be termed green, rang-ing from HVAC service technicians who retrofit buildings with energy efficient cool systems, to automotive engineers designing the next genera-

tion of hybrid cars. Some of the jobs created aren’t immediately obvious. For example, constructing a wind farm also creates positions for sheet metal workers, manufac-turers, machinists, and truck drivers, among many others. When an existing building is retrofitted for energy efficiency, the work may employ roofers, insulators, HVAC and electrical workers, and building inspectors. (For additional titles, see Ap-pendix: Green Job Titles.) Where should you start? This e-book lays out a path for learning more about your skills, then helps you apply them to the emerging green market. The end result? A new green job for you! Let’s get started.

invenTory your skillsThe first step in your job search is an assessment of your skills. Even if you aren’t currently in the field that you’re targeting, you may already possess some of the skills required. To get started, sit down at the computer or with pen and paper and write down everything you know how to do ex-tremely well – we’re talking expert-lev-el! If you are a top-notch skeet shooter or accomplished woodworker, jot that down. If you’re continually compli-mented on your ability to persuade others, then include that as well.

2 3Finding A Green Job (C) 2009 Ogden Publications, Inc.

Next, write down those skills that you’re pretty good at – at least aver-age or above. Write until you feel that you’ve exhausted yourself. Then set it aside and take a break – an hour or even a day. When you return, review your list and add the items you forgot. Finished? Not quite. Each of the skills is actually composed of what we’ll call sub-skills. For example, if you’re a woodworker, that means you possess a number of other abilities, such as good hand-eye coordination, a talent for measuring, and an excel-lent aptitude for following written instructions. So your next step is to create lists of sub-skills for each top level skill. Give yourself as long as it takes to complete this task; it will form the basis of much that follows.

EXAMPLE: You currently work at an industrial plant assembling windows and doors. Your green job target is to get into the growing area of home retrofitting for energy efficiency. Your current skills include: - excellent hand/eye coordination - ability to operate power equipment such as drills, routers, and nailers- ability to work under strenuous, difficult conditions, including extreme heat- knowledge of current state and federal energy standardsThese skills would be attractive to a HVAC or electrical contractor seeking to expand its staff. Most likely your skills are not enough to land a job immediately, but your ability to talk about them and how they apply to the employer’s work will put you ahead of the typical job applicant.

maTChing skillsTo jobs Identifying your skills and sub-skills is the first step in your career search. Next you will identify those green jobs that match your skills.But how?

Prowl. With your list of skills at your side, spend some time onGreenBiz or TreeHugger. (See Ap-pendix: Online Resources for more information.) These sites are devoted to business in the green economy, and are great resources for identify-ing the types of jobs available. Each time you read about a job or busi-ness that interests you, jot it down. Also write down the types of skills you believe would be needed to work for this company or in this position. Keep doing this until you have at least 20 companies or jobs listed. Confirm. Take your list of compa-nies and jobs and identify the follow-ing for each: -industry sector -products or services providedThat’s the easy part. Next, you must determine which specific skills are required to work in this company or job. The government has excellent online resources (try its Occupational Outlook Handbook) to guide you. For example, you’ve chosen a com-pany that specializes in green office buildings. After looking at its website, you’ve determined that the company offers architectural services and spe-cialty contracting. This in turn means that they hire architects, drafters, HVAC technicians, building automa-tion programmers, and administrative support staff. By looking up these jobs, you identify the skills required for each. Match. After you’ve fleshed out your list with the skills required, you can see where the matches are between your personal skills and the jobs that interest you. Don’t throw out a job because you lack a skill or two; these can be acquired. Instead, look for the best collection of match-es – those jobs that use most of your skills and seem most attractive. The end result? You have an initial list of green jobs that match your skills (and along the way, you’ve also created a list of companies that hire people in

those jobs). Now you need a resume.

building a resume Even in this mobile, electronic world, you need a resume. Why? Because employers will always need a compact document that tells them everything they think they need to know about you. Whether your resume is ever printed or simply lives to be uploaded via a web form on a job site, it will become, for all intents and purposes, you. What is the goal of a resume? Simple – to land you an interview. A resume is a very specific type of ad. Remember this! A resume is telling the employer, “If you hire this person, you will get these specific, direct ben-efits.” Of course, a resume has many other tasks to perform, such as estab-lishing your professional reputation, getting you past a screening process, and providing basic contact informa-tion. But ultimately, your resumes sell you to the employer in such a way as to procure an interview. A resume is not a simple history. It certainly contains your employment history, but it is written to persuade, compel, and impress. A resume is writ-ten with a specific job target in mind. If you don’t know which job you’re targeting, then you’ll create a resume with no focus, which will give you poor or no results. A good resume will answer the following questions: 1)Why should I, the skeptical employer, hire you? 2)What relevant skills do you have for the position? 3)What have you done in the past that makes me believe you can excel at this position? Answer these questions with your resume and your phone will ring. A great resume contains two sec-tions: assertions and evidence. In the first, you will interest and excite the employer about your achievements,

4Finding A Green Job (C) 2009 Ogden Publications, Inc.

skills, and qualities. In the second, you’ll lay out the facts that back up your assertions. You will create a targeted re-sume – a resume specifically tailored to the job you’re seeking. Even if you’re unsure if you ultimately want a career as a wind turbine inspector, your resume must display absolute, unwavering commitment to obtaining that position. After all, if your resume sounds wishy-washy, do you really think the employer will be interested in calling you? Your resume should contain an objective – something that is suc-cinct and to the point. For example, “Obtain a position as an assistant environmental technician in an or-ganization that requires both excep-tion lab and communication skills.” Next, include a summary section that states who you are with regard to experience, skill, and character. A good example is:“Over 10 years as an organizational catalyst/training design consultant with a track record of producing ex-traordinary results for more than 15 community based organizations. Com-mitted to community service. Energetic self-starter with excellent analytical, organizational, and creative skills.”

Finally, spend some time creating a short list (of four to six items) of your top skills and accomplishments. Include only the most relevant items with regard to your target job. Don’t worry about leaving something out, because the chronological part of your resume will include it. Remem-ber – this is where you can focus the employer’s attention on the most critical and interesting skills you have for their job. The actual listing of your posi-tions, employers, and accomplish-ments is typically done in a chrono-logical format – in other words, in time order, starting with your most recent job. This is always the best choice if you’re already in the same sector as your job target. What if you’re moving from one career to another? You may want to consider a functional format – grouping your experience in terms of skills. However, this format is more challenging to do well, and is not advised unless you are a skilled writer and communicator. (Alter-natively, you can seek the help of a professional resume service.) A better alternative may be a blended format which presents your

information chronologically, but breaks out each job in terms of the skills you wish to highlight for your target job. This can be particularly effective if you’re trying illustrate that you have ‘transferable’ skills – for example, if you’re a computer geek and want to get into building automation (which at its core depends on comput-ers and programming). Here is a short list of items that you should include in your experi-ence area: •Certifications •Training •Awards •Professionalaffiliations •Civicleadershippositions •PublicationsormentionsWhat should you do about refer-ences? Simply include a phrase such as ‘References available upon request’ – that is adequate. If the employer wants references, they’ll let you know. A few final points about your resume before we move on: •Includecompletecontact information, including multiple methods of reaching you, such as email, phone, fax, and physical address. •Keepyourwritingtightandto the point. Expect to go through multiple drafts of your resume. •Customizetheresumeforeach target position. Don’t try and create a ‘one size fits all’ resume! •Behonest.Don’tlieabout any thing. •Emphasizethegoodstuff, de -emphasize the rest. •Sellyourself! hoW To searCh online If you’re like most job seekers, you will spend most of your time hunting for jobs via the internet. As we mentioned previously, the goal of your resume is to get an interview – but the resume must get in front of

4 5Finding A Green Job (C) 2009 Ogden Publications, Inc.

the employer first. That means sub-mitting your resume to a job site, a company website, or a recruiter. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of an online search: •Createatext-onlyversionofyour resume. Not every job or career site will accept a formatted version of your resume, but they all accept text versions. Having both is best. •Don’trelyonasinglewebsite.You wouldn’t limit yourself to talk-ing with just one company in the ‘real world,’ now would you? Mul-tiple job and career sites will ensure that you are reaching the maximum number of potential employers, AND that you are seeing the most open positions. •Don’trandomlythrowyourresume across the internet. Be selec-tive. If you’re looking for a green job, then focus on those sites that spe-cialize in green jobs, such as Great Green Careers. Don’t waste time on ‘BeerBrewingJobs.com’ (unless, of course, you are planning to make green beer). •Keeptrackofwhatyou’vedone.Yes, it takes a few extra moments, and yes, it can be tedious, but take the time to jot down each job that

you apply for, along with the job description, company name, and date. Why? At a minimum, it’s good for your morale to see what you’ve accomplished. But you also have the opportunity to follow up in a few weeks, and sometimes this can make the difference between being forgot-ten and being hired. •Bedisciplined.Theaveragejobseeker spends less than 30 minutes per day looking for work. If you are committed to working in the green economy, then you should also com-mit to spending enough time each day to do a thorough examination of the online job resources. (For a list of green career re-sources, see Appendix: Online Resources at the end of this book.) building and using your professional neTWork You can certainly rely on sending out resumes and applying for pub-lished positions. But we advise that you also build and nurture your own professional network. Many jobs are never advertised – they are filled via ‘word of mouth.’ If your network is robust, you may be the first person to hear about that unadvertised job. So what is a professional network and how can you create yours? Sim-ply put, a professional network is a group of people that have agreed to give you advice and help when you (very nicely) ask. You’ll quickly dis-cover that most people are happy to connect with you – if you are polite and respectful of their time. To start, jot down the reasons for creating your network: you are exploring green job opportunities in solar energy, for example. This provides both focus and validity for your queries. Next, explore. Discover what online and offline ‘gathering places’ exist for professionals in solar energy. Don’t rely solely on the in-

ternet – for example, call the local or regional solar panel installer and ask about where they go for information and advice. LinkedIn has become an impor-tant networking source for many professions; spend some time look-ing at the various groups and discus-sions. When you’re finished explor-ing, you should have a list with at least 10 to 15 ‘gathering places’ that fit your network goal. Next, spend some time at your online and offline gathering places. For example, you might create a LinkedIn profile and include the fact that you’re trying to get into the solar energy field. You might also post questions in appropri-ate forums, such as “What types of certifications do you look for when hiring a solar energy installer?” As you spend time in your professional gathering places, you should also be collecting the names of people who would be good sources of informa-tion and advice. After you’ve spent enough time in the gathering places to grow comfortable, craft a simple, straight-forward query. Again, using our solar energy example, you might say, “I’m considering a career in the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems, and I wondered if I might talk with you for 10 minutes.” Make it clear to your recipient that you’re NOT looking for a job – just advice. Then mail or email your query to your list of people. (Or, if you’re a verbal person, pick up the phone and call!) Some people will never reply. Some will respond negatively. Some will offer to help and then become strangely impossible to reach. But some will offer to help and WILL help you. These folks form the base of your professional network. Treat them respectfully, listen to what they say, and use their advice to grow

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your network and career. Building your professional net-work never stops. It may be tempting to ignore it, particularly after you’ve landed your dream green job – but don’t. The people in your network can be a great resource to bounce ideas off of or provide a reality check. The most successful job seekers usually have the most robust professional networks. Once you’ve built your profes-sional network, use it to learn what employers expect in terms of skill, knowledge, and experience for some-one in your employment target. If you’re transitioning from a different industry, this type of information can be particularly helpful to determine which skills you should highlight (and which you should acquire). And remember – don’t forget to thank the members of your network occasionally. A little thanks goes a long ways. applying for jobs:do’s and don’Ts By now you should have several job opportunities to consider (and if you don’t, please reread the sec-tions about searching for jobs online and creating professional networks). That’s great! To get an interview, however, you must first apply for the job. The internet has made apply-ing for a job incredibly simple – and incredibly easy to do poorly. To improve your chances of getting an interview for your dream job, follow these guidelines:

DO: Give the employer exactly what they want. If they ask for two referenc-es and a sample of your writing, then that’s exactly what you should provide. Treat each application like it was the only one in the world. Of course, you’re applying for lots of jobs – but that’s no excuse to treat each appli-ca tion the same! You’ve expended

dozens (perhaps hundreds) of hours on your search thus far; don’t waste it by sending out generic applications. Take the time to learn a bit about the company and what they do. Tie your specific skills to their specific needs. Include the title of the job in your application. The employer may have multiple jobs open; make your application easy for them to sort and get to the right person. Be specific and concise. Don’t blab. Again, tell them what they want to know. Keep track of your applications. You don’t have to have a complicated system – a sheet of paper will do. But write down each application, the date, the company, and the job title. A copy of the job description is help-ful as well. Why? When they call, you want to sound like you remem-ber them! It will also be useful for a follow-up letter or email.

DON’T: Leave anything out. Again – if the employer asked for references or a spe-cific example of a skill, give it to them. Be sloppy. Whether your appli ca-tion is online or offline, double-check for typos, sentence fragments, and other simple mistakes. Be wordy. Instead, be specific and to the point. Remember, in most cases, the more you write, the less they’ll read.

inTervieWing:do’s and don’Ts The moment of truth has arrived: You’ve been invited to interview for your dream green job! Congratula-tions, but you’re only halfway there; an interview requires preparation. Don’t expect to walk in, answer ques-tions off the top of your head, and then be offered a job. To have a suc-cessful job interview, there are several things you should (and shouldn’t) do:

DO: Be prepared: Spend at least 20 to 30 minutes researching the com-pany. What are their key products or services? Who are their customers? Look at the press releases on their web site to gain insight into recent initiatives or personnel changes. Tie skills to needs: Just as you did with your own resume, write down the skills and experience the company needs, both in general and for your specific position. Link your skills to the ones they require. Show how your experience is relevant. Role play: Role playing is simply rehearsing. Use your spouse, unsus-pecting friend, or a mirror to practice responding to typical questions. If you consistently stumble on answers, write down the response. Remember – be accurate but concise. Show interest: Practice making eye contact during the interview. Smile. Talk about why you think the company would be an exciting place to work. Ask questions about the company. Adapt: Be an active listener. If your interviewer is casual and laid back, make certain that your answers and questions aren’t exceedingly formal. If your interviewer really wants to know about a particular skill, tell them! Sell yourself: An interview is an exchange of information – but it is also an opportunity for you to sell yourself and your skills to the employer. Make sure that the inter-viewer wants to hire you!

DON’T: Be negative: Even if your previous position was completely awful, stay positive. If you must talk about a nega-tive situation, be as factual as possible. Show up late: Always be on time – in fact, show up 5 to 10 minutes early. Answer with a yes or no. Explain. No need to blab on, but spend a few seconds expanding on your answer. Provide context.

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Ask about such details as salary, benefits, vacations and bonuses: On the first interview, stay away from these unless the interviewer pro-vides the information unprompted. If the interviewer asks what salary you want, give a range based on your research of the job market. Pretend: If you’re asked a ques-tion you don’t understand, don’t pre-tend. Ask the interviewer to clarify. If you really don’t know, say so.

your green Career: nexT sTeps in The neW eConomy Congratulations! You deserve a pat on the back – you’ve inventoried your skills, built a resume, identified companies that you want to work for, applied for jobs, and interviewed. In fact, you’ve probably fielded a few job offers by now. After the dust settles, however, and you’ve eased into your new job, you should take some time to think about your long-range career plan in the green economy. Don’t let the hard work you’ve put into your job search go to waste. You got the job – but what skills or training do you need for your next position? Is there someone at your new workplace that has an even better job? What skills and experience do they have? Map out a path for yourself. What do you need to learn in your current position? What should you learn for your next position? The green economy will continue to grow, and your ca-reer can grow with it. Think like an entrepreneur, even if you’re not. Look for new opportunities. Expand your professional network. Does this sound like a lot of work? It doesn’t need to be. Even spending 15 minutes a day on your green career can provide huge divi-dends over time. For example, try adding one new contact to your net-work each week. That’s over 50 new

Appendix: Online ResOuRces

This list is a good starting place for learning more about the green economy and careers in general:

TreeHugger All-in-one green site with info on green lifestyles, busi-ness, and careers.Mother Earth News Covers sus-tainable living, green lifestyles, farming, and more. (Published by Ogden Publications, which also provides Great Green Careers)Green Job Idea Blog Full of ideas on where to find green jobs and where the green economy is going.Path 101 A community-powered career discovery site; resume help, a personality test, and more.The Riley Guide The original web resource for job seekers; lists job sites and career re-sources in every conceivable area.GreenBiz Comprehensive green site with focus on business and economic issues.

Appendix: GReen jOb titles

A list to open up your mind to the job possibilities in the green economy. It’s not just wind turbine installers and green living counselors!

- Agricultural Inspectors- Agricultural Workers- Alternative Energy Project Engineers- Building Inspectors- Carpenters- Chemical Engineers- Chemists- Civil Engineers- Computer Software Engineers- Computer-Controlled Machine Operators- Construction Equipment Operators- Construction Managers- Credit Risk Analysts: Energy Trading- Dispatchers- Electrical Engineers- Electrical Equipment Assemblers- Electricians- Engineering Technicians- Environmental Engineers- Environmental Geologists- First-Line Agricultural and Forestry Supervisors- First-Line Production Supervisors- First-Line Transportation Supervisors- Heating/Air Conditioning Installers- Industrial Machinery Mechanics- Industrial Truck Drivers- Insulation Worker- Iron and Steel Workers- Machinists- Metal Fabricators- Millwrights- Naturalists- Production Helpers- Roofers- Sheet Metal Workers- Solar Energy Sales Manager- Solar Energy Thin Film Senior Mechanical Engineers- Structural Engineers – Alternative Energy- Transportation Equipment Painters- Welders

contacts in your network at the end of a year. Attend at least one confer-ence, trade show, or training seminar in your chosen field each year. Apart from what you’ll learn, you’ll meet peers – and open your horizons. You’ve made a commitment to green. Make the same commitment to your green career, and watch it grow.