Green Career Central Blog

Demonstrate Your Value to Green Employers with an "Attention-Getting" Green Resume

Feeling frustrated about your green resume?

Demonstrate Your Value to Green Employers with an "Attention-Getting" Green Resume

In working with clients I’ve seen three main reasons people struggle with their resume.

• They are trying to develop a resume before they know their target position.
• They aren’t familiar with their target green job and green industry.
• They don’t have enough relevant experience to build a compelling green resume.

Without a clear focus, industry familiarity, and relevant experience, your green resume is bound to end up in the circular file!

• Hiring managers want to see proof that you have green/clean/sustainable values.
• They want to see that you have worked in the field and produced results.
• They want to see that you are a leader. 

We are launching a new eBook, 101 Ways to Green Your Resume, to walk you through simple and effective strategies you can use to gather viable green experiences that will strengthen your resume.

If you are serious about landing a green position, start now by engaging in your industry in ways that enhance your resume. This eBook will show you 101 ways to approach this rather daunting task and make it doable, achievable, and energizing.

Green Career Tip: Five Strategies to Shorten the Path to Your Green Career

There’s no doubt about it. Making the transition into a green career can be a long, drawn out journey.
 
-If you aren’t clear where you are going, it’s extremely hard to arrive at your destination.

-If you don’t know what actions to take to get where you are going, you can invest a lot of time without getting any clear results for your efforts.
 
The key to remember is that there are ways to shorten your journey if you are strategic in how you approach your transition.

Find out what the Five Strategies to Shorten the Path to Your Green Career are.

Green Jobs Growing: Sustainability Coordinator Making a Big Impact

While the glimmer and spotlight on green jobs may have faded in the minds of some in the media, the green/clean/sustainable economy continues to grow.  In 2010 clean tech investing by venture capitalists totaled $4 billion, an 8 % increase.  Venture capitalists were not the only deep pocket investors in 2010.  The Department of Energy also invested millions clean energy.   Among major corporations, General Electric has or will be investing $10 billion in their Ecomagination sector over the few years.

All of this investment and funding is having an effect.  It may not be happening as fast as many of would like it to be, but there are companies moving forward and hiring.  One of the keys to getting hired and moving up is having the drive and desire to make a difference. 

Take the case of Cheri Chastain, hired as a part-time recycling assistant in 2006 at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California.  A short time later she was promoted to recycling coordinator where she continue to track data about the amount of waste that was being diverted from landfills.  By making a strong business case for recycling and sustainability, Chastain was promoted to Sustainability Coordinator, a position she wrote the job description for.  Under Chastain's leadership, Sierra Nevada has installed solar panels and fuel cells to guarantee continuous power to the plant.  They now get 85% of their power from renewable sources. Sierra Nevada has diverted 30,000 tons of waste from the landfill, saving $4.7 million in fees, money that can be used for employee benefits, update equipment and philanthropic involvement. Nearly 99% of the production waste and byproducts produced by the plant is recycled, including the oil used to cook the french fries in the on-site visitor restaurant. (It is used as transportation fuel.) "Closing the loop" is Chastain's mantra.

All of this effort has not gone unnoticed.  The EPA named Sierra Nevada one of their Green Businesses of theYear. 

By being enthusiastic and passionate about sustainability and working for a owner that valued the environment, Cheri was able to quickly move up the green ladder.

SD Forum Presenting the State of Corporate Sustainability on Wed. Feb. 2nd

At this event, representatives from major Silicon Valley companies will be speaking about early adoption of sustainability practices for financial rewards rather than costs.  Come hear Michael Beutler, SAP, Scott Coleman, Google, Joyce Dickerson, Stanford University, Brian Goncher, Deloitte, Bruce Klafter, Applied Materials, Inc., Andrew Williamson, Physic Ventures, and the moderator Mitch Zuklie, Orrick, speak about corporations embracing sustainability.  The event on Wed. the 2nd will begin with networking at 6pm, speakers from 7pm until 8pm, and QandA and networking from 8-8:30pm.  The location of the event is at the offices of Orrick, 1100 Marsh Road, Menlo Park, CA. 

If you reside in the Bay Area of CA and have identified corporate sustainability as your green niche, this is a great opportunity to network and learn about what is happening within corporations as they begin adopting sustainability practices. To register for this event, click on this link. 

The SD Forum is a non profit organization that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in Silicon Valley.

 

Green Career Tip - Claim Your Green Career in 2011

It’s always an interesting moment to open up a newsletter folder for the new year! A blank slate. Since we launched in November 2007, I’ve written over 150 newsletters! We’ve covered a lot of territory together over the years! I look forward discovering what 2011 has in store.

Over the holidays Kent and I saw a number of signs of progress, innovation, and commitment to sustainability.  Although evidence of the green economy may not be reaching mainstream news on a regular basis, notable developments continue to unfold. Do you want a career in this evolving new world? Read this week's newsletter for more information.

Green Career Tip - Navigating the Emotional Side of Your Green Job Search

Being in the midst of a job transition (or any transition) during the holiday season is always difficult. The world around you is abuzz with holiday cheer, and you’ve got bigger issues on your mind.

Though rarely discussed, there’s also an emotional side to any job search. This often hidden component of every job search has the potential to derail one’s job search. In this week’s article, I give you several tips to help you navigate your transition.

Green Career Tip - Find Clues to Your Green Career in Family Lore and Traditions

While you are enjoying time with family and friends this season, you may find clues to your future green career woven into conversations about memories, traditions, and family lore. 

When I was ten, I created a diorama of a very elaborate recycling center. I don't recall the assignment, but I have fairly vivid memories of how the project worked. In fact it's one of the clearest memories I have from my childhood.

Today, my project doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary...but in 1970 the concept of a recycling center was just forming. How did I possibly come up with this idea? This week's article traces the roots of one of my green passions.

As you listen to family stories and share memories this holiday season, notice if you pick up any clues about how your family has interacted with the natural world through the generations.

5 Ways the Holidays Can Accelerate Your Job Search - A Free Teleclass

Common wisdom may say that the holidays are the worst time to conduct your job search, but that isn't what we've seen. Discover the best ways to leverage your green job search during the holidays.

Join us for our second teleclass in a three-part series:

Recharge Your Green Job Search! Strategies to Boost Your Results in December and Beyond.

• 4 holiday myths you no longer need to buy into.
• Find out how a simple shift in your mindset will open up new worlds for you!
• Determine if you are making the single biggest networking mistake of all.
• Gain 8 simple strategies you can put to use this holiday season to expand your web of connections.

Call Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Call Time: 5:30 pm Pacific / 8:30 pm Eastern
Call Duration: 1 hour

For more information and to register, click here.

Green Career Tip - 5 Signs You Aren’t Quite Ready to Launch Your Green Job Search

Are you in job search mode? Or expecting to be soon? Be sure you aren’t sabotaging your efforts by jumping out of the gate before you are ready to make a memorable impression that allows you to outshine your competition.

Read this week's article to learn more.

Green Career Tip - The Gifts of Focus: Simplifying Your Green Career Search

Opportunities, information, and career options abound within the emerging economy. Finding the areas that are a good match for you takes focus in several areas of your job search. Take a look at this week's article for more details.