The title of this article is statistically correct. You may indeed have a great resume, but if so, you are in the minority.

If you are looking for a CleanTech job, and you think your resume looks great, you might want to run it by some friends – ideally with HR background. Most resumes out there are anything but good, not to say terrible. If you ever been a hiring manager, you know what I’m talking about: Five pages of resume for three years of work experience, endless task descriptions with no reference to notable achievements, useless information squished into a confusing layout, and a clutter of unrelated seminars, medals, and trophies – not to mention typos and grammatical mistakes…

The list of “no-goes” is long when it comes to writing a winning resume – and so is the record of tips and suggestions. But what does a winning resume look like?

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I’m excited to announce a new service that we have just launched today: CleanTechies now provides CleanTech professionals and career changers with Professional Resume Writing Services. If you are a job seeker, we will help you identify and leverage your most relevant skills and experiences. Even if you are a career changer with only limited CleanTech experience, our professional resume writers are here to help you. With expertly written resumes and cover letters that highlight your strengths, you will have the confidence to successfully pursue careers in this new economy.

Take a look at our new Professional Resume Writing Services pages.

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Last week, Steve shared his thoughts on online social networking – something he believes “allows for a wider understanding, access and appreciation of what’s happening” in our industry. If you’re an avid online networker (or want to become one), join in the discussion, and let us know what you think. Of course, offline social networking continues to exist in parallel, and maybe it’s the more effective way after all… Meeting in person has a big advantage over meeting virtually – only physical interaction tells you if you really like somebody. While you can easily exchange information on the internet, talking to somebody face-to-face usually leaves a bigger mark (both on you and your counterpart). At the end of the day, we like to share experiences and thoughts – not necessarily in a chat room, but ideally over a cup of coffee.

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Can I even say “damn?”

I’m working on a project right now and trying to get some information about the current state of CleanTech; as you might suspect finding great resources that are quotable is tough!

I’ve added a couple good links to the Links Page today, but please use the contact form to introduce us to some more.

Here are some great “fresh” resources I’ve come across today in my research:

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Obama promised to create new jobs by supporting clean technologies and renewable energies, and he’s been pushing hard. Last week, he appointed activist and author Van Jones as special adviser for green jobs, enterprise and innovation – a smart move given his popularity by the public, his visibility in the media and his ability to “bring people together like no other,” according to Ian who spoke to him at Berkeley last month. The new administration also just announced plans to channel $8 billion in weatherization and energy efficiency efforts promising to create 87,000 new jobs this way. Time will tell how effective these decisions are.

While the economy doesn’t seem to be anything close to recovery (yet!), career sites like CleanTechies have plenty of openings in cleantech and renewable energy.  Here are some of the exciting opportunities featured on the CleanTechies Job Board as of today – for more jobs, visit our website:

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With all the discussion surrounding the US economic stimulus package, which will nudge into Europe and the rest of the globe in the coming months, I have been tracking the job boards on sites like CleanTechies to see if I can spot a trend in the sort of people that are being attracted to clean tech organisations around the world.

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Smart, Eager and Cost Effective...

This weekend is important as both IESE (Barcelona) and Wharton (Philadelphia) are holding competitions and conferences surrounding sustainability.

Thinking locally (for me anyway):

Bay Area startups looking for some “cost effective” strategic help, here is some free strategic help: Invest a couple of hours in mid-March, and send someone to talk to students looking for some experience and a chance to prove their mettle.

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It is no secret that we need global participation in order to substitute our polluting ways. The World needs innovative and passionate leaders to bring about the change.

Athgo and UCLA are calling for Social and CleanTech entrepreneurs (or wannabes) with a passion for sustainability: On March 4-7 there will be a great event taking place in Los Angeles. If you’re a college student or young entrepreneur, this is the place to be. The 6th annual Global Clean Technology Forum at UCLA provides a platform for 200 selected young minds across the globe to learn and advance their causes toward achieving environmental sustainability. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 32 you might want to try and get one of the open slots. The deadline for applications is coming up fast, February 24.

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We get a lot of questions from people who want to start a career in CleanTech. As a professional recruiter for CleanTech companies, Ian has been giving valuable career advice on the CleanTechies Blog (read for example “A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste” or “Does your CleanTech job hunt s***?“). Today, I want to draw your attention to some upcoming career fairs you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the area and looking for a job in this space. Events like these are a great way to learn more about the industry, its key players and what different companies are looking for in their new hires. Some of the job fairs post open positions on their web sites and offer on-site one-on-one interviews to selected candidates. My advice: even if you don’t get an interview, visit your favorite companies’ booths, and talk to their recruiters and managers. Not only can you get valuable insights into their hiring and selection processes, you might also meet somebody who can be a  good reference when applying to your dream job.

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I wrote earlier about the US Green Building Council’s LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) certification program.  LEED is a 4-tier rating system for high-performing buildings that encourages a systemic approach to sustainable design.  Historically, most LEED APs were architects, mechanical engineers, and other niche green building professionals.  With the demand for green buildings and sustainable design booming, an increasing number of professionals are becoming LEED AP certified (more than 75K and climbing rapidly). For about $650 and a lot of focused studying and serious dedication, you too can become a LEED AP.

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