On Wednesday, January 6th, Richards Memorial United Church (Richards Memorial), in London, Ontario began operating its new microFIT rooftop solar installation.  The project is the city’s first photovoltaic (PV) system on a church building.

“We’ve seen cars stop in the street and (drivers) roll down their windows to look up,” says the church’s pastor, Rev. Janet Fradette.  Her congregation chose to focus on the environment in 2010, and she says the twenty-year contract is a reminder that a commitment to sustainability must be long-term.

“It’s one of those projects that has appeal from whatever viewpoint you look at it,” says the Reverend.  The installation will create renewable energy, draw revenue, and provide work for Ontarians who have chosen to pursue green careers.  Its fifty panels, installed in the shape of a cross, will produce 14 MW-hours of solar power and prevent the release of 11 tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year.

Programs Create Renewable Energy, Careers for Workers with Solar Training

The church secured an $87,000 loan from the Middlesex Presbytery of the United Church of Canada to finance its PV project.  It expects to pay off the loan within eight years and then generate income by participating in Ontario’s microFIT program.  The program creates renewable energy and careers for graduates of “green” educational streams, like solar training courses, by paying high prices for electricity produced by grid-tied solar or wind projects under 10 kW of capacity.  The microFIT and its companion program for larger projects, simply referred to as the feed-in tariff (FIT), both lock prices into twenty-year contracts.

Richards Memorial expects the solar project to generate up to $216,000 over the course of its participation in the microFIT program.  The church hired Direct Current Renewable Energy (Direct Current) to install the cross-shaped solar array.  Direct Current is a Brantford-based company whose management brings to the table more than a decade and a half worth of training and experience in commercial and residential electrical systems.  The company had already installed one system on a church in Hamilton prior to constructing the London project.

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According to a recent study, humans are not the only animals to take part in a solar economy of sorts.  While it may not attend solar training courses or pursue green careers, the Oriental hornet harvests the power of the sun for energy.

The recent findings were discovered by Israeli and UK researchers and published in the German journal, Naturwissenschaften.  According to the research, while hornets are usually more active in the cooler hours of the morning, Vespa orientalis, a species found across the Near East and India, performs its hardest work in the afternoon, when the day is hot.  The researchers have identified the reason for this: the insect harvests power from the sun using parts of its anatomy.

The research team, led by entomologist Dr. Marian Plotkin at Tel-Aviv University, tested the theory of the late Professor Jacob S. Ishay that the hornets have some anatomical method of harnessing solar energy.  They discovered structural elements of the insect’s exoskeleton that trap light, rather than reflect it, as well as a pigment in its head and body, called xanthopterin, that, according to Dr. Plotkin, transforms light into electrical energy.  “We assume,” she says, “that some of the energy is transformed in a photo-biochemical process, which aids the hornets with their energy demanding digging activity.”

Hornet Anatomy May One Day Boost Green Careers

The work of Dr. Plotkin and her team may one day lead to advancements in solar technology that could give the PV industry a leg up in the race to replace fossil fuels.  This could prove of particular use in regions like Ontario, which currently has a mandate to close all of its coal-fired power plants within the first half of the decade.  The provincial government’s plan has given birth to a rapidly emerging solar economy that creates, in addition to clean air and renewable power, green careers and support industries like solar training courses.  Thanks in large part to generous government incentives for renewable energy, Ontario’s PV training course graduates continue to help the province become a leader in solar power production.

Dr. Plotkin’s team’s research will help entomologists gain a better understanding of the ways that insects metabolize energy, but in the future, their findings may also give researchers in other disciplines, such as electrical engineering, insight into the ways that humans can more efficiently harness the power of the sun to meet their own considerable daily energy needs.

Special Discount: CleanTechies readers get $100 off any course offered by Solar Academy International. Simply use discount code ”CleanTechies100” when registering.

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The Queen City recently hosted BOMEX 2010 – the 20^th edition of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada) National Conference and Exhibition.

The line-up for the conference reflected the province’s growing interest in the environment, renewable energy, and green careers, with SunEdison Business Development Manager, Oleg Popovsky and Sales Manager, Bryan Bentrott, delivering  speeches highlighting the growing importance of solar technology.

Popovsky opened by explaining the environmental, economic, and social advantages of solar installations, highlighting how the market “creates good, local jobs for the new energy economy.”  Countless new green career opportunities have arisen in the province due to Ontario’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program.

Top Five Things to Consider Before Investing in a Solar Installation

Byran Bentrott then listed the five most important solar installation considerations that building managers should consider to maximize their profits.  First, an owner should check a prospective installer’s track record.  This includes past projects, the quality of PV installation classes followed by the installers, and other factors.  Second, it is crucial to examine how effectively the solar installer manages his or her supply chain.  Third involves determining the “installer’s ongoing energy production performance,” because “knowing how well your rooftop is performing is key to your project’s success.”

Bentrott subsequently stressed the importance of knowing “the expected solar production rates in your area” in order to avoid deception by dishonest solar installers eager to close a deal.  Finally, Bentrott warned, “Don’t allow unproven racking technologies on your roof, and make sure they incorporate your other business needs.”

Quality PV Installation Classes Are Now Essential

It is not surprising that Bentrott’s opening piece of advice focused on the skills of the solar installer.  In order for Ontario’s renewable energy opportunities to continue growing, the province must develop a workforce specialized in green technologies and sustainable infrastructure.

In the case of solar energy, this implies following proper PV installation classes.  Such classes are becoming more popular throughout the province, in response to the numerous green career possibilities created by foreign investments.  However, to ensure that you benefit from the training necessary for effectively solar installations, stick with ISPQ-accredited training programs like Ontario Solar Academy.  Certified by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), such programs possess the requisite facilities, instructors, and curriculum to help you successfully enter this quickly expanding career field.

Special Discount: CleanTechies readers get $100 off any course offered by Solar Academy International. Simply use discount code ”CleanTechies100” when registering.

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On the heels of 694 recently approved renewable energy projects in the province, Ontario Solar Academy (OSA) has established itself a new 8,000 square foot facility in Vaughan, a city just north of Toronto. The move allows OSA to run three times as many training classes every month – an expansion deemed increasingly necessary due to capacity constraints and renewed interest in green careers across the province.

Since its launch earlier this year, OSA has graduated over 75 alumni, with another 27 slated for May.  The Academy’s 5-day solar training courses have consistently sold out in advance. David Gower, Associate Director of OSA, explains, “To ensure our students master the necessary installation and safety principles, we must keep class sizes small.  The only way to meet demand is to expand the number of solar courses we offer.”

The new solar classes also offer additional opportunities for students to meet important stakeholders in Ontario’s expanding solar community. OSA’s Director, Jacob Travis, explains, “Last month, James Goodnight of Schneider Electric spoke to our students about the launch of their domestic content-approved solar inverters. Before that, James Fraser of the Electrical Safety Authority, came to discuss the process his organization undergoes when approving PV installations for feed-in-tariff status.”  He adds, “More classes means more opportunities for key solar industry leaders in Ontario to meet our students, and vice versa.”

Ontario’s solar industry is expanding rapidly, thanks to feed-in-tariff incentives and aggressive renewable energy legislation.  However, a CanSIA labor market survey details how an impending bottleneck could curb continued growth in the absence of qualified solar professionals.

OSA offers monthly training classes in the Toronto area. The next three solar courses are June 14 – 18, June 21 – 25, and June 28 – July 2, with three to four courses per month thereafter. For more information on solar installation classes, visit Ontario Solar Academy.

Special Offer:
Ontario Solar Academy offers CleanTechies readers a $100 discount off their courses. Simply use discount code ”CleanTechies100” when registering.

About Ontario Solar Academy:
Ontario Solar Academy uses NABCEP learning objectives to quickly advance expertise in solar design and installation. Its 5-Day Solar PV Training includes hands-on workshops that prepare participants for NABCEP’s PV Entry Level Exam.

photo: Ontario Solar Academy

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The belief that jobs in the solar industry are limited to working on the roof or chasing after sales leads is not really accurate today as other opportunities are available and increasing, according to solar career expert Liz Merry.

Merry, owner of Verve Solar Consulting in Davis, Calif., has been sharing insights and advice about the solar industry since 2001 through numerous courses, articles and blogs. Promising no hype and no panaceas, she offered solid advice for career seekers in the solar photovoltaics (PV) industry at a recent workshop at the California Center for Sustainable Energy in San Diego, Calif.

Merry outlined four major steps every solar job seeker should follow to understand where he or she may fit into the industry:

#1 – Understand the solar PV industry

Getting a broad understanding of the solar industry is a daunting task, but Merry, a former marketing director and education coordinator, said she did so with an “intense and consistent tracking of all things solar.” During the workshop, she adeptly and concisely covered the basics of electric energy and sources, how solar PV systems work and the federal, California and local policies that are driving the solar industry.

Upcoming government programs for everything from greenhouse gas emission reductions to net zero building requirements give Merry the most hope for strong growth in the solar industry and the closely aligned field of energy efficiency -– a part of the building and retrofit industry she expects will expand by 300 percent over the next few years.

California utilities are getting into solar in a big way to meet the state mandated renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires increased production of energy from renewable sources. The RPS calls for an increase to 33 percent by 2020. As utilities scramble to meet the requirement, they are creating significant numbers of jobs in areas of engineering, systems design, construction, operations and maintenance.

Residential and commercial construction present greater opportunities for employment because more stringent energy efficiency codes are coming online. All new residential construction in California must be zero net energy by 2020 and commercial construction must do so by 2030. In addition, several state and local government programs supporting renewable energy incentives and loans will require energy-efficiency components. All of this construction and retrofitting will also be a boon for the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) industry as well as creating jobs for energy raters and inspectors to measure and verify construction.

#2 – Apply your skills to solar

A good indication of growth in the solar industry is that there has been an 800 percent increase in the job listings with solar in the title or description on the employment website Indeed.com since 2005. While most jobs are in sales, installation and marketing, Merry says you should “look up, down and across the solar industry value chain for where to position yourself.”

Upstream opportunities are in manufacturing equipment for solar PV production, materials processing, system engineering, module manufacturing, product testing and the manufacturing of the systems that support solar PV, such as inverters, racking and connectors. Downstream jobs range from project investors, financing services and incentive administration to policy and program management and training.

Within the mainstream of the solar PV industry, the core jobs focus in five areas: system integrators and packagers; distributors; installers, service and repair technicians; sales representatives and marketers; and estimators, site surveyors and assessors.

No matter which job you’re considering, Merry has a single mantra for success: “Network, learn, share!” And, she says, while working in the solar industry may be attractive for a whole host of cause factors — such as eco-friendly and renewable — the reality is that applicants may find lower salaries because the field is relatively new and so many people are interested in the opportunities.

Liz Merry, solar careers expert

#3 – Identify the resources

There’s no shortage of solar industry training. For installers alone, there are more than 130 approved training providers nationwide, Merry pointed out. She recommends selecting a program certified by the Institute for Sustainable Power Quality that sets high standards for both classroom and online providers. You can find a list of ISPQ-accredited trainers at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council Web site.

Hands-on solar training courses run two days to six weeks and may cost from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. California community colleges are the best value, but take more time and are often hard to get into due to their popularity. There are also free online webinars and classroom workshops offered by major utilities, workforce programs, unions and educational centers such as CCSE.

Once you have training, you may want to obtain a sustainability certification, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program, the Residential Energy Services Network’s Green Rater program or any number of organizations that offer Home Energy Rating System (HERS) certification.

#4 – Next steps toward a career

The key to successfully entering the solar industry is getting involved. You can do that by continuing researching and training, going to conferences and events, joining local and national groups, reading industry magazines and websites, making personal contacts and volunteering to show your commitment. And while you are doing this, remember Merry’s number one piece of advice – network, learn, share – it might just get you that solar job you want.

Merry shares insights and advice through blogs at Solar Today and Renewable Energy World, as well as through Twitter at VerveSol.

Solar Training Resources

• Renewable Energy Training Catalog from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council – regularly updated and the most comprehensive nationwide directory
• Solar Energy International and Solar Living Institute are the largest in the western U.S. offering classroom and online courses

Key Websites

• RenewableEnergyWorld.com – magazine, podcast, conferences
• SolarBuzz.com – longest running solar-focused analysis firm
• GreenJobs.com –jobs in solar, wind, biomass, hydo, hydrogen and fuel cell industries
• GreenTechMedia.com – e-news, webcasts and research on clean technologies
• PVResources.com – comprehensive background information
• EERE.energy.gov – Dept. of Energy technical reports and other web links
• GreenCareerCentral.com – tips and strategies for green career job seekers
• GreenCareerNetwork.org – job resources and Southern California green job listings
• CleanTechies – cleantech news, jobs, events & much more, including solar resources

Organizations

• American Solar Energy Society (three California chapters) – Publishes SolarToday magazine, holds national conference and coordinates the annual Solar Homes Tour
• Solar Energy Industries Association (national), CalSEIA (California) – Main business association for all solar technologies
• Interstate Renewable Energy Council – Promotes renewable energy policies and programs and provides e-news and free webinars
• Solar Electric Power Association – Provides webinars and educational resources
• Other nonprofit/advocacy groups to check out: California Solar Center, California Center for Sustainable Energy, Solar Alliance, GRID Alternatives

photos: Argonne National Laboratory, Chuck Colgan

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On President Obama’s second Earth Day in office, how far have green jobs come toward fixing unemployment and environmental ills? The administration aims for 5 million green jobs to grow in the next 10 years. Should Americans still believe the “hype?” Here’s the latest in green jobs news from around the Web:

The White House early in 2009 announced $500 million for efforts to train green workers, and this January it described job-training grants worth $100 million of that package. But that’s not nearly enough cash for an effort that should be as big as the Space Race, says pundit Jesse Jenkins. And contrary to conventional wisdom, green jobs are already being exported beyond U.S. borders.
(Breakthrough Institute)

For now, “fewer than 200 factories in the United States are devoted to green production, employing no more than 15,000 workers.” Companies can apply for new, federal tax credits to boost U.S. manufacturing, but an economist finds that “fewer than 500 applications have been filed so far for the tax breaks, and if all were approved they would add just 75,000 green manufacturing jobs.”
(New York Times)

Yet, 10 percent of employers have added new, green jobs in the past year, according to a CareerBuilder poll of 2,700 hiring managers. Among the green occupations described as earning more than $60,000 on the job Web site are hydrologist, solar energy system designer, waste management engineer and urban planner. (However, CareerBuilder’s GoingGreenJobs site was kaput on Wednesday.)
(press release)

The mayor of Joliet, Ill., joins leaders from coast to coast in selling his depressed locale as a green jobs hotspot for the future. There’s a new wind farm on the outskirts of town, and a dedicated crew at a junior college green jobs training program. But residents and experts of the former industrial center find interest stronger than green hiring, and hope the talk will prove more than a passing fad.
(Wall Street Journal)

Twenty-five communities will get a slice of federal stimulus dollars to speed up efforts to retrofit buildings for energy efficiency. Vice President Joe Biden announced the “Retrofit Ramp-Up” initiative Wednesday. Meanwhile, the new “Cash for Caulkers” federal incentive to make homes more energy efficient is available in every state.
(ABC News)

Two Midwestern senators introduced the GREEN Jobs Act of 2010 with the creative acronym: Grow Renewable Energy from Ethanol Naturally. They hope to continue expired tax credits for the makers of biofuel and ethanol, saving tens of thousands of jobs. However, the ecological benefits of such fuels remain controversial.
(Mother Nature Network)

Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley insist that the state’s global warming law, AB 32, will churn out green jobs. But detractors miss that the law “will change many jobs and require retraining for workers. For example, when California switches to cleaner trucks, it won’t so much affect the number of trucking jobs, but it will certainly require new skills,” according to economist Carol Zabin.
(Los Angeles Times)

IBM and Columbia University launched “Smarter Students for a Smarter Planet” this week to groom would-be engineers in green fields.
(SolveClimate)

The new Ecotech Institute in Denver will offer certification and two-year degree options.  Launched by the for-profit Education Corporation of America as the only green school of its kind, its associate degrees will cover fields such as electrical engineering technology, energy and environmental paralegal and sustainable interior design.
(Mother Nature Network)

Van Jones, target of the wrath of Fox News pundit Glenn Beck, lasted only a matter of months as the green jobs “czar” of the White House. What’s he up to now?
(Grist)

Worms are getting paid? Oops, never mind.
(CleanTechnica)

Also to watch:

This post has been updated.

photo: greenforall

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With the resignation of White House CEQ member and “Green Jobs Czar” Van Jones over Labor Day weekend, the movement toward a green tech economy took more than just a symbolic hit. Take these three lessons from Jones’ resignation as signals that the Senate’s lift on energy/climate change legislation in the coming weeks may be even tougher than predicted:

Green as Granola…or Worse? We have seen time and again this year that in spite of further entrenchment with skeptics, the green movement is still not resonant in red state America. In fact, they see climate change and energy reform as hippie holdover hokum. The Jones resignation proves that in at least one way, the movement is still way too far out on the fringe. The idea that a White House-level official with Jones stature and profile could possibly have been affiliated with a 9/11-truth group — even in a peripheral way — demonstrates that a lot of the movement’s leadership comes from well outside the political mainstream.

How to Replace a Rock Star? From a messaging standpoint, Van Jones is irreplaceable for Obama. He – literally – wrote the book on “green-collar jobs” and no other single figure has the kind of bona fides in both the Mother Jones and Fast Company crowds. To his credit, Jones built that reputation as an early adopter of green economy ideals, and the impressive resume of vision and leadership that he cultivated in the Bay Area — especially his innovations on urban job training — looked ripe for nationwide scalability.

A Sign for the Senate? The White House has stumbled in selecting a core message around climate change for the general public, using the summer months to float trial balloons on approaches like national security that are thought to be more resonant with middle America. But, green jobs promised to be a central motif as Senate debate on a climate bill kicks off in September. While the bureaucrats running the programs in Washington will remain in place, Jones departure is a leadership upheaval at an inopportune time for the White House and the Senate progressives who will be carrying the water on the climate/energy bill.

[photo credit: Flickr]

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Trends matter – so if you’re looking for a job, pay attention to them.

Let me explain.

If you’re trying to get a job at a clean tech company, you’re probably going to be competing for work with well-educated, savvy candidates. So even if you know a little a bit about the industry, know what sector you want to work in, and can carry on an adequately informed conversation about a company’s technology, customers, and market opportunity, you’re only going to be part way to impressing somebody in an interview.

Knowing the Trends Can Set You Apart from the Pack
But if you know the trends, you’re going to have that much more information at your fingertips to communicate why you’re a great fit for the company and industry. If you can ask a smart question about a recent breakthrough in organic-hybrid materials and how they’re going to affect manufacturing processes at a wind turbine manufacturer, you’re showing both your interest in the industry and an understanding of the way new developments are likely to affect it.

But just knowing the trends is only part of what’s going to help you impress a hiring manager. Thinking creatively about those trends is the other part. If you’re an engineer, can you imagine some unexpected applications for the new material? If you’re in business development, can you think up some ideas for partnerships that are don’t fit neatly in the box? By riffing on the latest industry developments, you’re revealing yourself as somebody who’s current on what’s happening and thinks creatively about what it might mean in the type of role you’re looking to fill.

Trends Can Also Give You New Avenues for Your Job Search
Trends can affect which companies hiring. Obviously, macro-trends, like the current recession, can adversely affect your ability to find a job. Larger trends also affect what companies are hiring. In 2008, for example, venture capitalists invested $3.3 billion into solar companies, more money than any other clean tech sector. A lot of that money will go to hiring. Similarly, the recession’s affect on job growth led to a counter-trend: The government’s effort to get the economy moving, with some $50 billion targeted for clean energy jobs alone.

Knowledge like this is power, because it gives you insight into how to best position your skills and who’s likely to be hiring. It also gives you something interesting to talk about when you’re networking and interviewing. By asking, “how does the shift in attention from [x technology] to [y technology] affect your company’s strategic plans?” or “does the tightening in credit markets provide opportunities that nobody’s talking about?” or “if these hybrid-organic materials are successful will they threaten your market share?” you can distinguish yourself as somebody who’s paying attention to what’s going on and who cares about how it’s going to affect a company’s short- and long-term strategy as well as its bottom line.

This is the second in a five-part series on clean tech job search strategies by Frank Marquardt, author of The Solar Job Guide. Read part-one of the Green Tech Job Hunt: Succeed with Clear Goals.

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Looking for a green technology job in the Solar industry is something more and more job seekers are focusing on these days. The reasons are easily explained if you turn to Frank Marquardt, author of Green Careers, coauthor of How Green Is Your City, and writer on the CleanTechies Blog: “Solar represents an attractive industry to many looking for an industry with a positive long-term outlook, and one where they can make a difference. Those who do find a job will have the opportunity to work alongside passionate people who realize their work will have a very real effect on some of the most significant geopolitical issues of the age, including energy independence and climate change.”

At the same time, that’s exactly why breaking into Solar is not an easy thing to accomplish. There is a lot of competition for a limited number of jobs, and companies have specific requirements to their jobs that many applicants do not necessarily meet.

“Those who want to break into the Solar industry will need to be persistent and focused, have the right mix of skills, and take a strategic approach. To find a job in solar, you’ll need to get clear on what sector of the industry you want to work in, what type of company you want to work at, and what skills you bring to the table,” says Marquardt.

In his latest book, The Solar Job Guide, Marquardt tells job seekers how to enter the Solar industry. Not only does he provide a detailed overview of the industry, he also offers real-world examples of successful careers in this booming industry. Marquardt knows what he is talking about. He has a strong background in green career issues and regularly writes for triplepundit, teaches workshops and teleseminars, and gives presentations.

With The Solar Job Guide, Marquardt has written a practical book on an industry with tremendous potential: According to estimates by Clean Energy Trends, the solar photovoltaic industry will grow more than 270% by 2018. And the Solar Energy Industries Association predicts that the stimulus package could create 110,000 jobs.

Job seekers looking to enter the Solar space will find Marquardt’s book useful as he elaborates on proven job search techniques and gathers advice from professionals who have successfully transitioned into a Solar career. The author explains in an easy-to-understand language what the different technologies are all about and what kind of potential they have. He also gives helpful interview tips, shows typical salaries for various positions, and provides a great overview of resources that can be helpful in finding a job. Particularly well done is a section on informational interviews he did with professionals in different roles, including Project Development Coordinator, Principal, Energy Procurement, Design Consultant, and Vice President of Product Development & Design. The interviews give the reader an idea of the range of opportunities, everyday issues and topics these professionals deal with in their respective Solar roles.

For any job seekers who want to learn more about the industry or need advice on how to best structure their job search, Frank Marquardt’s The Solar Job Guide will probably prove to be a valuable resource.

Special discount for CleanTechies readers: Frank Marquardt was kind enough to provide CleanTechies readers with a special limited time discount. Buy The Solar Job Guide by June 15, 2009, and get 20% off the book’s original price when using discount code “sunbathe”. Original price: $23.95 Special CleanTechies price: $19.16 Buy the book now.

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Clean Tech is sexy, and job seekers all around the world are looking for ways to enter this exciting market. But the job search can be daunting, and it can take months to land a job. Career changers with several years of experience in other industries are facing additional challenges as some are not confident applying directly for clean technology positions.

The best way to boost your confidence is to learn about the companies and technologies, to identify what you are passionate about, and to learn what roles your experience is best suited for. To do that, you need to research, attend conferences, and network! (See: Does Your CleanTech Job Hunt S***?)

The core tool you should have in your search is an outstanding resume. A professional resume writer can help you identify your most important skills, leverage your previous experience, and position yourself for a CleanTech job. CleanTechies talked to Andy Burnett, a seasoned Sales & Business Development professional, about his decision to work with a professional resume writer.

Why did you work with a professional resume writer?
After 20 years of starting my own companies and helping other start-ups expand their markets and sales, I decided to live my passion and pursue a career in Renewable Energy. I updated my resume and put two months of work into it, trying to make it sound just right. But I realized that it was going to be difficult for me to enter the CleanTech market, given that I didn’t have a typical career. I wasn’t sure about how to position myself and lost confidence in my resume – not a particularly good way to start looking for a job. When I came across a TreeHugger article on CleanTechies’ resume writing services, it made a lot of sense to me. I knew it was exactly what I needed to speed up my job search.

How did you decide which resume service to use?
What I particularly liked about CleanTechies’ professional resume writing service was the special focus on  CleanTech resumes. I really liked the idea of having a CleanTech recruiter and a professional resume writer working together. The resume writer knows how to write a perfect resume, and the recruiter has the necessary CleanTech knowledge to oversee the process. I liked the unique focus on CleanTech, and I was comfortable with the price – especially after having done a quick search on typical pricing for this kind of service. The combination of having an expert writer and a recruiter team up really made it for me, and I knew a strong resume was the first and very critical step in building a CleanTech career.

What were your expectations from a professional resume?
The challenge with my resume was to take my story and make it flow. I didn’t know what the resume had to look like specifically, but I trusted CleanTechies’ experience with hundreds of resumes written. Previously, I had asked some friends who work in HR to take a look at my resume and give me advice. While that was somewhat helpful, my resume never became a complete story. In contrast, the resume writer I worked with transformed a disjointed story into a career story that flows. She chose words that are going to help me succeed with my job search.

How did you figure out where to fit in within CleanTech?
In the past, I don’t think I was giving myself enough credit. I had 20 years of work experience, but I didn’t know how to leverage my experiences and position myself for a CleanTech career. It was great to have a professional resume writer look over my achievements and highlight the most important ones, thereby using the keywords CleanTech recruiters are looking for. The resume writer explained how my previous career experiences were a better fit for this market than I had realized. She raised my confidence and encouraged me to apply for positions such as VP of Sales & Marketing or a Regional Business Development position in CleanTech.

Do you have any advice for job seekers looking to enter CleanTech?
It’s definitely a good investment to have an expert look at your resume. Each industry has its own specific needs, and a generic resume is not going to get you anywhere. If you are applying for a CleanTech position, you need to pull out a resume that shows you have CleanTech experience – or other relevant industry experience that you can leverage in your new job. I talked to a lot of people, and some asked me whether I really needed to have an expert write my resume. I certainly didn’t want to throw away cash, but I don’t have a past that speaks for for itself. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy sell, and I needed an expert to tie all ends together and offer a complete picture. I felt very comfortable spending the money on a professional resume writing service, and I think it’s a good investment in my future career. Now, I know that I have the best resume I could put forward, and that makes me feel confident.

Learn more about how CleanTechies can help you write a winning resume and cover letter.

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