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Green Job Search Tactics for Recessionary Times

By Carol McClelland

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 03Mar2009 Word count: 1180 Viewed: 100 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

If you listen to the news much you know the outlook on the economy and the employment situation isn't the greatest. Week after week the numbers seem to look worse and worse. More bailouts, more crises, and more layoffs.

When it comes to pursuing your green career, you may be tempted to crawl into bed, pull the covers up, and stay there until the economy picks up.

It's easy to sink into a spiral of doom and gloom when faced with the scenario we are facing as a nation. This is even truer if you've been laid off or you fear you are about to. New graduates are also feeling the pressure.

Think Green

Rather than solely studying the traditional economic news, turn your attention to information about the green economy. Although it's not all good news, there is more cause for hope and optimism on the green side of the fence.

Many people, including President Obama and his Administration, believe that the green economy will be the driver that brings the US economy back. The stimulus package demonstrates that they are putting their money where their mouth is. Over the next few weeks and months we'll be able to follow the money to see which industries are beginning to grow as a result of the stimulus money.

The US economy will come back. It may take awhile. It may be rough going for many. The question is...

Do you want to be on the front edge of the recovery OR do you want to wait until you are sure it's happening to put yourself into position to jump when opportunities strike?

As the green economy gains traction again, you have a golden opportunity to prepare yourself for your next position. The ideas below are appropriate for professionals who are out of work at the moment, new grads, and employed professionals. Your actions will depend on the time you have available. Do what you can, given your situation.

If you are currently out of work, your path is tough. There is no doubt about that. You may need to relax your vision of the kind of job you want. Consider contract work, temp work, a side business, and work outside your profession as ways to bring some income in the door. Your goal is to stretch the funds you do have until the economy picks up again. Working will have other benefits as well. You will be active in your community, developing items for your resume of the future.

Steps You Can Take

One of your best tactics is to become the employee you'd want to hire if you were the manager. This goal ripples through all of your job search activities.

Manage Your Mindset

Would you hire someone who is depressed, negative, and fed up with life? NO!

So...work actively to manage the emotions you feel about your situation.

- Remember, you need only one job. Companies of all shapes and sizes are hiring.

- Keep the faith that there is an answer out there for you. I realize it's hard sometimes, but keeping the faith may be the thing that allows you to shine above other depressed job seekers.

- Be creative. If you need a second job to make ends meet or a job that allows you to go to school and work, be clear about your needs and then look for a solution to meet those needs.

- Surround yourself with people who see the opportunity before us. Hanging out with people who harp on the negative will only lower your spirits. Identify at least one friend who will support your efforts to enter the green economy. Perhaps they are trying to achieve the same goal!

Stay Active

Would you hire someone who was stuck on the couch watching reruns or playing video games? NO!

You'd want to find someone who was active and striving to make a difference in their community.

- Attend events. Search out green networking events or green community groups.

- Reach out to meet with others. When you attend the events listen to what other people are doing. When someone catches your attention, follow up. Invite them to lunch or ask for a ten minute informational phone call.

- Help others with leads. Keep your new contacts in mind and pass leads to them as you run across articles, opportunities, or contacts they should know. Hopefully they'll remember you when they see something that would be of interest to you. Even if they don't send you leads...they will most likely remember you as someone who helped them out.

- Start your own job search team. If you connect with a few other people who are striving to get into the green economy, take the initiative to create a job search group. Meet on a regular basis and support each other in the job search journey

Stay Alert

Would you hire someone who was out of touch with the green economy or your industry? NO!

You'd want to hire someone who was plugged into what was happening in the green movement, the green economy, and the industry.

- Understand your target industry. Invest the time in reading about and studying your chosen industry. This information will be priceless in an interview setting because it will be clear you know the stuff.

- Scan for industries/companies that are hiring. As you study your target industry, pay particular - attention to companies who are hiring — even if they aren't in your neighborhood or region. Look for trends in terms of the kinds of companies that are growing right now. What does that tell you about the industry? What does that tell you about who might be hiring in your area?

- Explore how your skills are a fit. As you learn more about your chosen industry, take a look at where your skills and experience give you an edge. Capitalize on how your skills create a win for the company and for you.

Use Your Time Wisely While You Wait

Would you hire someone who had made no investment in their own future? NO!

You'd hire someone who made a concerted effort to learn, explore, and practiced their skills during the downturn.

- Put your skills to work in whatever way you can

o Volunteer at a green Non Profit

o Help a friend who has a green business

o Start a green business of your own

o Land a consulting gig

o Find or create an internship for yourself

o Create a green project at home or within your community - Increase your knowledge

o Take a course

o Get a certificate

o Go back to school

Although your job search may not produce your desired result as quickly as you'd like, you can make progress toward your goal. As long as you are enriching your mind, learning new skills, gaining relevant experience, and building a network, you are making great progress!

When the economy starts rebounding, you'll be right there to jump at the opportunities that come your way.

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