How to Get a Green Job

Make a living by making the planet better. It sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong—and getting wronger all the time. Dream green jobs are growing as the nation pursues a more eco-friendly path. The Obama administration has vowed to create 5 million green jobs in the next decade alone, and the green-collar workforce is slated to boom for years to come.

Another plus: green collar jobs aren’t easily outsourced to other countries, so they offer a bit more security, according to the New York Times. “If we are going to weatherize buildings, they have to be weatherized here,” Van Jones, president of Green for All, told the paper. “These jobs have to be done in the United States.”

Whether you're looking for a first job or hoping to make a mid-career switch, there are plenty of opportunities to join the green work force. Check out these 10 tips below.

Everyone’s wanted — not just rocket scientists.
Experts estimate that as many as 37 million green jobs could be created by 2030. The good news is you don’t have to have a PhD or an environmental degree hanging on your wall to snag one. The boom is expected to be particularly good for electricians, mechanical engineers, welders, metal workers, construction managers, accountants, analysts, environmental scientists, and chemists. All those solar panels aren’t going to manufacture and install themselves.

To thine own green self be true.
Picture your ideal job: does it involve working with your hands? Working behind the scenes writing policy? Writing about that policy as a journalist? Setting a clear goal will get you farther than saying “I want one of those elusive green-collar jobs.” Next, find other people who have the job you want and grill them for advice. Find out what skills you need to land the position and ask them what you can do to market yourself.

Get tooled.
Rework and retool the skills you already have. Biofuel companies and solar panel manufacturers need administrative assistants, human resources experts, and sales staffs—and so will most other green businesses out there. Think about the things you do now—on the computer, in the office, at home—and how your talents can be used in a new industry. Now more than ever it’s essential to have strong, transferable skills under your belt.

Seek eco and ye shall find.
Research different green companies wherever you can. Scour green employment listings like SustainLane’s Green Collar Jobs Board to find out who’s hiring and what positions are available. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, narrow your search to that region. It’s always a good idea to know which businesses and industries are expanding—and contracting—in your area or prospective new locale.

Get cred.
Set yourself apart from the rest of the green job seekers and impress employers with your initiative by earning some professional credentials or enrolling in professional training courses. You’ll be competing against recent college grads who may have been able to tailor their education for a particular green field. So catch up and outshine them. In the green industry, having some science under your belt is always a good idea; register for a biology or ecology class at a local community college.

Read up.
Scour the news for information about the major players in the green field of your choice. It’s easy to do if you set a Google News Alert to ensure that you get new info as it happens. Reading up on your field will help you beef (er, tofu?) up your green vocabulary so you’ll be able to converse with tried-and-true professionals. Read industry publications, sign up for newsletters, and stay up to date on new research.

Become the next apprentice (and you won’t get trumped).
You don’t necessarily need a college degree to be a green-collar worker. Explore “pre-apprenticeship” programs, which introduce you to the basics of a trade and help you acquire marketable vocational skills.

Network, network… (did we say network?)
People are going to extremes these days to build their collections of business cards and contacts. While you don’t have to start taking business flights just to network—an act that would definitely be frowned upon in the green field—it’s always smart to build your networking skills. Know the key leaders and hiring managers of green businesses in your area. Even people who aren’t in the exact field you’ve decided on might be able to point you in the right direction. Always keep business cards on hand and have a current events cache so you can mingle in places where a mentor or potential boss might be.

Get voluntary.
Apart from earning you massive street credit, volunteering for environmental causes and nonprofits is a great way to get your foot in the door and rub shoulders with some of the key green players in your community. Pro bono work is a definite resume booster and shows your dedication. Pick something you feel passionate about, and dive in.

Passion bears fruit.
Be able to articulate your passion for sustainability and green living. Job interviewers will ask why the field appeals to you, so have a thoughtful explanation and personal anecdotes on hand. If you haven’t adopted a green lifestyle yet, get a move on. Those who are in the loop will be much more impressed if you walk the walk.

They’ll be impressed if you dress the part, too. You don’t have to wear organic hemp from head to toe, but some green accoutrements, like a reusable water bottle (the bisphenol A-free variety), will help your image. And never, ever carry a single-use plastic water bottle. Start living a green lifestyle and your prospective employers will see that you really want to make a difference.