Q: I hear a lot about green jobs, but don't know anyone who has one. Is this all hype?

With unemployment rising by the day, people are looking for jobs that can provide them with a secure paycheck. "Green jobs" are one area of the economy that continue to get a lot of positive attention. These jobs promise to provide workers not only a paycheck, but also a sense of purpose, and in the process, help solve problems such as climate change & energy security.

The press has been especially bullish on green jobs, which is now becoming problematic. "If everyone is talking about green jobs, why can't I find one?" Good question.

The Reality of the Situation
Every day I work to put people in green jobs. Having placed over 50 people in green jobs worldwide in 2008, I've become deeply familiar with the challenges of finding, securing, and thriving in a green job.

The hard reality of the situation is that there are few green jobs available right now, and what more, there are too few qualified candidates for these jobs. The reason for this is that our economy is restructuring. As people lose their jobs in the automotive industry, finance, and retail, they are trying to transition into careers as wind turbine mechanics, carbon traders, or green home product salespeople. Unfortunately private and federal investment in green jobs -- at this moment -- is relatively small. Our education system, too, has not adequately prepared people for these jobs.

Stated simply, there's a gap between the fact and fiction of green jobs. So what to do?

Working with the Facts
A few observations about "green jobs" that might help put things in perspective:

1) Green jobs represent a fraction of the total jobs available, though nearly everyone wants one. Supply and demand for green jobs are wholly out of whack. Interestingly, by 2040, green jobs are expected to represent nearly 40% of the total employment opportunities. This transition towards a green economy won't happen overnight, so if you're truly committed to being part of the renaissance, then recognize that now is the time to make a long-term investment in your professional future

2) Most employers are postponing hiring until Q3/4 of 2009 in order to see what happens in the first half of 2009. For those people who are interviewing, expect the hiring cycle to get longer. We used to put people into jobs in ~8-12 weeks, start to finish. It's now more like ~16-20 weeks because employers are most cautious about who they hire.

3) Although most of these "green jobs" require many of the skills from previous jobs, they oftentimes require new skills. Make the most of your time between jobs. Pursue a LEED or NABCEP accreditation if you're interested in green building or solar, for example. Also consider volunteering with local green initiatives -- every employer is looking for someone who can "walk the walk". Credibility is your currency in the environmental marketplace.

4) Get networked. Volunteering is an easy way to meet people and improve your eco-credentials. Also look for local gigs like Green Drinks (nationwide), Climatini (San Francisco), and other environmental groups in your area. They're popping up everywhere, and provide you access to others who have green jobs.

The Bottom Line
Green jobs do exist, but they are few and far between. If you're looking for examples of folks who have green jobs, realize you'll have to look harder than normal. Check out companies like Recycle Bank, Blu Skye Consulting or Sun Run Solar. Each of these are pursuing unique business models that seek to solve climate change.

We are early-on in the transition to a green economy, and though this transition will happen quickly, it will take years to become obvious to everyone everywhere.

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As a Managing Partner at Bright Green Talent, Nick combines his passions for the environment, social enterprise, and people into a daily commitment to green the US workforce.