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Green careers are hot right now.  The environment-saving crusade is drinking in a phenomenal victory, which seem to be growing at an exponential rate, to the extent that the wind (generating energy) industry employs more people then coal mining in the United States.  More employment opportunities are available in an ever rising green economy.

The amazing appeal to this prospect is that these jobs require little or no credentials other then a GED or high school diploma.  In addition, there are readily available green job training programs, and workshops for the less studious.  Many colleges offer  courses in this field, even full degrees in renewable energy.  And, those who already have a degree or background in mechanics or engineering, can redirect their career to the benefit of the environment.

Everyday new regulations are being set in place that actually increase the number of jobs.  The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) dictates higher use of renewable energy, higher reduction of emissions, and has set a penalty for violation of the bill.  The result being, major reconstruction in the power industry, increased production of electric vehicles, and significant increases in energy efficiency in businesses, households, and electricity generation in general.

The government has provided funding, and continues to do so, to encourage growth in the field.  In the following statement:

“The Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847), introduced by Reps. Hilda Solis (D-CA) and John Tierney (D-MA), authorizes up to $125 million in funding to establish national and state job training programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, to help address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries.”

360JobInterview is serious about Green Jobs too – check out our coaches that can help you for your green jobs!

If your job involves constant interaction with other people, it’s a good idea to ensure your presentation and physical appearance are up to par.  This is particularly obvious in a public career where the individual is under the constant scrutiny of the media.  Believe it or not, the same thing applies to your life too, albeit on a more subtle level.

Many companies already have a dress code in place, even for jobs that require no interaction with clients.  Nonetheless, statistics show 41% of employers say that workers who dress better, or more professionally, tend to land more promotions than others in their organization.  Reason being, it helps project a more dedicated image to your boss and co-workers.

Dressing professionally can be a challenge. Here are some helpful tips:

• Make sure your closet is stocked with versatile basics:  black pants; dark suits; a number of button-down collared shirts; dark shoes.
• You can build on from there by adding some conservative sweaters or vests.
• If you want to add color, a nice tie or silk scarf can look great, and still maintain your professional goal.
• Be careful not to overdo your accessories and jewelry to avoid looking busy.  It can be very distracting.
• Avoid a sloppy appearance by ironing your clothing and tucking in your shirts.
• Ensure that your clothing is clean and in good condition.  Stains are a major deterrent.
• Avoid clothing that’s too tight, or cut-off tees.

Aside from dress, your physical appearance and health are important too.  A person who is healthy and exercises regularly displays more energy.  This is especially appealing to an employer because it shows you are able and willing to use your energies for the benefit and development of the company.

(Image Source: mediabistro)

Job applicants beware! Recent studies show that at least 70% of hiring managers in the United States have rejected job applicants due to online profile information. This past Thursday, January 28, marked the 4th annual Data Privacy Day. Data Privacy Day, initiated by Microsoft, puts into perspective just how much of our private lives we expose via social networks, microblogging, photo sharing etc.

A simple entry of the applicants name into a search engine can result in loads of personal information which, while not professionally relevant, can have damaging effects. We can debate that our personal and professional lives should remain completely segregated; however, research proves that personal relationships do affect our professional potentials.

Fear not. Online reputation can be repaired and maintained if proactively managed. Microsoft suggests that rather than simply removing past — or omitting future — negative information, we utilize our online profiles as a tool to build the image we would want an employer to find.

Smartplanet.com suggests a number of ways to build your online reputation. For instance, social networks such as Facebook are great places to start because they’re anchored to your real identity. Just be sure to adjust your privacy settings. Additionally, create a profile on LinkedIn, a more professional social networking site where you can connect your profile to coworkers. An employer will be able to get a better sense of who you are, and where you have been. It also allows you to discover new opportunities. Lastly, create a Google public profile. Since Google is the most popular search engine, it’s a good idea to create a profile page. Your Google profile can also be linked to your Facebook and LinkedIn.

You take the time to write up your resume; you search for the job you want; you submit your resume to various organizations. No response. It’s as if you did nothing. Why? What can you do to ensure your resumes are ‘heard?’ How can you guarantee that your resume lands you interviews and ultimately a job offer?

To begin with, be sure to distinguish your resume and application from the other candidates. A hiring manager is simply looking for the best person who can become immediately productive for their organization. Your resume is their first impression of you, it is therefore important to:

• Tailor your resume to suit each job you are applying for; adjust your objective.
• Avoid turning your resume into a boring list of job duties and responsibilities.
• Information should be relevant to the position, and show how your experience fit the job criteria.
• Include strong active verbs like “directed,” “conceived,” and “calculated,” to give your qualifications power.
• Make your resume more tangible by quantifying your efforts as much as possible. This directly shows how your potential contributions can benefit the company.

It is best to have a professional review your resume to ensure you provide all of the above and to give it polish.

Get Noticed. Get Hired.

Now that your resume is up to par, some proactive work is necessary in order to procure an interview:

• Contact the hiring manager and ask when he/she would like to meet you for an interview.
• Suggest that you will be in the neighborhood and would like to hand-deliver your resume.
• Contact the recruiting manager to discuss how you can benefit the organization.
• Next, propose possible dates for an interview.
• Be sure to show respect for the manager’s time.
• Research the company you are interested in. Suggest improvements and possible solutions to a problem you may be aware of.

Remember, no one is going to find you; you have to go out there and present yourself!

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.” – Brian Tracy

Skype video job interviews are occurring at a rapidly increasing pace today. We can no longer say that distance is our obstacle, nor our time limited. Skype simply eliminates both costs and travel time, by allowing us to conduct job interviews in the comfort of our own home.  It is therefore important to refresh our skills to ensure a successful interview.

How Skype Is Changing the Job Interview

In Get ready for your next job with Skype interviews, Brianna Reynaud gives some great basic and technical tips:

1. Smile and Focus
One of the easiest rules to remember when interacting with anyone face to face is simply to smile. Also the person with whom you are speaking deserves your full attention so make sure to stay focused and make direct eye contact showing that you are engaged in the conversation.

2. Choose your Colors Wisely
Certain colors like many shades of blue–royal, navy, sky–look great on video while others like reds and hot colors like magenta can be too bright. Patterns with small dots or stripes can be less attractive and more distracting than solids so think about wearing a color that is easy on the eye.

3. Lighting and Background Check
While you are the focus of the video call, remember to think about how your webcam is set up and consider what can be viewed in the background behind you. Are you sitting so that a blank kitchen wall is behind you or is there a cluttered book shelf or large paining behind you? Also, check to be sure you have proper lighting to eliminate shadows as well as avoid harsh lighting conditions that may not look good on screen.

Ms Reynaud also links to an article of a very informative mock interview by Walet Pop. They conducted the interview to show us different behaviors to be aware of that can send the wrong messages. Here is a brief list of points we can learn from the mock interview:

• Be confident!
• Do some prep work before the interview. It is important to know about the position you are interviewing for, as well as the company’s goals. This also enables you to answer the questions sooner without needing to pause and think. This does not give a very positive impression.
• Do not speak negatively about your previous employer. This will reflect badly on you.
• When asked to speak about yourself, talk about your professional history as opposed to personal life and family. This refers to your accomplishments as well, they should be strictly professional.
• When asked your greatest weakness, choose one that can be turned to the positive, and may actually benefit the organization.
• When discussing your biggest challenge in the proposed position, be sure not to point out your weaknesses. Do your homework, and positively speak about the general challenges of the position.
• It is important to maintain eye contact. Be sure to look into the camera, and not the interviewer’s image at the bottom of your screen.
• Finally, make sure there is no distraction/movement in the background.

I strongly recommend anyone planning a Skype interview to watch this mock session.

Good luck!

Advice I picked up through my job searching journey in two opposite ends of the globe…

Make your resume stand out from the growing pile of monotonous ones; have a professional revise your resume. Employers do not have time to interview every applicant. To ensure you receive an interview, you need a very convincing resume. For example, aside from listing your abilities, be sure to point out your accomplishments. How did your specific skills help you achieve the goals of the organization you previously worked for? An adviser can help you realize your past accomplishments. As well, there are many components that make up a resume; skills that you may think are not important may actually be a plus for certain jobs. Finally, a professional will make sure your resume has polish. Trust me, it is worth the investment!

For every resume you send, be sure to write your objective. An example: To obtain a role where I can use my strong organizational skills and attention to detail to fulfill tasks both thoroughly and efficiently. Each job you apply for will be different, it is therefore very important to adjust your resume accordingly. It may even be a good idea to have several resumes ready to fit the various job types or levels that you will be applying to.

Confidence and willingness to learn new skills: I once applied for a job, my interview was very successful, but I had no experience using one of the programs. They did not hire me. I later found out that the next person they interviewed told them if you give me a week I will go home and learn the program. They hired her. There are people out there willing to give you a chance, it is your job to promote yourself so you can optimize your chances. Sometimes it’s just best to be yourself! It may be your unique personality that makes you stand out from the rest. An organization likes to make sure their employees get along and work well together. If they see particular traits they like, that may be your ticket in!

Network: Many organizations only feel comfortable hiring someone on a personal recommendation. Ask your friends, family, and acquaintances if they know of any job opportunities. Some organizations do not even bother advertising and find their employees via word of mouth. If there is a particular organization you wish to work for, it may be a good idea to approach them yourself to see if they have any available jobs. With a great resume in your hands, you never know where you may land your next job!

Yes, unemployment is at a high of 10.2%, and this can be very discouraging. I say look at the bright side — there are still 89.8% in the work force! Unemployment rates are just about to peak. Employees have been over-cautious this past year, but now there’s no choice. There is work to be done and businesses are rehiring!