How to green your talent for a career in renewable energy

Have you ever considered working for a company that is passionate about developing clean, renewable energy? Have you stopped short of fully pursuing a career in renewable energy because you lack direct industry experience or thought you didn't have the right degree?

You might be thinking a career in the renewable energy industry is out of the cards for you because you were a liberal arts major or have been working in an unrelated construction or industrial field. You presume people developing solar, wind, biomass and other renewable energy fields have specific degrees and backgrounds that prepared them for their positions. The truth is, the energy industry needs hardworking, innovative thinkers - no matter their initial background. Although many workers on the front lines of energy have degrees tailored to their work, no matter your educational or work background, you can learn to use your existing skills to become the candidate energy companies are looking for.

So if you have ever thought about becoming a part of the booming clean energy sector, consider these tips for directing your current talents toward a rewarding career in renewable energy:

Research career paths
The renewable energy sector's potential job paths are almost endless, but your skills and education will set the tone for where you'll likely feel most comfortable and fulfilled. Take the time to research the positions renewable energy companies are looking for, but also keep in mind the roles that support the jobs that require more specified training and education. Like all businesses, renewable energy companies need people to fill important support roles as well.

Consider some of the following departments when doing your research: business support, marketing and sales, human resources, finance, facilities operations, research and development, design, manufacturing and construction. With this approach you can begin to delve into a search that will help you find the jobs you're most interested in and qualified for.

Revise your resume
Once you've narrowed down a short list of potential career paths within the renewable energy sector, research desired skills energy employers are looking for by reviewing current job postings. Concentrate on identifying skills in these postings that you've developed in your previous work experience or how your education can be applied to these positions. Don't rely on what you've put on your resume before. Instead, think of concrete examples of how your existing skills can translate to the positions you are interested in and then tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight those.

Establish your potential
No matter the specific position; all companies are interested in people who can demonstrate they have the skills to nurture growth and even lead. This is especially important in the renewable energy sector because growth has been so rapid. Being a leader means being able to stay organized, communicate well and successfully manage and motivate a group of people. Show companies you're able to do this by pointing out previous triumphs and examples of strategic thinking and creative problem solving.

Seek out new information
Another way to prepare yourself for a career in the renewable energy industry is taking the time to cultivate a working knowledge of the industry, including its history and current developments. Before applying for positions, learn as much as you can about the industry's growth over the past few years, as well as specifics related to the segment you’re most interested in.

It's also important you understand the social and economic implications of the industry you'll be joining, which influence products, projects, and their implementations. International, federal and local laws can all affect whether renewable technologies are financed, supported, created and deployed.

Do not be intimidated by this process, because the truth is very few transitional positions will require you to come into them an industry expert. A lot of your deeper knowledge will come from time on the job once you land it, but if you are serious about a job in renewables it is still very important to be informed. The simplest way to do this is by tapping into the vast amounts of information freely available through industry sites like PennEnergy.com or industry focused networking and social groups on LinkedIn like PennEnergyJobs or Young Professionals in Energy.

While it is not always easy to demonstrate your newly acquired industry knowledge on a resume, be certain to share important highlights in your cover letter and work to build a solid industry network of personal connections.

While the primary focus of the guidance given here is in using your existing skills for a career in renewable energy, it is important not to dismiss the potential value of continued education or gaining hands-on experience. Depending on what kind of job you are seeking, you may need to consider supplemental education or experience to land the position you desire.

Once again, taking the time to understand the position you want and connecting with the resources and people already in your desired field is the best way to chart your course in this area. So get out there and get started!

Ready to join the green workforce?
Visit PennEnergyJobs.com today to personalize your search.