Network your way to a green job in three easy steps

(Photo: Boris Yankov / iStockPhoto)

The following is a guest post by Ezra Drissman of GreenCareersGuide

Looking for a green job can be overwhelming. Not knowing where to begin can be the hardest part of the whole ordeal of finding your green path. But take heart: The place to start when looking for any job is networking.

Assuming that you have all your training in order, networking in the right places with the right people can mean the difference between landing the job, and still looking.

Set time out every day to network. Be smart about how and who you network with. Write out a plan of action. This will be your guide. Setting a schedule is vital while you are looking for a job. Taking an hour consistently every day will help you network effectively and not get burnt out.

1. YOU come first!
   Invest some money in some business cards. Make sure to put your name, number, email and expertise. For instance, if you have a background as a mechanical engineer, put it on the card. These will be your lifeblood everywhere you go.


2. Call around to your friends and family.
   They are the easiest people to network with and may be able to help you. Explain to each person that you are looking to start a green job and wanted to know if they knew anyone who might be able to help. Even if they cannot help immediately, they will keep you in the back of their minds just in case something does come up.


3. Use the Internet.
   The greatest part about the Internet is that it has made your networking ability amazingly easy. Go to the site linkedin.com. Sign up for an account and start linking with people you know. The next step is to see if those people know anyone within your green field. You will be surprised who you can link with and how quickly this can happen.

   It's also a good idea to do a Web search on the green opportunity you are looking for. See if there are online groups or local organizations that you can join. When you go to one of these meetings in person, make sure to bring your business cards. If there is someone who is in the field already, ask questions. The more knowledge you gain the better.

Working with a plan from the beginning is the key to effectively networking. You may get frustrated at times. If so, take a breather. Just remember consistency is the goal to landing your green career.

To learn more about finding your green niche:

• Finding Your Perfect Green Career
• Help With Training for Green Jobs
• Help on Starting Your Green Business Career

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc