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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Running back available for recycling 4/23/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Need a job? Green-collar opportunities await By Eve Nicholas Living green is more than a necessity. It's more than a trend. It's a job opportunity. Consider the lifestyle changes happening all around us. On the home front, people are starting to buy Earth-friendly products, eat locally grown foods and ride public transportation. At the office, many business owners are initiating green business practices and bringing in consultants to implement their ideas. In the laboratory, scientists are seeking out new ways to make fuel, use solar and wind power, and preserve the environment. Each of these changes -- every single one of them -- opens up new jobs. In fact, Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to create 25,000 new green-collar jobs in Washington by 2020. What defines a green-collar job? Any occupation that promotes our shift to a more energy-conscious and energy-efficient culture. It's a phrase that covers a lot of ground, which is outstanding news for job seekers. The focus on eco-friendly living generates jobs across the board. At all levels, in all industries. The possibilities are endless. Interested in switching to a green career? Here are two ways to go about it: Capitalize on your transferable skills. Even if you only held one job in your lifetime, you already possess abilities that can adapt from one field to another. For instance, as the project manager for a landscape design company, you have the potential to make a powerful impact in the green building industry, partnering with an architectural and landscaping business that targets environmentally focused customers. Your skills in project planning, budgeting, supervising contractors and managing client relations will easily transfer to the new field. In another example, as a salesperson specializing in selling snack foods to retailers, your transferable skills include closing sales and managing key accounts. All of these capabilities would benefit providers of "green" consumer goods, so use them to your advantage. Make your transferable skills stand out in your resume. And while you're there, flaunt some your most impressive accomplishments as a success-driven sales leader (or project manager). In your cover letter, mention that your unique background gives you the flexibility to seamlessly transition to this rapidly growing field. Learn a new vocation. Another way to land a job with an eco-friendly company involves starting from scratch in a new occupation. Career changes can be exhilarating, and with opportunities stretched across so many industries (manufacturing, technology, sales, construction, food production and waste management to name a few), the road is wide open for you to find a lucrative position in a field that you love. Brainstorm about the aspects of the environment that inspire you, pick a few industries or trades, and then determine if you need training or credentials to meet your goals. Take the next step by pursuing education or reaching out to employers about entry-level roles. When you contact employers, be honest about your desire to begin a new career. Remember that businesses receive real-world benefits from hiring dedicated workers. Your enthusiasm is an asset. Show it off. If you feel passionate about the environment, motivated by technical innovation, frightened by global warming or simply pushed to get a new job, think green. The same actions that benefit the environment are great for your career. Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.

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