Bright Ideas for Landing a Solar Job
Posted March 12th, 2013
According to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM research, the final numbers on 2012’s solar installations were expected to increase nearly 75% from 2011. This growth is predicted to continue in 2013. With the industry sizzling, now is a great time to get a job in the solar field. Here are a few ideas to energize your interview efforts.
Become an expert: A good first step is to build knowledge about company you’re interviewing with, as well as the industry as a whole. Don’t make the mistake of confusing the interviewing company’s products with a competitor’s, or having outdated information about installation techniques and industry best practices.
Get experience: There are generally three career paths in solar – research/product creation, sales, and installation. Decide which on interests you the most, and start getting relevant experience. Even if it’s not specifically in solar, sales work will help aspiring marketers, while any kind of technical installation work can help installers get a leg up.
Be passionate: Don’t just focus on the green (cash) potential in green tech. Those who build careers in alternative energy usually care deeply about environmental issues and how their life’s work contributes to a better world. Tap into that passion by showing enthusiasm of your own during the interview.
Be honest: If you don’t have any related employment experience, don’t lie. Try to gather some practical expertise through volunteer projects if at all possible. Knowledge and passion can sometimes make up for a lack of experience, so don’t take the risk of telling a lie.
Look in the right place: New Jersey was recently named the number one state in solar power production, beating out sunny states like Florida and Texas. The political climate is nearly as important as the environmental one when it comes to robust alternative energy markets, so you may need to relocate for the best job opportunities. Other hot states for solar right now include California, Colorado, Arizona, Pennsylvania and New York.
Finally, don’t overlook the value of professional help. Recruiters who specialize in green collar jobs, such as Bayside Solutions, already have a full network of industry contacts in place. With their help, you can land a good solar or other green tech job with a great company – fast. See what kind of positions Bayside Solutions has available in the San Francisco area, or contact us today to learn more.
