How to Prep for a Green Tech Interview
Posted September 13th, 2013
During the interview – any interview – you are in the hot seat. As with all interviews, your green job interview is the key that either will open the door to a wonderful job opportunity and further career success, or will cause you to begin your green job search process all over again.
The key, again as with all interviews, is preparation. You must be knowledgeable and articulate in order to sell the hiring manager on the skill sets and competencies that you bring to the table. Here are 4 steps that can help you -steps you need to take long before you sit down with the hiring manager.
- Research all you can about the company. Identify in what way the company is green. Green industries are very diverse, and some of the main sectors are solar power, wind power, geothermal and biomass technologies. However, many other companies (for a variety of reasons) are “going green” to help them reduce costs. So find out about the various green initiatives within the company and what exactly is involved. You need to carefully research to find out why a particular company is green, and plan to emphasize during your job interview what most impresses you about its green activities.
- Highlight all the green activities in which you have been involved. Regardless of whether you managed the public relations initiatives around a particular company’s cloud computing migration or helped start a recycling program at a former workplace, include this in your cover letter and/or resume and promote it during the interview. However, do not exaggerate your knowledge of a green technology or concept. Your interviewer might ask you what you would do in a hypothetical situation, and if you cannot answer, your interview could be ruined.
- As in all interviews, be prepared to dress professionally. A common stereotype is that a green company’s dress code is “laid back”. Even if this is true, you are not yet part of that culture, and it is not appropriate for you to dress as if you were. All employers, including green job employers, will take you seriously if you dress in a professional manner.
- Learn the language. The best way to learn the most current terms, buzzwords and ideas is to read blogs, publications, and talk to other people in the industry. However, don’t use green buzzwords excessively during your interview. It’s important to know what you’re talking about – not appear as if you are simply throwing around jargon, without knowing what the words mean.
If you are interested in green technology jobs in the Bay Area, turn to Bayside Solutions. If you would like to put your green technology skills to work for a top-notch company we have the expertise to make it happen. If you are looking for staffing agencies in northern CA, contact Bayside today!
