Guest Post by Jennifer Massie, founder of Massie Group, a recruiting consulting firm
I have decided to conduct a series of interviews with people who have made a career transition to the clean/green sector. This could include any type of business related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable business, etc.
I am finding more and more that job seekers want to know “how do you do it?” I begin the interview series with Glenn Booth, VP of Marketing & Business Development at Cool Energy, Inc. I will continue to post these interviews on a weekly basis for as long as I have them to post and they remain relevant. Please come back from time to time to see how different folks from industries like IT, Finance, Telecom, Software, etc. have done it!
Name & Title: Glenn Booth, VP, Marketing & Business Development
Company: Cool Energy, Inc.
Q: In what industry sector were you working before you made the transition?
A: Telecommunications
Q: What industry sector are you in now?
A: Cleantech – Solar
Q: What were the circumstances for your transition and the path you took?
A: I knew someone who helped me to get connected with the Company. Then, I researched and sought out a position on my own. After being ‘furloughed’ in my previous telecom position, I was ready to make a move to a more fulfilling industry. Much of the skill set in marketing and business development can map over to different industries. Fortunately I had been donating my time to help a cleantech startup, so they knew me and knew my capabilities.
Q: Are you receiving less, equal, or more compensation than your prior position?
A: About same salary, but much bigger upside in stock options and fulfillment.
Q: What, if any, certifications, training, degrees do you have that have helped you in your obtaining a position in the clean sector?
A: The biggest help was my experience in building a company from near-scratch – raising capital, building a channel, branding, and help in product development.
Q: What, if anything, was a hindrance?
A: No prior cleantech experience. If the team at Cool Energy had not known me, and just received my résumé, it would have been harder for me to make the move. In general, people like to see similar industries or similar companies on resumes. This is a short cut, of course, and the best candidate may have zero industry experience, but a strong in core skills, energy, drive and personality fit.
Q: Other thoughts that might be helpful to someone seeking to make the transition?
A:
1. Define exactly what your ideal work scenario looks like. What sector of cleantech? What type of company? Where is it located? What kind of people? Make a target list of all potential companies based on these criteria.
2. Network like crazy – go to all the ‘MeetUps’, social events, etc. Utilize LinkedIn and other social networking tools to meet like-minded folks. Reach out to contacts through LinkedIn for your target list of companies
3. Volunteer – find a cleantech company that can use your help, but might not be in a position currently to hire you. Donate some of your hours and talent to help them. This builds enormous ‘karma points’ and has a mysterious way of coming back to serve you too.
Join me next week for my interview with Laks Sampath, who is a principal with ElliptlQ Energy Partners. We will discuss transitioning from the software industry to the solar industry.
Recommended Green Career Resources:
SIX STRATEGIES TO FIND YOUR GREEN CAREER – This free ebook by Carol McClelland PhD is a step-by-step process helping green career seekers use their passions, interests, experience, and training to plug into the green economy.
THE COMPLETE GREEN JOB GUIDE 2009: SECRETS FOR GETTING THE JOB YOUR WANT – Discover How To Unlock The Booming Green Economy For Your Job Search And Future Financial Security with the 10 Breakthrough Steps You Need To Know To Find And Land A Green Job Quickly.
CLEANTECHIES RESUME AND COVER LETTER WRITING SERVICE – Cleantechies help job seekers ease the transition from mainstream to Cleantech. Learn More!
