Navigating the Quirks of the Sustainability Job Market

In a time when most job markets are shrinking and companies are hunkering down to weather the recession, the sustainability job market continues to grow. And it's growing for many different types of positions - engineers, architects, program managers, contractors, and support positions like accounting, HR and marketing.

Seems like it should be easy to get a job then, right? Not if you aren't already working in the industry. The sustainability market, especially here in Portland, OR, is extremely relationship-based. Up until now, the same people stayed within the industry and simply moved from one organization to another. New employees generally came directly from an environmental studies program.

Now that the industry needs "new blood" it has to hire people from many different backgrounds. However, most recruiters still use a networking approach to filling positions.So, if you're simply responding to open job postings, you are behind the curve to get the position.

The best approach to getting a job in the sustainability sector is to determine how you want to apply your skills and target organizations that use them. Then you have to find ways to develop an interaction with people in those organizations. If that sounds daunting, it is.

One of the best places to find contacts currently is LinkedIn. There is a group called Green Professionals that is growing dramatically and it's a great place to learn about the industry, let people know about your job search, and get informational meetings with key industry professionals.

Portland is home to numerous sustainability-oriented events, and the more you can attend, the better. You will begin to see familiar faces. The good news about sustainability professionals is we love to network, talk about the industry, and share knowledge. Once you get connected, great things start to happen!

You can contact me for more information about job search strategies in the sustainability sector.

Good luck!