Solar Jobs on the Rise Nationwide
In a column published January 22nd of 2010, Liz Merry has published a few interesting facts about the solar energy industry in America. Some of the more interesting facts from this column are below.
Solar energy in America is still 1 of the smallest industries going, as far as numbers of people employed in the industry. Using the number of job postings as a guideline, even the "energy Efficiency" field is smaller. Approximately 400 jobs are posted a month for openings in the solar energy field, whereas even Energy Efficiency job openings are around 700 posted open jobs. This means that if you're looking specifically for a job in the solar energy field, you're going to be facing some very stiff competition.
Solar energy in America is still 1 of the smallest industries going, as far as numbers of people employed in the industry
One other interesting note is that it seems that the smaller job boards tend to have postings for actual jobs, while the larger boards, like Monster.com, are showing a tendency towards more postings for training programs in the solar field. The smaller job boards also tend to have more direct hire postings, whereas the bigger boards have more postings from third party recruiters, such as Adecco and Aerotek. These postings look like they're more to help fill the temp staff of these recruiting firms than for any real long term job openings.
According to Ms. Merry's article, the Multi Level Marketing industry has found its way into the solar energy field now, with a large number of large job board postings offering "investment opportunities" and "franchising opportunities." Like any other MLM, most of these should be avoided.
Government-sector jobs in the solar field are very hard to find on the commercial job boards as well as at government job boards like USAJobs. She recommends that you do some research and determine what agency and region you want to work for and in and then contacting them directly to inquire about openings.
Ms. Merry also offers some very good tips for job seekers interested in the solar energy field:
- Research the company and determine how you'd benefit them if hired, if you obtain an interview.
- Develop yourself as an expert and maintain a "startup mentality".
- Understand your skills and limitations and learn to highlight the skills the employer will benefit most from.
- Become involved in the solar energy market by attending and maybe organizing meetings, participating in local and regional campaigns, among other things.
