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Guest Post by Lori Stewart - http://greengigs.blogspot.com/
I am a SAHM, former science teacher, current freelancer, and work-in-progress green being. One day last summer, as I was filling my none-to-eco-friendly minivan with $4.34 per gallon gas, while thinking about the load of laundry I had to get off the clothesline before it rained, and listening to my husband’s nonstop campaigning to install solar panels on our house, I had an idea: Green Gigs. Since leaving full-time work to stay-at-home with my “wild things”, I have been constantly searching-for, applying-to, and completing freelance projects to supplement our income. In my virtual job searches, I had visited many “green job” boards and many “telecommuting job” boards, but had never run across a site specializing in home-based jobs that were environmentally-focused. I knew zilch about blogging, yet came home, let the rain pour on the laundry, and started Green Gigs - a blog solely dedicated to listing eco-friendly, telecommuting jobs.
There is really no need to be eco-fabulous and broke - so how do you go about landing a green gig of your own?
First Apply! Don’t be bashful; eco-employers are not going to knock on your door, you have to knock on theirs. When I first started freelancing several years ago, I was lucky to get one response for every ten jobs I applied for. Now that my portfolio has grown, so has the response rate from employers. Do not get discouraged if you don’t land the first green gig you apply for, keep at it!
Spiff-Up Your Resume. If you have been out of the work force raising your family or if you have worked for one company for an extended period of time, chances are your resume is out of date and your cover letter is nonexistent. Tout your accomplishments. All too often women, in particular, downplay their achievements. Job applications are not the place for modesty - be bold, be green, be you!
Be Green! Eco-employers are looking for environmentally savvy people. As a reader of Green & Clean Mom, you probably already lead a green life. Let your prospective employer know your “greenness” factor. If you don’t have specific green work experience, gracefully (and honestly!) mention your green lifestyle - brag that you have the biggest, nastiest, most worm-filled compost pile east of the Mississippi, or that you organize your town’s annual Earth Day clean-up, or that you no longer need a trashcan because you recycle every item that enters your house.
Be Choosy. Build your portfolio with quality jobs that will take your career in the direction you want to go. Low-grade work won’t help you in the long-run. Trust me, I have been there! Recently I landed a project perfect for my skill set. I was offered (no joke here!) one-fifth of my going rate! There was a time I would have accepted the gig, despite the low-pay. This time I replied with my rate and said thanks, but no thanks. Do not undervalue yourself!
I wish you the best of luck greening your career. Let’s all work together to leave a greener world for our children!
Lori is the mother of three young boys. Lori blogs at Green Gigs, where she provides home-based job listings with an environmental focus.
