Will it be for your: - education? - experience? - connections?

What if I told you none of these things is going to push a hiring manager to hire you?

It's not that these elements aren't helpful, they are. But your education, experience, and connections must enable you to do something for the green company. It's that something the hiring managers are most interested in.

Here's the key. - The decision-maker has a problem - He/she thinks you can solve, and - You cost LESS than the problem

This set of conditions is true no matter what your industry, profession, job level, or job title.

Let's take a look at each part of this equation.

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The Decision-Maker

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To get hired for a job or a contract, you must get in front of the decision-maker. If you don't know who the decision-maker is or you don't know where to find him/her, you won't get a job offer.

Your goal is to determine who the decision-maker is.

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Has a Problem

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To get hired, the decision-maker must have a problem. Without a problem, there's no reason to hire anyone, let alone you!

Your goal is to find problems within the green industry/company you want to work in.

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They Think You Can Solve

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To get hired, the decision-maker must see that you can solve their problem. If it's not clear that you have what it takes to solve the problem they have, you won't get hired.

Your goal is to target the problems you are well positioned to solve and strengthen your ability to solve those problems.

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You Cost Less Than the Problem

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To get hired, your salary or invoice must cost less than the cost of the problem. If your salary is $50,000 or $150,000, telling the hiring manager you can solve a problem that costs the company $5,000 isn't going to get you the job.

Your goal is to target problems that are costing the green company more than your desired salary.

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What You Can Do

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As you can see, the best way to get hired, whether you are looking for a job or a contract, is to focus on the problems your target companies are facing that you can solve.

Your first step is to familiarize yourself with the issues your green industry is facing in general. Learn as much as you can about the problems, potential solutions, upcoming solutions and out-of-the-box solutions. You can begin this research as soon as you identify your green niche.

Then look at what you need to do to position yourself to be prepared to solve those problems. Do you need to take some classes, get some experience, or find a mentor?

The sooner you start targeting an industry, the sooner you can learn about the problems companies face. The sooner you know the problems, the sooner you can begin preparing to be the person who can solve that problem.