How to Make Your Resume Shine in the Solar Job Market

The forecast for the solar industry this year is a promising one. Poised for growth, the U.S. solar industry is an attractive job market for many professionals.

Interested in starting a career with a prestigious solar company? SMA Human Resources Generalist, Andrea Stapp Holland, would like to offer a few pieces of advice on how to stand out from the crowd:

Develop a clear objective

Why do you want to work in the solar industry? What can you offer to a potential employer that makes you shine?  The first step of your job search is to identify your objective and share it. This should be one to two sentences that you include on a resume and can speak to in an interview. If you are new to the industry, you will need to be able to specifically identify how your skill set will transfer effectively to a solar-focused role.

Use the right keywords

When looking for job candidates, recruiters often look for specific keywords, skills and phrases in a resume or LinkedIn profile. Include specific phrases and skill sets that will match keywords that solar companies are looking for. This could be anything from “passionate about solar energy” to “skilled in solar project management” to “well-versed in solar inverter technology.”

Familiarize yourself with industry news and resources

Before applying to jobs or responding to an interview request, take the time to read up on what’s happening in the industry. Use Google News to research the solar industry, read company blogs, or ask friends and colleagues for referrals and insights on the latest industry trends. You should familiarize yourself with current industry news and be able to respond intelligently to questions asked during an interview.

Get to know the players

Identify three to five companies you admire and spend some time researching what they do and how they operate. During the interview process most companies will ask you what you know about their company and why you want to work for them. Obtaining knowledge about some of the industry’s biggest players may help you a.) Find a company you’d love to work for and b.) Become a better informed candidate, which will stand out to recruiters during your job search.

Seek networking/educational opportunities

Whether you are a first-timer to the solar scene or a well-established professional seeking a new opportunity, it is important to further your solar education and network with others. There are several ways to do this. Virtually, you can participate in a solar chat on Twitter or join a LinkedIn group for solar professionals. In person, try to attend a conference nearby or ask for an informational interview with a company you’re interested in.

Breaking into the solar industry and finding your next big opportunity is an exciting and challenging endeavor. Many solar companies want to find the right kind of talent and the best candidates for every job opening, so take the time to research and develop your abilities for the type of job you want.

If you feel that SMA America may be the right fit for you, visit the careers section on our website and review our open positions!