A recruiter’s guide to kickstarting your green career

Your weekly green job insights from an HR professional to stay ahead of the curve

April 04, 2025

Hey 👋

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!✨ The weekend is here again, but before you sign off, we’ve got some great tips for you to reflect on before Monday rolls around and the hustle begins.

We’ve also rounded up some upcoming events in the renewable sector. Hey, staying ahead of the game is key to winning!

I wish you an amazing weekend! 🚀

⏳ Today’s reading time: 2 mins

Hiring tips from HR Professional

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Goretti Akombe, a registered HR professional at Soko Fresh, an agri-tech business tackling post-harvest losses through cooling-as-a-service and market linkage support for smallholder farmers and aggregators.

I asked her a simple but crucial question:

💡 What do recruiters look for in fresh graduates?

Her response was eye-opening:

“Your career journey doesn’t start after graduation, it begins while you're still in university. Take advantage of career days, networking events, and opportunities to represent your school in different forums. The earlier you put yourself out there, the better.”

She also highlighted the importance of internships (attachments), even when they aren’t mandatory for your course:

“If possible, secure an attachment during your final year. Even unpaid attachments offer valuable exposure to the corporate world, helping you gain experience, understand workplace dynamics, and develop professional skills. Most companies are open to offering attachments since they don’t require payment, all you typically need is a letter from your university, your transcript, and a good attitude. Some companies even hire former attachees for internships or full-time roles after graduation.”

Stand out with a strong LinkedIn profile and CV

Goretti stressed the importance of LinkedIn in today’s job market:

  • Keep your LinkedIn profile updated and aligned with your CV, recruiters check both!

  • Get recommendations to boost credibility.

  • Consider professional help to optimize your profile if needed.

When it comes to CVs, customization is key:

“Never send the same CV for multiple roles. Carefully review each job description and tailor your CV to highlight the most relevant skills and experience. Even with limited work experience, a well-structured one-page CV can stand out. Seeking mentorship or professional feedback can also make a difference.”

What Recruiters Value Most in Fresh Graduates

While technical skills are important, soft skills and attitude make the biggest impact. Employers are looking for candidates who are:

  • Teachable – Open to learning and adapting.

  • Willing to learn – Eager to develop new skills.

  • Professional – Positive, proactive, and responsible.

Upcoming events in the renewable sector

Renewable energy events are a great way to stay updated on industry trends, innovations, and opportunities. Check them out.

  • Dakar, Senegal │ 8th International Exhibition of Renewable Energy and the Environment in Africa │ April 24 – 26 │Promoting the transition to more sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy systems. The fair aims to energise society.

  • Webinar │ Lessons from Operating a BESS for the First Time: Real-World Insights │ April 16

  • Webinar │ Data-Driven Energy Solutions for Utilities, EV Fleets, and Industry │ April 15

  • Kenya Renewable Energy Association - KEREA │ Data-Driven Energy Solutions for Utilities, EV Fleets, and Industry │ PURE Sector Support Programmes: Unlocking Financing Opportunities│ April 10

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Do not expect to be offered a chair when you are visiting a place where the chief sits on the floor