How to Find HIP Jobs with Sustainable Companies

by Nathaniel Whittemore

Published January 30, 2009 @ 10:34AM PT

One of most interesting organizations trying to help grow, rationalize, and connect the social capital market space is HIP Investor. HIP, which stands for "Human Impact + Profit," provides investors with better information about companies making a profit as well as sustainable social impact as well as training companies who want to use their assets for good.

I highly recommend signing up for the HIP Newsletter. In today's edition, they wrote a great little column with tips for job seekers. Forgive the extended reposting, but much of the advice is really creative and dead-on:

"HOW TO FIND A "HIP" JOB

At HIP Investor, we have been fortunate to attract highly talented staff and dozens of interns - as well as a constant flow of passionate professionals, all seeking to create sustainable, profitable growth.   Frequently we are asked for advice in finding a job that is HIP, so here are our recommendations:

Be the Magnet - Develop your unique perspective and skills.  Research how wellness programs boost health and save money.  Publish on how renewable energy generates extra profit and mitigates risks.  Twitter the latest green products that customers are buying.  Show your entrepreneurial initiative by creating a pool of knowledge and attracting a community of followers. On your resume, highlight the quantitative results of your experience (numbers, values and percentage improvements)...

Pitch a Project - Now that you found a company to target, think how you can boost their revenue, lower their costs, or help them find tax incentives (especially in the new Federal stimulus package).  Brainstorm 3 projects to propose; write up a one-paragraph summary of each, and show how the benefits outweigh the costs.  Even if your 3 projects are not accepted, you have showcased your ability to think, design, and communicate for the firm's benefit.  Even if there's not a role at the firm, your initiative might be rewarded with referrals.  Again, be the magnet!

Pay It Forward: In the meantime, prove your value by interning or volunteering; while it may not be paid, you build valuable experience in sustainability that firms will need to hire.  Take action now - and invest in yourself.  You'll even make new friends - and build a career that generates both Human Impact + Profit"

I love the idea of pitching a project. Even if you never get to the actual "pitch" stage, thinking through a type of project that you think would build upon and add value to the company will give you a great opportunity both to better understand what the company does, as well as thinking about what types of activities you're really drawn to. If all of the projects you tend to come up with focus on education and training, but you think you're an accountant, that's worth considering..

I also think that the "paying it forward" mentality is hugely important. Everyone's most productive and happiest when they're doing the things that are best for them. Forwarding job announcements, introducing employers to good people, all of that increases your social capital even if it means you don't get the job.