Building a Successful Career In Energy Consulting – The Definitive Guide
Are you interested in becoming an energy consultant? If so, then I know there are loads of questions you have regarding this type of job. You’re asking: What kind of work will I be doing? How do I start building my career successfully? And how can I even get into this line of work in the first place?
The energy consulting industry offers an exciting and lucrative career path for professionals with a passion for business development and helping companies optimize their energy spend. Whether you’re transitioning from a sales background or looking for a career change, energy consulting provides flexible opportunities with high earning potential.
What Does an Energy Consultant Do?
Energy consultants primarily work with businesses to help them find cost-effective energy solutions. This can include securing competitive energy rates, analyzing energy usage, and, in some cases, offering sustainability options such as green energy credits. While sustainability is an important industry trend, many energy consultants’ primary focus is helping businesses manage and reduce their energy expenses.
How to Get Started in Energy Consulting
Unlike some careers, becoming an energy consultant does not require a specific college degree. However, a background in business, sales, or marketing can be beneficial, as success in this field often depends on relationship-building and lead generation.
Relevant Backgrounds for Energy Consultants:
- Commercial Property Managers
- Accountants
- Lighting Professionals
- Municipal Planners
- B2B Professionals
- Direct Sales Professionals
- Business Development Specialists
- Realtors
- Mortgage Brokers
- Telecom Professionals
- Electricians
3 Steps to Success as an Energy Consultant
Step 1: Focus on Lead Generation
Building a solid client base is the foundation of a successful energy consulting career. Generating leads should be a top priority, followed by strategic follow-ups to convert leads into sales. Effective lead-generation strategies include:
- Reaching out to past business contacts
- Asking for referrals from satisfied clients
- Cold-calling local businesses
- Attending networking events and industry conferences
- Driving around commercial districts to identify potential clients
Working with a reputable company like Navigate Power can also provide access to deregulated markets, competitive suppliers, and proven sales strategies to support your success.
Additional Read: The Growing Value Of Energy Consulting
Step 2: Build Your Reputation
A strong reputation is essential for long-term success. Position yourself as a trusted energy advisor by:
- Developing an online presence through LinkedIn or a personal website
- Showcasing client testimonials and case studies
- Staying informed on industry trends and energy market changes
- Building relationships with business owners and decision-makers
Many successful consultants invest in targeted marketing campaigns to expand their reach and establish credibility in their market.
Step 3: Expand Your Knowledge & Skills
While formal training isn’t required, continuous learning can help you stay ahead in the competitive energy consulting field. Consider:
Learning about green energy credits and emerging energy solutions
Attending industry workshops and training programs
Keeping up with market trends, such as changes in energy regulations
Working at Navigate Power – Reviews by our Energy Consultants
The best way to illustrate this is by showing you what our workers say. Seth Zuskin, one of our current consultants, sums up our approach perfectly with this quote:
“With Navigate Power, it’s not just the competitiveness in the supply pricing, but it’s the 360 model that they have for energy procurement, energy efficiency and true energy management.”
Along with this, we emphasize how important it is to have a team in place that supports your consulting work. Another of our current energy consultants, Vince Agozzion, has this to say about working for us :
“First and foremost, you want someone who is there to support your work. So anything that you need to know about the business that you don’t understand, they take the time to approach those questions and answer them thoroughly”.
As if all this wasn’t enough to convince you, here’s a short video below showing more benefits of working with us:
So, all in all, this career can be incredibly beneficial for you. After seeing this, you’re probably itching to get started. Which brings us to the next question…
Is Energy Consulting the Right Career for You?
Energy consulting is a great fit for professionals who are self-motivated, confident, and comfortable with business development. With the right approach, it can be a highly rewarding career, both financially and professionally. If you’re ready to take the next step, working with a company like Navigate Power can provide the tools, training, and support needed to succeed.
About Navigate Power
Navigate Power is a leading electricity and natural gas consulting firm, headquartered in Chicago, IL. Ranked no. 550 on the 2017 and no. 856 on the 2018 Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation, Navigate Power continues to expand into new markets nationwide and currently manages over 30,000 commercial energy accounts and over one billion dollars in energy budgets. Call 1-800-541-1137 for more information!
