The green movement has been gaining momentum in the business world; more companies seem to be concerned with their responsibility to protect the environment. Vault.com recently released its first digital-only book depicting various green company programs.

Won Kim, Vault editor and author of "Vault Guide to Green Programs," says the guidebook features companies that embrace the eco-friendly movement. The goal of the book is to "track talent companies' need to become more socially responsible."

Vault is also dedicated to going green. They hope to display their commitment to the environment by releasing this guide online, not in printed form. The portable document format (PDF) reflects Vault's hope to become more "green smart," according to Kim.

"As a growing number of Vault's elite career-oriented audience embraces environmental responsibility as a determining issue in choosing among employer options, we want to walk the talk," says Erik Sorenson, Vault CEO. "In addition to providing valuable information about target employers, we want to publish in a similarly responsible fashion. And we'll work to do more of that in the future."

Featured companies have shown excitement about green issues as well as an incentive to work toward social responsibility. Representatives from human resources, corporate communications and corporate responsibility teams answered questions relating to their environmental programs and ideas. Questions covered topics such as: what kinds of green programs, which employees help to implement the plans, how the ideas are communicated to employees and clients, if the facilities at the business have been eco-friendly certified and how the results illustrate the effectiveness of the environmental programs.

The guide covers many different industries from airlines to retail stores to law firms, according to Kim. Some businesses include Apple, Boeing, Burt's Bees, Northwest Airlines, Random House, Morrison & Foerster law firm, Starbucks, Staples and General Electric.

Kim says it was interesting to see that future employees and college students are providing a strong emphasis toward environmentalism. Companies seem to be realizing that they need to become more eco-friendly in order to gain the top talent's attention — current candidates prefer to work for businesses that display a concern for global awareness.

For more information on the green online guidebook, visit www.vault.com.

CRAZY HIRING TACTICS

Job candidates have turned to imaginative approaches in order to gain the attention of potential employers. Twelve percent of hiring managers, according to a survey by CareerBuilder.com that questioned 3,388 hiring managers and HR professionals, say that more job applicants are using stranger methods to gain positions this year, compared to previous years.

Managers provide some of the most unusual job-seeker ploys:

— Applicant advertised on a billboard.

— Applicant held a sign that said, "Will work for paying bills." Then during the interview, the candidate brought a broom to "clean up the waste and corruption in the office."

— Applicant wore a shirt that said, "Please hire me."

— Applicant came to the office with breakfast for the employer every day until hired as an employee.

— Applicant sent a big cookie with "Hire Skip" written in frosting on it.

— Applicant stayed outside the building with a "Seeking employment" sign.

— Applicant promised a foot massage to the manager if hired.

"Candidates have a short window to make a lasting impression on potential employers," says Jason Ferrara, senior career adviser. "Those who apply resourcefulness and an inventive approach to their job search may have a better chance of standing out in the minds of hiring managers.

"The key is making sure you are maintaining an appropriate balance of creativity and professionalism so you are remembered for the right reasons."

For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.

To find out more about Amy Winter and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.