Greater awareness of the climate crisis and a desire for positive societal change mean that more and more of us are becoming passionate about sustainability, but the idea of finding your first ‘green’ job can be daunting if you lack experience or in-depth knowledge.

However, we’re seeing an increase in the desire to work in sustainability. A recent poll run by Hays on LinkedIn showed that 81 per cent of 25,825 respondents are interested in working in a role that focuses on combatting climate change. This follows another poll we ran in 2021, where 85 per cent of over 18,000 people replied similarly.

Here’s the good news. For those interested, organisations are looking for recruits to focus on sustainability and create positive change, but there aren’t enough candidates to currently fill those roles. As a result, there are opportunities for people to enter the sector.

So how do you go about finding your first ‘green’ job?

Find your first green job

1) Choose your pathway

Sustainability isn’t just about recycling and planting trees. At a business level in particular, the positive impact is achieved through various means. You can contribute to sustainable development without being a specialist.

Think about your passions and the topics that motivate you most (Energy efficiency? Carbon reduction? Sustainable procurement? Biodiversity management? Labour relations and human rights?) Consider the types of roles are you interested in (for example data analytics, strategy design, innovation or active implementation) by combining your strengths and interests.

2) Broaden your idea of what a green job entails

In Hays Group Head of Sustainability Fiona Place’s interview on the Hays Careers Advice Podcast, it was explained that it’s possible to contribute to sustainable development without being a sustainability specialist. Most of sustainability work is in the wider green economy and wouldn’t necessarily be labelled as a ‘green’ job. Find companies you are interested in and look at the roles available. For example, design teams looking at circularity of a product, builders retrofitting existing buildings, or procurement specialists developing responsible sourcing programs.

3) Follow organisations that are working on sustainability

Research organisations to identify those that match your ambitions. Check their websites and search for sustainability reports they’ve published. Compare them to their peers and, if you’re satisfied that they meet your requirements, follow the company’s social media channels for any job openings. We also suggest trying to identify their employees working on sustainability and following them on LinkedIn.

4) … but look out for greenwashing

While it’s great that more companies are taking sustainability and climate change seriously, there are also those willing to take shortcuts or exaggerate their efforts. Greenwashing is a practice that organisations use to make themselves seem more environmentally conscious than they actually are.

From an employee perspective, any organisation that is misleading the public is unlikely to match your ambitions or invest in supporting you. When browsing their websites, look for any vague language or buzzwords that don’t actually detail the actions being taken. Review industry benchmarks to understand their actual performance, such as the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance.

5) Look for opportunities within your current organisation

You might not need to look far for your first ‘green’ job. Enquire about opportunities within your organisation. If Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) is already on the agenda, ask people in the team about any openings. Even if they aren’t hiring now, it’s worth letting them know that you’re interested in the area. In the meantime, take any opportunities to get involved as part of your current role, and try to learn as much as possible.

6) Think about what skills you wish to develop

Don’t let a lack of relevant experience stop you from applying. When looking for a role in a new field, transferable skills are vital and it’s no different when searching for your first green job. Here are our tips for soft skills to work on – make sure you give evidence of these on your CV and in any interviews:

• Creative and/or analytical thinking
• Building relationships
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Curiosity / Problem-solving
• Risk management

7) Network

As Fiona discussed on the Hays Careers Advice Podcast, networking is possibly the number one way to find your first job in sustainability.

There are a number of ways you can do this, and a combination is best. Make enquiries with existing contacts (or at least get a referral to somebody else), attend events and look out for specialist courses. Alternatively find a person you admire in the sector and reach out to see if they’re open to having a call. LinkedIn is a good tool.

8) Regularly refresh your knowledge

Do your research. Sustainability is a fast-evolving area. Keep reading around the subject so that you’re able to discuss ideas with your contacts, as well as give yourself the best chance of success in a potential interview. Useful resources include the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report, or the Climate Council Renewable Energy Jobs: Future Growth report. And don’t be afraid to reach out to your network and ask questions.

9) Gain field experience

If it’s an option for you, find volunteering opportunities. Not only is it a chance to learn new skills and give you experience for future roles, but it’ll stand out on your CV in place of career experience and is another chance to grow your network. It will also help you to understand the context and what kind of change can happen.

10) Be patient

As with all searches, finding your first green job will take time. It’s easy to get disheartened. “No” doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to secure a green job. As more organisations wake up to the benefits of sustainability, opportunities will appear. Read as much as you can and ask questions. Don’t expect your first green job to be the perfect fit, but give it a go – you’ll gain invaluable experience, learn new skills and make more connections.

About this author

As the Executive Director - Sustainability for ANZ, Chris’ leadership journey has been underpinned by his passion for improving equity, diversity and inclusion outcomes, leadership development as well as helping to shape and influence the future of work. .

Follow Chris Kent on LinkedIn