Sustainability brings with it a wave of new professions. Many people are considering switching to companies committed to fighting climate change. If you too would like to do so, this is a must-read article.
Is it Climate Jobs time?
The demand for climate-related jobs is constantly growing and is expected to continue to increase. To give you an idea, more than 1.4 million green jobs were registered in the United States last year.
Many companies, in fact, have a new objective: reducing their environmental footprint. However, to complete this mission, new professional figures and new skills are needed. On the supply side, new technologies are emerging, which in turn is fueling the demand for new professionals and new skills. In addition, vertical job-climatic communities are starting to emerge in different fields, in which an attempt is made to facilitate the matching of supply and demand, such as: “Play for the Planet” dedicated to the sports sector.
Working in sustainability not only places you in one of the most in demand roles in the job market, it also places you in a position of significant social importance. As well as giving you a sense of purpose that transcends the job itself.
The range of climate jobs offers a wide variety of professional opportunities. There are positions in almost all sectors and for different levels of experience. From the more technical ones like Sustainability Analyst, Environmental Lawyer, Renewable energy engineer to those close to the world of communication, such as Communicator Sustainability Specialist or Content creator.
In short, there is something for everyone. If you want to learn more about this topic, you can do it here. U-Earth has also opened a sales position: read all the details here.
The opportunity is significant. But you need to be prepared. How do you do that? Keep reading.
First Steps Towards Climate Jobs
Here are 3 tips for taking your first steps in the exciting world of climate jobs:
1) Be authentic: Do you have a true passion for sustainability?
Listen to and embrace your values and passions! If they push you towards sustainability, then you are on the right track! Aligning yourself with your profession will allow you to express yourself at your best, in both dimensions.
2) Climate Jobs: Explore the future that awaits you
Explore the climate jobs market to orient yourself in this sea of opportunities. Social media and job search platforms are valuable tools to stay up-to-date on trends, build your network, and not miss any opportunity.
3) Assess your skills and consider reskilling
Do your current skills match the requirements for working in sustainability? Or do you need to update or reskill?
In this sense, the market offers many resources, including university courses, specific masters, webinars, coaching sessions, and online resources.
Experts' Secrets for a Successful Career in Climate Jobs
Only the last steps remain to be taken, the most important ones. The ones that can really make a difference. For this, we leave the word to the experts.
Their valuable advice will guide you step by step, from crafting your resume to the interview.
Craft an amazing resume, and more by Teresa Novoa | Senior Global Talent Advisor & Recruiter
Writing a resume isn't the simplest task. Moreover, it's your true business card, the first impression you give to the recruiter. That's why we sought the help of our experts.
We had a chat with Teresa Novoa | Senior Global Talent Advisor & Recruiter, who revealed her guidelines for creating a perfect resume:
Tailor for Relevance: Customize your resume for each job by emphasizing skills and experiences that match the specific role.
Quantify Impact: Use numbers to showcase achievements, such as percentages, growth rates, and project outcomes.
Powerful Action Verbs: Start bullet points with action words like "managed," "initiated," or "achieved" for dynamic descriptions.
Bonus track: Ask someone else to review it, this will help you avoid bias and get feedback to improve it!
Now that you've completed your resume, you're ready to send it. But to whom? How to find the right opportunity? Teresa has given us a platforms specifically dedicated to the world of Climate Jobs.
“First and foremost, I recommend my own platform, ClimateRecruit.eu, which I regularly update. It offers valuable resources for those transitioning to or already working in the climate tech industry.
Job seekers can benefit from two key resources:
Climate Recruit Job Boards, which provide access to specific climate-related job boards worldwide
Climate Recruit Resources, where you can find various organizations, communities, and resources related to the climate industry. Bonus track, take a look at the Upcoming Programs section!
Additionally, consider utilizing Climatebase, ClimateTechList, and Terra.do as excellent resources for job seekers.”
According to Teresa, indeed, the keyword for anyone looking to enter this field is: Network, network, network! Referrals are by far the first source of hiring for companies: let your network know that you are open to work and grow it by becoming part of communities and groups you identify with!
Thanks also to these tips, we are confident you'll be able to get your first interview right away. Fortunately, the recruiter has also discussed how to best prepare for this event.
This goes for all industries. Prepare thoroughly for the interview by researching the company, the individuals you'll be meeting with, and how their values align with yours.
Anticipate common interview questions, such as: Why did you apply for this role? What are your strengths and areas for improvement? Can you recall a challenging work situation and how you resolved it? What was your most significant impact in your current or previous role? What are your salary expectations?
Consider leveraging AI tools, like Interview by AI, which generates realistic questions tailored to the specific role based on the job description.
If there are skills or requirements you lack, be prepared to discuss how you plan to acquire them and how your existing experience can translate into transferable skills to meet those needs.”
Find Your Climate Career Sweetspot with Claudia Geratz Msc | Positive Psychologist and Career Coach
Positive Psychologist and Career Coach Claudia Geratz highlights the importance of creating a climate career that aligns with your strengths and brings you joy.
I hear from too many people that they try to copy-paste their current job into a climate job. While this is a great option if you love what you do and feel passionate about your work, this might not be your best bet if you are currently feeling unfulfilled and uninspired in your career.
A climate career change can also be an opportunity to transition into an area that might be new to you but is more in line with your personal interests and passions.
Claudia works with people who use this career transition to look at their life and work holistically and create a career path that not only feels meaningful but is positioned in what I call the climate career spot.
Finding your climate career sweetspot means you work at the intersection of what you are really good at, what brings you joy and sparks your creativity, and what needs doing in the world. It goes back to the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which refers to something that gives a person a deep sense of purpose, but also makes us feel alive and motivated.
This is a strengths-based approach.It helps people identify which professional skills and competences, accumulated to date, are transferable and applicable to climate and social solutions. Claudia encourages people to discover their natural strengths, and use them to feel confident and happy at work.
We know from over 20 years of research that people who manage to bring their strengths into work, report higher job satisfaction, are much more engaged and feel connected to their coworkers. After helping over 650 people discover and harness their strengths, it’s really the number one approach I recommend to anyone who is looking to change or accelerate their careers.
Once you know your climate career sweetspot, you can use this to write meaningful and authentic cover letters, add your mission statement and strengths to your CV, and really shine in your interviews by sharing work examples that give centre stage to your strengths and you, at your best.
Brilliantly passes the interview: What Does the HR Manager of @Treedom Serena Bosco Say?
We asked Serena Bosco | HR Manager of @ Treedom three simple questions to provide the point of view of someone who selects and chooses candidates in the Climate Job world.
1) What are the first three things you look at in a candidate during an interview?
Creativity in Approach is fundamental in a company like Treedom, which values
innovation and originality. We are looking for individuals who can offer solutions outside the schemes, which can make a unique contribution to the dynamic challenges of our
work. Curiosity and thirst for knowledge are equally crucial. I
am looking for candidates who not only bring tangible expertise, but that they are open to a continuous process of learning. The ability to adapt to the changing challenges of the green world of work is what distinguishes us, and the desire to grow and learn is a sign of genuine commitment.
Finally, commitment to personal ustainability is an essential requirement. We don't just want competent professionals, but people who embrace a sustainable lifestyle. During the selection phase, so I try to understand how candidates incorporate sustainability in their daily lives, as I believe this is a direct reflection of their commitment towards Treedom's core values.
2) Passion vs. experience: people must come from a position related to the
climate change to make a career change or not?
Passion as the engine of change is what drives us forward. We welcome with
enthusiasm those who passionately believe in the possibility of fighting change
climate, but we recognise that passion alone may not be enough. We are
equally interested in individuals with an open mind, ready to learn and grow.
On the other hand, experience is a bridge to innovation: While we appreciate the
direct experience in the field of environmental sustainability, we are open to fresh minds
with new perspectives.
We believe that the balance between passion and experience leads to the creation of innovative and practical solutions. In the end Treedom was born from this combination: An innovative and simple idea that allows everyone to make concrete something for the environment.
3) How do you manage the balance between your professional and personal life, and how do you think this skill can contribute to your success in our working environment?
My approach to balancing professional and personal life is like a choreography
well orchestrated. I find inspiration in everyday life, nurturing creativity and
resilience that I bring to my role. Knowing how to delegate is key, like a conductor
assigning the right tasks to the right people.
Being organised is crucial, ensuring that every aspect of my life has the right space and time. This balance not only improves my productivity but also contributes to a working environment
positive and inspiring for others.
I deeply believe that a fulfilling life results in more meaningful and motivated work. In such a frenetic world, finding a balance between profession and personal life is essential for our well-being and growth, and this balance is positively reflected in the dynamics of our working environment.
Finally, the testimony of those who have already traveled this path: Laura Renfroe, Senior Product Marketing Manager @ Planet Labs
To close the circle, we decided to give voice to those who have actually experienced this path on their own skin. Laura Renfroe | Senior Product Marketing Manager @Planet Labs provided us with three really interesting tips:
Determine what you are optimizing for in this role
No job has everything, so my first recommendation is to identify the top 1-3 things you are prioritizing for this role. This is specific to this unique chapter of your professional life. Here are some examples of what you might be optimizing for:
Learning the craft (role focus)
Learning the industry (customer, product, or market focus)
Climate impact (or impact for a certain population or climate sector)
Compensation
Inspiring leadership or role models
Work - life balance
Promotion or growth opportunities
Collaborative team
Empowering manager
etc
Begin to bucket these job characteristics into nice-to-have vs need-to-have. Then, widdle down your need-to-have list to just a few top traits that are the most important to you at this point in your career and life.
Those are your north star traits you are optimizing for. Now that you know these, you can share them openly with hiring teams to help them understand you better (which they greatly appreciate!) And, you can use this as a filter to decide which opportunities may not be for you using this criteria. (Note: if these traits do not align with your gut feeling or excitement about an opportunity, it's time to revisit the above exercise.)
Craft your career story
Sometimes when we recap our job experience in an interview, it can sound like a pinball bouncing all over. I caught myself in the midst of this in at least a few interviews, until a friend gave me some great advice. "Get your story straight. Figure out how your experience builds to this opportunity. Tell the story in such a way that the hiring team sees this as the natural next step."
There is a reason you are looking to make this change. Take time to map out where your desire to work in climate began and how your past experience has lead you to this opportunity. Keep in mind, this will likely go beyond just work experience, including volunteer experience and life experience. This adds dimension to your story, so don't be afraid to include it!
Demonstrate your interest, don't just talk about it
Taking action says a lot more about your aptitude and passion than simply talking about it. Skilled volunteering also has a slough of other benefits:
You directly benefit whatever local climate organization, cause, or community you support.
You can test your hypothesis that this climate sector/line of work will suit your skillset.
You will meet like-minded folks interested in this particular climate cause. (effortless networking!)
You'll gain hands-on experience that you can speak about during interviews and apply in future roles.
To find skills-based volunteering opportunities, you can reach out to local climate organizations to offer your help, or browse sites like Patagonia Action Works and initiatives like Seed Consulting Group are great ways to find causes and projects to support.
Taking a course or enrolling in a climate fellowship is another great way to signal knowledge and dedication to climate action. Programs like the Climatebase Fellowship (which I did and highly recommend) and Terra.do fellowship are a great way to build momentum, a network, and foundational knowledge of the many facets of climate action.
Most importantly, remember that everyone has something to bring to the climate movement. Even though you may not have direct experience, you will bring a unique perspective from your own personal and professional experience. Your perspective will add dimension and diversity, enriching whatever team you join.
In conclusion, the opportunities to pursue a career in climate jobs are vast. It's not just a profession but the chance to weave one's story with that of the future of the planet. The willingness to align one's values with a socially fundamental cause makes climate jobs a golden opportunity to be taken advantage of.
