How to Get Your First ESG/Sustainable Job - 7 Expert Tips

The sustainable recruitment market may feel slow currently due to market volatility, but sustainable and green jobs are needed more now than ever to drive our climate ambitions forwards.

Below are a few key strategies to break into sustainability careers.

Breaking into the Sustainable job or ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sector can feel daunting, but with the right strategy, it's entirely achievable.

What Are ESG/Sustainable Jobs?

What ESG Roles Actually Do

ESG professionals help organizations integrate sustainable practices into their business strategy, ensuring compliance with regulations while driving positive impact. This spans everything from carbon footprint analysis to stakeholder engagement and risk assessment.

Types of Entry-Level ESG Roles

  • ESG Analyst: Data collection, reporting, and analysis

  • Sustainability Coordinator: Project support and stakeholder engagement

  • CSR Assistant: Community programs and social impact initiatives

  • Environmental Consultant: Technical assessments and compliance

  • ESG Communications Specialist: Reporting and stakeholder communications

Tip 1: Build Relevant Skills Before You Apply

Essential Technical Skills

Data Analysis: Excel proficiency is non-negotiable. Learn pivot tables, data visualization, and basic statistical analysis. Consider upgrading to Power BI or Tableau.

ESG Frameworks: Familiarize yourself with key reporting standards:

  • GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)

  • SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board)

  • TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)

  • EU Taxonomy and CSRD

Carbon Accounting: Understanding greenhouse gas protocols and carbon footprint calculations is increasingly valuable.

Free Learning Resources

  • SASB Academy: Free courses on industry-specific standards

  • CDP Learning: Climate disclosure and water security training

  • UN Global Compact Academy: Business and human rights courses

  • FutureLearn: Sustainability and business courses from top universities

Tip 2: Get Strategic About Certifications

High-Impact Certifications for Beginners

Voiz Academy ($495/year - Self-paced access to all 6 certifications)

  • Climate upskilling courses with AI integration and coaching

  • 6 Climate career- focused certifications

IEMA Foundation Certificate (£400-600)

  • Recognized industry credential

  • Covers environmental management fundamentals

  • Online study options available

  • 3-6 months completion time

GRI Certified Sustainability Professional (£500-800)

  • Globally recognized reporting qualification

  • Demonstrates technical competency

  • Strong ROI for career advancement

CFA Institute ESG Certificate (£1,200)

  • Premium qualification for finance-focused roles

  • Covers ESG integration in investment decisions

  • Particularly valuable for asset management roles

Professional Memberships Worth Joining

  • IEMA: Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment

  • CIBSE: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (for built environment focus)

  • UKSIF: UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association

Tip 3: Gain Practical Experience

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Local Environmental Groups: Offer your professional skills to local charities. Project management, data analysis, and communications experience all transfer.

  • Pro Bono Consulting: Platforms like Catchafire connect professionals with nonprofits needing ESG expertise.

  • Sustainability Competitions: Enter business case competitions focused on sustainability challenges.

Within Your Current Role

  • Green Team Leadership: Start or join your company's environmental committee.

  • Process Improvement Projects: Identify efficiency opportunities that reduce waste and costs.

  • Data Projects: Volunteer for projects involving environmental or social data collection.

Tip 4: Network Strategically in the Sustainability & ESG Community

Key Industry Events

  • IEMA Annual Conference: Premier networking event for environmental professionals

  • Responsible Investment Summit: Focus on sustainable finance

  • Local IEMA Branch Events: Regular networking in your region

  • Corporate Sustainability Meetups: City-specific professional groups

Online Communities

  • LinkedIn Groups: Join ESG-focused groups and contribute to discussions

  • Twitter/X: Follow ESG thought leaders and engage with their content

  • Professional Forums: Participate in discussions on platforms like GreenBiz

Networking Approach

Don't just ask for jobs - offer value first. Share insights, ask thoughtful questions, and build genuine relationships. The ESG community is collaborative and supportive of newcomers who demonstrate genuine commitment.

Tip 5: Tailor Your Application Materials

CV Optimization

  • Skills Section: Highlight transferable skills like data analysis, project management, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance.

  • Experience Reframing: Rewrite existing experience to emphasize sustainability-relevant aspects. Did you improve efficiency? Reduce waste? Engage stakeholders? Manage compliance?

  • Education Section: Include relevant coursework, certifications, and personal projects related to sustainability.

Cover Letter Strategy

  • Show Genuine Interest: Explain why ESG/sustainability matters to you personally - but keep it professional and specific.

  • Demonstrate Knowledge: Reference the company's ESG challenges and how you could contribute.

  • Quantify Impact: Use numbers to show the potential value you could bring.

Tip 6: Target the Right Companies and Roles

Best Entry Points by Sector

Consultancy Firms: Often hire graduates and career changers

  • ERM, WSP, Ramboll, Arup

  • Look for junior consultant or analyst roles

Financial Services:

  • Asset managers, banks, insurance companies

  • Search for analyst or risk analyst positions

Large Corporates: Established sustainability teams

  • FTSE 100 companies with strong ESG commitments

  • Look for coordinator or analyst roles

  • Supply chain roles focussed on risk

Start-ups and Scale-ups: Faster career progression

  • Impact-focused businesses and B-Corps

  • More diverse role responsibilities

Application Strategy

Quality Over Quantity: Apply to fewer roles but with highly tailored applications.

Company Research: Understand their ESG maturity, recent commitments, and challenges.

Timing: Many companies hire for ESG roles in Q1 to support annual reporting cycles.

Tip 7: Ace the Interview

Common Interview Questions

  • "Why ESG/Sustainability?" Have a authentic but professional story about your motivation.

  • "How would you measure success in this role?" Show you understand ESG is about measurable impact.

  • "Describe a complex problem you solved" Use the STAR method and emphasize stakeholder management.

  • "What's your view on [current ESG topic]?" Stay informed on current issues like CSRD, taxonomy regulation, or greenwashing.

Technical Preparation

  • Company ESG Analysis: Review their latest sustainability report and identify improvement opportunities.

  • Industry Trends: Be prepared to discuss sector-specific ESG challenges.

  • Regulatory Knowledge: Understand key regulations affecting their business.

Making the Transition

Timeline Expectations

Immediate (0-3 months): Start building skills and networking Short-term (3-6 months): Complete certifications and gain volunteer experience
Medium-term (6-12 months): Active job searching with tailored applications Success (12-18 months): Secure first ESG/sustainable role

Salary Expectations for Entry-Level

ESG Analyst: £25,000-£35,000 Sustainability Coordinator: £28,000-£38,000
Junior ESG Consultant: £30,000-£40,000 ESG Communications Specialist: £32,000-£42,000

Remember: Entry-level salaries often increase rapidly with experience and proven impact.

Your Next Steps

Breaking into ESG requires commitment, but the opportunities are substantial. Start with one certification, join one professional network, and begin reframing your existing experience through an ESG lens.

The sustainable sector needs diverse talent from all backgrounds - your unique perspective and transferable skills are valuable.

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Sustainable Recruiting: Key Insights from London Climate Action Week 2025