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.