Finding a Green Job During Challenging Times

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an economic downturn, the likes of which we have not seen since the Great Depression. Globally we are seeing many jobs affected across all sectors including green jobs. Despite these challenging times, many green employers are still hiring and green job seekers are still getting hired!

Some researchers, as noted in this article in Scientific American, are linking the destruction of our environment to the increase of zoonotic diseases (like coronavirus) jumping from animals to human hosts. Now, more than ever, we need professionals from all disciplines to address our pressing environmental challenges that range from rainforest destruction to climate change to plastic pollution. Our health and economic welfare and the well being of all life on earth depend on the changes we make to create a more sustainable world.

The good news is that green employers are still hiring. A check of recent job posting sites shows that many employers are still recruiting for green jobs:

• Federal Agencies are hiring: USDA Forest Service: 315 jobs, The National Park Service: 173 jobs, Bureau of Land Management: 114 jobs, U.S. Department of Energy: 57 jobs, U.S. EPA: 46 jobs, , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: 17 jobs
• Private Sector Companies are hiring: NextEra Energy: 210 jobs, Impossible Foods: 70 jobs, Tesla: 70 jobs (posted in July and August), Patagonia: 15 jobs
• Consulting Firms are hiring: AECOM: 1541 jobs, WSP: 1000 jobs, Tetra Tech: 750 jobs (in the U.S. and Canada), ICF: 312 jobs, Black & Veatch: 205
• NGOs are hiring: Sierra Club: 59 jobs, The Nature Conservancy: 45 jobs, National Audubon Society: 31 jobs, Earthjustice: 27 jobs, Environmental Defense Fund: 18 jobs, National Wildlife Federation: 13 jobs, Project Drawdown: 5 jobs
• Academic institutions are hiring: Roles in Environmental Science, Ecology, and Forestry: 74 jobs (posted in July and August)
• Cleantech Startups are hiring: Northvolt: 250+ jobs (Europe), Enel X: 65 jobs, Proterra: 50 jobs, Wunder Capital: 14 jobs, AutoGrid: 14 jobs, Swiftly: 10 jobs

During these challenging times, I reached out to people who had secured green jobs and internships in the midst of the pandemic (between February 2020 and June 2020) to hear how they succeeded in their job and internship searches. Most of the advice and resource suggestions in this article are from these successful job seekers. I have added a few additional suggestions based on my experience as a green career coach.

Thank you to the following environmental professionals that shared their insights to help other green job seekers:

• Alex Clayton, Senior Associate, Conserving Marine Life in the U.S., Pew Charitable Trusts (Washington, DC)
• Craig Freeland Jr., Education Intern, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (Chicago, IL)
• David McCarthy, Executive Director, Wilton Land Conservation Trust (Wilton, CT)
• Francisco Ollervides, Executive Director, Green Leadership Trust (Washington, DC)
• Gabriel Thoumi, Director of Financial Markets, Planet Tracker (London, UK)
• Kathryn Prater Bomey, Communications Officer, Pew Charitable Trusts (Washington, DC)
• Katrina Gilbank, Environmental Engineer, Nemak USA (Sheboygan, WI)
• Mark Ellis, Project Manager, Global Sustainability, LinkedIn (San Francisco, CA)
• Rachel Nadolny, Sustainability Fellow, Town of Exeter, NH
• Yryskeldi Emilbek uulu, Direct Marketing & Planned Giving Intern, Greenpeace USA (Washington, DC)

How Did You Learn About Your Green Job?

About half of our successful job seekers found their jobs by networking (either they knew a contact at the employer or someone in their network told them about the position). This shows us how important it is to reach out to your network as you begin your job search so they can alert you to opportunities that are a match for you. The other half found the posting on the employer's website or another job posting site.

What Got You Hired?

Almost all respondents cited previous relevant experience was the main factor that got them the job. References and interview impressions also helped many.

"Past experience which aligned closely with the job requirements."

"My previous experience and impression in the interview."

"A reference from someone in my network."

How Did You Make Yourself Stand Out from Other Candidates?

Interestingly, a number of respondents said that just being themselves in the interview made the difference. Others mentioned that their work to build and leverage relationships, conducting research, tailoring their application, and preparing for the interview helped them stand out.

"My approach to applying for potential positions, developed over the years, is to simply be myself during the application process. Being yourself increases the likelihood of a good match in the long run."

"Deep research on the company's mission and vision. I emphasized my experience and close alignment with the role and requirements and provided internal references to validate my credentials and fit."

"I wrote a customized, engaging cover letter specifically detailing how I'd do great at this job."

"Prepared extensively for my interview."

"Being creative can make you stand out. One of my clients created a website that showcased her work samples which got her noticed and she was hired quickly."

"Anticipate an employer's biggest challenges and highlight your ideas to solve them."

What Sectors Had the Most Green Job Opportunities Available?

Many respondents noted that they saw larger numbers of job opportunities in specific sectors. Here are the sectors where they saw more green job opportunities.

• Climate Policy and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG)
• Environmental Health & Safety, Entry-Level Conservation Jobs for Recent College Grads, Engineering, Interns, Volunteers, and Executive Directors
• Renewable Energy Companies and Suppliers
• Consulting, Outdoor Technicians, Geologists, Organizers
• Software Development/ Technology, Finance, and Data
• Environmental Engineering and Field Technicians
• Environmental Science and Sustainability Consulting

Where Can Green Job Seekers Find Opportunities?

Our job seekers noted that it is important to reach out to people and companies even if they are not hiring for the specific position you want. The hidden job market (jobs that are not posted) can only be uncovered by networking.

An informational interview (a brief 30-minute chat with professionals in the field) to learn more about an employer or a focus area is a good place to start. It allows you to introduce yourself less formally and might provide the opportunity for you to become a stand out candidate, early on, for a role that has yet to be posted.

Here are some specific green job posting sites that were suggested:

• Top 50 Green Job Posting Websites (By: Green Career Advisor)
• USAJOBS.GOV (Federal jobs): For Students and Recent Graduates (up to 2 years out): Look under "Students and Recent Graduates" (GS-7 roles with Bachelors, GS-9 roles with Master's, GS-11 roles with PhD)
• Indeed.Com
• LinkedIn
• Sustain O'Bility One Stop Subscription (Access to private LinkedIn group with daily sustainability job postings)
• Climatebase (Climate change jobs)
• Chicagoland Environmental Network
• Green Careers DC (Facebook page)?
• Green Jobs & Career Network (Free monthly job posting newsletter) Green Jobs & Career Network (LinkedIn group)
• Women Helping Other Women (Find out if your city has a local chapter)
• Weinreb Group (Sustainability & ESG recruiting firm)
• Glassdoor
• GreenBiz Jobs
• BSR Member Companies Job Postings
• Article with Green Job Search Tips: Green Careers-150+ Sustainability Jobs and How to Get them Fast

Did You Do Anything Differently in Your Job Search that Helped You Succeed?

Some of our successful job seekers didn't do anything differently in their job search despite the pandemic. Many of the respondents had specific suggestions that worked for them. Here's what they had to say.

"Focused my search on a very specific role and at companies where I had strong connections through LinkedIn or past work experience."

"Sometimes it comes down to luck--you've got to make sure you're getting yourself out there so that you can be in the right place at the right time."

"Every cover letter and resume was customized to the listing."

"Due diligence and was relaxed and genuine."

"I applied to 86 jobs from January to May. I did not give up."

"The most important thing, at least in the beginning, was simply sharing my interest in making a career change with key people in my network. This early sharing led directly to learning about the opportunity for which I was ultimately hired."

"Not asking for work, instead asking how I can help others."

"I really utilized my connections at organizations I wanted to work for. For a long time I was afraid to reach out to people, but after a couple of frustrating months interviewing and not being selected, I finally decided to utilize my network."

Advice to Green Job Seekers:

It was encouraging to hear how much our green job seekers want you to succeed. All participated because they wanted to help others succeed in finding green careers. Here is their advice to you.

"Be patient. Respond to postings quickly. Network, network, network."

"Improve your candidacy by volunteering or taking online courses. Use a mock interview platform to sharpen your interview skills. Stay true to your values."

"Review and update your resume, LinkedIn profile, website, etc."

"Although the coronavirus pandemic has made us all feel as if the world's on hold, job seekers can't be complacent. Don't assume that organizations aren't hiring now. Opportunities are out there, and the key is being proactive and diligent about seeking them out."

"Be flexible. Look for remote opportunities. Be thorough in your searches."

"Consider skills that may be in high demand by employers during these challenging economic times and highlight them on your resume: fundraising and marketing, ability to adapt to change, experience working remotely, business efficiency improvement, etc."

"Reread (draft applications) for errors. Read "Ask a Manager."

"Keep applying. Use your network. Just because a job is not perfect, it does not mean that the position cannot offer you valuable skills or connections."

"Seek opportunities that showcase your skills--pro bono at first, but can lead to new offers. Sites like Taproot Foundation are good for this (matching you to volunteer roles that can build and showcase your skills)."

"Believe in yourself. Don't give up. Ask for help."

"Be willing to move, sometimes across an entire continent, and back again, if needed. My willingness to relocate has been a tremendous asset and has provided for opportunities I never could have imagined."

"Ask how you can help others."

"Remove the pressure of making a career decision. Take a job that's interesting to you, where you can make a contribution, in a place you want to explore and love for a while. With each place and job, more opportunities, that you never imagined, will come."

What Surprised You About This Job Search During a Pandemic?

Here's what surprised our green job seekers most about their job search during these challenging times.

"That I had interviews canceled, experienced jobs that I applied to being revoked, and got emails about hiring freezes."

"How many employers were still hiring in the midst of the pandemic."

"How slowly some companies moved."

"Job boards did not change that much."

"New to me was doing video interviews (although not really surprising)."

"Plenty of opportunities were out there, more than I expected."

"My (job) search and success were not influenced by the pandemic."

Final Thoughts

The global pandemic provides a unique opportunity to reshape our economy as old jobs give way to new ones. We have a unique opportunity to create a global future that is bright and inclusive of everyone through the creation of green and social impact jobs.

We can move towards more sustainable and climate resilient cities with greener buildings and infrastructure, sustainable transportation, regenerative agriculture, a circular economy mindset, an increase in renewable energy implementation, and where biodiversity conservation is on the top of our agendas.

Significant investment in green jobs can support our economic recovery and will protect the health of our people, our environment, and our economy as all are inextricably linked. By following the advice shared in this article--being persistent and creative, gaining new skills, cultivating and leveraging your network, being yourself, accessing the hidden job market, researching employers thoroughly, investing your energy in the application and interview process, being patient and flexible, and asking for help--you can be part of the solution.

Need a Little Help with Your Green Job Search?

Lisa Yee-Litzenberg is President of Green Career Advisor. She is a certified career coach with 25+ years of experience working in the green career arena.

• Schedule a free 30 minute session (by filling out my form). We'll chat about your career interests and goals and discuss how I can help.