Green jobs to grow change

Did you know that green jobs now make up a third (33%) of the UK’s job postings?

This is only the beginning of green jobs growth; the UK government aims to create 2 million green jobs by 2030.

Organisations are now more than ever, in search of change making candidates who are passionate about making a difference to the world. Read on to find out what kind of sustainability jobs are out there, how to craft your CV to help you land the job you want and more.

What are sustainability jobs?

When we think about sustainability, we tend to think about conservationists, ecologists and climate scientists. However, there are many other roles. Most organisations measure their sustainability and formulate roles according to three key pillars, known as ESG:

• Environmental: reducing your impact on climate and nature.
• Social: having a positive impact on employees and the wider community.?
• Governance: operating and running a company in a responsible way.

This means that there are roles in sustainability for everyone - not just those with a science background. Sustainability roles can be found in an increasingly wide range of industries and job functions. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Environmental lawyer.
• Green construction manager.
• Sustainability manager.
• Community impact manager.

Read our ultimate guide to sustainability jobs

How to write a CV for sustainability jobs

Writing a CV for a sustainability role can feel daunting, especially if you are making the switch from a different career path. Here are a few top tips to help you get started on making that first impression:

• Prioritise your passion Recruiters want to know why you're dedicated to driving environmental change. Be sure to place your passion for a sustainable future at the forefront of your CV, so that your prospective employer knows how dedicated to the cause you really are.
• Showcase your transferrable skills If you are making the career switch to a role in sustainability and do not have direct, relevant experience, make sure that you are highlighting your transferrable skills. This helps the reader to clearly see you have the necessary skills, albeit from a different sector and job.

Read more about writing a CV for sustainability jobs

Include your sustainability achievements in your CV

Be sure to grab the attention of recruiters by highlighting your sustainability achievements, outside of work, in your CV.

Your involvement in any initiative to tackle climate change is positive and should be included in your CV. The more specific you can be about the initiatives you are involved with the better. Use any facts and figures you can about the results of your actions to further support your achievements. Nothing is achieved in isolation; it is a given that many initiatives will be a team based effort but your role in this should not be underplayed.

Read more about including your sustainability achievements in your CV

Ready to start your search for green role? Start searching environmental jobs with Guardian Jobs today >