How to Successfully Transition Into an Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Role was originally published on Ivy Exec.
Many companies globally are focusing on sustainability and ethical business practices. As a result, professionals in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) are in high demand.
Transitioning into an ESG role is a great way to grow your career while making a difference. You’ll help companies create and apply policies that protect the environment and community.
If you want to be part of the change, you may wonder where to start your career transition. Read on for tips to help you gain the right skills and land your first ESG role.
✔ Assess Your Abilities
ESG roles often require skills you can easily gain from working in other areas. Think about your current position and how your experience can help you succeed in ESG.
If, for example, you work in finance, you may be able to help a company track its ESG investments. If you’re in human resources, you could support workplace diversity.
One way to establish if you have transferable skills applicable to an ESG role is by looking at job ads. Identify the skills employers need and determine which ones you already have. Ensure you check out ESG roles from different industries since each may require unique abilities.
✔ Grow Your Skillset
After reviewing the skills needed for ESG roles, you might discover that you lack some. Gaining these will put you ahead of other professionals looking to transition into the career. It also builds your confidence and makes you ready for the job.
Here are some ways to expand your skillset:
- Take online courses
- Attend workshops
- Volunteer
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer classes on topics such as:
- Sustainability
- ESG reporting
- Ethical business practices
Identify courses matching your interest and current schedule and sign up. Additionally, attend ESG workshops held by non-profits and educational institutions. These will help you learn more about the industry and connect you with experts.
Volunteering for ESG projects is a great way to gain new skills and strengthen your resume. Join a non-profit and work on recycling programs and other environment-related projects. Alternatively, intern at a company with an ESG program or take part in community environmental causes.
✔ Find Your Specialty
ESG has many career options you can explore depending on your interests and the available opportunities. Specializing in any makes you more valuable to employers because you’ll have niche knowledge.
Since ESG issues vary in every industry, you should identify one that interests you. For example, if you love clean energy, consider areas where you can promote sustainable energy solutions.
On the other hand, prioritize e-waste management and sustainable innovation if you want an ESG career in tech.
ESG also covers many areas; choosing one can help you become an expert. Some examples to consider are:
- Corporate governance
- Human rights
- Climate change
- Social impact investing
- Green supply chain
- ESG regulation and compliance
Focusing on a specific ESG role and area will make it easy to stand out even in a competitive job market. It also allows you to negotiate better salaries and benefits.
✔ Network With ESG Professionals
Meeting people in the ESG field is a great way to learn more about the industry and discover opportunities.
Search for ESG-related groups on social media platforms and join them. Follow discussions and share your thoughts so other experts notice you. You should also ask questions to show genuine learning interest.
Being part of a professional organization will help you meet ESG experts and learn from them. It can also give you access to unique and exclusive industry training.
Find a professional organization with a local chapter and join it to expand your network. Then, utilize the provided resources and find mentors to guide you through your career transition.
✔ Leverage Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile shows potential employers you’re ready for an ESG role.
Write a strong professional summary and ensure it communicates your passion. Besides, highlight relevant experience even if you didn’t gain it from an ESG role.
For example, if you worked on anything related to corporate responsibility, include it. You should also mention any industry-related workshops you attended or training you received.
Potential employers may be skeptical about hiring anyone transitioning into ESG. However, certifications will prove you’ve taken the time to learn about relevant topics.
List all your ESG certifications on your resume and include them in your LinkedIn profile. It’s also vital to add keywords many recruiters use when searching for ideal job candidates.
Another great way to showcase your ESG knowledge and access more opportunities is by sharing articles on LinkedIn. These could relate to ESG trends, sustainability tips, or environmental policies.
You don’t have to write everything from scratch; simply share a news article about how a company has improved its sustainability practices. You may also highlight an interesting fact about how the ESG framework is shaping the future of business.
Such posts will prove you’re interested in the field and are keeping up with trends. They also increase the chances of getting noticed by industry leaders and landing lucrative ESG jobs.
✔ Find the Right ESG Job
Transitioning into an ESG role doesn’t have to take several years. Many companies are open to hiring candidates without job experience if they are passionate and willing to learn.
Find a job board and use keywords like ‘ESG entry-level’ and ‘sustainability assistant’ to find jobs suitable for beginners. These may help you get your foot in the door and start building experience.
Professionals in your network may know about open ESG roles or connect you to potential employers. Contact several experts and tell them about your skills, relevant experience, and interests. You could also ask your mentor or colleagues if they know of a company looking for ESG talent.
Start Your ESG Career Journey
Exploring an ESG role is a smart move regardless of your career background. Leverage your transferable skills and sign up for online courses to be more markable. Discover job opportunities and keep up with industry trends by growing your network.
You should refresh your resume to reflect your new skills and tailor your job search based on your specialty. These measures will help you start a fulfilling career and succeed with limited job experience.
