Navigating the Sustainability Job Market: Insights from an ESG recruiter
Tips from Konstantina Gkropa on How to Land your Next Sustainability Job
This week’s newsletter delves into sustainability recruiting. For this edition, we had the privilege of interviewing Konstantina Gkropa, a recruitment consultant specializing in ESG, sustainability, and impact at Lawson Chase. With her expert insights and extensive experience in the field, Konstantina provides valuable perspectives on the current state of the job market, the desired skill set for ESG professionals, and how to get a job in the sustainability realm.
The State of the Sustainability Job Market
Despite the economic repercussions of 2023 and the growing anti-ESG movement in the US, the job market for sustainability and ESG professionals shows promising potential.
"Companies have started to restructure their hiring plans. They're seeking out ESG professionals, especially experienced in regulations, policies, and sustainability frameworks." Konstantina Gkropa
This subtle increase in demand suggests that the ESG job market is on the path of steady growth.
Desired Skill Set for Sustainability Professionals
As sustainability work encompasses multiple skills, it can be tricky to understand the type of skills recruiters are looking for.
According to Konstantina, in addition to industry-specific knowledge and experience, one of the most important skills for a sustainability professional, is communication skills.
“Sustainability professionals are often the ones who are teaching clients, stakeholders, and people in the company what sustainability is all about, how they're approaching it. Communication skills are very valuable.”
Konstantina also recommends ESG professionals to actively try to understand the global market instead of limiting their perspective to a single geographical region.
“What I think is one of the most important assets is having a global perspective of the market and not just keeping it geographically blocked, let's say to a country like France or the UK. Sustainability professionals need to understand sustainability from a global perspective to implement it in a company. “
Transitioning to Work in Sustainability
For professionals that do not have a sustainability background, transitioning into the sustainability sector is more feasible than most assume. According to Konstantina, key skills from other fields like Finance or Tech can easily be transferred to a sustainability job. Such skills may include measuring risks, implementing strategy, assessing financial performance, and utilizing data analysis. Combining these existing skill sets with continuous learning and networking within the sustainability space can grant a smooth transition into the ESG world.
In-Demand Positions in ESG and Sustainability
According to Konstantina, while the hiring pace in the ESG sector is currently slow, certain roles have shown consistent demand. ESG reporting and policy analysts, sales roles, and consultants are particularly sought after. Specializations related to energy transition, including decarbonization, climate action, deforestation, and net zero efforts, are expected to be in high demand moving forward. Konstantina also predicts a boom in sustainability roles in Asia:
“The Asia-Pacific region (APAC) is gradually adopting ESG strategies, though it's not as advanced as Europe at present. I predict that in the coming years APAC will rise in the rankings when it comes to demand for sustainability professionals. Many heads of sustainability at large firms say that APAC is the future for sustainability efforts. As they are just starting out, imagine their potential growth in the future.”
Finding a Job in the Sustainability Sector
According to Konstantina, thriving in the sustainability sector requires a commitment to continuous learning, keeping up with market trends, and gaining expertise in sustainability across different industries. She strongly emphasizes the importance of networking:
“Networking is everything. Connecting with individuals in the space is our most valuable asset to learn, to move forward, to grow, and to see how the market is going - your network is your net worth. […] Allow yourself to find guidance and mentorship from people who actually know what's going on. I think that's the recipe for success.”
Konstantina advises leveraging resources like LinkedIn, specialized job boards such as GreenBiz and ESGInvesting.jobs, participating in seminars and conferences, and subscribing to newsletters to uncover job opportunities and progress in the sustainability field.
I know it's very difficult to keep questioning yourself, however, you need to be persistent, you need to be patient, and also tailor your resume with specific job words and job keywords that are detailed in the job description. […] So apply to jobs but make quality applications. This is very important.
Conclusion
Reflecting on Konstantina's insights, entering the ESG field does not merely require expertise, but the drive to adapt and the ability to think outside of the norm. If you are currently looking for a job or for your next opportunity, bear in mind that succeeding in this realm requires more than being equipped with the right skills—it's about building your network and genuinely trying to make a difference by collaborating and learning from other sustainability professionals.
A career in sustainability isn't just another job, it's a commitment to a more responsible, progressive, and sustainable future, both for ourselves and the generations to come. It is professionals like you who have the power to reshape and transform the way we perceive sustainability on a global scale and will impact the actions we will take tomorrow.
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