You’re in a sustainability job interview. What are the most important things to say? (2024)

These are great hints: but are general to any interview. Sustainability is different. I don't want just want to know why you care about this job/role, I need to see your commitment, passion and knowledge in sustainability itself. I often ask candidates: what's the best sustainability book you've recently read? What climate/ESG policy is getting it wrong? Who are your top 5 sustainability gurus and why? I'm testing that you have a passion for the professional field, not just a general desire to work in something 'good'. Especially if you're changing careers into sustainability from other professions - are you building your technical, science and policy knowledge? Show me that you are immersed in the field.

Creating a genuine connection with the organisation's sustainability goals through personal anecdotes can significantly elevate one's enthusiasm. Sharing a brief story about a moment or experience that galvanised one's commitment to sustainability offers a vivid illustration of passion and dedication. This personal touch also provides a unique insight into one's character and values, helping to stand out in the memory of interviewers. This is applicable to any industry one is interviewing for.

The sustainability field is driven by purpose. If you don't have a sparkle in your eyes when talking about social responsibility, the environment, people, processes, management, and how they all interconnect, you'll hardly impress the interviewer!To demonstrate your passion, talk about why you entered this field, what your dream is in this area, what results you dream of achieving, and how it aligns with your personal and professional life.People with a sparkle in their eyes not only deliver results but also inspire others to do the same!

Primeramente se debe mostrar la coherencia entre el estilo de vida de uno mismo con la sustentabilidad. Ese tipo de acciones que no se dicen pero sí se muestran, sirven para validar la consistencia entre lo que se dice y se hace- Por ejemplo, llegar a una entrevista de trabajo en sustentabilidad caminando, en transporte público, en bicicleta o motocicleta, o llegar en un vehículo con alto consumo energético, etc. El lenguaje no verbal es el que más impacta. El entusiasmo, la positividad y una sonrisa muestran que uno es parte de un mundo feliz y eso demuestra mucho.

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Expressing genuine enthusiasm for the organization's sustainability goals is crucial. Start by articulating your deep interest in contributing to environmental and social impact. Highlight your commitment to sustainable practices and emphasize how your values align with the company's mission. Discuss specific projects or initiatives that resonate with you, showcasing your knowledge of the organization's efforts. Demonstrate how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate to drive sustainability goals forward. Expressing a holistic understanding of sustainability challenges and proposing innovative solutions will set you apart.

Just like any other role, highlighting skills that are relevant is essential. The technical skills can be based on the job description or requirements advertised, whereas soft skills may have to be assumed (if not advertised). Some of the expected ones may include 1) communication and listening skills 2) strategic thinking 3) stakeholder and relationship management skills 4) problem solving skills 4) empathy 5) strategic thinking and also 6) patience and commitment. In order to demonstrate these relevant experience may be quoted and also if there are any education qualifications, certificates or trainings that have been completed can also be highlighted if required (since these would be already covered in the resume).

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After showcasing your inspiration and willingness to grow in the field, one of the most important tasks is to demonstrate your key skills. A sustainability professional needs to understand indicators, be grounded, resilient, and understand that sustainability also needs to deliver financial results in addition to social and environmental ones. To demonstrate this, show:Management skillsPeople management and relationship skillsSystems thinkingEmpathyThese are highly relevant skills to demonstrate capability. But above all, read and learn what is required for the position and align your discourse from that point onwards.

In a sustainability job interview, it's crucial to emphasize a comprehensive skill set, ranging from technical expertise and analytical prowess to effective communication and leadership abilities. Showcase your problem-solving skills, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges. Highlight relevant certifications and educational background in sustainability, underscoring your commitment to staying informed and contributing to green initiatives. Additionally, emphasize any experience in social responsibility, showcasing a holistic understanding of sustainable practices.

I always like having my resume and/or a list of projects I’ve worked on pulled up during the interview to be able to quickly reference relevant experiences and skills. This allows me to provide specific examples that demonstrate my capabilities, which can make a strong impression on the interviewers.

Una vez habiendo hablado con lenguaje no verbal, uno debe de resaltar acciones en las que se ha participado, por ejemplo, voluntariados en la universidad, rescate de tortugas marinas, se viajes de campo, observación de aves, limpieza de basura en zonas protegidas, etc. Posteriormente hablar de capacitaciones, estudios o posgrados realizados sobre el tema.

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In my view, the best sustainability professional is one who has experienced a variety of experiences throughout their journey. Being an ESG or sustainability professional requires a deeper understanding of how society, the environment, the financial market, and individual thought function.Demonstrating beyond your technical and theoretical knowledge, the practices you have undertaken throughout your career, whether in volunteering or social activities, demonstrate significant transformational abilities that you can generate.To report, systematize what you have done, are doing, or what problem you are aiming to solve, and finally, what results you have achieved or aim to achieve.

Use real professional experience examples of What? and How? you did in the past and tell stories following the START model:S - SituationT- TaskA- ActionR - Result (with data)

Timing – People – Relevance – FocusAny innovator will tell you timing is crucial, I have often been the avant-garde and lonely/unsupported as well as ‘I wish I’d thought of that’ as too late.People; the right people. Often not your boss, can be the last person you considered. Successful resource use needs people, very different people in unusual places.

In my sustainability journey, I spearheaded a community recycling initiative (Situation) by identifying a lack of waste management infrastructure (Task). Collaborating with local businesses, I initiated educational workshops on waste reduction strategies (Action). Through partnerships and outreach, we increased recycling rates by 30%, diverting significant waste from landfills (Result). This experience highlighted my ability to proactively address environmental challenges while fostering community engagement.

I like to make a document of interview questions that I expect and write my potential answers in the forms of bullets to help provide detailed examples during the interviews. This helps me to organize my thoughts and articulate my responses effectively before the interview. I have accumulated this document from my various interviews and have it on the side during online interviews to help guide me.

Asking the right types of questions can demonstrate your value in ways that few statements can. This is especially true in the sustainability field because no one there has all of the answers - there's constant innovation and out-of-the-box thinking is a source of accelerated progress. Here are some examples:- Show that you are thinking holistically by asking an open ended question connected to the business strategy of the company.- Inquire about the ways in which management approaches decisions that may have more of a long-term value creation vs. short-term gains.- Ask about the ways in which culture change around sustainability initiatives are supported in the company.

In a sustainability job interview, it's crucial to express a deep commitment to environmental responsibility, social equity, and economic viability. Highlight your understanding of sustainable practices, emphasizing previous experiences implementing green initiatives or reducing carbon footprints. Showcase your ability to analyze and improve supply chains for sustainability, and discuss your proficiency in leveraging data to drive eco-friendly decisions. Emphasize collaboration skills, showcasing instances where you've worked across departments to integrate sustainable practices. Demonstrate your knowledge of relevant certifications and standards.

I always have questions prepared to ask at the end of the interview that are both generic and specific to the company. These questions show my understanding of the company and the role, as well as my enthusiasm for the position. It can be really beneficial to ask about the company's sustainability goals, how they measure success, and what challenges they face in their efforts. My favorite starting question is to ask the interviewers what their favorite and least favorite parts about the job are to get an inside perspective. It's also useful to ask about how the company supports professional growth and development.

A lot of the advices are good, but apply to all job interviews, understanding the company, showing passion for the sector... etc. You need to show what impact you can have. Having studied the company progress on the topic, highlights the gaps in their strategy and what you propose to do, knowing the best in class approach to it.Then, show that you have all it takes to go #FromPledgeToAction, and that you have a deep understanding of how to implement action plan at all levels of the organization. That includes governance (aligning of objectives), operations (and what triggers them to take action), and reporting of progress.

A sustainable growth agenda should be at the core of business strategy. With mandatory non-financial disclosures on the rise, organisations must understand which reporting obligations they must adhere to, especially if operating across multiple jurisdictions. If companies do not, they are at risk of serious legal consequences and here one can with relevant experience, skills and knowledge can add value and make a difference.

Sending a follow-up email can make a good impression on the interviewers and help them remember you to show your fit. I have also found it helpful to include anything that I forgot to mention during the interview or didn’t properly address in these emails to clarify any potential misunderstandings. It's important to express gratitude for the opportunity and reaffirm your interest in the role.

In a sustainability job interview, it's crucial to emphasize alignment with the organization's vision and values. Express a genuine commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Highlight your understanding of sustainable practices, emphasizing past experiences that showcase your ability to contribute meaningfully. Illustrate collaboration skills, emphasizing teamwork with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders. Emphasize adaptability, showcasing your capacity to navigate evolving sustainability landscapes. Detail specific accomplishments demonstrating your positive impact on sustainability initiatives.

While above mentioned skills will be needed for all other jobs interviews as well, but for sustainability job interviews , you need little ‘extra’ in everything you spoke and which you can demonstrate . ‘Extra’ passion for sustainability which you practice on an individual level. You need to apply sustainability principle in your daily chores as well. ‘Extra’ empathy towards people around you, as sustainability is not just working for planet but for people as well.’Extra’ enthusiasm and energy which gives you self motivation to work tirelessly. ‘Extra’ patience as business case for sustainability is not well acknowledged and understood by many.(though the scenario is changing rapidly). And at last ‘Extra’ ability to inspire and lead.

I agree with many of the other comments that say these listed skills are needed for any job interview. When it comes to sustainability, and sustainable development as a whole, we need to show that our mindset has shifted and we really understand the world we're in, not just a set of "things to be more sustainable". I've seen companies (and hotels) given all the "how to" implement more sustainable practices, but if people don't understand why they're doing it and believe it is the right thing to do from their core, it can be quite useless. The people I admire the most in the space are those who think differently, and put their brains to work, not just repeat things they read in a book or a report.

I have met many phenomenal minds in Cambridge and Imperial College, but I do question the relevance of some of the thinking. If one’s approach is innovative, one may struggle with garnering support if its relevance is weak. Doughnut Economics is essential in supporting ESG and materials circularity but making it relevant is much harder in the boardrooms.Focus is where I often go wrong. Moving in multiple directions at the same time will mean one moves nowhere. Focus also means NOT working on other options; this is very hard. Making the decision on where to focus is probably the most important skill a Circular Economy Consultant needs.