How to get a job in climate change

Are you one of the growing number of people who want a job tackling climate change? The good news is you don’t need to be a climate scientist or have a PHD to help fight the climate crisis. There are roles in climate change organisations for everyone, no matter what your skill set is!  

The question is, how do you find and secure that perfect role? The Jobs For Good team is here to help you out.

Here are five tips to getting a job in climate change

1. Do your research

Chances are you’re already acquainted with the issues surrounding climate change, but do you know how organisations around the world are working to tackle them? Whether you’re a climate novice or expert, keep building your knowledge on the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and communities, plus the innovative solutions being developed.

You don’t need a specific degree to work in climate change (unless you really do want to be a climate scientist, then you probably do), but it doesn’t hurt to take a look at the courses or certifications available out there. As well as gaining more insights, this will also demonstrate your commitment to the field to potential employers.

There are plenty of resources out there to further your knowledge. Here are three we recommend...

• This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein
• All We Can Save by by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson
• The Climate Book by Greta Thurnberg  

2. Look for internships and volunteering opportunities

Internships can provide valuable work experience if you’re moving into climate change from another industry. They can also help you gain connections and build your network. We often share paid internships across all of our impact areas, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled and turn on our custom email alerts to stay in the know.  

Participating in volunteering opportunities, such as beach clean-ups, tree planting, and community projects, can help you gain relevant skills and demonstrate your passion and commitment to the cause. OnHand is a great tool for finding remote or local volunteering opportunities in your area. For more ideas check out our blog post on how to find volunteering opportunities.  

3. Get networking and build relationships

Look for conferences and events related to climate change and environmental sustainability. This is a great way to meet people already working in the field and potentially uncover some job opportunities.  

If in person events aren’t your thing, there are lots of groups you can join online. Utilise LinkedIn to connect with people at climate change organisations and follow leading figures. Building a network of contacts can help you learn about job openings and gain insights into what employers are looking for.

4. Tailor your CV and cover letter

We recommend tailoring your CV and cover letter for each role you apply to in order to highlight any relevant experience or transferable skills you have. The most important thing to emphasise is your passion for the environment and fighting climate change.  

Our research shows that strong value alignment is the number one thing that impact founders look for when hiring.  Check out the video below to hear Alex Price, Co-founder of Ecologi, explain why it is so key.  

5. Start your job search!

It’s time to start searching! We share hundreds of jobs across a range of impact areas including the climate crisis.

The best ways to stay up to date with the latest jobs on Jobs For Good are:

• Following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok  
• Signing up to our newsletter and email alerts  
• Keep checking our website to find careers in climate change

We also recommend following companies you’d love to work with on social media to keep up with their latest news and any hiring announcements. This will also help you gain a greater understanding of the companies themselves and their culture.    

Still need some more tips? Check out our blog post on how to get a job at an impact startup.