Sustainable Buildings Start with Sustainable Skills

Explore how the renewable energy boom is creating new career opportunities and reshaping workforce priorities. Learn what skills are in demand and how businesses can attract top talent in climate tech.

Discover how organisations are using big data to drive sustainability, from cutting carbon emissions to optimising operations. Learn about tools, strategies, and real-world applications that turn environmental data into measurable impact.

How to Stand Out to Recruiters When it comes to job hunting, LinkedIn is no longer optional. With over 930 million users globally, it’s the first place hiring managers, talent partners and recruiters go to validate who you are, what you’ve done, and where you could fit in next. In today’s digital-first recruitment landscape, your LinkedIn profile must do more than mirror your stand out CV - it should elevate it. It’s your chance to showcase personality, prove your expertise and, crucially, get discovered for the roles you want most. Here’s how to craft a profile that not only stands out, but sells you - effectively and authentically. 1. Nail Your Headline and Summary Many people still default to job titles in their headline (e.g. “Sustainability Manager”). But your headline appears in search results, connection requests and job applications - make it work harder. Better Headline Examples: "Helping businesses scale sustainably | ESG Strategy | Net-Zero Champion" "Data Scientist | Carbon Modelling | Turning climate data into business decisions" Summary Tips: Keep it personal and purposeful Include relevant skills and achievements Show why you’re passionate about your work or sector Example: "Experienced Sustainability Consultant with 8+ years working across the built environment, energy and consumer sectors. I help organisations accelerate their journey to net zero by designing data-driven carbon reduction strategies. Passionate about climate action, system change and collaborative leadership." ✅ Use keywords aligned to your desired roles ✅ Inject personality, not buzzwords ✅ Keep it under 300 words 2. List Every Role & Show Impact Recruiters use LinkedIn to assess your career journey, not just your job titles. So give context. Explain what each organisation does, what your role involved, and what impact you had. For each role: Use 3–5 bullet points Lead with action verbs Highlight specific achievements, using data where possible Example: Sustainability Analyst XYZ Renewables, Jan 2021 – Present Built emissions tracking dashboards for three major clients, supporting Scope 1–3 reporting Developed ESG reporting templates adopted by 20+ internal teams Contributed to 2030 net-zero roadmap, helping client reduce carbon intensity by 18% in two years ✅ Use keywords like ESG, carbon accounting, energy transition, impact reporting ✅ Don’t just describe, quantify! 3. Skills: The More Relevant, The Better According to LinkedIn, members with five or more relevant skills listed receive up to 17x more profile views. Green and Future-Fit Skills to Consider: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Carbon Footprint Analysis Environmental Impact Assessment Circular Economy Principles ESG Reporting Sustainable Supply Chains Data Visualisation (Power BI, Tableau) Python or R for data modelling Stakeholder Engagement Agile Project Delivery Top Tip: Prioritise skills found in the job descriptions you’re targeting. ✅ Add 15–25 skills that reflect both technical and soft strengths ✅ Rearrange them to show your most relevant first 4. Recommendations and Endorsements Matter Real testimonials build credibility. Ask colleagues, clients or mentors to leave a short recommendation that highlights your unique strengths. You can also endorse others’ skills - most people will return the favour. 5. Keep It Fresh and Aligned Your profile should evolve as you do. Update your: Profile photo: Use a clear headshot, should be professional but doesn't have to be formal, look down the lens and smile! Banner: Add a background that reflects your sector or values Featured section: Share a project, article, talk, or achievement Certifications: Add recent courses (e.g. Carbon Literacy, AgilePM, PowerSkills) Volunteering and causes: These add depth and personality 6. Be Active in your Community Demonstrate your knowledge and passion by engaging in relevant conversations or better still, lead the conversation! Not only will this showcase your passion but it will build up your community & network which will also increase your visibility when your dream job becomes available! Follow our page for regular conversations and opportunities to shine! Helping You Get Noticed At Green Talent Solutions, we connect organisations with talent that drives progress. Whether you're applying to work in data, tech or sustainability, we know what recruiters are looking for on LinkedIn - and how to help you stand out. 💡 Need help refining your LinkedIn profile? Reach out to Jake.Carrington@edensmith.co.uk

The green economy is growing rapidly - and so is the competition. As businesses race to meet net-zero targets, demand for sustainability-minded professionals is rising fast. Whether you’re starting out, switching sectors or upskilling for a new challenge, your CV must speak directly to the needs of green employers. For roles where internal hiring managers and head hunters are being used, also consider how your LinkedIn profile is your initial shop window . Spend time ensuring that it is up to date with all relevant job history and skills. This guide walks you through how to write an effective CV tailored for green roles, with real examples and expert-backed tips to help you stand out. Why the Green Sector Demands More From Your CV Green jobs cover a vast array of roles, from data analysts tracking emissions to engineers designing renewable energy systems. What they share is a need for people who combine technical ability with a commitment to sustainability. In 2024 alone, UK green job postings rose by 9.2% even as the broader job market shrank by 22.5% . But recruiters are also reporting a widening green skills gap. This means that well-written CVs & active LinkedIn profiles that demonstrate relevant expertise are in high demand. 1. Start With a Purpose-Driven Personal Statement Your CV should open with a short, powerful summary - three or four lines that show who you are and why you’re the right fit for a green role. Example: “Environmental scientist with 5+ years’ experience in carbon data analysis and reporting. Passionate about building net-zero supply chains through innovative data modelling. Currently seeking a role that supports UK energy transition goals.” ✅ Tailor this section to the specific role ✅ Show your motivation for working in the green sector ✅ Use keywords from the job description 2. Highlight Transferable Skills and Sector-Specific Knowledge Even if you’re new to sustainability, chances are you already have relevant experience. The key is to translate your skills for a green context. Green CV Skill Categories to Include: Technical Skills: Carbon footprint analysis, life cycle assessment, GIS, Python, ESG reporting Project Skills: Stakeholder engagement, project delivery, budgeting Sector Knowledge: Net-zero strategy, circular economy, renewables regulation Example: Project Manager ABC Engineering Ltd | Jan 2021 – Present Led £2.1m retrofit programme reducing energy use by 27% across 40+ properties Delivered stakeholder workshops on decarbonisation pathways Achieved ISO 14001 compliance and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification ✅ Quantify your impact ✅ Name relevant tools, frameworks or standards ✅ Include environmental results where possible 3. List Relevant Training and Certifications Sustainability credentials show you’re invested in the field. These can come from formal education, CPD or short online courses. Valued Green Qualifications: Carbon Literacy Certification IEMA Practitioner or Foundation Certificate NEBOSH Environmental Management Prince2 (especially for green project roles) Even short courses from platforms like FutureLearn or edX on climate policy, clean tech or circular economy can show proactive learning. 4. Showcase Soft Skills for a Green Future Green employers are not only hiring for technical know-how. Communication, collaboration and systems thinking are among the most cited skills in LinkedIn’s Green Skills Report 2024. Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate these in your work experience. Example: Facilitated a cross-functional team to deliver a 6-month energy transition roadmap, aligning input from engineers, finance and legal teams and reducing planning time by 20%. ✅ Give context to your actions ✅ Demonstrate stakeholder influence ✅ Link to measurable outcomes 5. Keep It Concise and Tailored Stick to two pages Use clear headings and bullet points Avoid jargon or overly technical language Tailor your CV to every role - employers spot generic applications instantly and finding your perfect role should be a full time job! Supporting Your Green Career Journey At Green Talent Solutions, part of the Eden Smith Group, we help sustainability-minded professionals connect with roles that shape the future. Whether you’re applying for your first green job or transitioning from another industry, our consultants can guide you on what hiring managers want to see. 📧 Ready to apply? Contact us: talent@edensmith.co.uk