Companies across the UK are becoming more eco-friendly in order to limit cost and energy wastage, but at SimplyHired.co.uk, we’ve found a hidden benefit for businesses going green: talented candidates!
The City quarter in London regularly takes part in switching off lights and computers on World Earth Day, and others are increasingly using solutions and processes on a regular basis to go green. Surprisingly, these efforts are spilling into the hiring zone: In a poll on SimplyHired.co.uk, job seekers voted finding a job that is eco-friendly as highly important (34%).
Paradoxically, 75% of job seekers haven’t actually worked in a company where their position is sympathetic to green – there seems to be a conflict here between what job seekers want and what they can get, and this needs to be resolved.
Finding a green-friendly job is not easy, but they are out there and it’s a matter of asking your future employer to see what is in place and what can be achieved by the company. SimplyHired.co.uk has compiled a list of tips to help you find a job that’s green-friendly and resolve this disjoint at the same time:
- Put it in your CV - If being in an eco-friendly company is important to you, why not mention it in your CV? It doesn’t need to be aggressively said – it could be helpful to just show skills you have picked up in your personal interest section and be a good conversational point for your employer at the interview stage.
- Presenting your interest at the interview stage – Keeping your passion related to your job is crucial in showing you are a fit for your position. Employers who may not be doing all they can do not necessarily want to be ambushed by someone who thinks they know better. Be humble, share your interest and see where the conversation leads - it could be that your enthusiasm is well received and they take your advice on board!
- Starting your own green strategy – so you’ve passed the interview stage and landed your job, now what? If your position isn’t green, there are many ways to practice being eco-friendly, from introducing a recycling box at work to printing on both sides of paper. Regardless of what it is, communicate your ideas to your manager and HR to make sure they are on board and to help encourage others too.
Good Luck in your green endeavours, and don’t forget to share your ideas in the comments below!