Five steps for getting your foot in the door in climate

- So, you're considering a career in climate. Maybe you saw an inspirational LinkedIn post on eco anxiety, listen to a podcast that dove deep into the depths of regenerative agriculture, or a Twitter thread on the controversies behind carbon credits. Nonetheless, you are introduced and now you're intrigued. If you're like most, you're probably feeling overwhelmed. Before this discovery phase, you likely had no idea that climate jobs existed in your field. Now you're inundated with hundreds of resources and are struggling to navigate the noise. In a traditional search, hundreds of people have come before you and paved a path to follow. Climate is a relatively new space, and the luxury of mentorship is often harder to come by. We need millions of people working in climate jobs, so don't let the intimidation of the unknown hold you back. Here are five steps to keep your job search going. First, dive in head first. Starting is the most difficult part of any task. It's critical to be well versed in various sectors advancements and trajectories of the space. Read books, listen to podcasts, and subscribe to newsletters. If you're viewing this right now, you've already checked this box. Next, take all the information you just accumulated and decide which sectors to lend your skills to. My friends at Project Drawdown do an excellent job laying this framework. Their resources are in your climate jobs toolkit. The third step is to network. HubSpot reports that 85% of jobs are filled through networking. I'd argue that numbers even higher for climate. As a startup industry, people in this space are very open and want to hear about your ambitions. Fourth, outline your dream job. The best way to narrow this down is through networking conversations. Find people whose careers you admire and reach out. After these conversations, compare their job with similar roles. Take notes of all of the recurring skills and qualifications. This research will be essential when interviewing and applying. The hiring manager will be impressed if you can pinpoint these skills on your resume and articulate them in interviews. Finally, make sure you set a timeline for yourself. Getting a climate job isn't a walk in the park. To remain on track, you must set realistic expectations. Ask yourself what you have the time and capacity for, and set goals. Ensure you're honest about your circumstances so you don't over commit and burn yourself out. My final piece of advice is to keep your head up. This is easier said than done, but looking for any job can be demoralizing. Rather than dwelling on those inevitable rejections, I encourage you to invest in your failures and reframe your mindset. You're already on your way. The hardest part is over.