In the dynamic sector of ESG and sustainable finance, the demand for talent is high across both junior and senior levels. Companies are actively embracing a strategy of cultivating internal expertise to instil a commitment to sustainability.
At the junior level, hiring criteria is more flexible. From my experience, companies are much more likely to use their internal talent team and will prioritize a passion for sustainable practices over specific educational backgrounds. This approach reflects the industry's need for diverse perspectives that can address the many multifaceted challenges facing the ESG sector in 2024.
On the other hand, senior-level positions demand a higher degree of specificity, and companies want to see a demonstrated history of driving impactful sustainable initiatives. This makes it much harder to pivot into the ESG sector at the later stage of a career.
By comparison, at the junior hiring level, companies are much more likely to look externally to make a hire and turn to recruiters to source senior-level talent, emphasizing the specialised expertise needed. It’s much more of a candidates’ market at the senior level with more flexible salary bands.
