Getting a green job: where should you work?

As well as working out what kind of work you like the sound of, you need to think about what kind of environment you would flourish in – and where you want to work.

If you like working in a dynamic environment where you are involved in lots of projects in quick succession, then check out environmental consultancies – companies employed by other companies to advise them on a particular project.

Lester Lockyer from recruitment agency Allen and York explains that even though each brief might look fairly similar (after all, companies approach consultancies because they offer expertise in a particular niche) each project feels different because every client brings different challenges and corporate systems.

Don’t forget that it is the consultant’s role to provide a solution to the company, not to implement it. Whether or not your suggestions get taken onboard is up to your customers.

If you think that you might prefer a more hands-on role and want to be involved at every stage, then working in house for a company might be better for you. But be warned, says Lockyer: “You would own the project, but also the problems.”

Traditionally, public sector roles typically require more transferable skills because there are more parties involved, more people to please and more boxes to tick before a decision can be made. But the flexible hours, holidays and generous pensions (although this is changing) make this sector an attractive option.