Add some green to your CV

[Badshah Mamun]

Add some green to your CV

By Anne
The Sydney Morning Herald

It can pay to 'green up' your CV, writes Ann-Maree Moodie.

There was once a time when working in the environment meant you were a "tree hugger" and your car had a bumper sticker, "Save The Whales". Likewise, if you worked in the community, you were a "do-gooder" who engaged in social work or volunteered in a soup kitchen.

But times have changed. Today the boards of large listed companies have sub-committees which focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community involvement.

Senior executives spend their work lives thinking about carbon emissions, environmental footprints, climate change and other sustainability issues. Think Westpac's Dr Noel Purcell or Sam Moyston, group executive, culture and reputation at Insurance Australia Group.

Credentials in environment policy, stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility projects and philanthropy - coupled with good skills in strategy development and implementation - are essential for the contemporary manager keen on developing broader skills and experience.

"The increasing importance given to CSR issues by business, government, investors and NGOs [non-government organisations] has led to a new class of professional, the CSR manager," says a report by the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility. "And as CSR becomes ingrained in business, it will be a profession of the future."

The centre's survey found most people in a corporate social responsibility role are at manager level or above. Two-thirds are women and most are aged between 26 and 45 years.

More than 90 per cent are university-educated, with degrees in social sciences, humanities, commerce, management and tourism. The average salaries range from $80,000 to $150,000 (a minority earns $250,000 or more) with the majority working for public companies.

Managers have a job title that includes the words "environment", "sustainability", "community", "stakeholder relations", "corporate citizenship" or "corporate social responsibility". The role can include developing CSR business case policy, internal employee engagement, publication of non-financial reports and philanthropy-corporate sponsorship.

"I see CSR as the future of the way business will be run," said one social responsibilty manager who responded to the survey.

"Consumers will seek ethical and responsible options and business has either the problem or the opportunity to address its operations with or without CSR. It is the side of the business that will ultimately determine whether the company succeeds or fails in the long run."

With CSR and other related issues becoming increasingly important for business, it makes sense to "green-up" your CV to be more attractive to top management.

This doesn't mean you have to specialise in a career in this field. Gaining experience - even in a voluntary capacity - can benefit your career in the longer term.

"Gone are the days of organisations just reporting the financial bottom line. Most public companies are reporting the triple bottom line, which includes environmental issues and community issues," says Caroline McAuliffe, of Hamilton Rich Interim Management.

"Private companies and public companies see the value of adding to their brand image by having policies in these areas and it is a way of attracting the best employees and shareholders."

Committees are an ideal way to gain skills and experience in these areas. Among others, Insurance Australia Group's expert community advisory committee is a very high-profile example. It was established to advise on the economic, social and environmental aspects of the company's activities.

Its members have expertise in governance, civil society, social capital, crime prevention, climate change, rural and regional concerns, CSR and multi-stakeholder matters.

"Organisations often form committees and call for volunteers from the wider organisation to participate, develop and deliver on the corporate strategy," McAuliffe says. "By volunteering to be part of this group, individuals will experience a different role, perhaps, from [what they do] every day.

"People who undertake voluntary positions or board positions outside their usual work also benefit from this experience as it reveals a passion and unselfish approach to social issues, as well as possessing a well-rounded and healthy interest in what's happening around you."

The return on your investment of time and energy could well be a promotion or being headhunted for another role.

"By investing in these experiences your career options will be broadened, not only in your chosen function. It may also lead to a different path altogether or a move sideways which may benefit your long-term career aspirations," McAuliffe says.

"Managers who have a greater knowledge of these areas already on their resume will have the edge over those who do not, as companies become reliant on all their managers to be aware of these initiatives and imbed them into the culture of the firm.

"They definitely will be the preferred candidates as they will have a head start on what has become key to an organisation's success and sustainability."

Giving to your employer's favourite charity can help boost your career prospects.

Catherine Baldwin, head of the Perpetual Foundation, says staff at the funds manager have a variety of choices to show their interest and to gain knowledge of and expertise in philanthropy.

"We've established philanthropy interest groups to provide a forum in which staff can address particular social and environmental needs by sharing their experiences and building knowledge in a particular area."

Where to start

The Environmental Jobs Network, a not-for-profit organisation in Melbourne that helps job seekers find work in environmental industries, stresses developing networks in the field is critical, as many opportunities come by word of mouth.

Conservation Volunteers Australia and Volunteer Green are two organisations worth considering for pro bono work in the natural environment.

Interest groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth often have networking events.

Professional associations such as the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand or the Australian Association for Environmental Education can give you information about conferences, seminars, courses and the latest publications.

Published: 24 May 2008

Source: http://content.mycareer.com.au/advice-research/resume/add-some-green-to-your-cv.aspx