As a recruiter at Voltus - a virtual power plant operator - one of the most common questions I get is: “How can I break into climate tech?”

It’s a question we always love hearing. Here, on Voltus’s People Team, our goal is to build a Bright, Gritty, and Good (BGG) company. But we know that solving the climate crisis requires all hands on deck. 

In 2022, the global energy sector employed about 67 million people, with 35 million of those in clean energy jobs. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) estimates, an additional 30 million clean energy jobs will be needed globally to stay on track for net-zero emissions by 2050.

That’s why one of the best things we can do is help someone take the first steps toward transitioning into clean tech. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for landing a job in climate tech, but there are a few strategies that can make the leap easier and increase your odds of finding the right fit. 

Leverage your network (and grow it)

Breaking into any new industry is hard, but it’s easier with help. Your existing network is a great place to start. Even if no one you know works directly in climate tech, chances are someone in your circle knows someone who does.

• Ask for introductions. A 20-minute conversation with someone in the type of company you might want to work for or in a similar role to one you are seeking can give you clarity on what types of roles exist, what matters most to hiring managers, and what daily life in a role actually looks like.
  
  
• Stay curious, not transactional. Be genuinely interested in what people are working on. Building authentic connections goes much farther than cold outreach with a resume attached. And always make sure to ask how you can support others, as well.
  
  
• Referrals are gold. Especially in climate tech, where many companies are small or growing quickly, a referral can make a huge difference. However, remember the point above: only ask for a referral from someone you’ve taken the time to build a genuine relationship with.
  

Get clear on your transferable skills

You don’t need to have “climate” in your job title to be valuable to the industry. Whether it be marketing, operations, finance, engineering, legal, or design, every function is needed in the fight against climate change. 

• Translate your experience. Don’t assume people will see the relevance - spell it out. If you managed large projects, worked in energy-intensive sectors, or have experience navigating regulation or compliance, say so on your resume. Get creative - what can climate tech borrow from your current industry?
  
  
• Be honest about your gaps. You don’t need to fake expertise in clean energy or energy markets if that’s not your background. Instead, show that you’re a fast learner who knows what you do bring to the table. Bring examples of times you entered a new industry or climbed a learning curve quickly to interviews and conversations. 

Lead with your motive - and be specific! 

Saying “I just want to work in climate tech” is a start, but it’s not enough. Hiring managers want to understand what motivates you, and why you care about the specific company or role you’re applying for. Passion for sustainability matters, but clarity is key to landing your dream role. If you’re still figuring out your personal area of interest, asking yourself the following questions can help you start to narrow it down:

• What part of the climate problem do you feel most connected to?
  
  
• Which companies or technologies excite you, and why?
  
  
• As you evaluate companies, how does your personal mission align with the organization’s goals?

Of course, this will require you to do your research and understand the various industries within climate and energy. Showing you’ve done your homework helps you stand out and makes conversations more productive. There’s a growing ecosystem of newsletters, job boards, podcasts, and databases focused on climate tech to help you learn the landscape. A few good places to start are Climatebase, Work on Climate, and My Climate Journey. 

Be persistent, not pushy

Finally, some basic (but worth repeating) advice: how you treat people matters. Everyone, from a recruiter screening applications to a coordinator scheduling interviews, deserves the same respect you’d give a CEO. So follow up if you haven’t heard back, but keep it courteous. Try to treat rejections along the way as learning opportunities rather than dead ends. Every interaction you have in your journey is a chance to build your reputation in the climate space. After all, you never know where the next opportunity may come from, and the path is usually not linear. 

Let’s build a better future, together

Considering the enormous challenge of mitigating climate change, there’s no doubt that climate tech needs more people. Whether you’re coming from big tech, finance, logistics, or hospitality, your skills can help drive solutions to the most urgent problem of our time. There’s no perfect path, but if you’re thoughtful, clear about your value, and genuinely committed to the work, you can find your way in. Always keep an eye on the Voltus careers page for new openings, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on roles, industry news, and upcoming events. 

Hear from our Associate Director of Marketing, Mona Khaldi, on her transition into climate tech from another industry!