Climate is Hiring!
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2 unpublished climate jobs you can apply to today.

2 unpublished climate jobs you can apply to today.

Watch and read how to research into leading climate companies using Linkedin and Climate Salad to find new job opportunities and connections

Afonso Firmo
August 18, 2024

Hola 👋 to all of those who joined this week! You are now part of a group of climate champion who are looking to make change happen.

Step 1: Discover Climate-Oriented Companies

Your journey begins with identifying companies dedicated to climate innovation. One of the platforms you can use is Climate Salad.

Browse through the Directory: Check out Climate Salad’s directory to get a list of climate-focused companies. While it might not be fully comprehensive or detailed in its free version, it’s a solid starting point for your search.

Step 2: Investigate Alt. Leather Website

With a preliminary list of interesting companies, the next step is to gather more specific information.

Alt. Leather is a world-class 100% biobased leather alternative that turns waste and regenerative plants into a material designed for fashion, footwear, furnishings, and automotive.

Visit Company Websites: Navigate to their official websites. They may just be landing pages with limited information, but don’t worry; you’re gathering breadcrumbs.

Copy Website Link: Paste the website links into your "Climate is Hiring" spreadsheet for future reference.

Step 3: Transition to LinkedIn

Next, head over to LinkedIn for a more detailed investigation of the companies.

Login and Search: Use the company’s name to find their LinkedIn page. Look into details like company size, latest activities, and updates.

Document Information: Record these details in your spreadsheet, such as company size, focus areas, and recent activities.

Step 4: Explore Alt. Leather Updates and Connections

To understand what the company is currently focusing on and who might be influential:

Review Updates: Look at recent posts to get an idea of their current projects and engagements. For example, Alt Leather had an update about their participation in a Climate Salad showcase and their involvement with the Rise Accelerator.

Identify Connections: Look at who liked or commented on these posts. People like Vidit and Charlotte might appear here, acting as significant connectors in the climate tech community.

Step 5: Investigate the Team

Learning more about key team members can provide additional insights and networking opportunities.

Check for Active Employees: Look at profiles of team members who are active on LinkedIn. For example, Tina Funder, the founder of Alt Leather, could be a crucial individual to follow.

Analyze Founders and Leaders: Examine their profiles in more detail. Tina, for example, also manages Life on Mars, a fashion line using plant-based materials.

Step 6: Look for Alternate Opportunities within the Company

Even if the company's primary focus is research, there may be other roles that fit your skill set.

Explore Beyond the Research: For instance, Life on Mars could use your skills in marketing or e-commerce.

Check Secondary Websites: Visit secondary business sites to see if they are active and might need your expertise.

Step 7: Assess Financial Health

Understanding the company’s financial standing can offer insights into their growth trajectory and hiring potential.

Check Recent Fundraising: Look for announcements about recent funding. For example, Alt Leather announced a funding round on January 29th. Such companies often seek to scale up and hire more talent.

Record Insights: Note these details, including what the funds might be used for, in your spreadsheet.

Step 8: Document Findings in Your Spreadsheet

Keep an organised record of all your research in the "Climate is Hiring" spreadsheet.

Fill in Company Details: Include notes on the company's focus, recent activities, and financial health.

Identify Contacts: List potential contacts within each company, like Tina Funder or active community members like Charlotte.

Step 9: Craft Personalised Outreach Messages

Creating compelling and personalized messages will increase your chances of making meaningful connections.

Send Connection Requests: Focus on people like Tina Funder and those active in their network, such as Vidit and Charlotte.

Sample Message:

Hi Tina, I love your work at Alt Leather and Life on Mars. Do you need any help with Life on Mars or Alt Leather? I have extensive experience in e-commerce and operations, and I’m looking for opportunities to contribute. Would love to connect!

Be Specific: Tailor your message to highlight how your skills can directly benefit their projects.

Step 10: Track Your Outreach and Follow-Ups

After sending out your personalised messages, it’s crucial to keep track of your outreach efforts and plan your next steps.

Document Your Outreach: Record who you’ve contacted and the message you sent in your spreadsheet. For example, if you’ve reached out to Tina Funder from Alt Leather or Vidit and Charlotte, make a note of that.

Monitor Responses: Keep tabs on when you expect replies and who might need follow-up nudges. If Tina doesn't respond, consider reaching out to Vidit, Charlotte, or community members in organisations like Cicada Innovations, who might facilitate introductions.

Step 11: Utilise Second Degree Connections

Exploring your second-degree connections can open doors when a direct approach doesn't yield results.

Identify Key Connectors: People like Charlotte, whom you discovered in your earlier research, are invaluable. She's well-connected, and once you connect with her, you expand your network significantly.

Leverage Introductions: If Charlotte is too busy, reach out to someone in her network who is active in the field. This could be through comments on her posts or by finding mutual connections.

Step 12: Explore Supplementary Sources

To broaden your understanding and expand your opportunities:

Journalist Articles: Look at articles about the company and see which journalists are covering it. Although journalists are busy, it’s often worth sending a brief message for additional insights.

Different Writers: Check if various writers are covering similar topics by scanning multiple articles. Keep track of these details in your spreadsheet as potential sources of information.

Step 13: Investigate the Company’s Different Arms

Look into various divisions of the company to find more opportunities. For instance, Alt Leather’s commercial arm, Life on Mars, might offer roles more aligned with your skills.

Explore the Team: See if there are team members responsible for different operations, such as marketing or e-commerce.

Potential Roles: People supporting Life on Mars, for example, could provide insights or introductions to relevant roles. This is especially useful if you come from a non-research background.

Step 14: Assess Qualifications and Likelihood of Hiring

With your initial contacts and research in place, start evaluating your potential fit and the company's hiring status:

Check Hiring Likelihood: If a company like Alt Leather recently raised funds, they are likely to be hiring. Their focus could range from expanding their research team to developing their commercial operations.

Understand Strategic Focus: Recognize that Alt Leather might be looking for skills in business development, operations, or community building, preceding or alongside their research activities.

Step 15: Follow Relevant Industry News

Staying informed about industry trends will keep you aware of new opportunities and developments:

Follow the Founder: For immediate updates, follow Tina Funder and activate notifications for her posts.

Subscribe to Newsletters: Subscribe to industry-specific newsletters, such as those from the Australian Fashion Council or other circular fashion bodies, to stay updated.

Step 16: Perform Additional Deep Dives

Deepening your understanding of the industry and relevant solutions can set you apart in your outreach and interviews:

International Case Studies: Research how similar companies abroad are performing. For example, investigating vegan leather companies in Europe could provide valuable insights to share with Alt Leather or Life on Mars.

Problem and Solution Exploration: Look into the specific problems these companies are solving, and think about how you can contribute similar solutions or strategies.

Step 17: Track Follow-Up Dates and Status

Maintaining a meticulous follow-up schedule will ensure no lead goes cold:

Record Follow-Up Dates: Track when you need to follow up with your contacts.

Update Status: Note the status of each lead, whether it’s the founder agreeing to a meeting or requiring a second introduction from another connection.

Step 18: Reflect and Refine Your Strategy

If some leads don’t pan out, reflect on your process and refine your approach:

Analyze Your Findings: Assess why certain companies or contacts didn’t respond or weren’t a good fit. Use this analysis to improve your next set of outreach efforts.

Look for Similar Opportunities: If Alt Leather isn’t hiring, your research might lead you to similar companies or roles within the same industry.

By keeping your research organized and leveraging all available resources, you’re positioning yourself to seize opportunities in the burgeoning climate tech sector. With consistent effort and strategic outreach, landing your dream role is within reach.

Thank you for sticking with us on this journey. Good luck with your job hunt, and we look forward to sharing more insights in our next edition of 'Climate is Hiring'!

Warm regards,

Afonso Firmo