2. FOCUS ON YOUR SKILL SET. 

Companies want to know what you can do for them, and how your unique skill set will be beneficial for the company. In CSR it’s about knowing how to communicate well and turn insights and research into compelling cases in presentations, writings and conversations. There always needs to be a business case for why things should be done, with small CSR budgets, it is important that you can be resourceful and connect the dots.

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES AS IDENTIFIED BY CSR PROFESSIONALS: 

• Interpersonal: CSR leads are required to work across departments and are responsible for communicating and collaborating with others. CSR is not always in an established department, so you need to rely on your relationships to get things done. You have to be a visible leader and able to rally the troops.
• Communication: Knowing how to communicate well, both verbally and written is a critical must-have skill for a career in corporate social responsibility. You are responsible for communicating everything from the business case to your impact and need to be able to tailor the message to different audiences and stakeholders.
• Systems thinking and connecting the dots: CSR is a cross sectoral and often requires partnerships with other organizations. Being able to see the big picture and explain how your organization fits into the greater cause will be important.
• Business Acumen: Strategic thinking, sustainability, research, analytics, and marketing are some of the most common skill-sets looked for in a CSR role (dependant on the company).