Have you ever noticed a B in the word Certified B Corp? Have you ever wondered what it symbolizes? Well, rest assured, this blog will put an end to your questioning.
The official name of the circle with a B in it is a “Certified B Corporation. A corporation with this label indicates that the company have been officially certified because they have met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
In other words, it is the gold standard of certification for businesses that prove that they are eco-conscious warriors who go out of their way to be responsible and accountable citizens. Oftentimes these corporations are involved in sustainability and their business model revolves around making a positive impact for the triple bottom line.
If you want to read more about B Corp and how it came to be, visit the official B Corp website here.
What does the B in B Corp stand for?
If you are like me and wondered what the “B” stands for, well it doesn’t stand for anything specific. Yet, it’s meant to be an indicator to point out that these corporations are beneficial to society. However, don’t mistake a B Corp for a benefit corporation. The main difference is that a B Corp refers to a third-party certification, while a benefit corporation refers to the actual legal business structure.
Many people have their own interpretations of this mysterious B and it’s really up to you how you want to interpret the B. What did you think B stood for? Leave a comment below and share your ideas with everyone!
How do you become a B Corp?
In order for businesses to receive a B certificate they need to meet a few requirements before even applying.
- First, your business needs to be at least a year old. (Businesses who haven’t reached the 12-month mark yet can apply for a Pending B Corp, find more about this here.)
- Complete the B Corp Impact Assessment. You will need to score a minimum of 80 points out of 200.
- You need to meet the legal requirements and work on the impact points that your company currently hasn’t accomplished yet.
- Lastly, you need to sign the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence and Term Sheet to make your status official.
Every three years the B Corps need to be recertified and if they fail to meet the rigorous standards, then they will simply lose their B Corp status. This is actually a great system because having a triennial inspection allows for B Corp criteria to stay up-to-date and stay on top of sustainable trends.
How do I find work at a B Corp?
Applying for work at a B Corp is very similar to applying to traditional companies. The difference is how you sell yourself to recruiters.
Be eager
As you probably already know from filling out previous applications, companies always ask for you to demonstrate WHY you are fit for the role. This is your opportunity to express yourself. Companies can notice the difference between job seekers who are passionate vs the ones simply sending out their CVs. Be sure to compose a story that highlights why you think you will be successful in the role and how you and show how you meet the company’s requirements. Don’t worry if you don’t meet all of them! B Corp companies are also in a position where they want to learn and grow. So be sure to show your eagerness and explain which knowledge gaps you want to narrow down.
Do your research!
Find out beyond the company mission statement and vision (although this is also very good to know!). Companies like it very much when you visit their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, you name it! It shows that you are already immersing yourself in their environment and want to learn more. It also gives you a confidence boost when you attend that job interview.
During your research, you might also find interesting contacts and connections. These are also very valuable because you can get in touch with the right people and have a chat. Or you could write a lovely email to the company’s director and strike their attention! This shows that you know what you want and are persistent.
Do it, don’t say it
B Corp companies receive hundreds of CVs and one way you could make their decision easier is by explicitly showing how you meet their requirements. This could be in the form of past successes, pieces of work from a project or even a vision you have to solve the problems the company is trying to tackle. The initiative will divide you from the rest of the herd. Remember to stay true to yourself and also demonstrate where your passion lies. If it ties in with the company values, clearly show it!
Search for your future B Corp job
- Sustainable Job Boards: Sometimes the answers are right in front of you. If you click here, you end up on our homepage where you can search for a variety of jobs in the field of sustainability, green tech and climate tech! If you are lucky you will find a job that piques your interest. We recently added a new feature where you can click on the company name to find more interesting information about the mission, vision and impact. To see if it aligns with what you are looking for.
- B Work: B Work is a great site for job seekers to find jobs and internships at companies that have a B Certification. However, it is not limited to that and also includes openings from benefit corporations and other purpose-driven employers. With their user-friendly search engine, you can find work by filtering job titles or company names and locations.
- LinkedInLinkedIn is another great tool to search for B Corps! The trick to using LinkedIn is slightly different from the other two websites above. With LinkedIn, you can optimize your page for recruiters by keeping your page up-to-date. Highlight recent experience and be comprehensive about your skills and objectives.
Do you feel confident about B Corps and how to find a job at a B Corp? Great! Don’t gatekeep this blog, share it with your friends and family!