Jan. 17, 2008 -- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an expanding field for jobseekers, according to a new study. Researchers at Net Impact and Ellen Weinreb CSR Recruiting report that CSR job postings have more than doubled over the past three and a half years, posting yearly increases of about 37%.

The study analyzes 1,255 CSR job openings posted on two popular CSR job boards between 2004 and 2007. Some key findings:

• CSR jobs tend to be outsourced. The study divides job postings into three categories: internal positions within the company (25%), services positions providing consulting or third party compliance support to companies (41%), and independent positions working in an consulting capacity to research, monitor, or support CSR (34%).
  


• The apparel and consumer products industries hire for compliance. Of the 317 positions posted by multinational corporations, 25% were in the apparel and 22% were in the consumer products industries. The leading job function for these positions was 25% related to compliance, 19% related to CSR in general, 15% community relations focused, and 13% focused on the environment.


• Top employers include Disney, Nike, and Starbucks. Top multinational corporations advertising CSR positions included Disney in Burbank, Calif. (23), Nike in Beaverton, Ore. (15), and Starbucks, in Seattle, Wash. (14).

The growth in CSR jobs postings appears to keep pace with employee demand for such positions. Study co-author Net Impact says it sees a growing interest in business school graduates looking for CSR-related jobs, noting that the number of MBA resumes posted on its job board has grown 46% since 2005, topping 1,100 listings.

Download the full report in PowerPoint format here.