How to Hire the Best Candidate for LCAs?

Hiring the right person for a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) role can have a huge impact on your company's sustainability initiatives. LCA professionals help analyze environmental impacts and develop strategies to reduce them—key to long-term success. But choosing the right person can be a challenging decision, especially when several candidates seem equally strong.

One of our clients recently faced this exact challenge. They were recruiting a new team member for their LCA work through our LCA training & support program, and we presented them with a few top-tier candidates. The hiring manager wrote to us saying, "I want to hire them all!" It was a positive problem but a tough decision nonetheless. She reached out for advice on how to choose between these excellent candidates—a great position to be in, but still a difficult choice.

Our advice to her—and to you—is to listen to your instincts, but also take a structured approach to evaluating your candidates.

1. Trust Your Intuition

Hiring someone is one of the most important decisions a manager will make, especially for a specialized role like LCA. If you're choosing between several qualified candidates, trust your gut. Often, your instincts can guide you toward the right choice. Ask yourself: Which candidate do you see working on a difficult project come Monday morning? The answer might give you a clearer sense of who is truly the best fit.

2. Consult Your Team

Don’t make the decision alone. Involve your HR team or other colleagues who participated in the interview process. They may notice qualities or potential red flags you missed. Their feedback, especially on aspects like communication style and cultural fit, can offer additional insights into each candidate’s suitability.

3. Key Traits to Look For in LCA Candidates

When hiring someone for an LCA role, you’ll need to focus on specific qualities beyond general qualifications. Look for these key traits:

• Analytical Skills: LCA work involves collecting and interpreting large amounts of data, building models, and drawing actionable conclusions. The ideal candidate should be detail-oriented, comfortable with data, and able to analyze trends and patterns.

• Communication Abilities: LCA often requires reaching out to stakeholders—internally and externally—to gather information. You need someone with strong communication skills who can confidently ask for data from suppliers, partners, and customers, while maintaining a professional and diplomatic approach.

• Persistence: LCA projects can be slow-moving, requiring multiple follow-ups to gather necessary data. The right candidate will demonstrate perseverance and the ability to manage setbacks without losing motivation.

4. Cultural Fit Matters

Skills can be taught, but cultural fit is harder to change. Choose someone who aligns with your company’s values and long-term sustainability goals. When considering candidates, ask yourself if they have the right attitude to thrive in your team’s dynamic and collaborate effectively with others.

When in doubt, always prioritize cultural fit. While technical skills can be developed, a candidate’s personality and attitude are essential to long-term success.

5. Streamline the Process with Pre-Vetted Candidates

If the recruitment process feels overwhelming, we can make it easier. When you hire LCA talent through our program, we provide you with 3 to 5 pre-vetted candidates who have already been carefully screened to match your company’s needs in terms of their background and language skills. We've ensured they are well-suited to excel in our LCA training program, meaning they have the technical capabilities to thrive in your projects.

This allows you to focus solely on whether they are a good cultural fit for your team and whether they are aligned with the specific goals of your company and the project. We’ve done the groundwork for you, saving you time and effort while reducing hiring risk.

Conclusion

Hiring the right LCA professional is critical for your company’s sustainability journey. Look for someone with strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, persistence, and a great cultural fit. However, you don’t have to do it alone. Our Hire LCA Talent Recruitment Program can help you find the best candidates by presenting you with pre-vetted professionals who are ready to make an impact.

Need help finding the right LCA talent? Book a meeting with our team, and let us handle the candidate vetting process for you. We’ll guide you through the final steps, ensuring you hire someone who is not only skilled but also fits perfectly with your company’s vision.

To learn more, explore our LCA Talent Program page and streamline your recruitment process today.