Interview scorecard template

Sustainable Investment Analyst interview scorecard

Evaluate Sustainable Investment Analyst candidates across 4 weighted areas: technical command, deals and deliverables that closed, risk judgement, and explaining it to decision-makers. Technical command leads at 35%, so check fluency with ESG data providers (MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS), SFDR Article 8/9 classification, EU Taxonomy alignment, PAI indicators, and Scope 1-3 emissions. Use the rubric to compare role-specific evidence consistently.

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TL;DR
For technical command, look for evidence the candidate names specific datasets and methodologies, explains scoring divergence between providers, and computes portfolio carbon intensity or taxonomy alignment unaided. For deals and deliverables that closed, look for evidence the candidate points to named research notes, an issuer engagement they led, or a stewardship report that influenced a real allocation or divestment. Apply the written 1–5 anchors to every answer, record the evidence behind each rating, and use the factor weights to reach a consistent overall assessment.
Complete evaluation framework

What to assess and how to score it

Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.

01
Evaluation factor

Technical command

35% weight

Check fluency with ESG data providers (MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS), SFDR Article 8/9 classification, EU Taxonomy alignment, PAI indicators, and Scope 1-3 emissions or carbon intensity modelling.

Evidence to listen for

  • Commands the instruments, models, or reporting standards the role turns on
  • Can build the analysis rather than only interpret someone else's
  • Knows the assumptions inside a model and which ones actually drive the answer
  • Fluent in the frameworks and disclosure regimes that apply

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

Cannot explain the instruments or standards they claim to work with.

2
Needs Improvement

Interprets others' analysis but cannot build or defend it.

3
Satisfactory

Solid working command; thin on unfamiliar structures or standards.

4
Very Good

Builds the analysis and knows which assumptions actually move the answer.

5
Excellent

Names specific datasets and methodologies, explains scoring divergence between providers, and computes portfolio carbon intensity or taxonomy alignment unaided.

02
Evaluation factor

Deals and deliverables that closed

25% weight

Probe actual outputs: sector ESG deep dives, engagement notes, exclusion list revisions, TCFD or ISSB reports, or fund screening decisions that changed a holding.

Evidence to listen for

  • Names transactions, filings, or reports they worked, with size, counterparties, and their own scope
  • Distinguishes their contribution from the deal team's
  • Knows what happened afterwards, including what underperformed
  • Can describe one that fell over and why

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

No completed work; describes process rather than outcomes.

2
Needs Improvement

Involved in transactions but cannot state their own scope.

3
Satisfactory

Real deliverables with adequate ownership; outcomes described loosely.

4
Very Good

Named transactions or filings with clear personal scope and honest post-mortems.

5
Excellent

Points to named research notes, an issuer engagement they led, or a stewardship report that influenced a real allocation or divestment.

03
Evaluation factor

Risk judgement

25% weight

Test how they separate material ESG risk from noise: greenwashing red flags, controversy screening, stranded asset exposure, and where sustainability conflicts with return targets.

Evidence to listen for

  • Distinguishes a modelled risk from a real one
  • States confidence and what would change their view
  • Comfortable disagreeing with a number that suits everybody
  • Knows the limits of the data behind a projection, especially over long horizons

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

Treats model output as truth; no sense of data limits.

2
Needs Improvement

Reports numbers without qualifying them; avoids unwelcome conclusions.

3
Satisfactory

Reasonable judgement; qualifies findings when prompted.

4
Very Good

States confidence unprompted and will hold an unpopular position on evidence.

5
Excellent

Uses SASB materiality logic, cites a company where headline ESG scores misled, and states trade-offs against mandate return objectives plainly.

04
Evaluation factor

Explaining it to decision-makers

15% weight

Assess how they brief portfolio managers, investment committees, and clients: proxy voting rationale, impact reporting to asset owners, and defending ratings challenged by an issuer.

Evidence to listen for

  • Explains a technical position to an investment committee, board, or regulator so they can act on it
  • Writes to the standard the audience is held to
  • Handles challenge without either caving or digging in
  • Works across legal, operations, and external counterparties

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

Cannot communicate beyond technical peers.

2
Needs Improvement

Explanations lose the audience or oversimplify to the point of error.

3
Satisfactory

Adequate with familiar audiences; less effective under challenge.

4
Very Good

Explains clearly to committees and regulators and holds up under challenge.

5
Excellent

Turns dense sustainability data into a clear recommendation with caveats, and holds a position under challenge from PMs or issuers.

Evidence-led prompts

Interview questions for a Sustainable Investment Analyst

Use these prompts to surface evidence for the weighted factors above and compare candidates against the same role-specific criteria.

  1. 01

    Can you give an example of when your analysis directly influenced an investment decision?

  2. 02

    Describe a project where you identified a high-impact sustainable investment opportunity.

  3. 03

    Describe a situation where you improved a sustainability strategy for an investment.

  4. 04

    How do you evaluate the environmental, social and governance performance of a company?

  5. 05

    How do you approach integrating sustainability factors into financial models?

See the complete Sustainable Investment Analyst question set
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