If you have been recently laid off or are currently looking for a new job, you need not put aside your morals and your ethics for the sake of a paycheck. There are a number of ways to make money while still doing something that you think is worthwhile and good in the world.

While the economy may be experiencing the worst recession since the Great Depression, you need not give up your moral compass and your sense for what's good in the world for the sake of a new job and a salary.

Sure, we don't all have the luxury of being millionaire benefactors or of working in an impoverished country, but with some clever searching and a little analytical skill, you can certainly narrow down your job search to the jobs that are reasonable, well-paying, and morally righteous. If you are interested in a company that puts the environment first and has green focused initiatives you should consider looking in these avenues for a job offer.

Firstly, if you are environmentally conscious, there are a number of job opportunities on the market that are increasingly going in the direction of 'green-friendly' operations and of environmentally sustainable practices. The reason for this sea change in business policy is three fold.

One reason that businesses are increasingly turning their businesses into sustainable enterprises is that in multiple instances, it is profitable for a company to upgrade their operations and turn their offices into green-efficient buildings. Simply put, with the right kind of management, a business can save a significant amount of money by cutting back on the amount of waste that they produce, the amount of electricity they use, and the number of products that they recycle.

Secondly, consumers are increasingly investigating the businesses practices of the companies they patronize. Because sustainability has become such a newsworthy topic, consumers are paying more attention to businesses that are green-friendly, and buying accordingly.

Thirdly, businesses realize that there are people such as you out there who are specifically looking for jobs that are sustainable as well as profitable. They have changed their businesses practices to fit the demands of the labor market. Do not settle for anything less than your own moral standards with the company you choose to apply for.

Because of the changing demands of consumers and labor, and of the new technologies that allow for green-friendly profitability, more and more companies are changing their businesses practices to outfit themselves with a sustainable enterprise. As you look for jobs in this dangerous economic climate, do not sell your morals short: look for the job that will give you ethical and financial satisfaction.