Posted By Thomas Elliott
Hi B,

First thing I would say is to visit the Council’s website and learn about their services. The HSE are also very keen that Local Authorities publish their corporate annual reports of health and safety publicly so try the search function on their website for this. It will give you an insight into their key issues and what issues you would be facing as their health and safety officer.

In terms of the recruitment and selection process I would imagine that the advert for the job would have had a ‘job outline’ and ‘person specification’? Any interviews I have been at, both interviewer and interviewee, use this mechanism for forming the basis of their questions. So try and pre-empt some question relating to these documents. Also one very important aspect is to provide ‘contrary evidence’ ie identifying something you tried that didn’t work well and what you learned from it. They will more than likely ask you at some point in the interview anything that you felt didn’t go a well as planned and how this helped you develop as a professional.

Re the presentation, try and involve the panel in the presentation (this is from a trainer’s point of view and maybe my opinion). I always feel that if you can capture you’re audience’s attention and involve them (delegates on a course or members of an interviewing panel) your presentation will be remembered.

If you would like to discuss anything further please feel free to email me.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards

Thomas

Posted By B
Hi,

Thanks for the responses!

The job description and personal spec are very general: provide advice to other managers, carry out and advise on risk assessments, accident reporting procedure etc, H&S auditing, RIDDOR, but there are no specific areas. Wants a few years experience, knowledge of legislation (but no specific pieces), NEBOSH Gen. Cert etc. It does mention head teachers once so I am assuming that some of the work is in/around schools. I think it’s the generality that is scaring me a bit – I’m not really sure where to start with the research!

Also, the fact that I don’t know what the topic of the presentation is going to be is worrying me. I don’t mind giving presentations (thanks for the good tips though Thomas! I’ll definitely try that) but I do like to be prepared and obviously I can’t even begin! I guess they’re trying to see how well we cope with tight deadlines etc. Oh well – I’m sure I can ‘wing it’ on the day!

I’ll definitely be looking for their annual reports – thanks for that!

Thanks again for the advice and any more info gratefully received.

B

Posted By Thomas Elliott
No worries B

I know Fornhelper has asked about specific service and you say that the advert is very general, but does it indicate which department of the council the post is associated with? I.e. Chief Executive’s/Education etc.

Is the Council based in England/Scotland etc?

Think of some appropriate questions to ask them on the day too. Examples being;

as a professional I view personal professional development as an important aspect of my role, (I imagine you do view development in this way), what opportunities exist for learning and development within the team/unit.

What opportunities are available for career progression? etc

Regards

Thomas

Posted By B
Hello All,

Many thanks to all who've responded for the very useful info. It is genuinely appreciated! I feel much more confident now that I have some idea of what to (maybe!) expect.

Thanks again

Beth

Posted By TBC
Congrats Beth.

Are you going to be out pounding the beat as an EHO?

If so - be gentle with us.

Posted By Robert S Woods
From my own experience and many others I’ve spoken to on this subject, I wouldn’t bother doing too much as the post will have already been allocated internally and they’ll be going through the motions.

You will have been asked to bring ID for them to photocopy. I bet you that this doesn’t happen (first tell tale sign).

Then you’ll have your interview, which will be done without much enthusiasm.

A few days later the phone call comes sorry but….

When it happens ask if an internal candidate was successful. When they say they don’t know ask for the information in writing.

I am a member of a safety forum steering group which has representatives from all parts of the civil service: LA enforcing officers, HSE, council safety offices and they privately admit that outsiders don’t stand a chance.

Summed up by a LA enforcing officer “If a Sunday league team play Chelsea enough times they will eventually win 10 – 0. The same odds as someone without a civil service background getting a job with the council”.

It would be nice to see the appropriate statistics but I doubt they’ll ever see the light of day.

Posted By TBC
Beth got the job Robert!

Posted By Thomas Elliott
Congratulations Beth.

Best wishes for your new post. I'm sure you will be a very valuable asset to their H&S team.

Kind regards

Thomas

Posted By sagalout
Well done B and thanks for coming back to let us know the outcome, we are assuming you took the job of course 'cos all you said was it had been offered!