Posted By peter gotch Hi Simon, Your posting indicates that you are looking for your first H&S role, which suggests that you have other employment experience. If so, perhaps you could indicate this on the forum, as you probably have transferable skills. Regards, Peter

Posted By anon1234 Just keep plugging away - but be realistic about what you are applying for. Try to draw some health and safety experiences from your previous roles and emphasise them in your CV.

Posted By Simon Chidwick hi rachael, I would welcome any tips and advice my email address is simon.chidwick@hotmail.co.uk Many thanks Simon

Posted By HAL No better advice than be yourself. Employers tend to spot a fraud a mile off, and to be honest if you gain the trust on your first interview and your personable then there is no reason why you shouldn't get that job. I was in the same position as you last year, with no Construction Cert, i was working in the housing sector as an RLO and just went for Health and Safety as that is what i wanted with no prior experience, and i got offered job after job till i found the one that suited me. Use a good agency, not lots as your c-v will be flying out left and right. And get someone with a brain to check your c-v out as this is the first thing the potential employer see's if its not good your never going to get the call back. Good Luck

Posted By Gerard Marr If you can give me a call on 07770 464987 I maybe able to help you. Gerry

Posted By Linda Hughes Hi Simon I am also in the same predicament but I have the Diploma and the voluntary experience that people are mentioning on here. I have been looking for nearly two years and been to approximately 50 interviews. I call for feedback and it is always the same, 'you were great in the interview, you just lack the experience', blah blah. How is one supposed to gain this experience if no one is willing to give you a chance? Also, I am GradIOSH and I can't start my IPD for CMIOSH status until I am working! But the employers are wanting CMIOSHs to apply (and will only employ CMIOSHs)- another catch 22 and a kick in the teeth. I am long term unemployed due to injury and have worked my socks off to retrain and return to the job market. You on the other hand have the fact that you are already employed going for you. Maybe you could carry out some H&S duties at your current job? Offer to do some risk assessments or something. If they have a H&S Officer already, ask if you can shadow/assist, he/she will bite your hand off! You also have the advantage of living in the South, it seems that companies are crying out for H&S professionals there, I live up North and theres nowt going! Anyway, apologies for the moan and good luck! Linda