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Posted By Sharon Drew
Hi, I have worked as a Civil Servant for over 10 years and as a Health and Safety Manager for 3 years. I have just completed the Diploma and I am looking to move on.
I have not had a job interview for over 10 years and I have never had an interview for a professional/technical post. I would be really grateful if someone could provide me with some possible H&S interview questions to help in my preparation for interview.
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Posted By Karen Todd
Some I've been asked:
Tell me about yourself.
How did you get into H&S?
Tell me about a time when you lead a team.
What was the most successful team you were in and what was your role?
What was the biggest/longest/most complicated project you've undertaken?
Tell me about the stages in the project / tell me about how you manage projects.
What do you do when people haven't done things you've needed/expected them to do?
Tell me about a time when you had to cope with a major change at work and how you dealt with it.
You're an engineer - how do you feel that is relevant to H&S?
What are you most proud of?
Give me an example of how you engaged with stakeholders.
Why should we give you the job?
What skills/traits do you think someone needs to do this job?
What do you think are our main accident types?
Have you ever had to tell someone they were wrong?
What do you know about us?
And some of the more bizarre/illegal ones:
How do you cope with working in a male dominated environment?
What machines do you imagine we'd use for the products we make, and how familiar are you with them?
How would you feel about writing manuals for machines?
Who is your best friend and how would they describe you? (was completely wrongfooted by this one at my first ever job interview - how my best mate sees me is not necessarily the type of employee they were looking for!).
KT
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Posted By Darren (Daz) Fraser
Sharon
Remember an interview is a two way process. You need to decide if they are the company for you, whilst they are deciding if you are the right candidate for them.
Below are just a few of the types of questions I would be asking them during or at the end of the interview
Do you have any reservations regarding my experience or character?
The company has been expanding the last couple of years, what impact has that had on this position?
What convinced you to work for this company?
Is the company planning or working towards achieving 9K, 14K or 18K, and what are the timescales?
Has the company had any prohibition / improvement notices served in the last 5 years?
During the last liability survey, did the insurance assessor express any concerns in their report, and what were they?
What is the current level of quality, HS&E training that employee’s receive?
Is there a risk assessment programme in place?
Is the company currently facing any liability claims?
What is the current accident / incident rate within the company?
Are these figures analysed for any particular trends?
What in your opinion is the main risk factor within the company?
What opportunities are there within the company for me to develop as an individual?
How does the company communicate HS&E information to its employees?
Why has the position become available?
What do you enjoy most about working for the company?
What are the companies’ plans for the next 3 – 5 years, and what impact is that likely to have on this role?
Please explain what you see as the critical elements of the role?
What input do the employees have in relation to H&S policies, are they consulted on H&S issues/matters?
Are departmental managers given HS&E objectives and targets to achieve, what are these and how are they measured?
Does the company operate a safety management system, and what model is it based on?
Does the company operate an environmental management system, and what model is it based on?
Has a gap analysis of the management system been carried out, when was this and what was the outcome?
If I was successful in securing this position, what would you expect me to achieve in the first 3, 6 and 12 months?
How often would my performance be reviewed, by whom and what would the outcome be if I achieved or failed to meet set objectives?
You are welcome to use, adjust etc the above if you feel they would be of use.
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Posted By Brian Rudge
Sharon,
almost certaainly the first question will be: What do you know about the company?
Ensure you have checked out their website, any publications etc. If necessary ring up their PR department and ask for publications. If it's a big company check out the annual report as there will usually be a report on H&S in that. Don't be afraid of asking for information before an interview, most employers will see it as a positive rather than a negative.
Favourite second question is: Tell us about yourself. This is the killer. Best approach is a 2 minute profile emphasising your experience relevant to the job, then say 'that's very brief, what areas would you like me to expand on?'
If it's a good company there will be a job description, if they have not supplied it, ask for it in advance. (you should have prepared your CV to reflect the JD.
Good luck
BR
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Posted By CW - No Post Nominals
"How do you cope with working in a male dominated environment?"
I hope that you reflected on this when you were doing the ironing that night or cooking your blokes supper?
As for the original poster,
the questions above are standard in most interviews, practice answering these and do not be afraid to ask questions while the interview is ongoing, it is not just about them checking out your suitability for the company, but you checking out the suitability of the company for you.
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Posted By Karen Todd
My actual answer was that it was a non-issue as I've spent the majority of my career in that environment and always been one of the boys. I went on to say that when I worked in a particular factory which was more 50/50 I actually found it odd, as I had to do new & expectant mothers risk assessments for the first time ever!
And I also said that when any new person starts, regardless if they're male or female, there will always be some people out to test them to see if they know their stuff and can handle themselves, which didn't worry me in the slightest - after all, in one of my previous jobs I was 2IC to the MD and he went off on a fortnight's hols, leaving me in sole charge of an engineering workshop and 25 men, and I never thought about ringing him once - I had it all under control!
Reminds me of another time when I had to cover for a buyer who was going on hols. Thought I managed really well (having never been a buyer). First thing I did was run an overdue orders report and tackle those, then look at what was due to be coming in and checked with all the suppliers that it definately would be. Result? No line stops, sorted out lots of issues (e.g. discovered we were on credit hold with various suppliers due to non-payment and got all that sorted out). When the buyer came back from holidays he said, "What on earth have you done? You've increased my stock by $1m!!! What have you ordered???" My reply? "I haven't ordered anything. I've brought in everything you should already have had here and saved your a**!".
Karen
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Posted By Sharon Drew
Hi All,
Thanks for your responses, gratefully received! Any more H&S specific questions you can think of??
Do the interviews ever feel like oral examinations where H&S questions are fired you to answer there and then. I guess that is my greatest fear!!
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Posted By Chinwe Okeke
Hi Sharon,
I'm new in my job and my interview was in 3 sections, 1 was on work/life experiences, another was on decision making, team working and general knowledge and the other was purely on h&s knowledge. I had all sorts of questions ranging from legislations, risk assessments, h&s scenerios & fire safety.
Some of the h&s questions included;
Enlightening them on the new corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide act 2007.
What is the six-pack regulation and what does it cover?
How often in your opinion should Fire risk assessments be reviewed?
What are the employers and employees duty under the hsawa etc 1974?
And Scenerios such as;
A maintenance man sent out to do repairs decides to do them at the back of his van parked on the side of the road,
List the possible hazards and what control measures would you put in place?
Just to give you an idea......Goodluck.
Cheers.
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Posted By Sharon Drew
Thank you Chinwe,
Thats exactly the information I was looking for. Good luck in your new job!
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Posted By Nadroj
Hi Sharon,
As a former classmate of yours, good to see you've completed the Diploma - nice one kiddo.
There's hope for me yet !!
Good luck job hunting
Tommy's mate
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Posted By Sharon Drew
Thanks to everyone for your help and advice. I just need to get the job now!!
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Posted By Fornhelper
Never be afraid to say 'I don't know'. I was once asked a question at an interview along the lines of 'What does Reg 15 of the Workplace Regs cover" (I kid you not!!)
I tried not to laugh out loud and just replied I don't know but if someone called me at the office and asked me I'd know exactly where to find the answer and explain it to them...
though must admit I was tempted to reply 'not sure but could you tell me what regulation 8 covers?'!!!
My response done me no harm and I was offered the post
Best of luck
FH
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