Posted By George Wedgwood
Perhaps you need to recognise what employers actually want - firstly, you might have been better posting this on the Careers Forum - if I as a possible recruiter, want someone, that's where I look first! Evaluate your skills and benefits for potential employers and seriously examine what you have trom offer that they would practically want - is it the ability to do risk assessment and come to readily acceptable conclusions as to the best control measures that fit with the business plan and economics? Do you simply want to be the works 'policeman' to use your H&S theoretical knowledge to show what should be stopped? Or have you the learned skills to be part of the business team that empowers its people, improves the bottom line and reports continuous improvement to the Board? A big challenge but I have found that few OSH practitioners actually think much about the business they want to go into - many don't even think about closely examining the company's website before interview!

The other aspect is your personality - how do you 'sell' it? Do you leap across the interview table with obvious enthusiasm for the role or are you another 'jobs worth' that knows all the regulations and what people should be trained in, but have few skills to be able to actually deliver it yourself? All of these points are very important to help you find the best employer that you can work with to become part of their team and not a 'show-stopping' officer that everyone fears! I hope some of this helps but if not, the best advice I can offer, is to pay up to see a recruitment consultant and see what can be done to 'shape' your approach to make you the best thing since sliced bread - it can be done! Regards, George