Wondered if others have come across these issues that really frustrate me: 1. Quote from one of the top 5 H&S employment agencies "... we see you have been MIOSH for 20 years & CFIOSH for 12+ years, but client wants NEBOSH Diploma, so we won't put you forward for the role ..." 2. Same employment agencies staff tell you "... we will be talking to the client this afternoon / tomorrow / next week etc. and will get back to you ..." - then NOTHING, not even a polite "Sorry, they've filled the position" or, "Sorry, you were not successful". The smaller companies tend to be far more polite and communicate much better.

When you have a NEBOSH Diploma, 40 years experience and are Chartered you then become over qualified, even if you are willing to work for the salary offered. I think over qualified means too old or the boss is scared you will expose their shortcomings

I'm more as Norfolkboy describes except only 6 years experience. I have been told sometimes I'm over qualified and sometimes under qualified, or experience is in a different sector. I'm still convinced that some advertised jobs do not actually exist. I think I would rather be in your position and look to get the Diploma, than trying to become Chartered while unemployed (please don't anyone say charity work -they don't want to know, unless you want to collect money for them). You can only keep on plugging away, until you get to actually talk to a prospective employer, where you can demonstrate your ability and usefulness. Best of luck with your endeavours.

mmmm.... Are we being unfair here tarring them all with the same brush...? Playing devil's advocate is it really the fault of the agency? They are getting paid to fil a position based on a strict criteria given to them by the client. Often they won't know the difference between NEBOSH, IOSH, CMIOSH etc., they are just getting paid to match apples with apples. This is probably why smaller agencies can be more effective as they may take the time to understand their target client and applicants more. For a larger agency with 1000's of C.V.'s all they will do is attempt to match the specification. In the examples mentioned is it not the fault of the client for giving an incorrect, or unfelxible specification, or even themselves not understanding OHS qualifications & professional body membership grades? From my own personal experience my current post was attained as the result of a vacancy managed very professionally and knowledgably by such a recruitment agency. Obviously I can't advertise on the site but if I could I'd love to reccomend them. Reminds me of an old joke, how does Bob Marely like his doughnuts...?! (winks) Ian

quote=Phillips20760] From my own personal experience my current post was attained as the result of a vacancy managed very professionally and knowledgably by such a recruitment agency. Obviously I can't advertise on the site but if I could I'd love to reccomend them. Reminds me of an old joke, how does Bob Marely like his doughnuts...?! (winks) Ian

You've also got to remember guys that the Client is driving the 'tick box wish list' and also more than likely responsible for the considerable delay in making any decision / announcements etc relating to appointments. You cannot tar all recruitment consultants etc with the same brush as I'm sure many out there strive to do a thorough and attentive job but are frustrated by the Client etc. Equally, by saying recruitment consultants etc are all out there to self serve and do as little as they can for the money is hypercritical when defending our professional services against the very same stigma. PS - Phillips, I don't get it?

Good point m. I have spoken to a few on the phone (2 this week) who promise to respond to you & yet no word/e-mail.

Sorry Phillips - been a long day!

As mentioned above I think the advice of speaking to an agency when sending them your CV is paramount. I would recommend ringing them first to discuss the role as you will gain an understanding of the role (if a specific role is what you are looking at) and can tailor your CV to show your strengths for this. I have dealt with the majority of what I believe to be the main agencies for HS&E positions and found them to be very professional. The one mentioned earlier (Bob Marley reference) is one I have recently dealt with and found to be excellent with keeping me informed. Remember they are probably inundated with CV's from people so you need to make an impression.

The application for the job I have just started was managed very well by a 'northern based recruitment group' ;-) But previous to this i had my CV on various sites and now I have I job I have the ardous task of getting rid of basically the spam they send me day in day out with the same old jobs which even though they indicate 'match my criteria' really they don't at all. On a nother note, my CV is bordered blue, my thinking behind that is these agencies sift through loads of black and white ones, a blue one may just get a second look. Maybe it worked maybe it didn't, who knows...but I got a new job, at a much better company, with a considerably better package.

Was looking for a car a few years back - "Large executive saloon, leather, toys please." Was shown a Rover 200, 6 months old, been round the world twice. "I'm sorry. What part of the specification did you not understand? Bye." Twenty odd years contracting and I agree with the earlier comments about not taking it personally. I did have two years out of work in the early 90s recession and used to get really annoyed at the lack of feedback. I doubt it has improved, I just got more used to it.