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To all of those still looking for work! Any good news stories?
Rank: Forum user 
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Hi All
I was just wondering how everyone is getting on with their job search. Are there any good news stories to cheer up those of us who are still searching?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Jobs are available, I've got a good news story as have just accepted a new role, but roles are not always advertised through the usual routes (i.e. advert in a magazine / online jobs site).
PM if you'd like any advice, though I'm sure none of what I’ve done is ground breaking! I still maintain getting an interview is more luck than judgment (to a degree), acing the interview however is another kettle of fish :-)
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Rank: Forum user
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Jake wrote:Jobs are available, I've got a good news story as have just accepted a new role, but roles are not always advertised through the usual routes (i.e. advert in a magazine / online jobs site).
PM if you'd like any advice, though I'm sure none of what I’ve done is ground breaking! I still maintain getting an interview is more luck than judgment (to a degree), acing the interview however is another kettle of fish :-) Good on you Jake. :-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Just got offered a job interview for an entry level position (exactly what I need) and I found out at the IOSH branch meeting yesterday that I have 9 other candidates to overcome!
I live in Bristol, this is only my second job interview in 7 months and I'm unemployed but not claiming.
I received a form to fill out along with the interview date on the 19th Feb. from the company and I thought to keep it safe, so I left it by my home computer. During the night, my little pussy-cat took exception to the paperwork and was promptly sick over it! Yuk what a mess.
I thought I better send off another email to the company requesting a duplicate, fortunately it will be posted. I've told my cat to keep away from it. 'Simon's Cat' has nothing on mine! (Google it).
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I have not had an interview in over a year until today ! And only two miles from where I live.
Not quite what I want as It is only for 1 year max and may be 6 months as it is via an agency. Still I will take great delight in telling the job centre where to go (politely).
Kim, sign on if you are allowed, I didn't when I should have, put pride aside money quickly runs out. I had paid my taxes for 26 years and it still did not seem right, but still you should. Job hunting when you are cold and hungry will not help.
There was a temp job in Bristol via an agency (I can never work out if I can say the name, but has EE in it). It's Still being advertised ! But I think it is only a few months.
Good luck all
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Rank: Forum user
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Well done Kim. Good luck with the interview.
Oh, and I know all about Simon's cat. LOL, those little videos crack me up.
Hey Chris, that's excellent news. Really really chuffed for you. If the job is for a short term contract, don't despair, just keep looking whilst you're there..
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Rank: Super forum user
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My brother sent me this:
Can I try and put a smile on your face………………..
IMPOSSIBILITIES IN THE WORLD
1) You can't count your hair.
2) You can't wash your eyes with soap.
3) You can't breathe when your tongue is out.
Put your tongue back in your mouth, you silly person.
Ten (10) Things I know about you.
1) You are reading this.
2) You are human.
3) You can't say the letter ''P'' without separating your lips.
4) You just attempted to do it.
6) You are laughing at yourself.
7) You have a smile on your face and you skipped No. 5.
8) You just checked to see if there is a No. 5.
9) You laugh at this because you are a fun loving person and everyone does it too.
10) You are probably going to send this to see who else falls for it.
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Rank: New forum user
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Kim
What is going to be your strategy for your interview.
If it was me I would answer direct as possible without waffling been there and done it
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Good for you Chris, I started on a temp role - only to be offered a perm role closer to home!!!
Hope all goes well.
Stu
Good luck Kim, keep us posted.
Stu
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Rank: Super forum user
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Kim - I wondered if you had a camera on me when I put my tongue out, and attempted to say "p" lol.
Good luck
David
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Rank: Super forum user
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quote=stuie]Good for you Chris, I started on a temp role - only to be offered a perm role closer to home!!!
Hope all goes well.
Stu
Good luck Kim, keep us posted.
Stu Thanks Yes it will be good experience in a different industry sector if I get it. I was one of three interviewed so even if I don't get it, it is still a positive experience. I had become very disheartened and unlike a lot I see post on here, I do not have any specific trade to fall back to. I find out in the next few days.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks
Yes it will be good experience in a different industry sector if I get it. I was one of three interviewed so even if I don't get it, it is still a positive experience. I had become very disheartened and unlike a lot I see post on here, I do not have any specific trade to fall back to.
I find out in the next few days.
Have you heard anything yet Chris?
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Rank: Super forum user
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No
They said they would let everyone know one way or another middle of last week. But we all know it only takes one person who needs to agree to be on holiday or a business trip to alter plans. It was half term last week.
That said, they may have reported back to the agency that have not bothered to contact anyone other than the successful person. I will wait another week and then contact the company direct if I have not heard anything.
How is your job search going, you seem to have been looking for some time as well. Are you employed currently and looking to move or unemployed and looking?
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Rank: Forum user
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chris42 wrote:No
They said they would let everyone know one way or another middle of last week. But we all know it only takes one person who needs to agree to be on holiday or a business trip to alter plans. It was half term last week.
That said, they may have reported back to the agency that have not bothered to contact anyone other than the successful person. I will wait another week and then contact the company direct if I have not heard anything.
How is your job search going, you seem to have been looking for some time as well. Are you employed currently and looking to move or unemployed and looking?
I'm hoping you'll have a successful outcome. :-) No, still looking.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Hi
I’ve been involved in health and safety for over 10 years now. 12 months ago I decided to look for a better position in a health and safety role. I applied for over 20 jobs, got 7 interviews and finally after 12 months of searching I managed to get a job offer, which I accepted.
The moral of this story is “don’t give up”. The health and safety job market is a difficult one at the moment especially for those just entering the profession.
I applied for jobs all over the UK and the one I finally got is just around the corner from where I live.
Good luck with your search and sometimes a little luck is what you need along with perseverance and being in the right place at the right time.
Start my new job next week.
Steve W
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Rank: Forum user
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Nice one Steve! :-)
I think I'm either underexperienced or overqualified. In the past month, I've applied for 8 jobs. It's weird in this area, they'll be months where there are no positions going, then they'll be loads of them.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Well done Steve, good to hear success stories.
Nikki, Yes I have found the same thing, though I would not use the term loads (several - possibly).
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Rank: Super forum user
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Regarding the Entry Level Job for a H & S Adviser - in a letter received on Friday it said .....we regret to inform you.......
No, I didn't get the job, I didn't even get to the 2nd interview.
What I did hate was a 15 minute psychological test prior to the interview for reasoning of words and numbers (I hate numbers being slightly dyslexic so I guessed, as I couldn't see any patterns and moved onto the questions I could answer).
There was only one technical question during the interview, which I'm sure I answered correctly.
Not sure why they didn't like me, am I too old? (53). The letter didn't give much away.
I applied for another job on the job boards yesterday - that might have been connected to EE not sure, they didn't give any details.
In the meantime, I have a Construction Certificate to look forward to in March, if I can pass that, maybe I can get something (says he with 6 other nebosh certificates in safety already).
I'm slightly depressed.
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Rank: Forum user
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As an earlier post suggested jobs are available and out there and it maybe can be down to luck a little as well. I returned to the UK last June straight into work (7 interviews offered, took 3 offered two positions), I was contracting down South and left that into another position.
I am enjoying my current position and have achieved a big cultural shift but on Thursday I leave and on Saturday I fly out to Dubai to take up a Senior position in a global organisation. (I am replacing my old boss from a previous company I worked with him at - that post is down to luck).
My concern though is a lot of ex military are coming out of the forces and training in Health and Safety, the majority with a pension that allows them to look at the market and accept a lower price. The ones I have met with exception to not having loads of experience seem to know their stuff and I think that makes it harder. Market is oversaturated I think but the signs are picking back up I think.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I did both regular and TA for 18 years (and saw no action) alongside other jobs - none in safety. I went to Iraq as a civilian contractor 4 years ago and got blown up several times from IEDs - no injuries, it was only then that my mind was focused into looking for a safer job and I realised health and safety as a job was what I should have been doing for years previously - doh.
In the meantime, I'm unemployed and looking for work in Bristol.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Your just showing off now, saying you got a letter back saying no thank you.
The rest of us have to put up with silence.
PS the Agency with EE in it - the job had something to do with Heat exchangers
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Rank: Forum user
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Bad luck Kim. Onwards and upwards.
Chris, if they only interviewed 3 of you and you've not heard anything back yet, that tells me that they're being rather arrogant. You must be chomping at the bit to know what's happened. If it was me, I would ring them as I'd want to know, good or bad.
Fingers still crossed for you though.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Nikki
Yes I was eager to know to say the least, so I had sent an email asking. I have just now got a response. They apologised and said they thought the agency would let me know (yer right) that I was not successful. I also asked for feedback, they said I had done nothing wrong in the interview just one of the other candidates experience was a slightly better match to their business.
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Rank: Forum user
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Chris42 wrote:Nikki
Yes I was eager to know to say the least, so I had sent an email asking. I have just now got a response. They apologised and said they thought the agency would let me know (yer right) that I was not successful. I also asked for feedback, they said I had done nothing wrong in the interview just one of the other candidates experience was a slightly better match to their business. I'm really sorry to hear that Chris. :-( I was genuinely hoping that this would be the one.
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Rank: Forum user
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One thing to consider as well is that the rejection may be from a HR person unsure of H&S.
I was involved in vetting my replacement and the intiial interviews, 2 come forward and I recommended neither (and provided constructive feedback against the job spec for the vacancy). HR hired one, he came, he saw the challenge and what ahs already been achieved, he went on the sick and never came back (all within 3 days!!).
I have now been excluded from being involved in the interview process and I know the two people interviewing do not understand health and safety, two very strong candidates came ( I done some background checking and found good references from other colleagues) but HR now are deciding to further test the market.
So I know it doesn't make not getting a job any better but do not take it always as personal criticism as sometimes people do not know what they need. I am the prime example I applied directly for the role I am leaving and HR rejected me, they went to an agency and the agency put me forward pointing out they rejected me and I got the job. Sometimes companies need a shove in the right direction.
I suppose what I am saying in a long winded post is don't give up and don't stop believing!
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Rank: Super forum user
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The HR Manager was the one to respond and was present at the interview, but the main person at interview was the works manager, who seemed to know some H&S. There was a point where he made a comment about a minor cut to an employees hand, that resulted in lost time. He seemed to be blaming the employee (talk of sacking him, if he had been there), for continuing to put his hand in “oil” which resulted in infection. I think the operative should have been wearing gloves regardless of the cut, so perhaps lack of management was the real issue. Hard to say without knowing more.
Of course not giving up is key, but I now have to accept any job I can get (which also seems impossible). The support on this forum is good, but I may have to get rid of my internet access over the next couple of months, so if I disappear from the site you know why ( I heard that cheer from the back).
You never know success may be just around the corner for everyone.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Quote "One thing to consider as well is that the rejection may be from a HR person unsure of H&S."
Most unlikely that would be a cause; more likely concerns about 'people issues' being too significant to balance out the H&S skills.
Chris, one of the more common approaches to teasing out candidates abilities is to have scenarios about issues in an area that they want to improve. Sometimes it is a scenario, sometimes a selected manager and sometimes just a ruse.
Not everyone at the interview is telling the truth ;-)
Keep plugging, the jobs must be out there somewhere
p48
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Rank: Super forum user
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Pete48
Yes I wondered about it during the interview, and responded that I would have looked at the root cause of the issue, to find out why it happened. They were not really looking for an answer as it was mentioned during a long monologue by the Works Manager ( and no pause for me to interrupt) I had to bring my response up at the end of the monologue.
Love the comment on telling the truth! It makes you wonder if anyone tells the truth anymore from sales people, politicians, papers, TV, Job agencies (sorry could not resist), Job Centre, Work programme, everyone seems to be trying it on. The notable exceptions are the fine people who frequent this forum.
Come on Nikki and Kim good news from you?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sorry to hear that Chris42 - I am sure you will get something even better and very soon.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Im at the other end of the spectrum- Ive worked for the NHS for 36 years of which the last 14 was in a H&S role/and something else etc
I leave tommorow and Im absolutely terrified- Ive never signed on in my life- The positive is I live in Aberdeen which has good opportunities for work but Im still terrified and will need alot of thinking about applying for jobs CV interviews etc. Good luck to all!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sorry to hear that Steve.
This is only the second time I have signed on in my life and what an experience. When you phone you will be expected to answer questions for about 40 minutes so be prepared, I was not. They ask everything about your life including finances, mortgage info etc. So have all info you can to hand.
It goes downhill from there. If you are being made redundant, you should be able to claim money for training. I think it is £1.5k, but only available for 6 months ( guess when I was told- yes 9 months).
I was also asked what benefit I wanted to claim for, I sort of thought they would advise / tell me!
Be prepared to be amazed and bewildered by the experience.
Get a job quickly before, they get to you (any job)
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Rank: Forum user
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chris42 wrote:Pete48
Yes I wondered about it during the interview, and responded that I would have looked at the root cause of the issue, to find out why it happened. They were not really looking for an answer as it was mentioned during a long monologue by the Works Manager ( and no pause for me to interrupt) I had to bring my response up at the end of the monologue.
Love the comment on telling the truth! It makes you wonder if anyone tells the truth anymore from sales people, politicians, papers, TV, Job agencies (sorry could not resist), Job Centre, Work programme, everyone seems to be trying it on. The notable exceptions are the fine people who frequent this forum.
Come on Nikki and Kim good news from you?
No, afraid not. I just had another rejection. C'est la vie.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Afraid more bad news on the look out for another job got 3 weeks to find one.
Been in the EWI sector for the last 9 months loved it, great experience unfortunately work has dried up. Not to confident with some of the reports on here.
On the bright side if there is any got an interview next week for a housing association dealing with vulnerable people I think I would be very fortunate to get that role as I am from construction any thoughts or pointers
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Rank: Super forum user
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Housing association=link to property maintenance=link to construction sector experience?
Might be worth doing some research into safeguarding of vulnerable groups; focus on getting feel for what it actually means and how it works. What impact might it have on your work with them. That sort of thing. Don't assume it has any significance, it may not.
Matching candidates perfectly to a job is like looking for rocking horse droppings so it might help if you have an assessment of any potential gaps that they might need to fill if you are successful. Then you can discuss them positively if it comes up. It can help to secure that last little attraction
Otherwise my guess is that it is your experience in construction that has attracted them alongside the rest of your profile.
Good luck
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks Pete48
When I sent my CV to the agency I thought I had no chance, then they invited me in for a chat and told me there were flexible and were looking outside the care sector. I think the thing that helped me I am in the social housing sector where the biggest risk is the protection of the public.
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Rank: New forum user
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Hey,
I am currently an HSE Advisor but i am looking to get International Exposure in HSE. Job searching is a bit hard and then you come up with Fraud Companies so you have to carefull...
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Rank: Super forum user
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Another one bites the dust
Lost out in my interview feedback I got was they really liked me, gave a great interview, interacted very well, answered questions well, came across well but not good enough I fell a bit doen just now.
Want went against me I found out I never had a broad enough health and safety experience as I am in construction and it was for the care sector.
I am in the middle of doing my diploma just now I am at the stage is it really worth my while as the mount of time and resources I have sacrifced and feel I am not getting where I want to be and it is so frustrating work with a principal contractor for the last 9 months but stiil to no avail and only have a couple of weeks to find a new job.
What do you need to do even if you have a great interview can anyone advice me.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Well that's all good feedback and should give you confidence for future interviews.
You might feel down now, but there are plenty of positives to draw from it and you just have to be resilient and keep trying. Being good at interviews puts you in a very good position.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The same issues I had recently. On the bright side your CV was good enough to get you to interview, your interview was good. However someone else on the day had experience that matched their requirements (in their mind) better than yours. This is not surprising when you consider you are moving to a different industry and there are so many people looking for work.
Completing your diploma will not change your experience, but will help your cause. You will also gain confidence once you pass, which can only help in interviews.
As I said I'm in a similar position and all you can do is research prior to the interview (or in an area you are looking to move into), to know the main issues faced in that industry.
Keep looking and applying, the person who beat you to the post last time is now not your competition anymore.
Good luck
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Rank: Forum user
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for all those looking for work in health and safety try looking up mark foster on linkedin
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