Rank: New forum user 
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Hi,
I have been involved in health and safety since the early nineties, as a h&s shop steward. I attained an IOSH managing safely cert in 1992 and my nebosh cert in 2010. I have a lot of experience but apart from getting a temp position for 3 months as an administrator, I cannot get any work. Its seems that as soon as employers hear of my union background-they dont want to know! I do not have a diploma (yet) but I am of the opinion that not enough employers are interested in someone who has the experience but not the diploma! Although I have a degree in the university of life!!! any advice?
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Rank: Super forum user
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where possible drop your union history
many may think that this is not good advice but I can assure U, after ~50 years in work in almost all sectors, that it is and in my experience employers want certain things of their employees and most cannot see past the initial comment and do not realise that this area can be valuable to both them and a H&S bod
best of luck
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Rank: New forum user
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Rank: Forum user 
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Hi
I think that a combination of qualifications and experience is the key factor in applying for H&S positions. There lies the catch 22 scenario, it can be quite difficult to get a position just with one of these two factors.
With regard to the union issue; one of my colleagues didn't get a job that he recently applied for because he had no experience in working in a union based company.
My advise would be to have a serious think about the position you would like to get, then plan your route accordingly.
If you are not employed in a H&S role at the moment you may want to investigate what qualifications you may need and how much that would cost you. Then you need to try to gain some experience, that in itself can be difficult. I have had people working in my H&S department without pay just to get that experience.
Good luck
Steve w
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Rank: Forum user
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Dinkey66, reading between the lines it appears that it is your CV and not you that is failing. Most interviews are competency based and your CV is the catalyst for that interview. List your skills, experience and working knowledge, job titles are subjective. Qualifications are important but can be misleading (I have worked with 5 CMISOH professionals who couldn't do a decent risk assessment). Don't be afraid to apply for roles with qualifications above your current level. I recommend that you have your CV professional tailored. I had a very good, factual CV but was not getting interviews (after being made redundant). I spent £60 earlier this year having it rewritten. All the content was still true but it read like a different individual. I was also advsied to get a LinkedIn account which I also restarted. Within 2 months I was offered and excellent 3 month postion (I am still there now, but in a full time role) and I still get serious weekly interview offers, even though I am not looking. If you want any help, give me a mail. wigraham7@gmail.com
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