Vilozor As much research on the employer as you can do including checking out their corporate social responsibility web pages (etc). Do you have any idea as to why the position has come up? HSE prosecutions, notices? Google searches e.g. name accident name safety What can you find about the interviewers - may help you understand company and individual cultures - zero instead of "SMART" targets for accident reduction etc etc Good luck.

I always think that it is really important to remember when going for an interview that the interviewers don't know anything about you. All they have to go on is that application form or C.V in front of them. You should go into sufficient details about your previous experiences and what you can do etc............your skills and abilities. If you have written something down on paper that you have done - you really need to explain to them how etc. Make sure you go into enough detail - remember they don't know you and some of the panel may have limited knowledge about H&S so you really have to break things down and explain them. Always take your time - they will stop you if they do not need to hear anymore or need to speed it up. Think of one weakness and turn it into a positive. Think of challenges that you have overcome and how. Think of how you have dealt with difficult people in the past or implemented policy in a tough environment. If they ask you if you have done something that you haven't done be honest and say no but think of something similar or a similar circumstance and how you have done it coped etc. Just some pointers but would reflect things I am always asked in interviews and how I would approach it.

Hi Vilizor Congratulations on gaining an interview. There are articles by James Pomeroy in the Jan and Feb issues of SHP which are worth a look. As others have mentioned:- 1. Research the company - annual reports, key personnel, any initiatives or key successes 2. If you have a copy of the job/person specification ensure you have examples to support their requirements 3.Think about what you can bring to the company why do you fit the role 4. Have examples of successes e.g. training, reduced accidents, inspections/audits, training, awards 5. How do you get the safety message across at all levels 6. Examples of problem solving 7. Make sure you have a few questions to ask as well e.g. future plans, training etc as its your opportunity to find out if it is the sort of company you want to work for 8. If you google toughest or difficult interview questions this will give you suggestions for general type questions It would help if we knew what sector the job was in to be able to give ideas on specific topics. Best of luck Sonia

Interview Preparation • Research the company website. They will require you to answer questions on what the company does and general company information. • General commercial knowledge and why you want to do this job. Familiarise yourself with the job description. • Prepare a brief description on yourself. Sometimes interviewers say “tell me about yourself”. You need to include your qualifications, any work experience, your interest in surveying, your interests and your strengths. • What your interests are outside of work. • What your main strengths are. You must sell yourself! • What your plans are for your career, long term. • Why you would like to work for this company. • Your experience of building a team / business • What excites /motivates you in a work environment? • What is your weakness? • Examples of leading a team. What is your management style? • Developing business / clients and key achievements relating to this. • Examples of when you dealt with a challenging situation. • Questions you have prepared for the end of the interview. (Make sure you write these down on a note pad) Make sure you are well presented and take a note pad and pen to write notes during the meeting. Also, make sure you give a strong handshake, smile and be enthusiastic. You need to sound really passionate about the job and their company when you are presenting yourself.

I would also try to include any examples of keeping both the employees and the employer in mind from a business point of view - pragmatic thinking which reduces the risk to a reasonable level but doesn't bankrupt the company, especially at the moment. Try to demonstrate how you add value, not just from an H&S point of view. For example, you spot a manual handling task which is high risk and you suggest a piece of equipment to replace the current practice - this piece of machinery can also be used on other sites, by different departments, speeds up the process AND can be hired along with other equipment at a fraction of the usual cost because you already use the company...made up example but I've had similar instances (all of which flee from memory as I write this!) Good luck!