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Posted By Kerry
I am due to start NEBOSH general certificate soon. I'm funding this myself with a view to changing careers from general admin to health and safety.
Basically I'm beginning to get the jitters, will I be able to find the job for me, having this certificate but no experience.
Can anyone offer any pearls of wisdom, do you think I'm doing the right thing, where should I look for jobs that will offer further training and allow me to gain the experience I need?
I think I just need someone to calm my nerves and reassure my wallet that it WILL be worth the expense!
sorry for rambling
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Posted By wesley james mason Go for it, I am sure that you will get a job. We are looking for someone at your level right now Wesley wesley.sarah@tribalgroup.co.uk
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Posted By ITK
Very difficult getting a job without any experience. Search the forums for lots of threads on this very topic.
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Posted By Kerry
I've been reading the various threads and to be honest it concerned me even more that people with experience were having trouble finding jobs!
My lack of experience is cause for concern but it seems that everyone these days wants to employ a 20 year old with 40 years experience! Luckily for me, I AM qualified and experienced in Administration so hopefully I can get in somewhere and work up to where I want to be! (please let me know if I am deluding myself here)
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Posted By gham
Kerry
Don't let the other posts put you off, persistence will prevail. You often hear all the moans and groans, what they don't do is update after they get the job!
I started where you are and now fully qualified and buy taking on board H&S responsibilities on the way got the experience over the last 5 year (it only took 3 years to get qualified).
I am now looking at the next stage in my career development, posibly law and arbitration (or english literture, try and sort out my spelling and grammar) which is just one route to go down there are many others.
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
First of all, good luck with your course and I hope you enjoy it, do not be put off by anything, I found that lots of study helped me.
Secondly, regarding experience, have you got a H&S department / person where you work, if so ask them if you could help out in any way, e.g risk assessment, accident investigations (hopefully not many) as an administrator I am sure that they would be only too pleased to have your help, however ensure that they understand that you wish to gain practical experience not just do the paperwork, become a memeber of the H&S committee if possible, latch onto workplace safety tours/inspections.
If the company you work for does not have a H&S department / person (because they employ less than 5 or it is contracted out), would they be willing to include within your role, so that you can gain experience.
If that is not an option, you might like to consider contacting your local H&S office (this information should be displayed on the Health and Safety Law poster) and asking if they would allow to shadow one of their inspectors for a week or two (if you have holiday owing or looking for a vacancy, provided this option is open) again this would give you an insight from an inspectors viewpoint.
Pass the certificate, and apply to IOSH and/or IIRSM at the relevant membership level and start CPD, attend branch meetings.
Have you given any thought to the industry that you wish to move into, what further training could you do to enable this, what have you to offer.
Hope this have given you some ideas, and once again, good luck for the future - exams and beyond.
Regards
Daz
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Posted By AJM
Hi Kerry,
I am one of the people who you refer too, I put a thread in the other day asking for an opportunity to ply my trade.
Dont for one minute be put of by that. Its not that jobs are not about its just the right one is not at the moment. We all started like you. There is a lot of admin/health and safety positions in fact we could all do with someone like that lol.
Another thing i would consider if i was you would be trying to get grants etc. I mean I already have NVQ4 but found some grants available for further training especially if you are funding it yourself. Have a look round but never ever get dispondant this is a great ,very rewarding trade to be in, but you have to be tenacious.
Keep up the good work and good luck, any advice dont hesitate to ask.
Alan
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Posted By ITK
Kerry, despite what others may think I am not trying to put you off, indeed I was a manual worker when I did the certificate, (I am now Chartered MIOSH in full time H&S employment).
There are hundreds of certificate holders looking for that first break and it doesnt take a genius to work out that someone with experience will invariably get the job over someone who doesn't.
If you want it badly enough you will get there but dont let anyone kid you its easy.
If you want to chat further let me know.
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Posted By Kerry
This thread should have really been entitled "I need Reassurance", As I am doing this of my own bat, I am just a little nervous about whether I am going about it the right way!
I've spent 14 years gaining the experience in Administration (although where they went I do not know!) its nervewracking when I think about basically starting over in a new career, I am going to try to utilise everyones advice (you are a helpful bunch, aren't you?) please wish me luck and in a few months I will be posting to celebrate my successful completion of the course and starting my new job! (I'm an optimist!)
Thank you all for your kind words.
Kerry
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Posted By steve_r
Hi Kerry,
You're not deluding yourself, everyone started out being inexperienced, and their are jobs out there - but why should they employ you?
You need to be able to sell yourself to potential employers. You are experienced in administration, but what does that mean - teamworking; working to deadlines; being proactive; using own initiative; time management; communicating with people; etc, etc, etc.
When you're ready advertise yourself on this site, but remember to put where you want to work, and be realistic about how much you're likely to earn.
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Posted By Suey
Hi Kerry,
Nothing in life is impossible if you are committed to this you will achieve.
I was in your position 8 years ago at the time I was in a management position that involved some health and safety responsibility but wanted to move into a full time role. I self funded NEBOSH Cert and asked my employer if I could get involved in the development of health and safety within the company.
My employer ( after I proved my worth) then paid for me to do NEBOSH Diploma and with lots of hard study (really hard!), and determination I am now in a full time health and safety role and considering doing MSc next year.
It can be done if you want it badly enough!
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