Posted By stacey
Next week I have an interview for an internal H&S vacancy. The vacancy is asking for an individual with knowledge of the site and its operations, NEBOSH Cert and working towards the Diploma.

My background is as follows:
I currently work for a large manufacturing company and have been a member of the Environment Dept for 11 years.

My background is environment overlapping with H&S. I have detailed knowledge of waste management, industrial hygiene and noise monitoring including the provision of advice/corrective actions required to prevent ill-health and or claims.

In the last three years I have expanded the H&S side of my role. I am the depts H&S Rep,involved in H&S inspections, audits, accident investigation and provide advice on training needs etc.

During the last two years I have involved myself in site H&S issues such as audits, inspections and training. I have written numerous H&S procedures to cover activities undertaken on our site plus two other of our sites(one in the UK and one in Europe).

Last year I contacted one of our customers and managed to seek a H&S secondment.This has helped to broaden my H&S experience some what further.

During 2006, I successfully completed my NEBOSH Certificate and I am currently undertaking the Diploma (just passed Unit A exam and assignment).

Despite the above my boss (whom is on the interview panel) has strongly indicated that I will not get the position on offer.

Having worked for the company for such a long time I am struggling to escape from the box I have already been put in. Does anyone have any advice or tips on how to play the interview?. I just want to give a fantastic interview, that way I can walk away knowing there is nothing else I can do or could have done, no matter what the outcome is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted By Darren J Fraser
First of all may I wish you good luck with your interview.

Be yourself.

Your boss is just one of the panel, therefore you need to give the rest of the panel all the information that you can.
Is your current boss worried about losing you or are they the sort of person that jokes in these matters?

If you can, see if you can find out what they are looking for, would you still report to your current boss, or would it be someone else (and will they be on the panel)?

Will you be part of a team?

What happens in a normal day?

What will your duties consist of, especially as they have asked for both the cert and working towards the diploma?

Would you 'new' boss be willing to mentor you (if they are qualified to diploma or above)?

all of this info can help you formulate questions to ask the panel.

Have you examples or a portfolio you can take in with you to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the position?

I always look at an interview as a two way process, they are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing them, therefore you need to gather as much info from them as possible. Do not be afraid to ask difficult questions, you need to make an informed decision.

Once again good luck, you sound more than qualified for the position, and if it was me I would seriously consider hiring you.

Posted By stacey
Thank you for your kind words. The interview is tomorrow at 3:00pm.

I'll give it my best shot and will have to hope luck is on my side.
Regards

Posted By John Tidyman
Congratulations on the job, only just seen this post but I would have just echoed what the others said.

Good luck for the future and well done.

John