Posted By rsellars 3 years of trying to get my first role in h+s and I'm still trying. I've got a lot of experience in warehousing, especially cold stores. But because I haven't got the diploma I never seem to be suitably qualified. The amount of warehousing in the East Midlands you would think there would be plenty of work. So has anyone got any ideas of how to get your foot in the door?? I'm beginning to think the money spent on the certificate was a big waste. Robert Sellars

Posted By Faz Siraj Hi Robert, I am in a similar situation to you, but I have only been looking for 8 weeks, Since passing my NGC with a Distinction. I do have about 8 years H&S experience as part of my previous jobs. In those 8 weeks I have looked at the reasons WHY I have not get Were I want to be. I have to be pro active in my approach, and plan what I need to do to improve. The employment market is suffering in line with the economical climate, so, less jobs more applicant. You have to be honest and ask yourself the same question. Is your CV good, can you improve it? I put a post On the careers section for help with my CV. The response has been great. I have had excellent feedback from H&S professionals, Very constructive criticism. My Cv was weak, it is now greatly improved. I am still working on it. Could you have done more training in those three years? I am booking myself on courses to improve myself, and make me more appealing.These are IEMA associate certificate. Auditing course for ISO 9001,14001 and OHSAS 18001. Excel,PowerPoint(you may be asked to do a presentation at interview) and Access courses can be had for FREE.etc I also want to do my Diploma. I have looked into getting finance to do more courses. All this will bolster your CV Are you active enough? I am going to go to my regional meetings to network,meet fellow IOSH members and learn. I have contacted just about every H&S recruitment agency. Keep in touch with them. I have emailed the council, and local companies to get experience and learn without pay. I continue to read H&S books to broaden my knowledge. There is a lot more too.I am always looking for active ways into that H&S job. You may have done all the above already? Don't get disheartened. when you feel your starting to stall,do something to fire you up. even if its just a visit to your local careers office for training advice. I am confident the chances will come if we continue to make the effort. Hope this has helped. Kind regards Faz

Posted By rsellars I've never held a h+s post I was a team leader in a cold store in my previous role. I asked to be more involved in h+s and attended h+s meetings but quickly realised they were just a sham and my request was being ignored so I went about making sure that I made everyone I worked with knew that I would not breach h+s "to get the job done" and I have also made the lads on the bays more h+s aware. I have also reprimanded my peers when they have seriously breached h+s. I cannot afford to pay for any more courses or attend branch meetings. My previous role as team leader was re-titled as section manager and I was made redundant at the time I was in the middle of the fire risk assessment and management course but due to the redundancy situation distracting me I failed it and cannot afford the resit at the moment. As much as I enjoy h+s I cannot see the point of banging my head on a brick wall as I have done for the past 2/3 years

Posted By Carol East Kent I am in agreement with the others responses, my CV was weak, I would recommend visiting http://www.cvcl.co.uk/ref/22294 for a professional CV writing service. I am more than impressed with my new revised CV Carol