I have a question I have been unemployed for the last six months, applied for loads of EHS positions ranging from H&S officer to EHS Manager I have had four interviews with no success. One feedback was, I was too much of a risk (Too enthusiastic) and one other didn’t have experience in food manufacturing sector, so why select me for an interview knowing I had no experience with food. Self omission I haven’t got much experience with interviews but I believe I get by, never really needed too. My background I have worked for a global organisation for the last 20 yrs, currently the biggest rolled products company in the world. 5 yrs as a EHS Coordinator , does this frighten potential employers off or not. Qualifications and courses attended Grand IOSH Member, NVQ Level 4 Occupational Health and Safety Practices, ILM level 3 and NVQ Level 3 Management.NVQ L 2 Metals Processing and Allied Operations, NVQ L 2 Engineering Manufacturing. City & Guilds Gas Ignition Systems, BSI ISO: 14001, Internal Auditor.BSI OHSAS: 18001, Internal Auditor. BSI ISO: 9001, Internal Auditor.BSI Stage 2 Advanced Auditing Skills. BSI Auditing and Approaching Top Management e-learning CIEH Professional Training Certificate. Presentation Skills Using Microsoft Power Point. Microsoft Excel Introduction/Accelerated. Microsoft Excel Advanced. Microsoft Word. Priority Management. EHS Frontline Leadership. IOSH Working Safely. Health & Safety Awareness COSHH. Open Circuit Breathing Apparatus. Working at Height. Tower Scaffolding. Step Ladders. Confined Space Entry. Accident Investigation Advanced. Near Miss/ Hazard Reporting. Levels 1&2 Safety Representatives Course. Manual Handling. Elsa Set Trained. Fire Extinguisher Trained. All Mobile Equipment FLT/Cab/Pendant/Tug/MEWP. Bullying and Harassment. So the question is what I’m I doing wrong? Or that’s just the way things are?

Hi Jack I was made redundant as a result of plant closure; I took the time out to renovate my house, but at but at the same time looking for potential employment. You are right to question (too enthusiastic) as I did, I don’t see any problem with being enthusiastic. It was wrapped around corporate level, peers would not support the level of safety as I would drive it; basically it was not a business need. I don’t mean they didn’t take safety serious, but not to the level I would want to take it. You are probably right, trying too hard. But at the same time the organisation I worked for were very committed to safety. For many off years one of my objectives was zero accidents which I’m sure other companies have the same objective. I wear a suit clean shaven very smart appearance (professional). perhaps I need to change my aftershave. Thanks for the advice Sean.B

Hi I have been involved in interviewing so I thought that it might help if I shared what I look for when I'm interviewing I am keen to see that candidates have done their research on the company and tailor their CV accordingly - sometimes you can over sell yourself with putting all your qualifications and experiences so it makes the interviewers think that you may get bored with the job that is on offer. Depending what job you are going for, it might be worth reducing some of the training you have listed perhaps put IT training instead of listing every package, I have sat on interviews where the individual talks about their previous company and use "we" alot - talk about your experiences not what your previous team did. I always look for a good handsahake and plenty of eye contact. If you are not successful, ask the interviewers for feedback, if they are professional they will provide you with constructive feedback. Hope this helps, good luck

Hi Sean, I have to second the idea that if you've managed four interviews you're doing something right, and it's probably just a matter of time before you get your berth. On the enthusiasm front, that makes me consider the idea that an interview is (or can be) a two-way thing; you're checking them out as much as they are evaluating you, and by the sounds of things that wouldn't have been the place for you anyway; would you have wanted to work with your head constantly bouncing off brick walls? I have interviewed people twice in the last three years, as we have had a team expansion, and we now have to replace a member who is leaving for warmer climes, so I'm interviewing again next week. One thing I have to say, even though it's not directly relevant to interview, is that if an employer asks for particular experience, in the current employers market they almost certainly mean it. We had over fifty applicants, of which fewer than 10 have relevant experience. OK, it may be worth chancing it, but the odds right now aren't good, and no matter how much people say 'safety is safety', in my opinion that isn't necessarily true. I know very little about shoring up excavations, how many people on this forum know about the risks associated with clinical beds? Now if we were still in a period of full employment I might be prepared to chance it, but right now I can pick candidates who, I feel, would drop right in. I might be wrong, there's still an interview to go through, but on paper I can shortlist people who fit the spec entirely. At interview I certainly don't look for a 'firm handshake'; this isn't the masons, and I couldn't care less about grip strength. I look for enthusiasm, a positive approach to the interview, knowledge of the subject and evidence that the interviewee has taken time to prepare; that they know somthing about this organisation and the work it does, and that they have considered the presentation topic in some depth and taken time to research it. After all, what's on offer is a long-term commitment, so I expect a commensurate degree of preparation, John