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Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

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mryounghanga
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Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by mryounghanga »

Hi all,

I'm looking for a bit of friendly advice off basically anyone who can help. I've recently passed my General Certificate and I'm looking at applying for various positions within the industry however, employers are asking for experienced personnel. Now here's my question, how do you get experience if no one will take a chance. I'm literally pulling my hair out and beginning to think all managers up and down the country were just born experienced!!!!! and I've wasted my money..... .scratch frustrated
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by Maz0906 »

You will need to look at support and junior roles where the certificate is a minimum requirement, anything higher than that will be too much without experience. Probably need to look at being a getting into an organisation where there is health and safety structure such as a manager who needs an assistant. Join linkedin and agencies, get your CV posted onto job sites such as Shirley Parsons and other specialist h&s recruitment agencies. It took me a couple of goes but got there in the end. Dont give up faith, it will come. Check NHS jobs too, they occasionally have more junior roles. Good luck

Maz :)
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by wendolene26 »

Maz has given you some good advice. Depending on the free time you have available to you, it may also be worth looking at any volunteering opportunities that require some Health and Safety input. Experience doesn't have to be paid.....
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by Alexis »

Good Morning and welcome mryounghanga. :wave:

As always, Maz and Wendolene have given some very helpful tips.

You are one of the many people who ask this same question which is not just in the H&S industry but sadly seems to be right across the board in all sectors.

Getting your CV right is your first priority in my view. Gear it towards other roles you do have experience in. It will surprise you just how much "other" experience you can marry up with H&S.

Check out the following link to help with your CV. viewtopic.php?f=40&t=39803" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Applying for H&S coordinator roles or Junior Consultancy roles is a good entry level to start with and join your local Safety Group where you will receive lots of advice and be able to do some networking.

Don't be too despondent, it will happen. ./thumbsup.. .salut
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by Stevied10 »

Hi mryounghanga,

I know how you feel, I'm in the same situation as yourself. I have tried for numerous roles with no success due to my 'lack of experience'. I've had my CV done by professional health & safety recruitment experts, I've became a technical member of IOSH, I've done extra online courses to build up my knowledge but all to no avail. I'm at the point where I'm ready to give up.
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by Extankman »

Hi MrYoungHanga

I was in the same boat after leaving the military about 18 months ago, catch 22 situation really. I did as Maz suggested and what Stevied has done with IOSH. Getting to IOSH branch meetings is another good opportunity to network as is Linkedin etc, but it got to the point where Stevie is now at and i almost gave up until i got a break with a consultancy firm as a trainee consultant, not great wages but invaluable experience and i've been there 18 months now grafting and learning every day, even started the NeboshDip.

So my advice is stick at it, keep sending the CVs, get yourself networking even at the IOSH branch meetings. Another good place to network is try and get along to BfB or BNI meetings as a guest of someone, i found them really good also. Keep plugging away because sooner or later something will happen for you even if it is not your desired position once your in the industry it'll be easier to cross deck some where else.

Daz.
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by quality_somerset »

Hi mryounghanga & Stevied10

Don't give up as you have done the hard work in gaining the NGC, a few tips that may or may not help:

- Contact the H&S officer at your place of work, he may have a few projects that he can pass your way, this will allow you to gain a bit of experience (make sure that you keep a record of what you have done).

- Make sure that you are a member of IOSH, or one of the other safety organisations, and that you have the highest level of membership that your level of training/qualification will allow.

- as Wendolyne stated look at the voluntary sector for gaining a bit of experience (these can be the big, national charities, although don't over look small local clubs and organisations that may need a bit of unpaid help.)

- Look out for free training courses in the Health + Safety at Work magazine, and the SHP Magazine.

- Go to your local IOSH branch meeting for a bit of networking, even if they do not have any paid positions they may be able to offer a day or two of free work placement, again vital for building up your experience and gaining a possible job reference.

Best wishes

Darren
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by dave247 »

Look for coordinator or admin roles to get your foot in the door, these roles will help your knowledge by seeing how what you learnt on NEBOSH works in reality and hopefully be mentored.

Don't give up applying for officer and advisor roles but show your passion in the interview as people don't always get the advantage by being able to cite their experiance. People want to see a personality that is going to sell the health and safety concept to its workers too. I have seen some qualified people who I wouldnt employ in a million years but give me someone with passion, life experience, personality and of course a NEBOSH and if in that position would have them everytime.

I myself was given my first job without even having got my results through and was told that the above was why I got it.

I am mentoring someone on my team who was taken on without a NEBOSH but understood the industry and after slippy start is amazing, she got her NEBOSH and is now going NVQ.

Just keep trying because there are employers who think the same and will give you that chance, people hurt themselves banging their heads against brick walls so keep looking for the window ;-)
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by YoungNick »

Hi Mryounghanga

I really can't add anything to the above advice which is truly amazing. I myself started out very young and with no industry experience, i did my NGC in 2010 at the the age of 17/18.

I followed to a degree all of the advice which the guys have given above and never let an unsuccessful interview knock me down, i strived to keep going and going until i got my first role at 18.

I would like to pick up on what Dave mentioned, if you show how dedicated you are to keep learning and learning, this in my opinion from the things i have seen is much better than being a person who will not compromise, be open to new ideas and have no people skills what so ever. The interviews are your time to shine and prove how committed you are.

Good luck :)
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by mryounghanga »

Hi everyone,

Firstly,I've took on board some great advice and thanks for that. With regards to volunteering,this is something that I'm more than willing to undertake "wendolene26" however it just hasn't happened yet, I am still posting out C.Vs etc though.

I've also asked locally a consultant, again for advice who has offered to put me on the guest list for their next local meeting and this is something I do intend to take up in early June.

With regards to becoming a technical member of IOSH "Stevied10" what is the procedure for this? as I've tried to contact my tutor to ask without success as of today.

Also, has anyone got any advice on my next option with regards to courses etc to enhance my General Certificate achievement and add to my C.V. I've been contemplating a Lead auditors course as I'd prefer to leave the diploma for now, so any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Again thanks everyone, I look forward to reading more posts on the site and hopefully adding comments and advice in future!!

Mryounghanga
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by Maz0906 »

Hi mryounghanga, if you go to the IOSH website that will tell you how to get your Tech IOSH status. Its a matter of qualifications, CV and experience, that goes before the membership panel if after the initial assessment the administrators agree with that being your current status.

As for further qualifications, look at teaching courses such as PTTLS which will lead you to understanding teaching and training. Whatever role you go into there will come a time when you will need to pass your knowledge to others. You could also look into specific COSHH Assessors courses (I got mine through Alcumus), fire risk assessment is always useful and maybe something to do with accident investigation.

To be fair whatever you decide to learn will only go in your favour in terms of tenacity and demonstrating your enthusiasm for the subject. Have you joined linkedin yet? Most of us H&S bods have profiles, I often get emails about up and coming posts.

Keep at it, you will get a break at some point. Most, if not all of us have been in your position and its very frustrating.

Maz
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Re: Nebosh General (How do I now get a job!)

Post by danwel »

First of all congrats on gaining the qualification it's no mean feat. There's no magic route unfortunately and as has been said it's really a matter of applying for job after job and being patient and hopefully someone will give you a chance
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