Safety Job Interview

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Permalink Reply by Jason Burzynski on June 24, 2009 at 8:37am

1. Make sure you do not say anything negative about your former employers.

2. Have a "can do" attitude. A lot of employers are now giving their safety people extra responsibilities, mine is Quality.

3. Be honest, maintain eye contact, and remember to smile.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Lara Kretler on June 24, 2009 at 12:22pm

Talk about your commitment to safety - maybe even mention that you're a member of the online safety community! Hey, it can't hurt, and if they don't know about it they may appreciate you for giving them the heads-up. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Tim Gardner on June 25, 2009 at 12:58am

Just a couple of thoughts.
Stay focused on the questions. If someone is interviewing you, they already believe that you have some qualification that makes you a potentially good fit, so repeating your qualifications is not as important as giving them new information about you. And the new information should be about how you can help them.
Questions will frequently ask for information about past situations. So listen carefully and answer the question that was asked.
I highly recommend you read this post about interviewing and the comments associated with it. In my interview experience, this pretty much sums it up.
Good luck!
Tim Gardner

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Permalink Reply by Pam Sheirer on June 26, 2009 at 6:02pm

Make a list of any skills you have that could transfer to the safety field. You are a pipefitter, but you also more than likely have quite a bit of skills that could transfer well to the safety field. If the interview is in the construction field, you already are familiar with the hazards construction workers face. You are familiar with the issues a safety professional would face. Having that list of transferable skills will give you focus.

Pam

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Permalink Reply by Garry L Mullins Jr, COSS on June 26, 2009 at 7:21pm

Hey thanks everyone for your help. I had the interview and he seemed interested he said that he would most likely call back for the second interview. I need to know where to go from there. What do I do if they initially answer all my questions I had wrote down before I get to ask them and they say "do you have questions?"

I need atleast two good questions that usually are not already answered. Any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by Pam Sheirer on June 29, 2009 at 11:59am

Is safety considered part of the operational plan, and does the safety manager participate in operational meetings?
(This gives you a feel for the actual safety culture in the company, not just the official satatement.)

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs addressed immediately?
(Be prepared with a statement of how you might tackle it.)

What is the biggest challege to the safety culture?
(Look for things like whether they put all of the blame on the employee, or whether they look at the challenges in a system viewpoint - finances, age of machinery, etc.)

Depending on your research:

If ISO certified - Are you looking at any safety system management certifications (VPP, ANSI Z10 or OHSA 18001) in the future? (Gives you an idea of where they want to be, and the emphasis on safety.)

If Lean/Six Sigma - Is the safety department involved your Lean/Six Sigma program? (Again it gives you an idea of whether they see safety as regulatory compliance only, or as part of a system approach.)

Finally,
If they ask you "What do you wish we had asked?", I've actually said, "I wish you'd ask when I can start." I didn't get the job, but the answer was better received than I expected.

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Permalink Reply by Farid on July 5, 2009 at 7:54pm

Hi Garry,
My name's Farid, I live in Metairiie, Louisiana. Like you , I 've had an interview with Exeterran in Lafayette.
I did not have any problems whatsover. Call me and we will discuss.
Regards
Farid

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Permalink Reply by Garry L Mullins Jr, COSS on July 5, 2009 at 8:58pm

Hey thanks everybody. I feel like I made a good impression for the simple fact they narrowed it down to two of us. However, I think I didn't get the job because of my age. Does anyone have any tips on how to overcome a physical obstacle like lack of grey hair or a hairline that has not just yet begun to recede?

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Permalink Reply by Farid on July 5, 2009 at 9:02pm

Hi Gary,
No worries. I am 53 years old and I got job offers. p;ease get back to me. I will do every thing in my power to help out.

Farid Mohadi

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