One of my regular columns in Health and Safety At Work Magazine, responding to questions and giving careers advice and guidance to health and safety professionals.

1. Know-how
ASK THE RECRUITMENT EXPERT
I’m under threat of redundancy and have to apply for my job. Help!
Two years ago, a poll by Reed
Employment found that almost half of all workers expected
to be forced to apply for their own
jobs. The belief then was that this
trend would continue as companies
moved away from large scale redundancy programmes and towards
restructuring and reallocating their
resources. I still speak regularly to
people in your situation, not just
from the public sector where major
redundancy programmes have been
much publicised but also in the
private sector and in a wide range
of industries.
While it may not be any consolation, the truth is that you’re not
alone and there are steps you can
take which will hopefully assist you
through what can be a very stressful
process. Finding a new job can be
hard work when the market is buoyant and applying for your own job
brings its own challenges, as well as
those that any job seeker might face.
I imagine that you and perhaps
your colleagues will be applying for
a diminished number of vacancies,
as your employer is trying to lower
their headcount. The best advice I
can give you is to treat the selection
process in the same way as you
would any other. The most dangerous approach would be to think that
you will have a better chance of suc-
cess than your colleagues.
That might be true, but any
sense of complacency might be
your undoing. I was speaking to
someone in December who was in a
similar situation. Convinced that his
less qualified and less experienced
colleague stood no chance, he approached the process casually and
was left facing redundancy. His less
experienced colleague was very
highly motivated and had done a
huge amount of preparation. He performed superbly and showed great
initiative and this served him well.
There are very clear rules about
redundancy and your employer will
have to show that they have acted
fairly at all times. In previous columns we’ve looked at preparing for
interviews, preparing a cv and some
of the other key aspects to consider
(www.healthandsafetyatwork.com/
hsw/category/topic/professionalskills/ask-recruitment-expert). In
your situation it is essential to understand exactly what the selection
criteria will be, how the process will
be run and as much as possible
about your employer’s expectations.
The more you know, the better you’ll
be able to tailor your responses and
prove that you’re the best candidate.
Mark Burton, Attwood Burton
At t wood Bur ton is a health,
safety and environment
r e c r u i t m e n t c o n s u l t a n c y,
www.attwoodburton.co.uk
Safety Managers – FM London Northern Home Counties – AB1495
To £45,000
We are working with a major firm that has an impressive portfolio of work. They now have the opportunity to strengthen their FM team in the South East.
You will be experienced in the provision of QHSE support and guidance for hard services in schools and hospitals.
Two of these roles will be site based, the third more of a “roving” appointment.
Trainers and Training Managers – AB1484
£30,000–£35,000 (Trainers) £40,000–£45,000 (Managers)
Are you well versed in running SSSTS and SMSTS courses? Are you a confident trainer who makes the subject “come alive”?
If so, an excellent opportunity awaits with an expanding company to deliver courses to external clients in a range of locations across the country.
Please apply in strictest confidence to Alistair Attwood on 01932 213202. Or email your CV to alistair@attwoodburton.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY
Senior Health, Safety and Environmental Consultant – M40 Corridor – AB1505
c £40,000 + Car Allowance + Benefits
My client is a world leading consultancy operating in over 100 countries. They work with large blue chip companies across a wide range of industry sectors,
across disciplines including health, safety and the environment. In this brand new role, you will work with clients from Birmingham to London, so a base
along the M40 would be ideal. The successful candidate will almost certainly be CMIOSH and will have a strong track record in consultancy or will have
worked across a range of industries. Environmental experience and qualifications would be a major advantage. Interviews in February.
£48,000 + Car + Benefits
Principal Health and Safety Consultant – Birmingham – AB1503
Our client is a hugely respected organisation with a rich history and a great reputation for the service it provides. Working as part of their large and dedicated
team of health, safety and environmental professionals, you will be providing a range of high level consultancy support to clients, both in the Midlands and
further afield, possibly overseas. You’ll also be involved in delivering training up to NEBOSH Diploma level. As an experienced consultant you will also be
expected to manage a team and its commercial success. Applicants must be CMIOSH, professional and engaging communicators and must have experience
in consultancy and people management.
Please apply in strictest confidence to Mark Burton on 01932 213203. Or email your CV to mark@attwoodburton.co.uk
For many more great roles visit www.attwoodburton.co.uk or call us for a confidential discussion
Follow us on Twitter@AttwoodBurton
health and safety at work March 2012
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