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Here are some resources that you may find useful....

Links -

Interview hints and tips -

Here are a few simple tips to take on board when you're invited for interview. Remember these are just general guidelines: your Cheviot Recruitment consultant will ensure you are fully prepared with all the specific information you need for your interview.

In the run up to the interview:

Do some background research on the company to help you prepare for the interview - have a look on their website and search online for any other information that may be available.
Read through the job description/person specification: it may give you some indication of what kind of questions the interviewer is likely to ask: e.g. think about the hazards/risks the workforce could encounter.
Once you've thought of a few questions the interviewer might ask, consider what your answers could be - write these down so you're more likely to remember them.
Note down your main strengths along with examples of situations where you've been called upon to use them.
Ask a friend or family member to conduct a mock interview with you so you can practice beforehand.
Prepare a couple of questions to ask the interviewer: for instance what the company's future direction is likely to be, what training opportunities you may be offered, whereabouts your role fits in the organisation.

On the day:

Take all the relevant information with you: the name of the person who you'll be meeting, the address and phone number of the company, a map and directions, your notes (preparatory research on the company, questions you'd like to ask).
Always leave plenty of time to get to the interview.
Try to relax and be yourself - the interviewer is interested in what you're really like so they can determine whether or not you'll fit in with the company culture.
Remember that the interview is a two-way process: just as the interviewer is considering your aptitude for the job, you need to be assessing whether the company is right for you.
Be positive about yourself and your achievements.
Avoid denigrating previous employers or colleagues.
Be honest - if you don't know the answer to a question then say so.
Focus on what you can do for your prospective employer, not the other way round.
Dress smartly, even if you've been told it's an informal interview (i.e. no jeans).
Don't forget to smile, thank the panel for seeing you and if they offer their hand have a firm handshake!

Afterwards:

Even if you don't get the job, remember that each interview is a chance to hone your skills and improve the way you present yourself.
Try to take on board any feedback your Cheviot consultant passes on to you and use it constructively in future interviews.
If you're invited back for a second interview, don't be tempted to get complacent: prepare just as well as you did for the first interview.

Example interview questions:

What do you consider to be your main strengths?
What do you consider to be your main weaknesses?
Why are you applying for this job?
Why should I offer you this job?
What qualities do you think you have to offer?
What experience have you had that could help you in this job?
How would you describe yourself?
What is your understanding of what this job involves?
Why are you leaving your current employer?
How would others describe you?
What motivates you?
What's the biggest challenge you've had to face in your career?
What do you know about this organisation?
Which of your skills would you be hoping to develop further in this role?
What's been your biggest achievement so far in your career?
Describe a team that you have worked in - what was your contribution?
What kind of situations do you find it difficult to deal with?
Describe a situation which has required you to demonstrate good communication skills.
Describe a time when you've worked under pressure.
What do you enjoy about your current role?
What do you dislike about your current role?

CV hints and tips -

Your CV is the first impression prospective employers have of you. Here are a few general pointers to make sure it does you justice and stands out from the rest.

Style

First impressions count: it's important to make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors in your CV. If spelling's not your forte, get a friend to check it through for you. Don't rely on the spellchecker function on your computer.
Keep the design simple and use a standard font such as Arial.
Steer clear of graphics and icons.
Make sure the different sections are clearly defined (e.g. by using headings in bold font).
Try to keep the CV to two sides of A4 or less.
If you're emailing the CV use Microsoft Word wherever possible as most people are able to open Word documents (which may not be the case with other, less common applications). When posting the CV print it off on plain white paper and include a covering letter.

Content

Honesty is the best policy: don't be tempted to fabricate or 'exaggerate' your experience or capabilities. Your interviewer will ask you questions based on your CV so make sure you only include skills and achievements you're confident you can back up with real examples.
Consider including a personal profile section. This should come under your name and contact details and should be a brief summary (no more than 5 sentences) of your relevant experience, skills and goals.
After your contact details and personal profile (if included), list your professional qualifications and then relevant courses attended along with the dates, starting with the most recent and working backwards.
When listing your employment history your current or most recent job should come first. Mention your occupational health-related achievements in your previous jobs and current role.
Ensure you mention membership of relevant professional bodies such as the RCN or MDU.
Towards the end of your CV, include useful personal information such as if you hold a clean driving licence.
Include two professional referees with their contact details at the end of your CV.
Use positive language when highlighting what you've achieved and avoid saying anything negative about yourself.
Prospective employers will be on the lookout for gaps in your employment history, so if you've had a break from working mention the reasons why (e.g. sabbatical, bringing up children, etc.).
Keep your CV up to date with your latest training courses, achievements and job roles.

OH News -

Guidance to protect workers from Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), commonly known as chicken pox or shingles, has been published by the Royal College of Physicians’ Health and Work Development Unit, funded by NHS Plus, and includes a section aimed specifically at employers. Click here to read more.
What will the outcome of the general election mean for occupational health? Read an analysis here.
A recent survey shows that ‘more than two thirds of employers have little or no knowledge’ of the new fit note system which comes into force on the 6th April. Read the story in full here.
The 'Statement of Fitness to work: A Guide for Employers' was published on 19th February to help employers understand how the change from sick note to fit note will affect their organisations. The new fit note system will be introduced from 6th April 2010. Click here to read the guidance.
The first set of UK standards of performance for occupational health services have been launched. The standards have been developed by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine in partnership with a multidisciplinary, multi-agency stakeholder group, and will be underpinned by a new voluntary accreditation system which is due to be operational early next year. Click here to read more and download the standards.
A new amendment to the Equality Bill will restrict employers' use of pre-employment questionnaires about health or disability during the recruitment process. Read the full story here.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has this month (Nov 2009) published guidance for employers on promoting mental wellbeing through productive and health working conditions. Download the guidance in full here.
The Work Foundation has published a major new study conducted across 25 European countries which has found that 100 million Europeans suffer from MSDs, accounting for 49% of workplace absence and 60% of permanent incapacity in the EU. It looks at the causes, and crucially, steps that can be taken to reduce the serious, negative socio-economic impact of MSDs. Click here to download the study.
From 1 September, a million pounds worth of publications’ content is freely available to visitors of the HSE website. In a major initiative, HSE is allowing free downloads of some 230 publications containing health and safety guidance for a multitude of industries, in addition to detailed information on regulations and codes or practice. Click here to read more.
Need to write an OH report? Ken Addley, Isobel Hannah and Patricia McQuillan offer some practical advice and their top 10 tips here.
The Health and Safety Executive has brought out new versions of its approved health & safety law poster and leaflets. Research showed that the previous versions were rarely read due to the lack of colour or interest in the design. Employers with exisiting versions of the posters can continue to use them until April 2014, but as of 6th April 2009 it will only be possible to buy the new designs. For more information click here.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) has recently launched NHS Evidence, a web-based service that helps people find, access and use high-quality clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practice. Built around a powerful search engine, the service consolidates information from a wide range of sources in one central portal. Click here to visit NHS Evidence.
The NMC has issued a position statement on the role of registered nurses and midwives during an influenza pandemic. There is also some advice aimed at nurses and midwives with information about how such a situation would affect their work. Click here to read the statement.
The British Thoratic Society (BTS) has issued a statement intended to clarify the recently published guidelines for emergency oxygen use in adult patients and the suggested conflict with recommendations made in the ALS course manual. Click here to read the statement.
The government has published its response to Dame Carol Black's report Working for a Healthier Tomorrow. The response outlines a number of measures that will be implemented from the report's recommendations, including the introduction of electronic sick notes and fit for work services to support those off on long-term sick leave, in their return to work. You can download the response in full by clicking here.
The HSE has published statistics on work-related illness and workplace injuries in Great Britain, for the period 2007/08. The figures show that 34 million days were lost overall (1.4 days per worker): 28 million due to work-related ill health and 6 million due to workplace injury.
Click here for the full report.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations revised: click here for the revised Operational Circular (OC) that updates and replaces previous information. The new information relates to a worker being at risk if he or she: is physically unsuited to carry out the tasks in question; is wearing unsuitable clothing, footwear or other personal effects; or does not have adequate or appropriate knowledge or training.
According to a leading research company the computer mouse will no longer be in use five years from now.
Click here to read the article.
91% of patients who had access to a Job Centre Plus advisor at their GP surgery during a recent government trial reported that they were motivated to think about returning to work.
Click here to read the report.
The National Social Marketing Centre is calling for a radical approach to improve employee health and well-being, with greater focus on worker feedback.
Click here to read the article.
Dame Carol Black has published her review of the health of Britain's working age population.
Click here to read the review in full.