How to Prepare for an EHS Job Interview

Table of Contents

• Research the Company and Role
• Brush up on EHS Knowledge
• Practice Most Asked EHS Interview Questions
• Prepare Your Own Questions
• Conclusion
• Bonus Points

Preparing for any job interview can seem daunting. But when it's for your dream job the stakes become even higher. Take EHS for example, Environment, Health, and Safety professionals are required in various industries. From Construction sites to Restaurant businesses, EHS specialists ensure safety protocols in the industry are being followed in the workplace. So if you plan on getting a job in an EHS role you first need to clear the EHS interview.

This article will guide you through the job interview process and give you tips on how to ace your interview for EHS.

Research the Company and Role

First things first, this applies to any type of job interview preparation and not just EHS. When you are called in for an interview in any company, you must research the company, what they do, where they are located, go through their social media platforms to get an idea of the company culture, and prepare yourself with the basics.

Similarly, you also want to research the role beyond the job description provided by the recruiter. When it comes to Health and Safety interviews, you might be called on for any of the EHS roles depending on your experience and level of expertise.

So look into the various EHS roles like EHS Specialist, EHS Engineer, EHS Manager, etc, and prepare for the EHS job interview questions accordingly.

Brush up on EHS Knowledge

Next, once you know exactly what you are interviewing for, it will make the interview preparation easier. You can brush up your knowledge using a free short course. Like this Diploma In Environment Health And Safety Management, the course can help you get a refresher on the concepts for free.

Practice Most Asked EHS Interview Questions

The next step in your interview preparation process is to practice some EHS questions. Again, depending on your role they will test your knowledge but just so you are prepared, here are some common questions you should prepare yourself for:

• How have you prioritized safety in the past?
• Please describe a time when one of your suggestions was implemented.
• Please describe some of the projects you have worked on.
• Are you familiar with current building and safety codes and regulations?
• Have you developed a new health policy before?
• Please talk about a time when you implemented a new safety procedure on-site.
• How would you respond to a negative reaction to implementing a safety regulation you create?
• How do you educate your on-site employees about safety procedures?
• What is your process for investigating on-site accidents?
• Describe a time when you found a solution to a safety concern on-site.
• What's your process for responding to noncompliant workers?
• What safety measures do you recommend for high-voltage sites?
• How do you respond to potentially dangerous situations?
• What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the EHS industry today?
• What do you know about our company and our EHS program?

You must answer each question in such a way that the interviewer will get an idea about your technical knowledge as well as your way of thinking. Make sure you describe your past experiences to show how you react in certain situations and handle problems.

Prepare Your Own Questions

Finally, the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions and your answer should not be no. Always prepare a list of questions from your end too. These could be questions regarding the role, the company, their policies, or anything you need more clarity on.

If you are wondering what questions to ask in an HSE interview? Here are some ideas:

• Can you describe a typical day in this role? What are the biggest challenges?
• How does this role contribute to the overall safety and environmental goals of the company?
• Can you tell me about the company's safety culture? How are employees involved in safety initiatives?
• What are the company's biggest environmental challenges and how does the EHS department address them?
• What opportunities are there for professional development in this role?

Conclusion

Remember, an interview is a two-way process. While the company is interviewing you to see if you are the right fit for them, you are also interviewing them to see if they are the right fit for your future. So go for your EHS interview confidently. It’s like any other job interview you have done so far. All the best!

Bonus Points

• Whether it’s an online interview or an on-site one, dress professionally. First impressions matter.
• Be punctual. Showing up late will send the wrong impression and waste the interviewer's time.
• Make your passion for EHS known during the job interview. It will show that this is more than just a job for you.