Career Advantage

Are you connected to the latest tools and resources to help you land new jobs in the industrial hygiene (IH) and occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professions? When is the last time you updated your résumé or wrote a cover letter? Can you make a great first impression at that new job interview? Do you want great career transition counseling?

On Careers... Are You Connected?

The Career and Employment Services (CES) Committee can assist in sharpening your interview, job search, and career transition skills. Since 1977, AIHA’s CES Committee has connected job seekers with careers in the IH and OEHS professions. The CES Committee assists AIHA members in identifying employment and career opportunities through Career Advantage, the reliable online job board. Employers looking to find top-notch IHs and OEHS professionals have always chosen Career Advantage to post open positions and review more than 1,000 resumes in our database.

AIHA's CES Committee provides one-on-one career counseling and tips on the following topics:

• Resume Critiquing
• Developing a Career Portfolio
• Using the AIHA Compensation Survey in Your Job Search
• Interviewing 101 for OEHS Professionals
• Cover Letter Writing – Advice and Tips
• Dressing for Success for OEHS Professionals
• Networking for OEHS Professionals

It's time to start actively utilizing AIHA’s Career and Employment Services Committee, a valuable resource in prospecting for IH and OEHS jobs. Please contact Wanda Barbour for more information.​​

Developing a Career Portfolio

Does it really make a difference how you dress for interviews? In a conservative business climate, appearances matter. Not all companies are conservative, you might argue, and some have casual dress policies for everyday. Nevertheless, it is imperative to be dressed in business attire for an interview, regardless of the dress code for the organization.

If you are in doubt about how to dress, err on the side of conservatism using these guidelines for business attire:

Make sure that you try on your outfit before the day of the interview. Check for poor fit, rips, and smudges that detract from your overall appearance. If your suit is too tight or too loose, don't wear it. Remember, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed for an interview.

A job interview can be an intimidating process for even the most confident and outgoing person. A sure cure for nervousness and feelings of incompetence is to come to the interview knowing exactly what to expect.

Interviewing can be one of the most stressful parts of the job search, but the tips outlined here can turn it into an enjoyable experience. The purpose of a job interview is twofold: the company is trying to determine whether you are right for the company, and you are trying to determine whether the company and the position are right for you.

The Number One Rule

Never turn down an interview! You never know what valuable contacts you will make. Even if the job isn't right for you, an interview gives you the opportunity to practice your techniques. You never know when the right job will come along.

Practice Makes Perfect

Never walk into a job interview cold. Rehearse the answers to common interview questions with a friend. Prepare a list of questions about the company or the position. Memorizing the questions leaves you free to engage in the conversation but still give the impression of spontaneity.

Look the Part

The rule of thumb is to dress one step above how the employees dress. Drive past the office on your way to work, call the human resources department, or go with the recommendation of the search firm you’re working with. If you’re not sure, it’s always safe for men to wear a suit and tie and for women to wear a suit.

Make a Good Lasting Impression

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Your potential employers will typically form an impression of you within the first few minutes of meeting you. Be prepared. Arrive early on the day of the interview. Complete as many of the materials as you can in advance and bring current resumes (more than one, please), portfolios, references and samples with you. Smile and be courteous to everyone. Greet people by name and with a firm handshake, and look people in the eye. Make sure you can pronounce the interviewer's name properly. Do not smoke. Make sure your cell phone, Blackberry, and other electronic gear are in the silent mode or turned off.

Do Your Homework

Use Internet search engines to research the organization and its services, products, annual report and competitors. The free online quote services can give you up-to-the-minute information about any publicly traded company. Knowing all you can about a company shows the interviewer that you will take the extra steps to do a good job. Read any organizational literature that is available while you are waiting for the interviewer. You cannot put in too much preparation time.

Demonstrate Your Value

Most interviews begin with questions about your background, experience and qualifications, followed by questions about the company and job. The interviewer is looking for you to show how you can help the company with examples from your past experiences. Prepare a list of questions to ask about the job and company at the appropriate time. Save questions about salary and benefits until after a job offer has been made, but at a first interview it is acceptable to ask for specifics about whom you would report to and the duties and expectations of the position.

Let Them Get to Know You

Practicing concise responses to common questions will keep you from rambling when the interviewer asks open-ended questions. Highly compensated job coaches require job candidates to write a 100-word paragraph about the last several years of their career and be capable of reciting it at a moment’s notice. This will put you at ease and help you to project preparation and intelligence. You can never over-practice.

Social Networking Websites

We are certainly in the age of easy access to a wide range of information. If you participate in social networking sites such as Facebook, take some time to review your postings and make sure they convey information that you would be willing to share with a prospective employer. Information that might be appropriate for your friends and peer group could in some cases demonstrate that you are not the type of candidate a prospective employer is seeking.

Mind Your Body Language

Body language is every bit as important as verbal communication. Interviewers are acutely aware of gestures, expressions, inflections and tones of voice. These will indicate your level of interest in the position. You will want to project self-confidence.

Control the Interview

The purpose of the interview is to clearly communicate your ability to handle the position in question. Often the interviewer is not skilled at asking questions that would bring out the most desirable aspects of your experience and successes. If your answers are too brief, you may leave your interview unsatisfied and irritated. Ask targeted questions and offer additional information to make your point. Leaving an interview before you have clearly promoted your abilities is a no-no.

You Are Selling Yourself

You will want convey your skills, knowledge, abilities and accomplishments. Have several accomplishments in mind and be sure that the interviewer understands that you can make things happen. Companies are looking for people to solve their problems. They will hire you if they truly believe in your ability to help them.

One Last Chance

Selling yourself to a prospective company is no different than selling dishwashers. At the end of the interview, review how your skills will benefit the company. Most importantly, let the interviewer know that you are interested in the position. Conclude on a positive note and always thank the interviewer for the time and opportunity given you.

Ask the interviewer, "What is the next step?" Watch for phrases such as "when are you available" or "we need to get you in to see Mr. Jones"—these are sure signs of interest.

Make It Easy to Hire You

One of the biggest impressions you can make after the interview ends is to send a simple thank-you note. Use formal stationary and write it by hand. Sending a thank-you note can mean the difference between an offer and a rejection. Briefly express your appreciation for the interview, reaffirm your qualifications and interest in the position, and include something that you and the interviewer agreed upon. A good thank-you note will show how you will fit in with the company.

Additional Resources

Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Matthew J. Deluca

Get Hired! Winning Strategies to Ace the Interview

Paul C. Green

Webster's Dictionary defines networking as “The act or process of informally sharing information or support, especially among members of a professional group.” Networking means developing a broad list of contacts you’ve made through various social and business functions that might be able to provide job leads, offer advice, or introduce you to others who might be able to help you find a position.

Since all positions are not advertised, networking can give you access to hidden jobs and will increase your chances of success. Networking is consistently cited as the #1 way to find a new job.

Plan Your Strategy

Set a timetable and achievable goals for your search. It’s most important to map out your plan in writing and stick to it. Treat your search as a full-time job, adhering to deadlines you’ve set for yourself. Follow up on all leads promptly, regardless of whether you think they’ll anywhere.

Where to Start

Networking is not a process of making cold calls to people you don't know. It's talking to people you do know and asking them for information and other contacts. There’s an immediate trust factor when you can linked with someone familiar.

Initiate your network early in your career. Begin in college and continue to build your network throughout your professional career. Start with your friends, relatives and neighbors. Talk to colleagues at work and those you meet out and about. Keep in touch with former co-workers and bosses, too. You never know where you'll find a lead, so network by striking up a conversation while waiting in line at the movies or grocery store.

A resume is not about your job history; it is about you and your accomplishments. A resume is a document that promotes your accomplishments for the purpose, of getting an invitation to a job interview.

Resume Basics

Take a few moments to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills, abilities, work experience and extracurricular activities. Thinking it through beforehand makes it easier to write a thorough resume.

Include all your contact information at the top of your resume: name, address, telephone, e-mail address and website address (if your site reflects your professional accomplishments.)

You will want to convey professionalism, so avoid nicknames, use a permanent phone number with area code, and record a business-like greeting on your answering machine—not the one with music blaring in the background. Also, use a permanent home address and select an e-mail address that sounds professional.

Before you respond to any job posting, think about how your resume and cover letter can convey what you bring to the table for each individual employer. In the next section of your resume, below your contact information, include a bulleted list of the top reasons why you should be hired. Introduce your list with the words, “Qualification highlights include.” Do not use this valuable space on your resume for a job objective, but rather use it to sell your qualifications for the specific job to the employer. If you didn’t want the job, you probably wouldn’t be applying in the first place.

New graduates just coming into the workplace should then list their educational information. Those who have been employed, should list work experience first, follwed by, education. List your most recent education information first, including your degree, major, institution and area of concentration. If your grade point average is higher than 3.0, include it and mention any academic honors.

Use action words and the active voice to describe to your employer the skills you have acquired from your work experience. Include your work experience in reverse chronological order, listing your last job first. Include the title of your position, the name of the organization and its location, and dates of employment. Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements.

Also list any key or special skills or competencies, leadership experience in volunteer organizations, or participation in sports.

Do not include names of references on your resume. Simply note "References furnished on request" at the bottom. Always ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you give their names to employers.

Show, Don’t Tell

Remove everything on your resume that says "responsibilities include" and replace it with on-the-job accomplishments. The best way to show your accomplishments is to use PAR statements: state the Problem, show the Action, and illustrate the Results. Make resumes more convincing by showing employers your accomplishments rather than telling them. If you have exceptional problem-solving skills, prove your skills by mentioning awards you have won (“Manager of the Quarter,” for example) or illustrate the results of major projects.

Grab Attention

Employers can find themselves reviewing hundreds of resumes for a single position. With limited time to read, they tend to make snap judgments when glancing at resumes. The design of your resume must highlight the most important information about your work experience, specific skills and education. A great way to do this is to use job titles and skill headings that relate to and match the jobs you want.

These tips will make your resume easier to read and/or scan into an employer's database:

• Use white or off-white paper.

• Use 8-1/2 x 11-inch paper.

• Print on one side of the paper.

• Use a font size of 10-14 points.

• Use non-decorative typefaces.

• Choose one typeface and stick to it.

• Avoid italics, script, and underlined words.

• Do not use horizontal or vertical lines, graphics, or shading.

• Do not fold or staple your resume.

• If you must mail your resume, enclose it in a large envelope.

Make a Lasting Impression

Once you have completed your resume, check for misspelled words. Ask a friend to review your grammar, and ask another to proofread for typographical and spelling errors. You will also want to have the correct format for electronic uploading.

Target Your Resume and Cover Letter

Before you respond to any job posting, think about how your resume and cover letter can convey what you bring to the table for each individual employer. Consider including a bulleted list of the top reasons why you should be hired. Introduce your list with the words, "Qualification highlights include."

Employers can tell if you've taken the shotgun approach to distributing your resume. They will quickly zero-in on vague, unfocused letters and resumes and realize that you have not given any thought to the company's needs.

Update Regularly

Keep your resume updated and summarize accomplishments while they are fresh in your mind for maximum impact. Make a point of reviewing your resume every few months so that it will always be ready.

Sample Career Portfolio Downloadable Sheet

• John Smith
• Bill Smith
• Susy Que

Have you ever wondered how your salary and compensation compare to the market? The Executive Summary provides a detailed comparison of compensation in the OEHS profession.

2023 Salary & Compensation Study Results

AIHA is pleased to present the executive summary of our 2023 AIHA Salary and Compensation survey, which provides an overview of occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals’ earnings and backgrounds. The summary also provides insight into several workforce issues faced by employers and their staff. AIHA thanks the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) for their partnership on this important research.

2023 Salary and Compensation Study | Executive Summary PDF

Additional links to resources that can assist you in your career search, advancement, and more.

Government Agencies

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) links to specific topic hotlines and emails. The EPA's mission is to prot​ect human health and the environment.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Healthy (NIOSH), 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). NIOSH provides national and world leadership to prevent workplace illnesses and injuries

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

For state Occupational Safety and Health Agencies, visit this site or contact 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act) encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and health programs. OSHA approves and monitors state plans.

Educational Institutions

• Cuyamaca College Environmental Technology Program
  
• Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety
• McGill University
• Oklahoma State University Environmental Health & Safety
• OSHA Training Institute at UCSD Extension
• Purdue University
• University of Iowa, Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan's Industrial Hygiene Graduate Training Program
• University of Minnesota
• University of Utah - Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
• University of VA - Office of EHS
• University of Washington - Dept. of Environmental Health
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Johns Hopkins OEH program

Other Knowledge Links

• BCSP Database of Safety and Related Academic Programs in the United States
  
• Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences
• Radiation Safety Institute of Canada
• Quebec Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST)​

In 2011, I had my resume critiqued by the Career and Employment Services Committee during AIHce. This was truly a memorable experience, as I was able to obtain a job with the new and improved resume. In 2014, I joined the Career and Employment Services Committee because I valued the service they that provided and felt that it really contributes to the Industrial Hygiene Career field for all career levels. In 2019 as the incoming chair to the committee, I had my resume critiqued again by fellow members. I received some amazing feedback and also honed my skills as a resume critique person. At that time I also added my resume to the Career Advantage website, as the chair of the committee I should know how it works and I had started to casually look for a job. A couple weeks later I received an email from an HR recruiter from an amazing corporation that had seen my resume on the Career Advantage website. I will be starting a new career with a new company in August, and this committee really helped me to get where I am today. Thank you!