Five Tips for a Successful Environmental Health Interview

Environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are not all the same, but we share similar attributes which evolve and grow over time.

We may head off in different directions, where the opportunity takes us, but we all have a passion for our profession, a desire to do the right thing, to reduce health inequalities for the most vulnerable and protect public health.  

Broadly speaking, we have strong attention to detail and the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences. So when preparing for an interview, whether it be starting or furthering your career, or taking the opportunity to change direction, remember that abundance of skills you have. It’s easy to forget all those transferrable skills you possess as they’re second nature to you – make sure you showcase them to your future employer.

I don’t need to remind you to be punctual, look the part and stay alert, so here are a few other tips to bear in mind when applying for that next position. 

1. Always read and refer to the essential criteria: 

Found in the job description and person specification, these are so important – especially when applying to a local authority. 

Sometimes candidates just miss this – why, I don’t know, as it is there in black and white and it can often be the biggest barrier to getting an interview in the first place, let alone securing the job. On occasions, candidates can be so confident they can do the job that they simply forget to tick the boxes. Make sure you emphasise your skills and experience relevant to the essential criteria in both your application and interview. In many local authorities, this is all they will use to judge you, and they will likely form interview questions around each criterion. So bring with you, fresh in your mind, examples that you can recount that hit those essential criteria.

2.     Bring examples and ideas: 

You don’t know what you will be asked, although you may be able to make a good guess. So in preparation, draw on examples from your life: from your work, personal life, hobbies, etc.  Try to have a good range of examples and case studies from your own experience, to demonstrate your capability and knowledge to be able to perform well in the job. 

Environmental health is a vocation, so be prepared with structured answers to behavioural questions. Consider the star method (situation, task, action, result) to formulate your answers, drawing on your experience to clearly explain what happened, how you were responsible, what you did and how you achieved the outcome. 

Know and show your transferrable skills, those tricky and challenging situations that you loathed at the time, that you wished you could have passed on to a colleague, but you persisted and saw through right until the end. Well, now is the time to use those experiences (however unpleasant they were) to your advantage. There is nothing better than having an example of a difficult situation that you can draw upon to show how you achieved the best possible outcome. 

3. Prepare and research: 

Understand the organisation you want to work for, know where they want to grow, what they are proud of and what it is about them that stands out and is unique.  

Are they a primary authority for anyone? If they have recently been successful in a big prosecution, then what was key to that case, what challenges would they have had to overcome? 

Consider what the job entails and information specific to the local authority or the organisation. Does it have many high-rise blocks, does it host large events or festivals? What challenges and risks does the organisation face: does it have localities of high deprivation, homelessness, flood risks, rural–urban mix, big industry, factories or a clean air zone? Prepare examples and remind yourself of your skills and experience, so that you are able to communicate your knowledge confidently.  A well-structured answer will assist the interviewer to evaluate your response against their criteria, avoiding the possibility of misunderstanding or undervaluing your reply. 

4. Don’t forget the basics:

I have interviewed many EHPs who are clearly capable of doing the work on offer, but they relied on their reputation and experience, failing to convey their competencies. Yes, the interviewer can tease more from you, but you have done the job, you know the role – so demonstrate it. You can’t rely on having worked as an EHP for 10 years. Take them back to basics; tell your story and display your skills and abilities. 

5. They don’t know you:

The managers on the other side of the table don’t know you or anything about you, besides your application. Even if they do know you, they will rely on your interview to be able to make a job offer fairly. And just because something is in your application and was good enough to secure you the interview, that part of the process is over and can no longer be relied upon. So, sell yourself, be positive and show that you are capable of doing the job with minimal supervision, easily meeting the needs of the job description and the person specification. 

If you are not clear on a question, ask for clarification. Show, in your answers, that you are loyal and trustworthy and ask questions that demonstrate your interest. Be honest and open – the role is a professional one, so show your commitment to professional development and growing and excelling in the job.

A common skill of EHPs is to reflect, learn and implement best practice. You won’t always get every role, but you can learn and absorb experience along the way which will serve you better in your next career move. The more interviews you do, the better you will become, so don’t be afraid to apply for interesting roles, even if you think the timing isn’t quite right yet. Be sure to save those application forms and personal statements. Make a note of real-life experiences; they will serve you well next time.

Why not take a look at the RHE Jobs Board for current opportunities, or get in touch if you would like to post a job.