How senior HSE professionals can stand out for all the right reasons
When it comes to job interviews, most candidates spend a lot of time preparing to ‘answer’ questions, but far fewer give serious thought to the questions they’ll ask. For senior health, safety, and environment (HSE) professionals, this can be a missed opportunity!
At the end of nearly every interview, you’ll hear some version of:
“Do you have any questions for us?”
This isn’t just a polite wrap-up. It’s a critical moment that can set you apart as a thoughtful, engaged professional, or not. In fact, at Irwin and Colton, we often see that the best-prepared candidates leave just as strong an impression with their questions as with their answers.
So, what should you be asking? And just as importantly, what should you avoid?
Why your questions matter
Whether you’re interviewing for a Head of Safety position on a £200m infrastructure project or stepping into an EHS Director role within a manufacturing company, asking the right questions shows:
You’ve researched the company and understand its priorities
You’re interested in this role, not just any role
You’re already thinking like someone who’s going to make an impact
Conversely, questions that focus solely on salary, benefits, or annual leave can unintentionally signal that your interest is transactional. While those questions matter, the interview, especially early rounds, isn’t the place to lead with them.
The types of questions that impress interviewers
Here are five categories of questions that demonstrate leadership, insight, and a proactive mindset. Each includes sample questions you can adapt to your situation.
1. Role-specific questions
Show that you’re already thinking about what success looks like in the job.
What are the top three priorities you’d like the person in this role to address in the first 6 to 12 months?
What are the biggest health and safety risks or challenges currently facing the business?
Are there any legacy issues or projects that need to be resolved or progressed quickly?
2. Team and culture questions
These signals that you’re mindful of cultural fit, leadership style, and internal relationships.
How would you describe the current culture around health, safety, and environment across the team or business?
What kind of leadership approach tends to be most effective here, particularly when engaging frontline teams or senior stakeholders?
How does this team typically collaborate with other departments, such as Operations, Engineering, HR, or Estates?
3. Company and sector questions
Prove you’ve done your research and understand where the organisation sits in the wider industry.
I noticed your recent ESG strategy mentioned a focus on net zero. How is this shaping HSE priorities and initiatives?
How has the business adapted to upcoming regulatory changes in our sector, such as the Building Safety Act or changes in environmental compliance?
What impact have recent contract wins or restructuring had on the organisation’s safety and sustainability goals?
4. Stakeholder and influence questions
Position yourself as someone who understands the importance of relationships, buy-in, and behavioural change.
How engaged are senior leaders (or the board) in health, safety, and environmental performance?
What are the current challenges around influencing behaviours, for example, working across subcontractors or remote operational sites?
Are there any key stakeholders outside the HSE team that this role will work closely with, such as HR, supply chain, or Operations?
5. Personalised questions to the interviewer
These can make the interview feel more like a conversation.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
What changes have you seen in the HSE function or business culture during your time here?
If you could give one piece of advice to someone stepping into this role, what would it be?
Questions to avoid asking (at least for now)
As mentioned earlier, diving into pay, perks, and time off too early in the process can undermine the impression you’re trying to make, especially for senior roles. This includes:
How much holiday is included?
What’s the salary band?
Is there flexible or remote working?
What’s the pension or bonus scheme like?
These are important topics, but they’re often best handled through your recruitment consultant, before you apply or later in the process, ideally once both sides have confirmed genuine interest.
How to prepare your questions
Here are some practical tips to help you get the most from this stage of the interview:
Prepare at least 3 to 5 questions: You may find several are already answered during the conversation, so better to have more than less.
Tailor your questions to the interviewer’s role: For example, you might ask a senior leader about strategic direction and a line manager about day-to-day team dynamics.
Write them down: Bringing a notebook with your questions shows professionalism and helps you stay focused.
Be conscious of time: If the interview has run over or been long, choose one or two key questions to close strongly without overstepping.
And remember, you don’t have to save your questions until the very end. If the opportunity naturally arises during the interview, asking a question mid-conversation can help build rapport and demonstrate genuine engagement.
Final thoughts
When you ask insightful, relevant questions in an interview, you do more than gather information; you show that you’re invested, informed, and already thinking like someone in the role.
For experienced HSE professionals, this is a real opportunity to step into the mindset of the role before it’s even yours.
Michael is one of the Founding Directors at Irwin and Colton. Irwin and Colton specialise in the recruitment of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability professionals across the UK and internationally. With deep sector expertise and an extensive network, the team works with organisations of all sizes to help them find the right talent, from interim contractors through to senior leadership and board-level appointments.
If you’re planning your next career move or hiring for your team, feel free to reach out to Michael or the team here.