Irwin and Colton have partnered with NEBOSH on a series of articles looking into questions from their alumni.
Question: How can I prepare a standout Health and Safety CV?
Creating a strong CV is one of the most important steps in a successful job search.
While an outstanding CV doesn’t guarantee the job, it significantly increases your chances of landing an interview. For health and safety professionals, especially NEBOSH alumni, your CV needs to do more than list responsibilities; it should tell your story, demonstrate impact, and reflect your career goals. And remember, there is no such thing as a “perfect” CV. It should be unique to you, your experience, and where you want to go next.
Start with clear career goals
The first step is deciding what you want to achieve. Are you aiming for a senior management role, a technical specialism, or perhaps an international move? Once you know your direction, you can tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experience that support that path. For example, if you’re targeting leadership, emphasise people management, training, and strategic projects. If you’re exploring technical roles, showcase compliance expertise and risk assessment skills. Many professionals create more than one version of their CV, with each one focused on a different goal or tailored to a specific opportunity.
Showcase achievements and keep it relevant
Employers want to see impact, not just responsibilities. Did you reduce incident rates? Successfully achieve an ISO certification? Implement a wellbeing initiative that improved engagement?
Use facts and figures wherever possible; they make your contribution tangible. For example: “Reduced lost-time incidents by 40% over 12 months through targeted training and cultural change initiatives.” These details set you apart from candidates who only list tasks.
Furthermore, your most recent and relevant roles should take centre stage, while older positions can be summarised briefly with job title, company, and dates. If you expand on responsibilities, keep them concise and use bullet points for clarity. Make sure to also focus on what matters most for the role you’re applying for; if it’s a leadership position, highlight strategic initiatives and stakeholder engagement rather than day-to-day compliance.
Highlight qualifications and use keywords
Qualifications and memberships are critical in health and safety, so make sure they’re easy to find and understand. List your highest-level qualifications at the top, along with professional memberships such as IOSH or IIRSM. Remember that HR teams may not be familiar with industry acronyms, so keep it clear and simple. Avoid listing every course you’ve ever taken and prioritise those that are relevant to your target role.
Recruiters often search CVs using specific keywords, so include language that reflects your expertise and aspirations, such as occupational safety, risk assessment, ISO 45001, or safety culture. If you specialise in areas like construction safety or environmental risk management, make sure those appear in your CV.
Finally, don’t overlook a personal touch. Including volunteer work or interests can help employers see you as a well-rounded candidate. Mentoring NEBOSH students, supporting safety charities, or even hobbies that show teamwork and leadership can make a positive impression.
In short
A standout CV for health and safety professionals combines technical credibility with evidence of impact and a clear sense of direction. By tailoring your content, showcasing achievements, and presenting your qualifications clearly, you’ll create a CV that opens doors to the next stage of your career.
Final thoughts from us
At Irwin and Colton, we’ve reviewed thousands of CVs and supported professionals across health, safety, environment, and sustainability. The best CVs are those that tell a clear story, backed by evidence, and tailored to the role you’re aiming for. If you’d like personalised advice on your CV or are exploring new opportunities, our team is here to help.
You can reach us by emailing info@irwinandcolton.com or calling 01923 432 633.