September 18th, 2024

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The most recent questions I have been asked are about moving into the role of an auditor, specifically moving up to the ranks of a certification auditor. These questions range from:

I am an internal Auditor and I’m trying to be an external Auditor. Every application I send I get rejected because I don’t have external Auditor experience. How can I get experience if I don’t get a chance?

OR

I need help in getting into the Auditing world as an observer and then as an auditor. I will be extremely grateful if you can help me in this.

In short, my response included the following steps:

1. Get experience as an internal auditor.
2. Get experience implementing systems.
3. Get experience auditing other businesses systems.
4. Consult.
5. Offer yourself for observations with Certification Bodies.
6. Retain an audit log.

Read on, to find how I have expanded on these and be sure to watch the podcast edition on this for even more insights.

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Bobby Unser’s famous quote suggests that success comes from being ready and catching the right moment. It’s about more than luck; it’s about being prepared to act when changes come your way. The article also touches on determinism, the idea that all events are determined by existing causes.

This concept doesn’t limit us but rather encourages us to engage with our environment and make the most of life’s offerings. By preparing diligently and staying open to opportunities, we can find our own path to success.

ISO Auditor Pathway Blueprint

Becoming an ISO certification auditor is a journey of developing expertise, gaining practical experience, and building a professional network within the industry. The pathway to achieving this role requires a blend of hands-on practice, theoretical understanding, and strategic expansion of your professional scope. The following model offers a structured approach to acquiring the necessary skills and experiences. It serves as a guide for aspiring auditors to navigate through the requirements of internal and external audits, system implementation, consultancy, and ultimately, achieving the position of an ISO certification auditor.

1. Get experience as an internal auditor. If you are working within a business, involve yourself in internal audits. This is easy if there is an existing internal audit programme as you can put your hand up to be involved. If there isn’t an existing ISO management system or internal audit programme in place, you can create one! What an amazing opportunity this is for the business while you are gaining valuable audit experience.
   
2. Get experience implementing systems. As a lead on from the previous point, get involved in the business systems. Look at opportunities to improve and streamline systems. This can be done with or without a recognized ISO management system. Demonstrate the benefits to the business while gaining your own experience and opportunities in building, maintaining and improving systems.
   
3. Get experience auditing other businesses systems. And while you are gaining your experience being involved in the business systems, why don’t you branch out and start helping some friends or acquaintances businesses? This broadens your scope and the industries that you are exposed to. Do it for free at first just so you can gain the experience!
   
4. Consult. Then once you have gained this experience (as per #3) why not look at consulting as another stream of income and experience gathering? You can do this on the side of your current role all the while building your own portfolio for auditing and building management systems. Oh and if you are a consultant and your clients are being certified, this is a great way to meet certification auditors as well as have contact with certification bodies who you may have the opportunity to work for in the future. Do you see where I am heading with all of this? It’s about building your experience and exposure to others in the industry.
   
5. Offer yourself for observations with Certification Bodies. And once you have built a relationship with a certification body or more than one ideally, you can start showing your interest in becoming a certification auditor and offer to be part of an audit team as an observer so you can see how it’s done.
   
6. Retain an audit log. It is vital that all of the experiences above are retained as evidence by using an audit log. I always use the Exemplar Global audit log to maintain my audit hours. You can download the audit log from our free resources: Exemplar Global Audit Log.

Wrapping up, the path to becoming an ISO auditor is not just a series of steps; it’s an ongoing process of skill-building and networking. Through practical audit experience, systems improvement, and industry engagement, you’ll be developing your own unique narrative in the auditing world. This blueprint isn’t just a map—it’s an ongoing journey toward excellence, combining practice, adaptability, and strategic foresight. Get ready to embrace this path, where every experience you log is a stepping stone to your ultimate goal: certified ISO auditor status.

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Your Next Steps:

1. Gain Internal Audit Experience: Start where you are by engaging in any internal audit opportunities within your current organization. Volunteer for tasks that will put you in the audit sphere and start building practical experience right away.
   
2. Download the Audit Log: Keep track of every audit experience with our Exemplar Global Audit Log. It’s essential to document your progress and the hours you’ve invested. This will not only help in your certification process but also provide a clear record of your growth.
   
3. Seek Feedback and Mentorship: As you document your journey, engage the services of an ISO career consultant who can offer guidance. Their insights will be invaluable in sharpening your skills and navigating the certification landscape with confidence.