Interview Questions HELP!

[CaptBob]

Resumes

Most resumes are poorly done. The business resume format is not the best for firefighter candidates, because with the high volume of candidates, the raters only have a few moments to look at your resume before you walk into the room.

I’m a one-page resume guy for entry level without a cover letter, not in a binder or folder. Do not give us a book. We will not read it. The board does not have enough time. And do not come an interview thinking you are going to hand out your resume and we’re going to read it. That is not going to happen. This upsets the normal flow of the interview. We’re going to read your application and resume before you come in the room. If you submit a resume, get it to personnel to be placed in your file before the interview. Don’t fax It. Make the appropriate copies and hand deliver or FedEx them.

A candidate faxed me his resume. The cover letter for the position he was applying for stated, “Attached is a “brief” description of my qualifications.” I laughed out loud because he had sent me a book. The printer ran out of paper. Save a tree, the raters will not read these volumes. Don’t send me on a treasure hunt to find your great stuff. Hit me with your major qualifications starting with your experience on one page. Write it believing the raters won’t go past the first page. You can put any supporting details, documents, certificates and letters of recommendation following the first page. Keep it simple.

Many people start their resume with their education. For me, I like to see professional experience jump right off the page. Hit me with experience, bam! Fire fighting, bam! Some kind of training, apparatus operator training, fire school, whatever it is. Hit me with that experience. And that doesn’t necessarily have to be in chronological order or fire service experience. On so many of the resumes I see, I find the important stuff way down at the bottom of the first page. Because that’s how it falls in chronological order. It starts with some education up here, some college, whatever, blah blah, experience, now we’re down at the bottom of the page where I might not see it.

I was reviewing a candidate’s resume and in chronological order his paramedic certification was at the bottom of the page. I asked him, “What are the most important items on your resume? He said, my Firefighter 1 and Paramedic Certification.” They were at the bottom of the page where they might be missed. We put those items on top so those are the first things that hit you. We put the dates on the right side of the page where it can be referenced. Once you put the dates on the right-hand side of the page, you list your experience in order of importance, not just in chronological order. This makes a big difference.

My suggestion for a firefighter resume format: name, address, phone number & e-mail address, professional experience, education, volunteer and community service. That’s all you need. Nothing more. Nothing less. Keep it simple.

Make a photocopy because you never know when you’re going to that job interview. I talk to people who have put in applications and resumes, and six to eight months later they don’t have a copy and don’t remember what they’ve put down.

Here’s a sample:

Carl Mcfly (Revised)
1284 Main St.
Kensington, Ca 94588
Phone: 510-286-5890 e-mail: [email protected]

OBJECTIVE: To achieve a level within the fire service.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Firefighter Fire Department, CA 2-00 Present
Duties include but are not limited to fire suppression in structural as well as wild land environments and emergency medical services under highly stressful emergency conditions. Also, fire prevention, public education, vehicle and station maintenance under the supervision of a Captain, always focusing on providing quality customer service.

Engineer (Acting) 2-03 Present

Firefighter Fire Department (Auxiliary) 3-99 2-00
Perform in a probationary capacity under emergency situations, fire suppression, emergency medical services, also fire prevention, public education, vehicle and station maintenance.

EMT Ambulance Service, CA 3-99 2-00
Perform under emergency situations; emergency medical services under the direction of Redondo Beach and L.A. County Fire Department Paramedics. Vehicle and station maintenance and Code-3 driving.

INSTRUCTOR Emergency Response CPR Training 3-03 Present
Adult, Child, & Infant CPR training for the community as well as for the professional rescuer.

Owner/Operator Pool Company, CA 5-97 2-00
Service and repair of residential and commercial pools and spas according to County Health Department specifications.

EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree
EMT Defib and Combitube certified
Firefighter I
Red Cross certified CPR Instructor
Firefighter II
Federal Red Card System Member
Driver/Operator State certified
Class B Driver’s License

ACTIVITIES
Member of State University Track and Field Team.
Member of State University X-Country Team.
Volunteer for Hubbs Institute White Sea Bass Population Restoration Project.
Volunteer for Red Cross on various projects.

Keep it simple. Nothing more or less.

[celtool]

Captain Bob,

I wanted to share my testemonial below...........

I have been a DOD firefighter in for ten years. I decided a year ago that I wanted to work for a big city. This was my first attempt at a major firefighting hiring process. I had no idea what to expect so I purchased Captain Bob's full package on the advice of a friend. Because of the information I learned in the program I went into my "Chiefs Oral" fully prepared. I was not surprised by a single question. I found out this week that in a month I will be starting with one of the biggest fire departments in the country. There is no doubt in my mind that Captain Bob's materials where instrumental in making my dream a reality!"

[Matthader]

Captain Bob,

I'm having trouble with question 20 What if your ordered to do something that you felt was unsafe? This seems almost like a trick question because it seems unwise to rush into every order without considering your safety but equally wrong to question a direct order from a more experienced firefighter.

What is the correct answer to this question?

Thank you

[CaptBob]

When were you Going to Tell Us?

What have you left out? If it doesn’t come out of your mouth during the interview, it didn’t happen.

You may be leaving important stuff out of your oral board presentations. The following are segments from our son Captain Rob’s coaching sessions.
Two recent candidates left out they were Eagle Scouts. Is that important? Yea!

Although this was a firefighter in Kansas this candidate forgot to include in his oral interview that he grew up in the Las Vegas area and was testing to come back home to Vegas.

Military experience can be a big asset if you present it correctly. Most military veterans don’t expand enough on their experiences to the panel. Like many this candidate only mentioned that he was in the military. Which branch? Marines. We’re you stationed over seas. Yep. Where? Okinawa and Japan. Did they prepare you with cultural diversity classes before you went to Japan? Yes. So you were taught and lived in a cultural diverse country. I guess. A lot better than just I was in the military. When were you going to tell us?

Another candidate mentioned he was in the military. What was your assignment? I was part of the ground crew for Marine One. Isn’t that the President of the United States helicopter? Yes. Did you have a security clearance? Yes, because I was around the President. Should I use that? When were you going to tell us?

This candidate only said he worked for a private company that provides fire protection. What do they do? Weapons research, development and testing. Have you been trained to handle emergency situations and suppression with rocket fuels and explosives? Yes. Do you have a security clearance? Yes. What security clearance do you have? I can’t tell you. If he couldn’t tell us, this is pretty big right? So, when were you going to tell us?

This candidate was asked, weren’t you activated for Iraq? Oh, yea. Tell me the story. Well, I was at the firehouse at Columbia Fire College and the phone rings at 11:30 p.m. It was my crew chief from my Air force reserve unit with orders to report at 7:30 a.m. the next morning at Travis Air Force base. We flew out in a C5A transport and I spent the next year in country and did . ... I’ve now been in 27 countries. Did you learn about cultural diversity? Yes, let me count the ways. When were you going to tell us?

Did you play sports in high school? Yep. I’ve been playing sports since I was 6 years old. I played three sports in high school. Did you letter? Yes. In all three sports. Were you captain of the team? Yea, baseball. What did you learn? Commitment, being physically fit, working as a team, supervision, recognizing and using the strengths and weaknesses of the team members. Do any of these have any parallels to the fire service? Every one. Have you ever used these in an oral? Nope. Why not? They’re golden. Who else can tell the story?

The candidate only mentioned he was a volunteer. After a few questions it was revealed he lived in the fire station while he was going to school and racked up 8,000 on duty hours. Important?

Too many candidates have been told by firefighters to only use EMS and fire stuff in their oral boards. They end up leaving out 30-40% of critical life experiences from volunteering and jobs they worked through out their life, including high school that can demonstrate skills and attributes that could separate them from the other candidates.

There are, however, things you shouldn’t say:

Even though you went into the mission field with your church you never know how this might play out with members of the panel when you bring up church or religion. All you have to do is offend just one panel member and it could affect your score enough to be out of the running. Consider just mentioning how you helped people when and where in culturally diverse parts of the world. You better be praying because your competition is.

From Seattle area: I have a few accomplishments that look really good on paper, but it seems like every time I say them in my voice recorder or in practice with my fiancé they sound like I am bragging. Where can I fit these in, or should I at all.

High School Valedictorian
Full Ride academic scholarship to college
Academy - Most Inspirational
Academy - Most Inspirational, Top Recruit, Most Fit
Yada, yada, yada

Like I said I am not telling you to brag, but I do think they say something about my work ethic and willingness to work with, and help others.

Reply: The reason they sound like you're bragging is you are bragging.
I know you want to drop those in but what would you think as a panel member hearing these rants of accolades? When I hear a candidate continue to boast like this I think teacher’s pet, can I do the erasers, kiss ***, yada, yada, yada, etc. Yea, you can use one of these accolades but don’t go to overkill.

When this candidate was asked if he had any questions for the panel he would reply, do you see any reason why I shouldn’t get this job, (because a firefighter friend told him to say that)? Everyone becomes an expert when they get hired you know. This did not play well on the other side of the panel.

A candidate in a recent oral told the panel he stayed in shape with arena boxing. Isn’t that cage boxing? Yea. This lead to more questions into areas you might not want to go.

Anytime I hear someone is involved in motocross, cage boxing, ice hockey or any other extreme sports I wonder how many times this candidate has had their bell rung or injuries they have already had or will have that could affect future time and sick leave or ability to do the job. I’m not the only person that feels this way. All you need is a little doubt with one rater and it can affect your score to keep you out of the running to be considered.

In response to the tip I got this e-mail:

So would ballet and bowling be a better choice to put on my resume as opposed to ice hockey or other extreme sports?? Would I not want to include sports that are demanding and rigorous on the body as experienced in firefighting? I noticed you left off the bell ringing all American sport of football?? Thanks for the tips.

Reply: A way to present this is to say you are physically fit and can play most any indoor or outdoor sports.

[CaptBob]

Not a Regular Job Interview!

Many regular job and corporate interview candidates like the following are stunned and baffled why they don't have high scores on their firefighter interviews.

Captain Bob:

I just received my oral board score for the City of Glendale. The score did not represent how I felt I did during the interview. This is a big problem for me because I now realize that I DON'T KNOW what the board was looking for. I make presentations for a living, so I felt confident in what I did to prepare. I was sure that I just about nailed it.

I've always been competitive about what I set out to accomplish, using every tool that I can utilize to reach my goal. Sir, I would greatly appreciate your training to help me be the best that I can be at the oral boards.

I've been preparing for these orals for months and felt extremely prepared. I don't want to waste another oral board without knowing that I've done all that I can to be the best candidate possible. Thank you for your time Sir.
Regards, Fire Recruit Jeff

Reply: Jeff, You're not alone here. You have discovered like many other's that a fire department oral board is different than anything you have encountered. Too many candidates beat there heads against the wall for years getting to the point where you are now.

Another:

After my interview rejection an east coast city last week, I sent a letter to the D/C thanking him for the opportunity and telling him I'd appreciate any feedback from the interview. Well - he was honest - he indicated he wanted me to keep testing & interviewing, but wrote that I:

-talked too much & over answered the questions
-talked too fast
-some of my answers were based on book knowledge (?)

Also - as I mentioned I approached this like I would a corporate interview (BAD IDEA) and I tried to 'close' them at the end - they asked if I had any closing questions (jeez I wish I read your web site before going in) and I opened my big stupid mouth to say 'I kept your rejection letter from last year (I actually showed it to them - this was my second time interviewing) and it mentioned that candidates had failed to prepare and properly sell themselves to the board. I've been working to improve myself in these areas for the past year - have I properly done this?'

The D/C mentioned in his letter back to me that, 'I don't think that showing the letter I mailed out last time was the best thing you could have done. It was as if you were showing it off and showing us that you still had it.' I need to keep my damn mouth shut and just answer the questions. Live and learn. I look forward to getting your package.

Stay safe Dave

You don't want to waste any opportunities. How do you turn it around? Remember you're applying for a snott nose rookie position not fire chief. If you try to use regular corporate job interivew skills it could bite you like it did the above candidates. There is a delicate balance here.

[CaptBob]

Key Words

There is a lot of information out there about focusing on specific traits and key words for interviews, trying to target and use those key words to get the boxes checked off on the rating sheets. There are books that teach you the suggested answers, words, etc but they make you a clone of everyone else. Since these key words and specific traits can change from agency to agency and from test to test with a department how do you know how to target the current key words and specific traits they’re looking for?

Since oral board scores are calculated in hundredths of points (82.15, 87.63, 90.87, etc), the goal is to keep building on a few hundredths of points here on this question, a few hundredths there on that answer, gaining a few more hundredths with their signature personalized life experience stories at the appropriate time, delivering the all powerful “Nugget” answers that no one else can tell, and pulling away from the parrot salvo dropping clones.

We've know for a long time that concentrating on trying to get the boxes checked off on the rating sheet for specific traits draws you away from your personal life "Nugget" experiences. Stories only you can tell, and can give our guys the advantage of killing them with their "Nuggets". In the process you will get those boxes checked off

If you’ve ever heard a candidates try to pull off trying to target specific traits it sounds like a dog and pony show because in trying to ring the bells on the so called specific traits and key words with starts, stops and sputters they lose site of who they really are. They end up like you, not the candidate you want to be.

They would make a better presentation with their education, experience and personal life experiences and in the process get the boxes checked off, building up hundreds of points in several areas, getting a higher score, in a smooth and natural way. It separates them from the other struggling candidates in their attempt to master the rating sheet.

[CaptBob]

What have you done to prepare for the position?

In your oral boards everything you have done up to that day has prepared you for this opportunity. Too many candidates leave out important life experiences that could make a big difference.

While riding a bike on vacation the chain jumped off both sprockets. Couldn’t call the car club and it was a long walk back. I rewound the video tape of my life to when I had a bike and quickly got the chain back on both sprockets, wiped off the grease with a handy wipe and peddled away.

On some departments they will ask tell us a little about yourself and what have you done to prepare for the position. We suggest you still break it down into two questions. One brief ice breaker tell us about yourself and then what have you done to prepare for the position.

Try this: This will probably be your longest answer. Start with your education and keep it in chronological order so you won’t forget anything.

Then, your life and professional experience in chronological order. Start your experience by rewinding the video of your life to your first and succeeding jobs in life; no matter if you got paid or how menial it seemed. Many have had paper routes, mowed lawns, worked for relatives or at Burger King. O.K., what did you learn? How you learned to work hard, show up on time, have responsibility, provide customer service and how to work as a team.

Many have told me they’ve been playing sports since they were 6 years old. Did you participate in sports in high school or college? Did you letter? Did your team advance to the regional or state finals? Isn’t that working as a team? As a team member you had to stay in shape, have commitment and recognize the strengths and weaknesses of other team members and how you could cover in. Do any of these areas apply to the fire service? You bet! Every one of them. So any time you can relate your personal life experiences in answering an oral board question, you are telling the oral board that you not only know the answer to the question, you have already lived it!

End with those things you can tie your name to. Things where you were part of a team, spearheaded a group, took a project from inception to end or were part of a committee that established a procedure or skill. Include anything you volunteered for no matter when it happened. Once you start on this question you keep going until you finish your answer.

It’s critical to practice your answers with a hand-held voice recorder that goes everywhere your car keys go to work it out.

This is how it can play out on a promotional test but also applies to entry-level:

Tony was going for his first Captain’s test. I asked Tony to begin his experience for his answer to what have you done to prepare for this position. Tony’s first job was working in a bicycle repair shop. He went through successive jobs and the rest on his experience. At the end of this question Tony told the panel that he spearheaded the establishment (attached his name) of bike paths and trails in the city where he was a firefighter. He also collected, repaired used bikes and gave them to those in need. He also collected donations from businesses to fund this program.

This type of presentation is referred to as a recall. Tony came full circle from his first job in life to using the experience years later to establish a community-wide bike program. Tony was promoted to captain his first time out.

It was that early life experience (without the handy wipes) that I recalled to get the chain back on the sprockets and back on the road.

[CaptBob]

Master the First Impression

I spoke to a group of volunteers who were mostly aspiring firefighters recently. As I was greeting several members before I started, I shook hands with a big strapping lad who had firefighter written all over him. He had that kind of firm handshake, smile and focused eye contact that can cause an oral board panel to want to hand him a badge.

A few moments later I turned to shake hands with another big guy. His handshake didn’t carry the same message. It felt like a dead fish. The big problem was he didn’t know. No one had told him. I had him go over and shake hands with the first guy. They worked on it for a few minutes and he returned with a more confident handshake.

The following is from Work Your Network, by Joe “Mr. Network” Pelayo
http://www.josephmichaels.com/book/book.shtml :

A UCLA study found that when 2 people meet for the first time they make 20 distinctions about each other in the first 20 seconds, then spend the next 20 minutes finding out whether or not they were right! The same study found that a handshake is worth an
hour’s conversation between two people, because handshakes are thought
to be a judge of your character.

When shaking hands with a female rater don’t wait for the high beams to come on in her eyes because of too much pressure. Just match the pressure in her handshake. At the end of the interview they will usually stand and shake hands again. Same eye contact while thanking (by rank if you know) them for the opportunity.

Use that handshake to make the right first impression.

[CaptBob]

You have to pass the psych test first time out!

Most candidates are more than surprised when I tell them up to 40% fail the psychological test given by many departments.

I received one phone call and two e-mails from relatives of a firefighter/medic candidate who failed a psych test before the candidate called asking "What can I do now?" He had been testing for 5 years and this was the first job offer. I asked him if he had prepared in advanced like every other step of the hiring process before he showed up. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard this, "Things were going so great I didn't think I needed it."

Imagine after all the education, experience and time preparing to get this job like the above candidate . . . and you're eliminated. Then no one will talk to you to find out what happened. I've talked to too many candidates who were devastated and didn't know what to do next. This is a critical part of the testing process you need to prepare for and pass the first time out.

You've jumped through all the flaming hoops and made it through the background check. Then, you're conditionally offered the job pending the medical, which includes a psychological test. You take the test, no big deal right? Then the phone stops ringing.

You are out of the hiring process. You are told that you didn't meet the profile. What profile?

What do you mean I didn't meet the profile? I've got training, experience, education, every degree, certificate, merit badge, and a paramedic certification. I've been a volunteer, paid member of another department for 10years, and lived and breathed this job. And, I don't meet the profile?

What's included in the psych test? There is a written test that sets up a profile of you. Then, there is an evaluation by a psychologist.

Written Test: The most common written portion of the psychological evaluation is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory interview test of up to 1000 questions. The aim here is not to pass the test but to go into the job fully prepared. Put your pride and natural defensiveness aside. They ask a few questions in several different ways. You want to answer questions "strongly for" or "strongly against" instead of being in the middle undecided. Answer questions to present yourself as a more social, interactive, team playing type of person, i.e., you would rather be in a conversation with others than reading a book alone.

You can get some insight on how the written test is scored HERE
http://www.bigdeadplace.com/psyche_eval.html

Some written tests include an Ink Blot Test. You can find out more about this test HERE http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/rorschach.php

The Evaluation: This is where the wheels start coming off the wagon for too many candidates.

Before the interview, the psychologist will often have you take a separate personality test, fill out a personal family history, a biography and additional information forms.

The biggest error candidates make during the psychological evaluation is thinking there is a patient/doctor confidentiality even when the doctor has them sign a release that there is not. This is not your family doctor. Guess who's paying the bill?

What gets candidates in trouble here is they want this job so bad that they will say and do almost anything to get it.

Although I don't encourage candidates to be less than truthful, those candidates who are honest to a fault diminish their chances of passing the psychological interview! That's right. You folks want this job so bad you will tell the psychologist anything they want to know. Even stuff they didn't ask you. Once you start down this road of total honesty, creating trails where you don't have to, tossing out more information than was asked for thinking this guy is your friend is where you get into big trouble. Especially when the psychologist says, "Everyone has skeletons in their closet, this interview is not designed to eliminate you from the process", or "you don't want to be too squeaky clean." So you open up. Then the phone stops ringing and no one will talk to you. You are out of the process Mcfly. And, you don't know why.

So what should you do?

Only answer the question you're being asked. Before you volunteer information, think before you speak. If they want to know more they will ask. Don't appear to be closed but warm and cordial. Present your ideas clearly. Don't ramble or chat. Be articulate. This is how you're going to be in the field. Believe it or not this is part of the job interview. You are making an impression of who you are going to be as a firefighter.

Make sure you dress up and don't slouch. Be prepared to audition for the part of being a firefighter. Know your strong points. Be prepared to demonstrate you are a team player.

This from a new firefighter:

I had to take one for two departments. I tried to answer the questions as honestly as I could, while presenting myself as a very positive social person. Some of the "experts" out there say that you should be brutally honest on the test. Well 3 good guys I know did just that, and they did not pass either test. We lost 10 out of 25 guys on one test! In all honesty I might not have passed either if I hadn't prepared in advance. I feel that is a very dangerous test, and some of the advice these people are giving out is costing great candidates a job. Steve.

This from an in service firefighter: During the last hiring process 2 years ago the psychologist passed 10 people. Of those 10, 2 have quit, 2 have been fired, and 1 committed suicide. I wonder if he is worth what the city pays him to evaluate prospects? Have a nice weekend.

[SmokeEatersUnion]

Thank God for Capt. Bob and Capt. Rob!

Hey everybody,

I've been involved/testing with the fire service in Southern California for 11 years and for every process that I go through, I always, always score low in the interview. I got the gold package for my birthday, talked to Captain Bob about what I was struggling with and right afterward, I got a miracle letter for THE best department there is in LA County and the nation! My dream department! After using the cd's and tape recorder I thought to myself, this is good, but I don't want there to be any reason I don't pass this one! So, I decided to get the private coaching with Captain Rob. I was amazed at how COMPLETELY HORRIBLE I had been sounding. Not only my answers, but just the way I talked! Needless to say, I got into the interview and the questions were VERY non-traditional and I had to fit all my experience and what I knew I wanted to talk about into my answers somehow. I got the interview results and I had my wife open them and she said, "you got a 95 and you are in band 1...that's good right?" I said, "stop joking with me, what's my score?". She said, "95. You made band one". I stopped the car and looked and she was right! I did well on an interview! Finally! The one for my dream department no less! I beat out guys who even worked for the department already in other positions! Fire personnel had always told me I was a very marketable guy, but in the oral boards I did not know how to present myself. Captain Bob and Captain Rob gave me the keys to unlock my potential! Thank you both for everything!

-Joel

[FDNYPD]

I'm sorry Capt Bob but I cant let this continue without opposition. To conclude a statement in an interview with "This is the end of my statement" is a clear way for the panel to know when you are done and when they can move onto the next question. Giving the gent on the first page the go-ahead to say "I'm energetic, do what I can to learn and have trainings" is the same old dribble heard over and over again by oral board panels. As soon as they hear "training" or "I learn good" they shut down.

To tell someone not mention their community outreach involvement such as church and religion is completely bogus as well. This is something that makes them who they are and explains a large part of their committment to helping others.

I will guess that since so much of your information is reprocessed, I wont need to read the rest to understand you are not helping anyone score well on interviews.

FORUM MEMBERS be aware that there are a lot of kooks on these websites. Take my, as well as anyone else's, advice with a grain of salt. You can't pigeon hole an interview process or try to change yourself to meet their needs. You'll be ousted then or in the background investigation. Dont try to "figure out" the oral board. Take legitimate and acredited college courses on public speaking and interview skills. Even joining Toastmasters, although a slow process, is a better way than trying to order the Number 3, pass-the-interview special from the Cafe of Internet Foolishness

[patricholier]

Hi,
I am also very interested in this subject, but the reference is very limited. You can share documents as well as experience? Thanks!
If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: Science teacher interview questions
Best regards.

[CaptBob]

Hey everybody,

I beat out guys who even worked for the department already in other positions! Fire personnel had always told me I was a very marketable guy, but in the oral boards I did not know how to present myself. Captain Bob and Captain Rob gave me the keys to unlock my potential! Thank you both for everything! -Joel

Joel: Thanks for the kind words. Glad you were able to turn it around in your favor. Band one is a great spot to be in.

[nwavant]

This is all great help in thinking and preparing for the boards. Thank you!

Now what about before the Board? As in just the application process. How would you respond to the questions that are not stated facts?

As in:
- Why are you applying for this position?

and/or

-Do you have any other remarks?

I see these a spots where we(I) can all improve on but there is a limited amount of space maybe 3-8 line...

Thoughts?

[CaptBob]

This is all great help in thinking and preparing for the boards. Thank you!

Now what about before the Board? As in just the application process. How would you respond to the questions that are not stated facts?

As in:
- Why are you applying for this position?

and/or

-Do you have any other remarks?

I see these a spots where we(I) can all improve on but there is a limited amount of space maybe 3-8 line...

Thoughts?

What do you think the right answers are first.