Do you know your part in auditioning for
the part of a firefighter?
Captain Bob:
Since I received your audio/video tape program, things have turned around. I'm
concerned about an oral I had yesterday. An oral board Battalion Chief for this large
central valley department seemed disinterested, puffed air when I gave my answers, stared
at the ceiling and said, "You can't do that" when I gave an answer to a scenario
question. I felt horrible. What do you think was going on here?
Rob
Reply:
You can't know what the panel is thinking. Once you start trying, you will tank your
oral board score. Just give your best performance no matter what you think the oral board
is doing. Trying to interpret the expressions, attitudes of the panel, what they are
writing, etc., is mental masturbation.
I had several candidates contact me after their orals where I was on their panel. They
would tell me how they thought I was thinking or doing. They were never right.
The oral board is like auditioning for a part in a play. You have to know your part
and your lines. You have to give your best performance no matter who is on the panel or
what you imagine they are doing. You have about 20 minutes. The curtain is going up. It'
the bright lights of Broadway. It's show time! You have to put on your top hat, grab you
cane and step it out.
To show you how you can't tell, Rob called me back shocked that he had placed number
20 on a list he thought he failed. He will get a shot at a badge on the next hiring round.
The defense rests!
Another Victory:
Dear Captain Bob, My name is Jason and I want to take this time to say, THANK YOU! I
recently tested for the City of Denver. The written test was the first step in the process
and over 2,100 people showed for the test. As I waited outside the building, I thought to
myself, "Do I really have a chance at getting a job here. I have worked in the fire
service for the past eight years ( 7 as a military firefighter and 1 as a paid in NM).
This was going to be a challenge for myself. I received the results for the written
and I passed. Come to find out 1,400 people failed that test. They took 757 people to the
oral boards. I didn't fare so well in Colorado Springs oral boards last year. I ranked
something like 173 out of 250. That's when I contacted you for advice. After being in the
fire service for eight years, I thought I knew everything needed to be hired. Something
went wrong and I wanted to know what it was. As you took the time to speak to me you
noticed a few things wrong right off the bat. You pointed them out and I never even knew
they existed.
I ordered your audio and video tapes right after our conversation. I studied them in
and out, used a tape recorder, and practiced, practiced, practiced! I found out quickly
what I didn't know. I went to the oral boards prepared. I as I walked in they stated 757
people were going through the boards. I tried to remain positive and just present my
package. I was in and out of the interview shortly. I walked to the car and my wife asked
how it went. I said, good but I'll find out in two weeks.
Yesterday, I went to the post office to get my mail and there was the letter from the
City of Denver. I was to nervous to open it. Finally I decided it was time, my rank was
14th out of 757. I couldn't believe it 14th. WOW my total score on the board was
100.0000%. I ACED IT!!!!!! I immediately called my wife at work with the good news. She
cried.
So I want to say THANK YOU CAPT. BOB for all your advice and information on your web
site. I would have never score that high if it wasn't for you. I realize that I have a
long way to go in the testing process but I feel you helped me with the hardest part. I
will keep in touch and Thank You once again. Please feel free to edit any mistakes or
shorten this book I wrote. Thanks Bob. Jason
Captain Bob's Reply:
It's been a busy few days for our Colorado Candidates. We have several in the top 30
in the Denver process, three starting the academy in Colorado Springs on August 30th, and
two have been offered badges in West Metro Fire.
Just being a part of this celebration makes my heart full. I hope by sharing these
stories conveys the message that it is essential to gain the skills for the most important
part of the hiring process; THE ORAL BOARD!
It proves that again that, "Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . .
Nothing!"
Fire "Captain Bob" Smith has coached countless entry level and promotional
candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year Hayward, Ca. Captain,
speaker/author of the audio/video program "Conquer the Job Interview," the book
"Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6-8 and a member of the
prestigious National Speakers Association. You can book him as a speaker or get a copy of
his books and tapes by calling toll free at 888-238-3959.
