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Since 100% of your score in obtaining a firefighter badge is in the oral
board, what are you missing that's keeping you from gaining that badge?
Estimated reading time 2-5 minutes for any segment!
Over 2,407 badges and counting have received their badges from this
program! Thousands more have been hired by using the free information
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---- SPFDRum, Firefighter, St. Paul, MN
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In This Issue
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
2. Entry Level Skills Tip
3. Robs Corner
4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
(Entry level should read this too)
5. New Badges
6. Humor
7. Resource Websites for Candidates
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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First this:
A drum roll please: Baaaaah daaaaaaaaah BUM! Cue the band!
Pomp and Circumstance! Ooooooooooooboyoboyoboy! Congratulations! It
happened this week. Badge number 2,400 in our program. Here’s the
happy fire lad Craig:
Captain Bob,
Just want to say THANK YOU. I have the badge with the Decatur Fire Dept.
When the process started for Decatur I got out your program again read,
listen to it, watch the DVD again and again. I was married to my voice
recorder on my PDA . When it was time for my City of works interview,
which is the last step in the process , my butterflies where flying in a
tight formation ( LOL ). That had to be the best interview I ever had. I
have to thank God, my family and you for all your help 3years ago. Your
program is by far the best! Thank you Again
Career Firefighter for the city of Decatur
Craig Heyerly
There is a badge out there for you too. You just haven’t seen it YET.
The initials for YET stand for You’re Eligible Tool! The secret as
Craig found out is learning how to take a firefighter interview. Learn
more here: http://www.eatstress.com/goldpackage.htm
Stumped????
I talked to a few candidates recently who said they were stumped by some
of the scenario questions on their oral boards. What do you do when
you’re thrown, caught flat footed? What do you do next? A quick review
revealed they had the answer but were thrown by how the questions were
disguised.
Here is a simple way to break a disguised question down. Dissect the
question down to its simplest term, one word, of what the question is
really about (i.e. stealing, drugs, drinking, etc.). Once you have
removed the disguise, you can place it in one of the oral board
questions you already have answers for. Suggested questions here:
http://www.eatstress.com/thirty.htm
It's your job to take off the disguise and find the real question and
have a "Nugget" answer to satisfy the oral board, get your best score on
the answer and cause the board to go onto the next question.
This "Nugget" tool is one of several that can separate you from number
40 and below on a list to between 1 and 10 where you get a shot at the
badge. You'll know the difference when the call comes in to go to the
Chief's oral. It can happen quicker than you can imagine.
More on scenario questions here:
http://www.eatstress.com/scenario.htm
Absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!
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Check out http://www.eatstress.com and learn how entry
level and promotional candidates are improving their interview scores up
to 15 points and nailing that badge!
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Want Captain Bob to come speak to your group? See
http://www.eatstress.com/seminar.htm
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2. Entry Level Skills Tip
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Asking the Panel Questions?
Candidates have been told that you always have to ask a question if
you're given the opportunity at the end of an interview or you will lose
points. In a regular or corporate interview that might be true. Not true
in a fire oral! You never, ever, ever, have a question. We don't expect
you to have any questions. If that question is asked (here's the
"Nugget") you can pause as if your gathering your thoughts and then say,
"No, I think we covered everything."
Even with the above suggestions a candidate came back and said well,
I’ve had too many people tell me I need to have some questions when they
ask. You can do anything you want. But your goal in a firefighter
interview is to have a seamless no surprises interview. In our
experience the urge to ask any questions can only work against you. And
the big thing here is there is not a box on the rating sheet to score
your answer. If anything it can cause them to go back and change an
area that is scored. Is that what you want to have happen?
Q. I know you have stated to say.... " I have no Questions... I think
we have covered it all" ... But what if, in fact, you haven't.
A. No matter what you might believe, you don’t want any surprises in
your interview. By asking questions you could open a can or worms you
may never close and hurt your score. I had a guy one day ask, "Since I
live so far away, can I start at second step pay to help pay for my
gas?"
We had another candidate say, "You have probably heard about the charges
against me for stealing over at the college?" No, we haven't, why don't
you tell us about it. Here was another candidate who have done an
outstanding job in his oral and he had to bring this up. His score. This
is not the time to bring up anything like this. You never bring up a
negative item unless the panel does. They probably won't. If they do,
have a simple, short (I said simple and short) answer to the situation.
Q. The other thing I don't know if you have ever mentioned. What about
Polite Name Dropping.
Not going in telling them you know everyone and their brother thus you
should get hired.
But what about something like .. I know Instructor *&**^& and he states
this is a Great dept. in fact All the people I have spoken with state
that this is one of the top-notch dept. in our area.
Something like that>>?
A. I would never name drop. It comes across as clubbing the panel
over the head trying to get more points.
How young can you be to get hired?
Hi Captain Bob, just wanted to let you know that I have been striving to
get hired since my 17th birthday and my dream department at a youthful
21 just hired me. I asked for your gold package just last Christmas and
shortly there after I got 2 chiefs interviews. After those interviews I
accepted a job with the Seattle Fire Department. I didn't think that
this day would come this soon; I didn't even have time to do private
coaching! Thanks for your help in shortening the learning curve.
Steve
Reply: Great work! Seattle no less.
Captain Bob, I would just like to say THANK YOU! I am only twenty one,
and have no college degree, but thanks to your program I have received
two conditionals! After months of practicing with a tape recorder and
rehearsing my answers, the only head-splitting decision I have to make
is between a large agency or my hometown department!
Thanks again! Chris from California
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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge,
tell them you want our Gold Package with the companion “It’s Your Turn
in the Hot Seat” CD Series!!! Check it out here!:
http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm
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While You’re here get a 10 day test drive of selected inside secrets how
to get a badge. Learn more here:
http://www.eatstress.com/testdriveintro.htm
Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!
Check out
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm for the FREE 101 Inside
Secrets How to Get a Badge!
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Ask Captain Bob any questions
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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The secret Formula to get a badge here:
http://www.eatstress.com/formula.htm
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3. Robs Corner
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Coaching
When I do a one on one coaching session, we go over questions the
candidate has prepared for, and questions they haven't. I don't have
them
polish their responses, because we will most likely change them in the
session. I just want them to have spent the time and effort to get the
direction they want to take with their responses. Here are questions I
have candidates prepare before a coaching session:
1. Tell us a little about yourself?
2. Why do you want to be a firefighter?
3. What have you done to prepare for the job of firefighter?
4. Why do you want to work for this city, or agency/
5. What is customer service, and how does it affect us in the fire
service?
6. What is ethnic diversity, and how does it affect us in the fire
service?
7. A closing statement.
At some point in just about every interview they will ask you most of
these
questions. If you can have answers you are proud of think how much
better
you'd do in your interview if you have them down pat?
Good Luck,
Where ever you might be stuck in the hiring process from the written or
video testing, physical agility CPAT, oral interview, psych interview,
background, polygraph, or medical, you can find new powerful information
on Captain Rob’s new web site here: www.myfireinterview.com
CAPTAIN ROB (Thank you)
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.myfireinerview.com
For more on entry level coaching visit
http://www.myfireinterview.com/private%20coaching.htm
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4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
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Second Interview
Question: I have a chief’s interview next week I was told by the chief
looks for loyalty etc. to the dept. above education. I don't want to
push my BS in Fire Admin and academy stuff too much but want to reflect
upon my accomplishments in the dept. i.e. committees etc., training
received through the department and 12 years of experience as a senior
member now. He also knows every one of us personally so the guys that
act like idiots around the firehouses are known too. Where do I go with
the interview as far as avoiding too much education (he doesn't look at
resumes etc.)?
Reply:
Once the promotional list is established, there could be another
interview with the fire chief and/or his staff. They want to know if
you’re going to be one of the horses in the team that is going to pull
the department in the direction to fit the chief’s culture and future
plans. Know his direction. Do you have the ability to solve problems?
Have you established a reputation of providing solutions and not
problems? Are they going to have the confidence in handing you a
command? Giving you a station, battalion or higher position is like
giving you a 7 Eleven franchise. Are you going to be part of the
solution in keeping your franchise together, or part of the problem of
keeping it productive? You had better have a plan thought out before
you show up for this part of the interview process.
Many candidates go in to this interview thinking they have to do repair
work for something that happened during their career. Leave it alone.
It’s buried in cement. Unless they bring up the situation, remain
silent. They will probably never bring it up. Focus on your assets to
the team and the organization.
Abraham Lincoln said, “If you want to check a man’s character, give him
some authority.” Are you the one who turns into the resident Nazi when
given some authority, or micro manages everything within your reach?
One of the malcontent firefighters that always is bad-mouthing the
administration or tearing others apart to try and make themselves look
good? A good, healthy, stress-free life can depend on good thoughts and
attitude. If you are a born pessimist, constantly negative, and look at
everything as black, then this situation feeds on itself and can poison
you, your relationships, and any chance you had for a promotion.
No one wants to be stuck working and living with a black negative
cartoon. You have been in stations and seen crews that feed off of
being negative. They must have forgotten how it was to work a regular
job or don’t realize that there is an army of people that would take
their spot in a heartbeat. These are the folks that back in the cowboy
days if they were caught rustling horses and the sheriff was going to
hang them, would be complaining because it wasn’t a new rope.
This is a bad habit you can change by your attitude. Attitude is such a
small thing that can make such a huge difference. Attitude is your
rudder through life. Practice not being negative for five minutes.
Then, double the time. Keep doubling it until you break the habit.
Don’t take the bait if others try to hook you into being negative. If
you fail, start over. Once you can do this for twenty-one days, your
subconscious will be reprogrammed. You won’t die! “Water, a drop at a
time, will eventually float a whale.”
Just remember everything you have done up til today has prepared you for
this position.
Promotion Badges:
Capt. Bob,
Just wanted to let you know I came out #4 on our list this past
November, and last week I was promoted to Captain/Paramedic...I bought
your entry level CD 5years ago and was hired. 4 years later I bought the
promotional CD and got the Badge.... Thanks for the help!!!!!!
Arizona FF Mark
Another: I went for the Captain's test, and got the badge. Thanks for
all your information and material, it was quite helpful. Michael
More promotion preparation question here:
http://www.eatstress.com/promoquestions1.htm
Wait! While you're here Captain Bob wants to give you a 10 day FREE test
drive of selected inside secrets how to get a promotional badge. Learn
more here:
http://www.eatstress.com/promointro.htm
For more on our promotional program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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5. New Badges
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Capt. Bob,
Thank you for all your help in my many years of attaining the dream of
riding in the jump seat!
Just wanted to drop you note that I utilized your Psychological packet
to get through my interview with the shrink. It was not stressful in
the least as I felt very prepared after reading your "Conquer the Physc
interview" (sorry about the spelling). I kept it simple and did not
give any information that was not asked, he told me that I was well
grounded. I also kept in mind when answering the questions to answer
them in the "firefighter" way of thinking, it was only about a quick 1/2
hr interview! He said there was nothing in here that would stop me from
being a firefighter. My situation is unique in that I am a "transfer"
candidate, I am transferring from a Fire Prevention Inspector to a
Firefighter, where they are going to send me to medic school while being
paid! I did have to go through the same exact process for external
candidates, interview, test and such, however easy it seemed, I still
utilized all your steps that I purchased from you years ago to ensure
that I was at the top of my game! For my dept. to put out all this
money to train me shows how much they think of me!
Thank you again for all your help in my many years of attaining the
dream of riding in the jump seat! –Steve
How young can you be to get hired?
Hi Captain Bob, just wanted to let you know that I have been striving to
get hired since my 17th birthday and my dream department at a youthful
21 just hired me. I asked for your gold package just last Christmas and
shortly there after I got 2 chiefs interviews. After those interviews I
accepted a job with the Seattle Fire Department. I didn't think that
this day would come this soon; I didn't even have time to do private
coaching! Thanks for your help in shortening the learning curve.
Steve
Reply: Great work! Seattle no less.
Captain Bob, I would just like to say THANK YOU! I am only twenty one,
and have no college degree, but thanks to your program I have received
two conditionals! After months of practicing with a tape recorder and
rehearsing my answers, the only head-splitting decision I have to make
is between a large agency or my hometown department!
Thanks again!
Chris from California
How old can you be?
Capt.Bob, my name is James Green. I bought your package about 6 months
ago and studied it. I am a believer in following direction. It seemed
to have worked. I am 40 years old and have been working full-time on
the ambulance for almost 9 years. I have very little fire training.
When the job announcement came out for the recent CDF Firefighter II /
Paramedic position, I had the bare minimum to get me in the door for the
interview. I had a Paramedic license, a PCF academy, and 1 year of
volunteer experience. I used your tools laid out in the program and,
just like you said, it didn't matter that I was older than most of the
candidates. I didn't tell them my age. It also didn't matter that I
had less fire experience than probably at least half of the other
candidates. I did very well and made rank 7 on their list. There were
only 23 people in the first 6 ranks total, and 228 people on the list.
So basically I am # 24 of 228. I have already been offered and have
accepted a job. I start on September 11th in Riverside. You were
right. The CDF interview was a little different than other ones but
your tools still had me in the right mind set and you taught me some
basic rules about what to say, what not to say, and where my head should
be as far as "thinking like a snot nosed rookie." A friend of mine with
a really fat jacket of fire certifications and years of service with the
same volunteer department didn't follow the program, made rank 15, and
hasn't gotten called yet. I tried to tell him prior to the interview
about what I was doing to prepare myself. I even gave him access to the
materials that I had purchased from you. I think he thought that it was
all good information but that his certifications and years of experience
as a volunteer would carry him. He still can't believe that I did
better than he did in the interview. Again, thank you very much. I
thought I was never going to get off the ambulance. Sincerely, James H.
Green
Capt. Got the call last night. I've cleared backgrounds and I'm good to
go for
the August 7th Academy. I'm getting hired as an EMT Firefighter, the
first BLS firefighters they've hired in 13 years. THanks again for all
your
advice and mentoring you have given me. It is truely appreciated.
Sincerely, Jacks
I GOT THE BADGE!!!!!!
Thank you, Thank you Thank you!!!!!!
I took the poly on Monday, and Tue. morning did my final drug screen,
and Dr.s' Physical exam w/ stress test, when that was all finished I got
the BIG NOD!!!
Got fitted and yelled so loud I think my wife heard it all the way in
Utah.
This is the second time you have helped me achieve my goal to get the
best job in the world. I know beyond any doubt that without your help
and guidance this wouldn't have happened. Thank you from the very fibers
of my being!!!!
Allen
Capt. Bob
Thank you so very much I visited your web page and asked a few simple
questions and read every news letter you sent out and low and behold a
few weeks latter I was practicing into a mirror and talking into my
little pocket tape recorder and stood tall and was very confidant. and
when asked why do you want to be a firefighter I told my personal story
mixed in with the clone answers. IT WORKED YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!
I am now a Full time Paid Firefighter/EMT-I for Logan City Fire and EMS,
Logan Utah
Thank you again.
Firefighter
Robert Pitcher
Logan Fire and EMS
More badges here:
http://eatstress.com/testbest.htm
To see how candidates have improved their position in gaining a badge
visit
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage152.htm
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Check out the current "Bonus Nugget" oral board tip
http://www.eatstress.com/bonusnugget.htm
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6. Humor
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9 Things I Hate About Everyone
1. People who point at their wrist while asking for the time.... I know
where my watch is pal, where the hell is yours? Do I point at my crotch
when I ask where the toilet is?
2. People who are willing to get off their ass to search the entire room
for the T.V. Remote because they refuse to walk to the T.V. And change
the channel manually.
3. When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too".
Damn right! What good is cake if you can't eat it?
4. When people say "it's always the last place you look". Of course it
is. Why the hell would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people
actually do this? Who and where are they? Gonna Kick their asses!
5. When people say while watching a film "did you see that?". No Loser,
I paid $12 to come to the cinema and stare at the damn floor.
6. People who ask "Can I ask you a question?".... Didn't really give me
a choice there, did ya sunshine?
7. When something is 'new and improved!'. Which is it? If it's new, then
there has never been anything like it before it. If it's an improvement,
then there must have been something similar before it, so it couldn't be
new.
8. When people say "life is short". What the hell?? Life is the longest
damn thing anyone ever does!! What can you do that's longer?!
9. When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks "Has the bus come
yet?". If the bus had come would I be standing here, dumb ass?
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7. Resource Websites for Candidates:
http://www.eatstress.com/hotlinks.htm
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For Back Issues of Fire-Zine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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To subscribe or leave
http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm
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==> SHARE YOUR TIP or STORY. Send it to
captbob@eatstress.com
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Nothing counts til you have the badge . . . Absolutely Nothing!
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Code 3 Publishing. Fire Captain Bob Smith, Speaker, Author, Publisher
Information Products on How to Get a Badge.
Web site: http://www.eatstress.com
Over 300 pages of helpful
information.
Phone: 888-238-3959 local 925-846-3959 Fax: 925-846-9650
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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