FireZineJan06

Firefighters

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?

January 3, 2004

Over 2,349 badges and counting have received their badges from this
program! Thousands more have been hired by using the free information
from our web site and having their questions answered by phone or
e-mail.

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Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional.

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Please forward or recommend this FireZine to anyone you
know that wants to shorten the learning curve to get
that badge!

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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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Las Vegas, Nevada Exam Prep.
For those of you who want a head start on your competition for the Las
Vegas Fire exam, Don McNea Fire School has assembled a 600+ question
practice examination for the Firefighter Selection, Inc. (FSI) 8th
Edition test preparation manual. Go to the link below for further
information. Remember that luck goes to the prepared !!!!!
http://www.fireprep.com/firefighter_selection_inc___fs1.html

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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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How Many Interviews?

Capt. Bob, once again, thanks for all your help. I had emailed you
previously regarding getting a first, then a second interview with a
Fire Department. About a week ago I found out that I have a third
interview with the city Police and Fire Commission.

My question this time is what this usually means and if the questions
they ask will be the same as the ones I've already fielded. Jason

CB: Any and everything is possible since there are only so many
questions they can ask. Just put your game face on an answer the
questions like it was the first time you ever heard them.

You can wear the same attire. Guys won’t remember what you wore before.

JS: I've been working full time for a police department for the past
five years. All of my Lt's and my Chief are pulling very hard for me to
get the job. They all seem to think that this is just to certify my
placement on their list before they make job offers.

CB: They’re probably right but you want to go into this interview with
your best possible presentation.

JS: I'm doing my best to not get my hopes up as I've never heard of a
third interview.

CB: It's not uncommon.

Another question:

Home Visits

I just got off the phone with a department I’m in the hiring process
with. They will be coming to my house on next Sunday. They said that
this is not a dress up occasion. No suits, just causal. They also said
that we will be discussing contracts, the schedule, day to day
operations and anything that I have questions about. I guess I have to
come up with some questions for them. Please let me know what you
think. David.

Reply: This is no big deal. This is a normal procedure for some
departments. It's just to check out your home environment and make sure
you're not weird. Are you married? If so have your wife there. Have
some cookies baking in the oven to give the house that homey smell and
feel.

Slacks and collared shirt is appropriate. No you don't need to work up
any questions. If you do you might say something stupid. Just answer
any questions asked, be yourself, smile, be warm, humble and exited. If
nothing comes to mind if they ask if you have any questions, just say no
I think you've covered everything for now. You're on the fireside of
the hiring process.

When it happens I would like to be one of the first to welcome you to
the fire service.

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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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You can’t control the wind. But you can adjust your sails.

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2. Entry Level Skills Tip
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Gratitude

I was with friends and 200 other people at the long tables having dinner
at the Colombo Club in Oakland. Retired Fire Chief Dan Lydon stopped by
and said Bob McQue is sitting over there. I stood straight up and was
walking. There he was. Retired Battalion Chief from Oakland Bob McQue.
Now in his eighties, he was still the gracious man who had helped
countless aspiring firefighter candidates, including me, achieve their
badges. I reintroduced myself and told him he had no idea how his
inspiration has continued to inspire candidates get hired across the US
of A and through out Canada.

Chief McQue taught an evening class at Oakland High on how to pass the
written portion of the firefighter test. He was the one who coined the
“Nugget” phrase. He would say, get that Nugget. Use that Nugget, and
here’s a Nugget. When he said he comes a Nugget, all ears were
listening. He didn’t do too much on oral boards because he didn’t want
everyone to sound the same.

In the process of obtaining my job I stumbled on the idea of
personalizing my presentation in answering oral board questions. I
converted Chief McQue’s “Nugget” concept for the written test into
“Nuggets” for oral boards. Not only did it help me get hired, I shared
this “Nugget” concept with those I was testing with and everyone got
hired!

Once I got hired I never stopped sharing the “Nugget” idea. Friends,
relatives, and other firefighters would send their kids to obtain skills
to get hired. When the Internet was coming of age I put up one of the
first web sites up to continue helping candidates. The success has been
beyond my wildest dreams.

A couple of months later I saw Chief McQue again at the Colombo dinner
after he had been to our web site. I told him see what you sparked?
This gracious man said, “I didn’t do it Bob, you did.” I realized
that’s what I tell candidates when they call trying to give me credit
when they get their badges. I tell them since you were on the field of
play, since you were the one making the moves, the credit all goes to
you.

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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!!! Check it out here!:
http://www.eatstress.com/goldpackage.htm

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Wait! Captain Bob wants to give you 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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What Happens in the Chief’s Interviews?

I get asked that question a lot, it seems to be that after all the hard
work to get to a chief’s interview, when it finally happens you feel you
aren’t ready and don’t know what to expect. Not all “chief’s
interviews” are with “the chief”. They can be a second interview just
like the first, an interview with other chiefs, or a meeting with the
man himself.

First of all, the things you did in your first interview were right,
that’s why you are continuing in the process.

Second, the chief knows you have passed all of the other portions of the
test, the physical, written and oral, so he knows your are qualified.
Now he wants a chance to get a look at you, see if you are someone he
wants working for him and if you are going to fit into the culture of
this department.

You could have anything from a fully structured interview, to just a cup
of coffee in his office. You cannot prepare for a cup of coffee, but
you can for a structured interview. Get back into preparing just like
you did before your initial interview so you are prepared no matter
which way it goes.

Another good idea is to go and talk to some of the last people they
hired. They were the last ones to do it right and they may be able to
give you some pointers.

The last thing is easy for me to say and difficult for everyone to do.
That is to get yourself prepared to the level where you can go in and be
comfortable and confident. Doing that while your whole life and future
depend on this meeting is not easy, but it is very important. If you
cannot sound comfortable and confident in yourself, it will be hard for
him to feel that way about you. You and I could go into the same
interview and say the same thing word for word, you in a calm manner and
me as a nervous guy and you would score higher than me.

If you can go for a good run before your interview, and still cool off,
you can exercise out some of the adrenaline, as well as release some
positive endorphins that will help you stay relaxed. Make sure the time
before your interview is kept stress free, you don’t want to put any
adrenaline back in your system, arrive early and I’m sure you will do
fine. Remember, this person sat in that same chair long ago and asked
for a job, he knows how you feel. He is going to try to get the best
out of you, don’t make it hard for him.

CAPTAIN ROB (Thank you)
captrob@sonic.net
www.myfireinterview.com

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 web site here: www.myfireinterview.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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Repair Work

Bob, I am sitting for promotional position within my department. You
have talked about bringing up your past & disclosing it before they find
out. I have a reminder letter in my file (harassment) for which I wasn't
the only one involved. I was the Lt. in charge when this occurred &
have taken responsibility for my participation. Should I acknowledge
this or use this in the harassment portion of my oral as an example,
should it be disclosed earlier or even at all? Mel

Reply: When many candidates are in position for promotion they start
creating sea monsters on what might have happened in their past, what
might be in their personnel jacket and feel they need to say something.
Don't try to do repair work. It's in cement. Leave it alone. If you
try to use this as an example in your oral or assessment center, it
could only open a can of worms you may never close. Don't bring it up
unless they do. They probably won't. If they do have a simple brief
answer taking responsibility and it will never ever happen again.

For more on our promotional program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm

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5. New Badges
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Promotions:

Dear Capt. Bob, I can now tell you that it is official.... I have been
promoted to Captain! I appreciate the tune-ups and coaching I got from
you. I truly believe that you have to practice and train for every
level in the fire service. This was my first assessment center test and
I knocked it out of the park. Thank you!

Captain Dan Green SFD
"long time student"

I answered the phone yesterday morning and a deep "Santa-Claus" voice proceeded to tell me that I was now a Captain. The voice then changed back to it's owner or to the M.P.F.D. Operations Chief who then confirmed that I had been promoted from the existing captains list. It was a "Shoe-string" tackle with one minute left in the fourth quarter but I'm just tickled and I will gratefully accept this promotion from the number one position of the "Olympic Camp".

May God bless and keep you and your family, friends and loved ones in this Holiday Season and approaching New Year.

Hey Captain Bob, Jeff here. San Jose Fire Dept. List came out two days
ago. I’m number 6 of 48. My wife’s also been reading your book “Fire
Up Your Communication Skills. She says I'm going to have to read after
she’s done. Just wanted to say thanks again. Jeff

Capt. Bob, Thank you for your great knowledge and inspiration. I ordered
your materials for promotion and it was money well spent. I placed 3rd
on the Lieutenant promotional list after using your road map to success.
I was able to identify weaknesses that I needed improvement on and
capitalized on them. Around may of 2006 we will be opening another
station with 3 officer positions to fill. I am excited and ready for the
challenge, thanks to your help. I will recommend your programs to all
who would like to be successful. M. Ray GF&R

Capt. Bob, I would like to thank you for your help and the product you
produce. On Nov. 1 I was promoted to Captain, I feel that your product
was a vital tool in the testing process. It prepared me for all
elements in the assessment center as well as the interview.
Thank you again! Capt. 84. Brad

Thank you for your program. The list came out and I am number one by a
wide margin. You still have to study the reading lists but I am sure
your program put me over the top. Thanks again. I will advise you when
the promotion comes. Bill Lark

Entry Level:

Dear Captain Bob, I have just received my final offer of employment for
the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I start work on December 12th. Your
book gave valuable information that I used in every step of the hiring
process. My parents got a chuckle every time I mentioned "Captain Bob"
and how helpful you are. They became believers and told me I should send
an E-mail to thank you. I am confident in my skills as a firefighter,
but you helped me present those skills in the most effective way. Every
step of the hiring process was exactly as you described it in "Becoming
a Firefighter." You prepared me well for every phase. I have been trying
to get hired full time for years and now I feel complete. The last time
I applied at Ann Arbor I did not get an interview. This time I made the
top of the list! Thank you very much. I have recommended your book to
other candidates I have met and I hope they listen to me-and believe in
you. Sincerely, Matt

More badges here: http://www.eatstress.com/badgesnew.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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Ten hugely important thoughts for 2005

10. Life is sexually transmitted.

9. Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

8. Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If he doesn’t act horny,
make him a sandwich!

7. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to
use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

6. Some people are like a Slinky.....not really good for anything, but
you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

5. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in
hospitals dying of nothing.

4. All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention
to criticism.

3. Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a
substantial tax cut save you thirty cents?

2. In the 60s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world
is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

AND THE NUMBER 1 THOUGHT FOR 2005:

1. We know exactly where one cow with mad-cow-disease is located amongst
the millions and millions of cows in America but we haven't got a clue
as to where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located.

We should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration.

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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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