FireZineJun04

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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?

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FireZine
Cutting edge interview skills to get that badge from Fire Captain Bob.
More than 2,168 candidates have received their badges from this program!
June 2, 2004. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2003
captbob@eatstress.com   web site: www.eatstress.com 888-238-3959
(see bottom to leave "FireZine")

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     No one ever lost credibility by
           being interesting.
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Nothing counts til you have the badge . . . Absolutely Nothing!

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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!

If you are receiving this issue as a forward, and want
your own subscription, visit
http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm

To leave this list see below

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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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We went to a matinee play in San Francisco this week.  There was a fraction of the audience this theater could accommodate. You would have never known it by what took place on stage.  During intermission I spotted two of the lead actors.  I told them although the audience was sparse the cast wasn’t.  The energy and enthusiasm were fantastic, as if they were playing to a packed house.  These were professionals.  They thanked me for noticing.

Consider doing the same thing going into your oral boards.  The door opens and they call you in.  The curtain is going up, it’s the bright lights of Broadway.  It’s show time.  You have to grab your top hat, cane and know matter what the audience (panel members) you have to give it your best shot and step it OUT!

Not floundering trying to remember the lines for your part.  Being embarrassed by stage fright that causes you to forget your best stuff, as your mouth goes dryer than the Sahara Desert.

Visualizing the tones are dropping and on your going on your first call.   Everything you have worked for is on the line.  You’re auditioning for the part to be a firefighter.  You have practiced and rehearsed for this part haven’t you?  You know all the lines for your part don’t you?

The raters pick up on your energy and enthusiasm as we did at the play and they’re saying in their minds, bravo, bravo, we have been waiting for this all week.  They’re starting to smile. Throwing you lines that you adlib to enhance your performance.  Nothing has stumped you.  You know you’re going to make the cut for the call back.  You have never had an interview like this.  The hairs start standing up on the back of your neck and the raters too.  You walk off stage knowing you nailed it!

Haven’t had this feeling in your oral boards yet?  Well, do you have a script that you have been religiously practicing with a tape recorder?  It doesn’t surprise me.  Ninety-nine percent of the candidates I ask aren’t either.   I asked a college program recently how many had been practicing with a tape recorder daily?  No hands.  How about weekly then?  Nope. None.  O.K. how about monthly?  Finally three hands went up out of a total of 40.  Then, don’t be confused by why you’re not getting high enough on the list to get a call back to play the part of a firefighter.  The mystery has been solved.

You might not have the oral board skills (the oral is still 100% of the score to get hired) to convince the producers (raters) you have what is takes.  You see getting this part as a firefighter you have to convince the raters you can do it before you get it.

For a look at the script to audition for the job of a firefighter job check here: http://www.eatstress.com/workboolette.htm

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Check out http://www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm 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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Have you ever listened to wind chimes? One hangs in our back yard. It contains 6 chimes. When there is not much breeze, only one chime is heard. It’s a constant monotone gong, gong, gong, gong. When the wind changes direction ever so slightly all-6 chimes begin to play a melody.

It would only take you a short time as an oral board rater to hear the same constant drone when too many candidates use a flat monotone voice. It sounds like they were giving a patient assessment, sounding like the gong, gong, gong, blah, blah, blah of the one lone wind chime. Then a candidate, who knows what the panel is going to hear out of his mouth, because he has prepared with a tape recorder, sits down in the hot seat and comes out swinging. Hitting all the notes, with the necessary timing, inflection, enthusiasm and volume polished. Just like the slight increase in a breeze to activate all the notes on the wind chimes, if candidates only knew it would only take a few minor changes to orchestrate their interviews closer to their badges.

It doesn’t take long on a phone conversation with a candidate to realize why they are having problems.

A recent candidate had such a monotone voice I asked if he knew? He said yea, but that’s just my voice. I told him I didn’t believe that for a second. What can I do about it? I’ve been testing where I can for four years, going to school and work as a federal firefighter.

Trying to get on his turf, I asked him during a coaching session what do you do with your time off? What are your interest, hobbies? What really rings your bell? Nothing seemed to work to break his monotone voice. That was until a few days later I get a call from an energized candidate. I didn’t recognize the voice. Yes, it was Mr. Monotone. He told me he didn’t realize how bad it was until he listened to the tape recording of his coaching session. He said, “Man I sounded retarded. I can’t believe how much stuff I left out. How many times I said “What Ever” and other stupid pause fillers I didn’t know I was using." The mystery of why this super qualified candidate could not get hired was solved by listening to a tape of what the panel had been hearing for four years.

You too can create the winds of change that can turn things around and ring all the chimes; coming out of the fog with the chimes that turn into tones dropping and you’re moving towards the rig on another call. The fifth call in a row. It started at shift change. You haven’t had a chance to stop for anything more than to restock and get the rig ready for another run and not getting anything to eat. You’re not hungry anyway. Because you’re working with a crew where the red-hot captain tells dispatch you’re available from the scene you are on so you won’t miss any calls. You’re living the dream of a lifetime. Riding big red. The monotone voice a distant memory.

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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge,tell them you want our new Gold Package!!! Check it out here!:
http://www.eatstress.com/goldpackage.htm

Take a free test drive of sample chapters from the new book Becoming a Firefighter here:
http://www.eatstress.com/firefighterbook.htm

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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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3. Robs Corner
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You sure don’t want to have this happen in your interview.

Along with answering the questions correctly and having enthusiasm, it is important to keep a smooth flow during your interview.  We have all been at a party where a group of guys are standing around telling jokes and laughing.  Then somebody says something that doesn’t quite fit and the mood is gone, there is that uncomfortable silence.

One of the places I have seen this is when someone is asked a question like, “What if you are on duty and a co-worker smells like marijuana smoke?”   The candidate, thinking he will get extra points for being innocent, says, “Well, I don’t know what marijuana smells like.”  Then there is that uncomfortable silence.  You see, the oral board wanted to find out how the candidate would handle a drug problem in the work place. Now they have to explain that he does know what it smells like, and pick back up with the interview.  But he never regains the smooth flow.

Another candidate, when asked if he had anything to add, or any questions for the panel, said “ I just wanted to know if you could think of any mistakes I might make in training, after I get hired, so I can avoid them?  This was met with the opened mouths of the interview panel, they didn’t know what to say.  He had taken an excellent interview and just flushed it.  The last impression they had of him was that he might be kind of goofy.

In both of these situations, the person had done something they thought would make them stand out.  Well it did, but not the way any of us would want.  Don’t try any funny stuff in the interview. It is just too hard to recover if it goes bad.

The best way to keep a smooth, steady flow is to practice, talk into a tape player, talk in your car on the way to work.  Do mock interviews. Jump at any chance you have to be speaking your stuff.  Get to the point that it is like pushing play on a tape player.

So when you go in for your next interview, you can relax and be yourself. Getting to the point that your script is so well memorized, that there is no way you could forget any of it. It can make a big difference. Even if they don’t ask all of the questions you have prepared. It is just the way you carry yourself when you know you have done all you can to be ready. It is a great feeling.

CAPTAIN ROB (Thank you)
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.eatstress.com

You can read more of Rob's wisdom by visiting

http://www.eatstress.com/robs_corner.htm

Captain Rob is Captain Bob's Son. He does all the entry level coaching
by phone nationwide. You can contact him direct with your questions or
set up a coaching appointment at 707-869-1330. or e-mail Rob at
nrtc@sonic.net

For more on entry level coaching visit
http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm

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4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
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Discipline

Often on an in-basket exercise or an oral board question you might be asked by a panel to justify your actions. It is great if you can refer to department policies and procedures. You can use this simple 1-2-3 formula. 1. We have a policy that applies to this situation. 2. It was put into place because of safety. 3. That’s why I took the action.

To put the frosting on the cake here tell a story about a situation that applies to this problem to demonstrate you not only the answer, you have already lived it. Getting the promotion is convincing the panel you can do the job before you get it.

One acting captain candidate told the story where a firefighter was working out with weights wearing only sandals. There was a procedure that required proper foot wear. The got the firefighter aside and showed him the policy. Proper footwear followed.

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

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5. New Badges
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I thought I was going to have to ride an ambulance forever because even as a medic I couldn’t get hired. I good friend tipped me off about your program. In six months I had my badge! Thank you Guy

Captain Bob has written a book that will help anybody that is serious about getting a firefighter job. I find it ironic that a person would want the easy "answers" to any oral board questions, as this is exactly the opposite of what his program is about. He arms a candidate with good information and lets them develop their own answers with "nuggets" from their life experiences. I have followed his book and his personal advice (yes, he will answer and return your phone calls!) and am happy to say that I recently just received a job offer. I have recommended and will still recommend this book to people looking to get into the fire department. Beau

An Update

Hey Capt. Bob- I wrote a review. Everything is going great for me. We start our didactic on June 7th. They had us taking prerequisites. We were also out in the field getting exposure and working on our skills. We finished the last day of our pre-didactic field time on Friday. I felt like the luckiest guy in the world driving to the station in my light blue intern shirt. I can't believe this is my job. I also got some awesome experience out there running calls.

Of course, I have also been studying my rear off. I have to be successful in all aspects to go to the academy. Thanks! Steve

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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Check it out Captain Bobs book, Eat Stress For
Breakfast.
www.eatstress.com/stressfire.htm

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The secret Formula here: http://www.eatstress.com/formula.htm
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Check out the specials on for entry level and promotional testing
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm

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6. Humor
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Zen Thoughts

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me,
for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave
me the hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a
tire leak.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your
neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Sex is like air. It's not important unless you aren't getting any.

5. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be
promoted.

6. No one is listening until you fart.

7. Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.

8. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

9. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car
payments.

10. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their
shoes.

11. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish,
and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

13. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
probably worth it.

14. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

15. Some days you are the bug; some days you are the windshield.

16. Don't worry; it only seems kinky the first time.

17. Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

18. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put
it back in your pocket.

19. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

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7. Resource Websites for Candidates
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Perfect Firefighter Candidate. Job listing and a complete resource web
site with a community bulletin board.
http://www.firecareers.com

Don McNea Fire School, Inc. is the #1 Firefighter Preparatory Entrance
School in the Country. They have the inside information how to tackle
those psychological and personality questions on the written.
http://www.fireprep.com

Learn how entry level and promotional candidates are improving their
interview scores up to 15 points and nailing that badge!
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm

FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get a Badge!
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm

Check out the specials for entry level and promotional testing:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm

FIREHIRE, Entry-level firefighter examination process:
http://www.firehire.com

Firenuggets.com "The magazine dedicated to keeping firefighters safe"
http://www.firenuggets.com

Firemanjobs: firefighter employment job listings
http://www.firemanjobs.com

You can learn more about physical agility training from
www.firefightersworkout.com

B-Pad Assessment Devices. If you're an agency looking for a new
dimension to evaluate candidates, or a candidate wanting information on
how you can orientate your skills for this evaluation check out their
web site:
http://www.bpad.com

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       ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATIONS
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I have many articles available for reprint in your
publication, newsletter, etc. You may use
articles written by me that you see in FireZine or
visit our web site @ http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
All you have to do is print the article in its entirety along
with the by line, the credits, and complete contact
information found at the bottom of the web site page. I would
appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy too. Thanks

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For Back Issues of Fire-Zine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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THE SMALL PRINT

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TIME TO SHARE. Please send your
ideas, questions, your success stories and when you
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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.
5565 Black Ave. Pleasanton, CA 94566 (near San Francisco)
Phone: 888-238-3959 local 925-846-3959 Fax: 925-846-9650
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com