Since 100% of your
score in obtaining a firefighter job 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 2,083 candidates have received their badge from
this program!
March 4, 2003. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2003
captbob@eatstress.com web site: www.eatstress.com 888-238-3959
For Subscribe/Unsubscribe procedures, scroll to end.
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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!
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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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Dear Captain Bob,
I have just finished paramedic school and the
fire fighter 1 academy and I have a job interview with
one of the local Fire Departments coming up. I had a
question about the oral interview. Is it okay to
mention awards that have been given as part of
experience. I have received an award for "Explorer
Scout Of the Year" twice, and also an award for
volunteering for the Burn Institute in my county. I
was wondering if this would be considered bragging and
if not, should I bring this up? Thank you for reading
this e-mail.
Reply:
Steve:
Who else can tell those stories? This is a balancing act, but, yes, you can use
it in answering the question what you have done to prepare for the position.
Begin the answer with your education and experience in chronological
order so you won’t forget anything and end with volunteer and special awards.
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Learn how entry level and promotional candidates are improving their interview
scores up to 15 points and nailing that badge!
Click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm
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2. Entry
Level Skills Tip ===========================================
Capt. Bob
Thank you for taking the time to answer all my questions. One quick one. How long is long enough? I don't want to ramble on about why I want to be a firefighter, but I also want to make an impact on the board. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge.
Rick
Reply:
When some candidates start talking in an oral, it’s like going on a journey. There could be no final destination. Most panel members aren’t packed for the trip. Too many candidates end up rambling towards the end of the oral board answers. I refer to this as trailing off.
Candidates want to give us so much over-kill information so there is no question or doubt the panel members understand their answers. The candidates try to give us a blue print, when we just need a sketch. Try to give us a dump truck, when we just need a trailer. It often insults the intelligence of the panel members.
Keep it simple. Your mind will tell you when you need to stop. It you don’t, you will keep adding unnecessary stuff, mumbling, trailing off and the answer will be pronounced dead way out there somewhere ending with, “Blab, blab, blab. And, that’s about all . . .”
I asked a candidate to tell me a little about himself during private coaching one day. I stopped him 12 minutes later. I said you have just used up 12 minutes of a 20-minute oral. What do you think we have time for now?
When working on a new question, the answer with your signature stories can take about five minutes. Use a tape recorder to practice, rehearse, time, and condense the story down to 2 minutes or less. Be concise, but brief. Tell the story. Make the point. Move on.
There is one question though where you will want to dump the whole load, leave nothing out no matter what. That question is What Have You Done to Prepare for the Position.
For more on “Tell us a little about yourself”, click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/opening.htm
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Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!
Click here for the FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get
a Badge!
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
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To ask Captain Bob any question just click here:
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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3. Robs Corner
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So the
big day is upon you, the day you’ve been waiting for and dreading at the same
time. You’ve woken up in the middle of the night thinking you’re late, or you’re
on time, but naked. Yes, it’s the day of your oral interview. You have done
everything you could think of to get ready for this day, and stressed that you
haven’t done enough. Lets make sure we don’t make any little mistakes.
Whether
this is your interview to be THE chief of L.A. city fire, or your fist interview
to be a volunteer for Petticoat Junction Fire Dept, you’re going to be nervous.
This can cause you to make little silly mistakes that could throw you off your
rhythm. I remember before going on a big trip, I couldn’t get my car to start. I
called a tow. The driver took about 30 seconds to find I’d left it in drive when
I parked. I was a shaking mess when he got there, I was sure my trip was ruined.
You can
do some things to keep this kind of thing from happening to you. Plan ahead. Do
what my kids call build the man. In other words put out all of your clothes on
the bed and make sure you have shoes and a belt that match, dark socks, etc.
If
you’ve never been to where the interview is, drive by. Find out where to park,
see if there might be traffic problems at that time of day. If it’s far enough
away, getting a hotel room nearby is a good investment.
If your
interview is on Wednesday, don’t do any practicing after 5:00pm on Tuesday.
You’re not going to get any better, and you want to give your brain a chance to
re-charge. You can go over everything one time on the drive in.
If you
have time before you get dressed, get a good walk in. You’ve been making
adrenaline all night, and that’s a good way to get rid of it, and clear your
head. And speaking of stimulants, NO COFFEE before the interview, it’s like
pouring lighter fluid on a roaring camp fire, you won’t fall asleep, I promise.
I like
to take a book or magazine with me to wait for my interview. Ask the person you
check in with, if it’s all right. When we give an oral interview, we are
required by law to run half an hour late (just kidding). It’s nice to have
something to divert your attention a little. It’s better than sitting there
sweating, looking at the other people sweating, who are watching you sweat.
Before
they call you, go into the bathroom and make sure there’s no spinach between
your teeth, your tie is right, make sure your pants are zipped up and your hair
looks good.
Hopefully if you can avoid any little mistakes in the days just before your
interview, you can go in show them the real you, not the frazzled guy whose
alarm didn’t go off this morning.
FIREFIGHTER ROB
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.eatstress.com
You can read more of Rob’s
wisdom by clicking here:
http://www.eatstress.com/robs_corner.htm
Rob is Captain Bob's Son. He works for Contra Costa Fire Department. He does all the entry level coaching by phone nationwide. You can contact him direct with your questions or set up a coaching appointment @ 707-869-1330. or e-mail me @ nrtc@sonic.net
For more on entry level coaching click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm
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4. Promotional Level Skills Tip ==========================================
One event at a recent promotional test was to hold a press conference. However, the press conference event was not announced until a few moments before it was to happen. The "Known" event was to write a proposal to the city council where you were attempting to sell the council to fund a department item or project. Instructions were given in the assessment center invitation to have this proposal with you when reporting to the assessment center. Once you had your proposal reviewed by the panel, the press conference was announced and all sorts of "players" appeared, complete with TV cameras, bright lights, the audience and other press corps members. The intent of the exercise was to attempt to draw you away from the proposal by asking other questions not related.
For more on our promotional
program click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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5.
New Badges
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Entry Level:
Captain Bob
A thousand thanks. You and Rob have my deepest gratitude. I began processing for our cities fire department last august. It was a grueling experience. I am 31 and felt this would be my only chance.
I didn't find your web site until after my written exams, which I passed and made the cut mostly due to military preference. I read every article on your web site. I cut and pasted every notable nugget of advice. I studied them and applied your techniques. I found a huge amount information on the site. I passed my physical agility.
I was very nervous about the polygraph and spoke with Rob, who calmed me down and gave me great advice after reviewing my history. Both you and your son responded with great advice to several emails.
I ordered your special report on physiological exams and felt so empowered during my exams it was a joke. It was like I was in their heads instead of the other way around. I passed all with flying colors.
I got my call; today was my last day in my civilian
job. I start academy on March 3rd and am the happiest man on the face of the
earth. Thanks so much and God bless you.
John, Springfield, Ohio
Promotional:
Captain Bob,
Rob Mullin from Burlington, Vt. Well, the process is done! I
got #3 out of 6, thank you very much! Just by using your process to break
down the questions they asked helped tremendously. I took my time and
answered the questions with confidence. Although they never asked me how
or what have I done to prepare myself for the position, they did ask at the end
"did I have anything to add"? And boy did I get on my pedestal and
let it fly, just like we did in my coaching session. I must have done
something right, because I am line to get that badge. I finished
higher than people that are senior to me, quite a feeling.
Once again, THANK YOU for everything that you did for me, I'll be in touch
the next time, hopefully for Battalion Chief.
With much appreciation, Robert P. Mullin
Click here to see how candidates have improved their
position in gaining a badge:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage152.htm
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Check out the current "Bonus Nugget" oral board tip on our
web site by clicking here:
http://www.eatstress.com/bonusnugget.htm
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Hot off the Press! Captain Bobs new book, Eat Stress For
Breakfast. Click here to check it out:
www.eatstress.com/stressfire.htm
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The Formula
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Here's what we know after 30-years of experience.
Candidates
who get our Audio/Video Entry Level or Promotional Program,
use the work booklet, practice with the all-important TAPE RECORDER, and come
back for a private coaching session, catapult themselves into the Olympic
camp. That's where you get a shot at that badge you have
been
looking for.
One on one coaching sessions
are where you get dialed into making your best presentation. It can make the
difference between being down on a list and being in the top 10 going for the
chief's oral. Candidates armed with this information are the one's who are
smoking past you in the oral, grab the badge and leave you as the bride's maid
again. We know because we get the calls when they get their badge! You can
contact my Son Rob direct to set up a coaching session @ 707-869-1330.
Robs e-mail is nrct@sonic.net
Click here to learn more
about private coaching
http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm
You start by ordering our
Entry Level Audio/Video or Promotional Program from the products section of our
web site below or by calling our distributor Rayve @ 800-852-4890. This program
will keep you motivated! Consider also getting our new book "Eat Stress For Breakfast"
to help you along your journey.
"Nothing counts 'til you have
the badge . . . Nothing! And, there is no feeling like proudly
wearing the badge."
Check out the specials on our products for entry level and promotional testing:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm
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6. Humor
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More Darwin Award Winners
(21 July 2001, Idaho) When his brakes failed while driving down a steep mountain road, Marco bailed out on his eight passengers and leapt from his Dodge van. Too bad Marco didn't alert the others to the problem before he took flight so precipitously. Another passenger was able to bring the vehicle to a stop a short distance away. Marco struck his head on the pavement and died at the scene. No one else was injured.
Confirmed True by Darwin
Reader Comments:
"Remember, try the brakes twice before leaping from a moving vehicle."
"Good advice: Don't exit your car until it has stopped moving."
"This is what happens when you overreact...!"
"I think I dated him..."
And... "Remember the old adage, he who hesitates is lost? Not this time. He who
hesitated... lived!"
(15 April 2001, Tennessee) The day before the US tax filing deadline, a Memphis Darwin Award winner trying to beat a train drove around the crossing gates -- only to be struck by an oncoming vehicle whose driver had the same mad plan. The driver of one vehicle was killed, making this monumental stupidity the first instance we have witnessed of a Darwin Award winner crashing into an Honorable Mention. The accident happened to one side of the tracks, so the train passed by unimpeded.
Grenade
Juggler
(May 2001,
Croatia) A college student dropped the ball when a hand grenade exploded while
he juggled it at a party in Vidovci. Six students watching him were also
injured. A spectator is usually disqualified from winning a Darwin Award caused
by another's idiocy, but this audience should have known better than to gape at
a man juggling explosives. The six onlookers earn Honorable Mentions for their
disregard of common sense, and the juggler wins a Darwin for his lethal
stupidity.
Snowball's
Chance in Hell
(March, Delaware)
Two I-95 toll collectors were involved in a friendly snowball fight when one
reached out to scoop some snow from a passing tractor-trailer rig. Manning a
tollbooth is not the most interesting job, so it's only natural that collectors
would engage in some freestyle entertainment. But scooping snow from a moving
vehicle is not the safest of sports. The toll collector's hand caught in the
rig, and he was pulled from his booth and dragged to his death.
(30 May 2001, Hillsboro, Oregon) Ismael drove his truck into a mailbox. It bounced off and collided with an electric power pole, flipping the Toyota onto its side and knocking down the power lines. Ismael climbed from the truck to survey the situation -- then pulled out a pair of pruning shears.
He reached up and
clipped the cable lying across his truck -- and was electrocuted when the shears
severed the 7500-volt cable, which poked his rib cage, allowing the current to
travel across his heart and out his left foot.
Ismael was found
lying motionless on the power line, with a pair of pruning shears in his hands.
His dazed passenger survived to be arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Jet Ski Spree
(26 July 2001,
Nevada) Sometimes fate has perfect vision. Two men found dead at Lake Tahoe were
presumed to be homicide victims -- one disfigured by severe facial wounds and
the other apparently shot -- until investigators discovered that they were
actually victims of their own larcenous tendencies. The men had stolen a jet ski
from a marina but, unfamiliar with the lay of the land and piloting in pitch
darkness, they crashed at high speed into a nearby dock. One man died instantly
from a broken neck; the other crawled to shore where he, too, expired.
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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.
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.
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 on
our products for entry level and promotional testing:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm
FIREHIRE, Entry-level
firefighter examination process:
Firenuggets.com "The
Internet magazine dedicated to keeping firefighters safe"
http://www.firenuggets.com
Fireforhire:
firefighter employment job
listings
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:
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FREE 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 Fire-Zine or
go to 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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http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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THE SMALL PRINT
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TIME TO SHARE. Please send your
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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.