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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?
March1, 2006
Over 2,366 badges and counting have received their badges from this
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The proof is in the 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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Confidence
Confidence is a funny thing. It’s hard to pin down; hard to define.
You can’t hold it in your hand. But you know when you see it. And, you
definitely know it when you hear it. You can tell when a candidate has
it when they walk into their oral board and when they don’t.
Some days you wake up , the sun is out, everything is clear and you’re
on your game. Yes confidence is great. A little confidence goes along
way---Tom Farrell
Many a rater has told me that they interviewed candidates that might
have what it took to make the cut, but they just wouldn’t open up. One
way to build your confidence is to get in a coaching session and
listening to what the panel is going to hear out of your mouth by
practicing with a tape recorder.
What can confidence do for you? This warms the heart and keeps the passion
alive.
Captain Rob,
You have helped me change my family's life forever.
I GOT THE CALL YESTERDAY! Captain ROB, my name is Shaw. You and I did
some private coaching approximately 3-4 months ago for a position with a
big County Fire Department. After our meeting I went home and practiced
for the remaining week I had until my oral interview. Every day I
watched our video over and over and came up a format for the interview
questions using your suggestions, then practiced them with a tape
recorder and in front of a mirror. I went into that interview with
CONFIDENCE that I didn't know I ever had. I walked out of the interview
and I was doing cartwheels in the parking lot. I knew in my heart that I
smoked that interview, a feeling I have never had before. I received a
letter a few weeks later stating that I was in the top 12. I went on to
the background, psych tests, and medical exams. Yesterday I got a call
from Human Resources saying I was offered a position and the academy
starts in two weeks. I HIT THE LOTTO! Thank you so much for your help.
You have helped me change my family's life forever. Shawn Jordan and
family
More on coaching here:
http://www.myfireinterview.com/private%20coaching.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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Your Responsibility
I cringe when I receive calls from a candidate who was DQ'd at some
stage in the hiring process. You have to be ready for every step of the
hiring process before you show up.
The most recent DQ was a candidate who received a conditional job offer
pending the psych and medical. During the vision test they asked the
candidate to also remove his contacts to complete the uncorrected
portion of the vision test. His uncorrected vision didn't meet this
departments standards and he was DQ'd.
The candidate said he didn't know there was a standard and it wasn't on
their web site. He had been on the list for a year and could have taken
action with Lasik surgery to correct the problem. Folks it is your
responsibility to find out if you meet the minimum requirements for the
job.
This candidate is quickly researching the best doctor to do the Lasik
and hopes he will meet the healing time to retake the vision test before
the academy start date in May. Luckily if this date passes he has a
chance for their September academy.
>From candidate Bowman:
Well I'm the person this happened too. The Doctor told me this happens a
lot because this department doesn't tell their candidates the standards.
I volunteered at two other departments wearing contacts and it was never
a problem. I never thought this was going to be a problem with this
department, BIG MISTAKE. Please learn from my mistake, this is a very
large department that many people test for, do not let this happen to
you. Luckily enough this department was kind enough to call me the other
day stating if I receive lasik surgery by a certain date I will make the
May class. I already have my lasik surgery scheduled before that date. I
have my fingers crossed everything will work out. I truly would like to
thank Captain Bob for his gold package, Captain Rob for his private
coaching. I would never ever be this far in the process without their
help, thank you.
"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"
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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge,
tell them you want our best offer ever!!! Check it out
here!:
http://eatstress.com/special_offer.htm
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While You’re here get a 10 day no cost 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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Keep the Winning Attitude
Testing is a long, arduous process. For most it takes more than one
attempt to get considered. There are also the rare few who make it in
the first go around, much to the frustration of those that have been
trying. There is so much involved in getting the job, time away from
family, years of classes and trying to get experience anywhere, laying
yourself on the line and knowing deep down you may never get hired.
A lot of the people I talk with are right there. They know they have
what it takes to do the job, and to do it well. They are frustrated, by
missing hiring’s by mere tenths of points, and worse seeing people with
less time and credentials getting through. The result, all to often, is
depression. We can give a test to thousands of people and only hire a
few. I don’t know of any other field that has the failure rate as high
in just the hiring process. There are jobs that have a high washout
rate, but at least those people got to show what they could do. To make
matters worse, you do not get much in the way of feed back. You get a
score and that is it. If only they would let you know what you did
right and what needs work. Instead you get a score of 85 and they say
it wasn’t high enough.
After a while it is easy to get burnt out in the testing game, and that
can begin a vicious circle. The worst you feel, the worse you do, the
worse you do, the worse you feel. Enthusiasm is so important in an
interview. You want to sound happy to be there and excited about their
department. You and I could go into the same interview and say
basically the same thing, you with pep, and me in a slow depressed
manner, and you would score higher than me.
So, how do you keep you the good attitude? Well there are a few things
you can do. First off make sure to keep exercising. Along with being
important for testing, it is proven to keep your spirits up. But it
also seems to be the first thing we cut from our schedule when things
are busy or we don’t feel like doing anything.
Second, surround yourself with people that are positive and up lifting.
You can tell yourself you might not get a job, but you don’t need those
around you to tell you. You would not believe how many people I talk
to that are being told by friends and family to just hang it up. What
they are really saying is that they would give up if they were you. Try
to be around people that are happy and want the best for you. People
that tell you that you can do it.
The third thing I will suggest is to give you time to others.
Volunteering can be done in many different ways. Working with homeless,
children, older people that need assistance. In the San Francisco area
there is a group you can volunteer with by providing free medical care
at rock concerts, it’s both fun and looks good on a resume. Habitat For
Humanity is always building houses weather permitting, they also have
locations around the nation were they are also assembling pre-fab houses
to send to the hurricane victims. Allowing you to give of yourself as
well as gain a knowledge of building construction.
http://www.habitat.org/local/
The last thing I’ll suggest are motivational tapes. They are usually
designed for sales people. If you are selling door to door and the last
250 doors slammed in your face you still need to be excited about your
product at door 251. Well you are selling a product, the product is
YOU. Zig Ziglar is the best I have found
http://www.ziglartraining.com/
, his tapes are expensive on his site, but you may find them in a
library or used. But there are lost of others that do the same thing,
they motivate people, and motivation is sometimes hard to come by in the
testing world. In the corporate world they pay big bucks and will take
the whole company to seminars, just to get the company energized. You
will be amazed how energized you would be after going through a
motivational program, either at home, in your car, or even better in
person.
I can’t guarantee that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
for everyone testing. But I can promise you if you start to feel it’s
not there it probably won’t be. Your own attitude has more to do with
you getting hired than you can even imagine. But if you are at a lose
as to how to live you life while testing, ask your self this. If you
knew for a fact you would be getting a job in 18 months, how would you
live you life until then? You still have to take the tests and go to
classes, but you knew it was a sure thing. You could have fun,
volunteer, see friends and family and have the winning attitude.
Believe it or not, for most of you these are the good old days you will
look back on fondly. I was showing my kids a place I spent the night on
the sidewalk to get an app. 20 years ago. It wasn’t fun then, but it
is a great memory now. Make some of those memories now, and let the
future take care of its self. Because if you get a defeatist attitude
you may as well go to plan B.
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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Resources!
Without fail one of the biggest problems candidates have in the fire
simulator is they don’t order enough equipment. They don’t think big
enough. If you are given an assignment, ask dispatch how many calls are
being received. If you are informed there are multiple calls,
immediately order a second or greater alarm. You will never be
criticized for too much equipment. But you will be crucified if you
don’t. You can always send them home if they’re not needed.
A big “Nugget” clue here once fire attack and the RIC Team have been
established, is to ask for a report on conditions from fire attack. If
the fire is getting bigger (as most simulations will be), call for a
third or greater alarm assignment before assigning your second in alarm
units. In fantasyland all you have to do is order up the equipment and
dispatch will magically send it.
This is usually where the wheels start coming off the wagon.
Candidates start assigning their second alarm units without first
gaining a report on conditions from fire attack. When they finally ask
for a report on conditions the fire has spread to other apartments, etc.
requiring more units. They are suddenly buried because they weren’t
staying ahead of the curve with equipment.
Badge!
Capt Bob,
Just wanted to let you know that I did promote to Lt in January. Thanks
for all your help with the assessment.. I am the guy from Arlington
Texas. Thanks Again, Jackie Parker
For more on our promotional program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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5. New Badges
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Three tests=two jobs!!
Captain Bob,
I know that you get hundreds of emails like this but I want to share
my story with you. I have worked as a private EMT in Orange County,
CA since 1999 with no real direction. I kind've wanted to be a
Firefighter, thought about the military, considered CHP, etc. I have been
married since 1997 and was working 100 hours a week just to make ends
meet. Well about two years ago I decided that it was time to get
serious, pick a path to follow and give it 100%. I realized that I really
wanted to be a firefighter so I went for it. I decided to go to
paramedic school first, believing that the odds are better on medic tests.
After talking to friends that are firefighters and firefighters in
medic school with me, I realized that the oral board is the ticket to a
badge- make or break time!! I saw some of your postings on
firecareers.com, checked your site out and bought the Gold Package. It was
Worth EVERY penny!! I studied the book, listened to the CD's whenever I was
driving and watched the DVD's. I went through t the 30 Oral
questions, considered the scenarios and worked on my nugget stories. I also
streamlined a full two page resume down to a one page snapshot,
following the model in your book. What's the point of all of this? In the
first sic months of 2005 I took three tests. LA County, LA city and
Henderson NV. I only got to band three of County, but received job
offers from LA city (100% Oral Score) and am eight weeks into Rookie
School in Henderson. I have a job with one of the best departments in the
nation, and I owe a huge part of my success to your program. I will
be honest and tell you that I was so prepared I was not nervous at
either of these Orals and I believe that I could have gotten a job just
about anywhere. Thank you so much for another success story!!
geoff
Capt.Bob,
You can add one more badge to the count ! I had my board interview on
Sat. 1/28/06 @3pm and received THE CALL at 5:25pm that evening, I start
in 2 weeks.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the hiring process. I had worked
for 15 years in the consulting engineering world up until Monday, so I
was new to the fire service hiring process. Your program, website &
newsletter help my application & interview skills immensely. I'm
spreading the word to friends looking to move. I will be keeping in
touch when it becomes time to move up in the ranks.
P.S. I forgot to mention that not only is this my first paying job in
the Fire Service, but I am also 44 years old.
Thanks again, Sincerely,Don Pysz
Good Morning Capt. Bob,
I wanted to get back to you sooner than this but time has been tight. I
officially had my badge pinned Fri. Feb 3rd, by my beautiful fiancée. I
start my shift tomorrow morning Sunday the 12th at 0700.
I was currently there as a part-timer and have been since Oct. of 2004.
I originally joined them in April of 2001 then moved to NC for a year as
I told you before. It is a great department, very pro-active and we have
lots of really good guys. In the last few years we have hired Battalion
Chiefs, Captains, Lieutenants and Engineers. They say it will be a
little while before we hire some back steppers. We are growing by leaps
and bounds, so it may come sooner.
Thanks again,Chad Witham
White River Twp. Fire Dept.
Firefighter/Enginner
Dear Captain Bob,
Just wanted to let you know that in one week I will be starting my new
job--Carol Stream Fire Dept. It is a city located about 30 miles west
of Chicago. Thanks to your program, I was able to greatly improve my
scores across the board and was always prepared for every interview I
was invited to. I went from doing good, to doing great--consistently
getting myself into the top 10 on the final eligibility lists. In two
weeks I will be off to the academy and on the way to fully realizing my
goal of being a firefighter. Your program was outstanding. Thank you,
thank you, and thank you. Any man or woman wanting to get their dream
job like I have done should get this program yesterday. I will
certainly be recommending it to others I know, because as you so rightly
say, Nothing Matters Until You Have the Badge.
Sincerely,John Lally
Glenview, IL
Dear Captain Bob,
I would like to start off by saying thank you very much for your
"nuggets" of wisdom. I have been trying to gain employment with a fire
department since 1999. After finding out about your program from a
friend, I ordered the gold package and followed the instructions
carefully. I received the call and start training with the Calgary Fire
Department on February 13th, 2006.
I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about the program but thought if
it will help me in the interview then it is worth every penny. Boy was I
glad I purchased the gold package, created my script, and rehearsed,
rehearsed, rehearsed.... Into the tape recorder, and was relaxed going
into the oral interview. I had an amazing interview, I couldn’t believe
all the writing the oral board members were doing.
Thanks once again Captain Bob,
James Baswick
Calgary, Alberta Canada
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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Subject: Hospital Chart Bloopers
1. The patient refused autopsy.
2. The patient has no previous history of suicides.
3. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.
4. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was
very
hot in bed last night.
5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
6. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it
disappeared.
7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be
depressed.
8. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
9. Discharge status: Alive but without permission.
10. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert but
forgetful.
11. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
12. She is numb from her toes down.
13. While in ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
14. The skin was moist and dry.
15. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.
16. Patient was alert and unresponsive.
17. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.
18. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until
she got a divorce.
19. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical
therapy.
20. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.
21. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.
22. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.
23. Skin: somewhat pale but present.
24. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.
25. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities
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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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