fireZineMay07

Captain Bob: I am writing as I have an oral board scheduled soon. I have been a resident fire fighter with this department for 1 1/2 years. I am still loving every moment and doing the "rookie" work with no hesitation or regrets. I am 39 years old with Special Operations and Emergency Management experience and knowledge. I have supervisory experience in this field. I have also taught high school and community college courses. Life experience is not an issue for me.

My specific question is: I was my fire academy's class leader. I was initially appointed by the academy cadre due to my leadership experience. At midway through the class the class leader is to be changed as our "company officers" changed every two weeks. It was time to vote for a new class leader, (I was excluded from voting). I was humbled and surprised that my class unanimously voted to have me continue through graduation as class leader. I was extremely honored. I am competing for several positions with many of those classmates. I have been told that this should be something I incorporate into an answer to help stand out and to show that even my peers see something in my abilities, and skills. I understand personalizing my story and I have been reading the materials on your site. I look forward to hearing from you. Dave

Reply: Be cautious using too many terms in your oral board or on your resumes like deans list, honor roll, chief of academy, valedictorian, 4.0 GPA, etc. It can send the message to the panel oh, boy, this person is really anal, goodie two shoes, teachers pet. Can I clean the erasers? Sure you can list you were at the top of your academy, but don’t overdo it.

OK just and observation: I could be wrong. Just by your e-mail and the when did you read this e-mail tag I'm concerned that you might be seen as over qualified and doing overkill for a snot nose rookie position and you just don't know it. All you need is one rater to have the slightest doubt if they can put a guy like you in a station and not drive everyone crazy? I know you don't look at yourself that way but it came through loud and clear in your e-mail. If I picked it up here so could others in the hiring process.

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2. Entry Level Skills Tip
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Interview Stumper?

I recently just finished the second interview portion for a major city on the west coast. I was baffled by the question along the lines of what do you expect from _us_ if hired. I thought to myself along the lines of answering back in having the support from the department in the service to the people of the city I'd be serving by having a team environment in which together we can make it a safer place to live in for our community, etc etc

So instead I replied along the lines of mentioning I have a high degree of interests in more specialty roles within the fire service, along the lines of HAZMAT tech, rescue tech, paramedic, marine boating crews that the department can offer. I realize with any major city, I'm applying for a rookie position, but in front of an oral board that consists of nothing by officers from that city, is mentioning career advancement instant suicide being an applicant for a rookie role, or as an officer yourself, do you prefer applicants who have a direction and focus with their department career goals?

In general, was this the best way to answer such a question, or is there another way that would seem to be a better approach. (Also a question like this leaves little room for a personal nugget, other than if you can allude to what event in your life sparked your interest in technical roles and why that's important to you)

Reply: As you know I believe there are only 30 oral board questions. They can be disguised in hundreds of different ways. This is really the same question why do you want to work for this city or agency?

You could have started off with the first thing I would want to do is have the resources and training to become the best firefighter I can. Then you could have used the above answer.

CAPT Bob, I met you about 5 years ago or so at an Oakland California FD Test while I was in Paramedic school. You handed me your card and we talked for a moment as I was leaving and I went home. Over the following weeks I got a lot of feedback about you; some good, mostly not so good. But something struck me as strange all of the people that disagreed and talked negatively about you DIDN’T have their Badges… all of the ones that DID HAVE THEIR BADGES, said nothing but “check it out!” Not being the sort of person to takes someone else’s word about some one, I checked you out through your web site www.eatstress.com. Initially skeptical (just thought you were a guy trying to sell something); I bounced you and your program off of my mentors who combined had over 100 years of Fire Fighting experience. They said yes 100% do it. So I did.

Here I was a 35 year old, Navy Corpsman with 16 years of Military service, with a wife and a 14 year old son plus a baby on the way, working 40 hours a week as a Surgical Technologist and Assistant, going to paramedic school, with ZERO Fire Fighting experience, trying to be a “Wana Be”. I knew one thing… I had ONE chance to get this right and get this job. So I signed up for your Seminar and was so impressed by the program that I went home and got the full Gold and Coaching Package. I did it and worked the program. I soon came to the realization that with my work schedule, family and testing something had to give; so I quite testing until I was done with paramedic school.

Well 3 years later, I was now 38 years old, after a Re-Call to Active Duty, still married (even after a whole bunch of EMS / Fire Fighting Wars) plus 1 more child (3 now), working now 50 plus hours a week, finally finishing Paramedic School, a non working licensed Paramedic with no Fire Fighting experience. I was ready to enter the testing game again. What chance did I have?!?! But I had the program, video and tape of my coaching.

Well I remembered a story from your seminar how there was a teacher in SoCal who was in the same position that I was in. He followed your course and mentoring and made it. Well 22 months ago with my crazy schedule and support family I embarked on a life changing journey. Little did I know or understand that what you said in your seminar would also be so true. “Follow and work the Program get your Badge” Could it really be so simple?

Well being more scared with the truth of having 1 chance, I did. Well I wish I could say that I did so flawlessly but as with everything it was not the case. The bottom line was when I did follow the program I went further. When I got cocky I stalled, when I gave in to the whole program, attitude, preparation, tape recorder, video, station visits (remembering to bring something), coaching with your son CAPT Rob, blue suit and all I got to the chiefs interview. A year ago last November I hit my first Jackpot with the interviews and then all of my chiefs interviews followed.

CAPT Bob, I was blowing past at times 2000 other candidates with 5-10 years experience and combined experience as Paramedics and Fire Fighters, and degree’s. How did I do that? Well when they would ask me I would say 2 words, “CAPT BOB”. They would be stunned and just walk away slowly.

After 22 months, now 40 years old, thousands in lost income, fire science classes, paramedic school, and time from my family; 15 tests, 12 first interviews, 5 BC interviews, 3 Chief Interviews…. I got a Job offer from my dream Fire Department as a Probationary Fire Fighter Paramedic.

This process, the dedication that it takes to prepare, is a weeding out process and you have to be prepared. When I sat on my last Chiefs Board with 7 other candidates (a Group Interview) we all got one question (1 question… talk about a little pressure!!). I was the 3 candidate. All of the other candidates were grilled with follow ups. When it was my turn they asked, I answered, they shook their heads looked at each other (there were 3 board members including the Chief), and said “I guess I should ask you a follow up to be fair”. I NAILED it!! After the board I was ask by one of the candidates how I did that and I said that it wasn’t me but CAPT Bob who helped me answerer that question. No BS, I just followed the formula: Answer the question, give the reason, and add a brief life experience, and stick to your guns unless the situation warrants change.

Just as a side note. Jim Rohn, one of my favorite Motivational Speakers, said once that his mentor Jim Schoff told him to become a millionaire not to have a million dollars, but what he would become in the process. Little did I understand at the on set how true that would be for me. No Fire Science Class or Paramedic School has prepared me better for this job than you and your program. Not only did your program help me become a Fire Fighter but it also aided me in a Military Promotion that I had been struggling with for 7 years, but it also helped me in being nominated and being selected as one of the Naval Reserve Sailors of the Year for 2006. I feel like I won the gold.

CAPT Bob… Thank you so much for all of your help, leadership and mentoring over the last years. I look forward to working with you again in the future as the promotional opportunities begin to roll in.

In the paraphrased words of James Cagney from Yankee-Doodle-Dandy; “My Wife thanks you, my Children thank you, and I Sir… I most assuredly thank you from the bottom of my heart”

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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!:
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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:

Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!

Check out http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm for the FREE 101 Inside
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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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The Common Sense Portion Of The Test

When we hire a person at my department we run them through a series of tests to pick the best. Some departments have a written test, others a video test, an oral interview, a physical agility or C-pat, a chief interview, a background check, a psych, and a medical physical. Then the person goes through the training program, usually a few months and when they come to the stations we still don’t know if the can go into a burning building, see someone bleed or climb a ladder in an emergency situation. But somehow the testing works and we get some really good people.

I think what people don’t see is the other parts of the testing. If you procrastinate you won’t get you application in on time, if you don’t spend the time to prepare for any part of the test you will be eliminated, or do so poorly you are never considered. If you don’t behave properly visiting the stations, or while working there in another capacity you will be black balled.

There is also a common sense component to the testing. As you go through the process of getting you classes and experience, you will hear the opinions of a number of people. Some make since, some tell you things that open you mind to new possibilities, and some will tell you things that will doom any chance you have. Some of these people have jobs as firefighters, some never will, some were hired as laterals and never had an oral interview, some pasted an interview years ago by the grace of god and no one knows how they did. But, they all have one thing in common they are experts. A lot of times they are the first to volunteer advise and seek places to share their wisdom. You see it here all of the time.

This is where the common sense thing comes in. If you read the opinions of some here, you might have the impression that you can get a job strolling into your written test looking like you just came from the beach, with tattoos from your neck to your wrists. But the people with common since will see through that. Your brain is an amazing thing. It will give you the correct answer before you even ask a question. If something doesn’t seem right to you it probably isn’t. But if you ever have a question that you can’t seem to figure out, post a question here, or give someone you trust a call.

The funny thing is that when someone calls one of these “bad advice givers” about what they have said, they begin attacking that person personally because they have no facts to back up what they say, and they are wrong. Capt Bob will call me at times and wonder if he or I should post something to disagree or state the facts when this poor advice is given. I tell him the same thing each time. These people testing aren’t stupid, they can see through the B/S and will be just fine. If not, they failed the common sense portion of the test.

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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Quick question: I am a career FF/PM for 23 years, I was also Union president for many years, in the promotional interview is it appropriate to talk about that?

Reply: I wouldn't because you have no idea who is on the panel and what has occurred between union and management. All you have to do is piss off one rater and it could affect your score and put you out of the running.

Reply: Sure. Try to attach your name to programs and procedures you have implemented.

By the way I was recently promoted to Capt. (next BC). Finished 3rd on the list of 20 thanks. Shane Underwood

The list came out and I am sitting in second place! That is a great place to be because the top three will make Captain off of this list. It has been a lot of work for the past four months studying all of the time, but in the end it is worth it.

Captain Bob; I just received the results of the Captains List here at Salt Lake City Fire Department. I am number 5!!!! I can't thank you enough for your assistance with my promotional assessment centers, the promotional coaching paid off mightily. I hope to be promoted within the next 3 months to Captain and could not have done it without you or your coaching. Thanks again!!! Marc

Hi my name is Brian Polomny and I've been with Hallandale Fire rescue for 4 yrs in Nov. 2006, you have to be on a minimum of 3 yrs to test for Lt. I got a late start on the fire dept. hired at the age of 34 I wanted to get promoted as quickly as possible. I spent time in the army and was in the first gulf war and new coming in if I kept focused I could beat out the competition. Most the guys I tested against have over 10 years on the job and have taken the LT. test multiple times. There were two positions and 14 candidates started the process together. There would be a written and the assessment center. I really didn't know what to expect for that portion. So I studied the books required and learned them inside and out knowing I would have to score at least first or second since we have the rule of fives, meaning they promote any of the top five scores. Then I came across your web site and ordered the info .

Know I must say everyone has different levels of experience and I was familiar already with some of the concepts you teach. However there was a lot of new stuff and I knew after going through your videos and packet that I had the edge. Plus the extra motivation I gained. So even if it was one thing I picked up from your course it was worth it and made all the difference. I am proud to say I showed up in a suit and tie , which I couldn’t believe only one other person did. This was recognized by everyone even the chief said I looked like I showed up for the job and wanted it. I got complements from others as well , thanks for the tip, "dress the part". Anyways I scored first on the written and like fourth on the assessment center which if I had to do over I would call you for private counseling since everyone basically just had more experience in this part. But I did score # 1 overall because of a 96 on the written and the next closes score was a 79. So thank you for the extra edge and if anyone wants to contact me to see if this story is real I am Lt. Polomny at Hallandale beach fire rescue in Florida

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
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5. New Badges
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Captain Bob-

Just wanted to drop you a line and a "thanks." In 2003, I decided to leave the high tech industry to be a firefighter. Little did I know how difficult the task was and how different it is from corporate interviews.

I very much wanted to join the City of Portland, Maine FD, and I got the high score on the exam and thought I would breeze through the interview. Stupid me, I had done no research on Fire Service interviews and told them about how I hoped to work a second job. Denied. The next year, I outdid myself trying to get every cert possible and practically jumped over the interview table in my eagerness for the position to make up for the previous years' disaster. Denied.

Frustrated, I bought your book & CD - I think I read about it in Firehouse.com. I listened many times to the CD and put into action the principles you mention in your book. You and Rob even answered a couple of my email questions personally.

One thing you stressed was to get a Paramedic license to best position yourself to the board. Well, I took your advice and went to school to get my Paramedic degree, where I have the top GPA in the class. A funny thing happened, though. This opened my eyes to the field of Medicine, and I began seriously thinking about being a doctor. I'm 37 and have two kids, another on the way, and while I can't afford to go to 4 years of med school and 3 years of residency, I decided I could go the Physician Assistant route (PA). It was hard work - on top of my Paramedic coursework, I had to take college Chemistry, Algebra, Trig, and Stats classes to satisfy the pre-med prereqs for school, and then I had to apply as one of 700 applicants for 40 slots in the PA program (sound familiar?). With the discipline I learned from working full time, taking 16 credits of paramedic courses, and still maintaining a 3.95 GPA and coupling this with the "nuggets" I developed from points you made in your book, I nailed the interviews and was one of the first 10 students selected to the program.

Oh, and at the same time, the City of Portland had their yearly interview process - I was able to go into this full of confidence and "nuggets", never broke a sweat, made the board laugh and go over-time with me, and was offered a badge. I hate to say I turned it down after juggling the idea of both career paths in my head (I'll always be a call FF/Medic), but it felt awful good to get the offer. I did thank the board personally in a letter for the opportunity and motivation they provided to me in my life.

Your book kicks ass and it made me a better man. Man I hated doing those role play tapes and listening to my voice, but it made a big difference.

It was 6 years ago that I started working on this dream after a chance meeting with a friend and now Iraqi War Vet and Emeryville EMS CAPT Steve Marks. He not only instilled that dream in me to want to be a Paramedic Fire Fighter but he also set up an education and course of action plan for me. About 9 months later I met you.

Capt Bob, This email is just to say thank you for helping me get the job of my dreams. I used your program, and made the hiring list a few months ago. I just finished up the academy, and now i have the badge. I know that without your program, there was a good chance the outcome would have been different. Keep up the good work.

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Tech support: Click on the 'My Computer' icon on to the left of the
screen.

Customer: Your left or my left?
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Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello... I can't print.

Tech support: Would you click on "Start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill
Gates.
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Customer: I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer.' I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...

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Customer: I have problems printing in red.

Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah...................thank you.

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Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at Woolies.

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Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another
keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work...

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Tech support: Your password is the small letter "a" as in apple, a capital
letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters ?
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Customer: I can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.

Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.

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Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my
computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

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Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the
circle around it?

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Customer: I need help with my printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under Windows?

Customer: No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The
man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer
is working fine.

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And last but not least...

Tech support: Okay Colin, let's press the control and escape keys at the
same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now
type the letter "P " to bring up the Program Manager.
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Colin.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: "P".....on your keyboard, Colin.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!!

==> 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

Although our products are sold separately, I would suggest you order Gold Package Program and our companion "It's Your Turn in the Hot Seat" CD series here: Special offer program