FireZineOct06

October 1, 2006

Over 2,423 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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A timely word is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

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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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Captain Bob, I take an oral on Wednesday. I took this same agencies oral before and the question that hung me up was about being a rookie at a "Old-timers" station. You want to train, but they don’t what to. What do you do? I answered, “I would ask them to train, and if they don’t I would go to the supervisor and tell them what is going on and ask for a transfer.”

After watching your Conquer the Job Interview DVD, I know my response was wrong.

Now I believe the correct way to answer this since I believe it is about "getting along with others" is to ask for some help from the guys, but not be pushy, this is their station, they have been on for a long time, and I am new. I believe I will get any training they feel I need on emergency scenes.

I am still working on it, but could use an opinion. Please any guidance would be helpful Eric

Reply: Yep. Understand you're the rookie. They would eat you alive if you used your first answer in real life.

If they won't train it's your responsibility to train on your own and with other rookies to learn, keep your hands on experience and be the best firefighter you can be under the circumstances.

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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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2. Entry Level Skills Tip
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An Oral Board Question on Being a New Rookie

Capt. Bob, Well my first oral board is over. I think I faired okay. Actually, I know I faired much better since my coaching http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm than I would have had I tried to go it alone. So THANK YOU for all of your time and insight. I stumbled a couple of times in my answers, but I regained my composure and plowed ahead. It went just like one of the examples that you gave me. They brought me in and had me stand behind a table, gave me 10 minutes to hear four questions and give my answers. At 10 minutes the interview was over no matter if I answered all four questions or took them on a trip around the world with only one question. I took just over eight minutes to listen to and answer all four. After that, it was approximately seven minutes before they called in the next candidate, because all of them were writing away on their note pads. I don't know if it was good or bad, but I was the first one they interviewed in a two-day session. When I walked in there were two of us, and by the time I was finished there were 40 people waiting their turn. They will be hiring 20 for an academy the first of the year. The next step is the Chief's oral in two weeks, so we'll see if I get an invite.

I do have one question for you . . . I might have shot myself in the foot on this one. You are a new firefighter and being assigned to your first station. The crew you have been assigned to is a veteran crew and they are a very tight knit crew. How are you going to integrate into this crew? And what steps are you going to take to become a part of this crew?

I see this job as no different than a roommate or marriage type situation. These are people you live with as a result you need to make every effort possible to get along and get to know one another. I would begin to form friendships and relationships with the individuals of the crew. For example, I would try to partner up with one of them to do my workout and get to know that individual on a personal level. I would also assist a different member in the cooking duties on a shift so I could get to know them on a more personal level. And at every opportunity I would share personal information about myself so they could become more comfortable with me as a person. I am committed to getting along with my fellow crewmembers at any cost, because we are going to live together for the remainder of our careers.

This was one I hadn't thought too much about so I tossed something out there and hoped it gained some traction somewhere. Thanks again for all you have done. Brian

Reply: Well, your got your feet wet. You wrote:

And at every opportunity I would share personal information about myself so they could become more comfortable with me as a person. . . Start establishing a relationship?

What? Don't think so. They would eat you alive. Remember reading this in the Becoming a Firefighter Book? http://www.eatstress.com/firefighterbook.htm You're a snotty nose rookie. Keep your mouth shut. Just be all ears and not mouth. Be cordial, friendly and humble. You have no time or opinion until you earn it. You can't force it. That will come with a lot of calls and a few fires. More on how to be a new rookie here: http://www.eatstress.com/new.htm

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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!:
http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm

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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:

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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Doldrums?

The doldrums are a term used by sailors to describe a period without wind.  Along the equator during certain times of the year it is hot and there can be little or no wind. The doldrums could trap a ship and its sailors for weeks without a breath of wind.  Stories abound telling of ships where the whole crew went crazy and the ghost ship is still sailing the seas.  Other ships would use this time to make repairs, fix sails, paint and treat the wood, as well as having fun swimming or just relaxing.

Testing can be an overwhelming lifestyle.  A lot of departments seem to test about the same time during the year.  So all of a sudden you have all of the tests you want to take and they are at the same time, or so close it is almost impossible to prepare.  On top of that there are all of the other things that go on, you know life.  You have to pay the bills, keep a job, and keep your grades up, not to mention that person always telling you that you don’t spend enough time with them.  You just can’t wait for the day you get your first “four-day”.

But there are also times when the doldrums set in.  No one is testing; things are good at work and at home.  You may have a break between classes. Things posted last week are still on the front page of the Fire Careers web site.   That is the time for you to be repairing the sails.  Those old ship captains wouldn’t just get one set of sails ready, they wanted plenty of backup.  The area of the oceans where the doldrums happen is also where hurricanes originate.  Things could go from nothing to something big in a hurry.

So in your time that you aren’t stretched too thin, make sure you are at least maintaining your testing abilities, if not improving them.

If you can pass the physical with no problem, get better.  If you have some sort of injury before your next test and are only up to 85%, you are sure going to hope you were over prepared.

If you are doing well at the written tests, get better.  A 94% is great, but if you can find a department that weighs the written, or they only take the top 30 people, 96% might not be enough.  Instead of the last minute cramming, do a page a day, that way you can remember the stuff and it will be in your long-term memory.

With oral interviews being a major part of your score, if not the whole ball of wax, you need to get good at answering the questions. If you could see the actors for a sitcom doing the first read through for that week’s episode you may not recognize them.  They are sounding out words, trying to follow the plot while they read, and listen to the others do the same.  But after they have the time to memorize their lines, make them their own, and become familiar with them they can have fun.  Believe it or not you can have fun in an interview.  When you can go into an interview and know that you have well thought out, well-rehearsed answers that you couldn’t forget if you wanted, then you can go in and be you, not nervous guy #345.  Being you in the interview is what gets you the job.

Some ways to improve your skills are of course to have an answer put together for those most asked questions, but also to practice the situational.  Have friends or family that will shoot questions at you out of the blue will help you think on your feet.  I have known a few ambulance crews that got hired about the same time, because they spent all of that down time working on their oral skills.

Imagine going into you next test and knowing you are so over prepared for the written, and the physical, and when the oral interview comes you feel like a kid on Christmas.  This is a huge task if you test is this month, but if you do a little each day, imagine how prepared you would be come November.

Don’t think I am saying not to enjoy the down time.  Recharging the batteries is very important for your health and wellbeing.  I want you to be able to stop and smell the roses, but wouldn’t it be nice if they were growing in the yard of the house you just bought?

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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Promotional Preparation

The following are possible questions you might encounter in your promotional process:

What have you done to prepare for or what do you think qualifies you for the position?

Everything you will do in the promotional process has to do with presentation skills.

What is your five your plan?

What are three of your strengths? What is one of your weaknesses?

What projects can you attach your name to?

How do you resolve conflict?

How do you reduce stress?

How would you handle a disgruntled employee?

What is the job of an officer?

Be prepared for scenarios related to ethical issues; drinking, drugs, stealing, etc.

How would you handle a sexual or racial harassment situation?

Why would we choose you over the other candidates?

Can you deliver a 5-10 oral resume?

Are you up on those issues that are affecting your agency?

Practice handwriting reports.

Work on your personal signature stories than can relate to possible questions.

What does customer service mean to you?

What does cultural diversity mean to you?

Can you take a topic on short notice, develop and deliver a 10-minute speech?

How do you administer discipline?

Do you have a current one-page resume? Make sure to include any acting time.

Practice, practice, practice your answers with a tape recorder!

Don’t go on a journey with your answers. Be concise but brief.

The majority of candidates I coach for the fire tactical are not ready! Get coaching! http://www.eatstress.com/promocoa.htm

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

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5. New Badges
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Rob, Just wanted to let you know I came out #1 after the interview. I GOT THE CALL!! They interviewed 15 and are hiring 2,. Now I'm just waiting on results of my Paramedic exam to say for sure I'm hired. It's a condition of the job. Hire date is looking like the end of November. So cross your fingers that I passed my Medic written, then I'm on board. Thanks for all of your help along the way.

Jami

I just had to share the good news that after 5+ years, my husband received a conditional offer from this past Friday. I just want to encourage everyone that is trying, to keep trying. It will happen.

Thanks to Captain Bob's program and for Captain Rob's coaching, my husband finally got a job offer with a department that he has tested with a total of 6 times (just for this one department). It really helped Dan get his interview's going in the right direction and landing an offer with a department that he actually applied with a total of 6 times. My husband and I both feel that what really turned things around for him was getting private coaching with Capt. Rob. Thanks Rob!

Keep trying!

Cap, All I can say is "thank you", I am 39 years old and have been trying to get on the job for over 4 years. I finally got the call this year. I accepted the job and am so very happy. Your CD was a great help it gave me that advantage that the other candidates did not have. I am now reviewing your info on what a new recruit needs to do, it has saved me a few times.

Thanks, Dominic

P.S. I was hired in June, in August I got another offer from a different dept. I am staying with my department here. I went 4 years without anything now with your CD I get 2 offers in less then 6 months and made it to the top 10 on 2 other lists!!!! If you use this testimony please remove my name.

Captain Rob, I just wanted to thank you for your help with my interview skills. I am more excited for interviews now, rather then dreading them. I just completed probation a few months ago in Southern Ca. It is a small department, so I have decided to start looking for a department that has more opportunities. Thanks, Chris

There was a moment when this whole thing looked bleak. Then..............it happened.

Capt. Bob Smith, For 6 long years I have been in pursuit of this career. I have done training, education, the whole 9 yards. I have been paid-call for 6 years. I have sent many apps out and taken many tests. I finally decided to start my medic program.

Then I purchased your conquer the job interview Gold Package Program http://www.eatstress.com/goldpackage.htm I learned a lot from it, I might add. I used these "nuggets" on my last two interviews. One, I wasn't sure where I stood on the list. The other, I knew I was number 10.

There was a moment when this whole thing looked bleak. Then..............it happened. While I was at work at my full-time garage job, my phone rang. It was a fire chief that I had tested for last year. He said he was updating the hiring list and wanted to know if I was still interested in the job. I replied yes. He asked a few more questions and then we hung up. No job offer.

Four days later................he calls again. Wants to know if I am still interested. Again I replied yes. This time there was a job offer. Human resources was drawing up my papers and he was doing my background check. I am very honored and proud to say that I start my job in a very recognizable city in South Carolina in four and a half weeks.

I owe it all to you and your program. I thank you so much, and so does my wife and my 9-month-old future firefighter. Thank you again Captain Bob. Sincerely, Jason

Ah, yea, this keeps the passion alive.

Another success story, I started a couple of months ago – 600 applicants and I am one of six now on the job. Thanks – I have recommended your website and products to others still in the running in my area. Jack

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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The Excuse Board used at CPAT. Actual excuses used by applicants ( We don't make this stuff up). All of these were used by the applicants after they failed the test.

I didn't know I was on a clock
I didn't eat
I ate too much
I ate at Taco Bell
I worked last night
I didn't make it to any of the open or formal practice sessions
The vest is too heavy (the vests all weigh 50 lbs)
The proctor slowed me down
I am not a "Morning Person"
I am not an "Afternoon person"
The course is confusing
I have allergies
I worked out this morning
The ladder was under control (while lowering the rope, he let go)
I am Sick
I got Asthma
My feet are too big (for the stepmill)
If I could just use my own gloves
I think you changed the course
If you could speed up the stepmill, I wouldn't stumble so much
I am only 5 minutes late (for his test)
I had the wrong vest size
I was out of the country
I was stopped by a train (same guy)
I was stopped by a cop
I got a ticket

I ran the mini marathon
I got the same cramp as I had in the mini marathon
I have a bad knee
I have water on the knee
I couldn't get a grip on it
I didn't want to burn out
I didn't know where to go on the course
I had the flu, last week
I need bigger steps (stepmill)
I didn't want to get dirty
I didn't train because the video made it look so easy
I didn't get any sleep last night
I didn't lean on the rails that much (stepmill)
I got lost in the maze
I made it through before (years ago)
I have a pinched nerve in my toe
I was a marine. I can do this. I've done 25 mile humps before ( failed Miserably)
I got a cramp
I feel through a roof (while roofing)
I stepped on a nail

Questions asked:
How long will this take? I have an appointment to make
Do I get a break for my age? (34)
Can you hold my inhaler?
Can I carry Gatorade with me?
What’s the course record ? (Did not get off the stepmill)

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7. Resource Websites for Candidates: http://www.eatstress.com/hotlinks.htm

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http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.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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