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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
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
http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm
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