Lessons Learned
Two things stick in my mind at the last Stockton Written. One candidate drove all night from southern California with his buddies. When they went in, he realized he had forgotten his pictured drivers license. Did they let him take the test? No! He had to go wait outside for these friends to finish the test.
The second thing was a guy I saw running from two blocks away. He was really booting it. High stepping. He was trying to make it before they shut the doors. He wasn't a little bit late. But 20 minutes late. Did they let him in? Absolutely not! No matter what the reason.
I saw this happen at the Phoenix written. No less than 15 people were turned away at the door because they were too late. These folks were more than disappointed. Probably more so now with how many are still in the process. Yes, parking was a problem. But, that was the candidate's problem for not allowing enough time to anticipate the unexpected. I saw some candidates arriving in taxicabs. This was a creative resource. This is something they can use in the oral. As the training officer was turning the late arrivals away at the door he said, "If this is how you're going to be as a firefighter, we don't want you." Brutal? A tough lesson. But, he was right.
The point here is to check everything head to toe and allow more than enough time to get to the written site and relax before you go in. The doors at Phoenix opened at 7:00 A.M.. I was with the first to arrive at 6:00 A.M.. Here again there were hoards of candidates at a dead run trying to make it when the doors were being closed. It's a wonder someone didn't have a heart attack. The 02 was definitely needed. Wonder how many of these folks didn't make it through the PT.
Here's a "Nugget". When you get to a written, don't talk to anyone; even your friends. Psych yourself up on the way. Separate yourself for game day. What would happen if someone gave you some news that could throw your written score off. Some news they had received results from a test you both took. That they were going forward in the process. And, you didn't get a letter. Troubling? Would this or any other information like this mess up your mind before a test? You bet.
This even applies at the oral. Orals can often run behind. Several candidates could be in the waiting area at the same time. Do not, I repeat, do not start a conversation. One of our candidates felt the nervous need to start talking to another candidate. He found out this guy was a scientist. He felt less and didn't know how he could compete with such overwhelming credentials. He blew his own game plan.
He regrouped on his next test and got a badge. He was probably more qualified than he gave himself credit for. Who knows what happened to the scientist?
This goes to prove . . .
"Nothing counts until you have the badge . . . Nothing!"
"Captain Bob"
Ask "Captain Bob" Any Question
Fire "Captain Bob" Smith has coached countless entry level and promotional candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year Hayward, Ca. Captain, speaker/author of the audio/video program "Conquer the Job Interview," the book "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6-8 and a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association. You can book him as a speaker or get a copy of his books and tapes by calling toll free at 888-238-3959.
E-mail: captbob@verio.com Web site: http://www.eatstress.com