I marvel at firefighter candidates who have great credentials. Degrees, certificates, experience and some are paramedics. They have all this great stuff and don't realize that if you can pass the oral board, you don't get the job!period! They wait until the last minute and think they can wing it. Luck is generally given to the prepared.
In the past few weeks several departments have been conducting oral boards.
Panic has set in. We have had calls for our products and private coaching. Some candidates have called on a Sunday for private coaching when their interviews were on Monday. What could they be thinking?
The oral board is where the rubber meets the road. Like any other training, you have to learn this process and practice what you have learned.
A tape recorder is the best tool you can use. One practice session on a tape recorder is worth 10 speaking out louds. Write out every question you can think of on 3X5 cards.
After you review your taped answer turn the card over an put anything you don't like on the back. The next time you go after that question turn the card over first so you will know what you don't want to say. Practice makes permanent.
Here is a testimony from one of my candidates:
Dear Captain Bob and Rob Smith,
I just wanted to let you know that all of your hard work, research and time does make a difference in other peoples lives. My name is Jim. I had been trying to become a firefighter for about six years. Sure I had made it to the Basic oral interviews a bunch of times, but I had never had a Chiefs Interview.
I was loosing hope and did not know what to do. I was doing a ride-along with Daly City and a firefighter told me about you and your services. I had to give it a try.
Nothing else was getting me to were I wanted to be. I bought your audio and video combo. I listened to the audio tape three time and wrote out my script. I watched the video a few times as well. I did everything that you suggested.
Then came the time to test it out. I had an interview with a City Department. I felt much more prepared than I ever had. I knew my script and I was ready for whatever came my way. They asked all of the right questions as if I had told the what to ask me. About a week went by and the phone rang. They wanted to schedule me for an interview with the Chief. Oh man! I almost fell over.
Next, I met with your Son Rob Smith. The interview was in a few days and I did not have a lot of time left. I did not think that I had enough time to meet with one of you. To my surprise, Rob was willing to meet with me that weekend. That went great. I learned a lot and had the video and audio tape of my session to go home with.
After that interview, I did not get the job. But, I did get the next 5 Chiefs Interviews in a row. I don't think anyone could deny the fact that something had change. I was on the right track now. The most recent interview that I had was the best. I walked out of the interview feeling great.
Three nights later, I got the call that I had been waiting for about years. It was the Chief from the department that I had just tested with. He called to congratulate me.
He told me that I had been selected and that as long as I pass the background and the psychological test I will be getting the badge that I have been waiting for. After that call, I though of how much you two have done to help me not loose hope and guide me in the right direction. I am still waiting for the psych test and the information that you have sent to me on the psych test is very informative.
I don't know if I could have ever made it this far without you two. Again, thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Jim
Oh, Yea, Jim passed everything and got his badge!
Nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!
Nothing beats getting 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