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Orange County Fire Authority Hiring!

One hundred percent of your score to get hired for Orange County is in the oral board. It’s time to get ready! Just a point or two one way or the other will make the
difference in you going forward in the hiring process. Many of our candidates were successful in past Orange County orals and now proudly wear the badge. Here's one from the last test:

 Captain Bob-

I was not getting the results that I had hoped for, but as you advised us all, we need to be the energizer bunny, and that is what I became.  To Seattle, Oakland, Oregon, you name it, I was on a plane somewhere to take a test. I practiced everyday for months and months.  I did the private coaching with your son, married myself to the tape recorder and video camera. 

 I went down the week before to the interview site and knew exactly where it was at and exactly where I needed to park.  So when November 15, 2003 at 11:35 AM, I was there and ready.  They called me in and it was amazing, I did an oral presentation and my personality came into the room and then when the interview questions came, I was able to hit them with nugget after nugget after nugget, etc. 

 This took a long time for me to actually get the opportunity to write you this letter but you can add me to your list of new badges!!  I just completed the 14 week academy for the Orange County Fire Authority and I cannot explain the feeling.  Last night, September 2, 2004, I got to walk up on a stage and be handed a badge by our Fire Chief and have my dad pin it on my chest. You want to talk about emotional moments in your life, I cried and my dad was pretty choked up also. I never thought in a million years that I would be there at that moment and I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. 

 I now believe that the oral interview is the only way to obtain this awesome career.  Considering I only passed the written test by 3 points, this is now a proven fact to me.  Those of you out there that keep going to academy after academy and certification after certification, please take the time to put your efforts into practicing your interview so you too can share the awesome feeling of getting that badge and asking yourself the question, who will pin the badge on me?  Thank you again Captain Bob, without your "nugget" concept, I would have never gotten that badge and a career where the satisfaction is like no other!!

Steve, Firefighter- Orange County Fire Authority

Want to join them? In the days ahead Captain Bob would like to send you “Nuggets”, tips, ideas and inside information on how to get ready for your oral board. Step by step we will guide you through the maze of the LA City testing process course to give you a leg up on the competition.. As soon as you sign up you will receive the first e-mail with this valuable information.

This information will also apply to future tests with other cities.

Here's the first.

Some applications like Orange County are only accepted if you fill them out on line.  You must fill everything out or it will not be accepted.  Last day to submit your on-line application is May 31, 2005, Complete information here:  http://www.ocfa.org/

 Make a copy of the completed application once you fill it out.  You never know when you're going to that job interview. I talk to people who have put in applications and six to eight months later, they don't have a copy and don't remember what they've put down.

 Bad Stuff on Applications

 If you do not include information that is asked on an application and it is found out later, you are out of the process!  Almost everyone at sometime has problems. It's how you put them on the application, background forms, and present them in an oral that makes the difference. A reasonable explanation is what's important.

Many candidates strain their relationships, marriages and finances and do various jobs trying to get the badge. This is understandable with the right explanation. The oral board seldom knows this information (this is usually covered in background), unless it is an area that is listed on the application, i.e. driving record, arrests, etc.

I served 5 days in Santa Rita Prison for drag racing at age 18. Yes, I put it on my application. Because if you don't and they find out, you're gone.

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If you could learn just one free "Nugget" idea you didn't know that could put you over the top to gaining a badge wouldn't you want to know it? OK, sign up here: