Fire Department Oral Boards, Private Coaching with Fire Captain Bob

We have coached candidates who had no experience and those who have been trying up to 18 years to get a firefighter job or promotion. One thing is common with most. After beating their heads against the wall trying everything possible to get this job, they figured out that the real secret is being able to pass the oral high enough to get a shot at the badge.

This from Captain Rob:

I'm a fire captain and am "Captain Bob's" son. I do all the entry level coaching by in person and by phone nationwide.

Please allow me to get on my soapbox for a moment. If you have put in an app., taken the written, or physical ability, you have an oral coming up...If you are in a fire academy, working as a volunteer, in high school, or are twelve years old and are going to be a firefighter some day YOU HAVE AN ORAL INTERVIEW IN YOUR FUTURE; YOU JUST DON’T KNOW THE DATE YET. Too many candidates wait until the last minute to try and schedule a coaching session.

One candidate told me recently that he wanted to wait until the last minute because he wanted to be fresh. Fresh? Please, you want to get a coaching session in advance to be able to work up your best presentation. Not when you're caught flat footed when the letter arrives that you have been invited to the interview in a few days. If you wait too long, you might not get in. Although openings are generally available, I often book in advance.

The choice is up to you. How do you think you can present yourself in the best light? If you have spent weeks or even months preparing or you are sitting in your car an hour before the interview still trying to figure out what you have done to prepare and hoping it looks something like what you put on you application.

My suggestion is you kill two birds with one stone. Prepare for your interview like you know you should, and next year you can give everyone a picture of you with your new badge for Christmas.

Here's what a new firefighter wrote:

Do every thing you can to make sure you are a top candidate and get to the chief's interviews. The best $$$$ I ever spent was with Captain Rob. After my coaching session my interview scores soared and I started getting Chief's interviews. I knew then the badge was possible. My wife could see it and the time I devoted to my quest was less noticed . . . Scott

"Hope is the anchor to the soul."

You can contact me direct with your questions or set up a coaching appointment @ 707-869-1330. My e-mail address is: nrtc@sonic.net Make sure you leave your phone number when calling or e-mail.

Preparation Before Coaching

In order to be eligible for private coaching first you must go through our Gold Package Program and are practicing your script (the script is part of the CD cover or get a copy here) with a tape recorder. Without this it is a waste of your time and money and like pulling teeth for us because you don't understand our program. You can get the program overnight delivery and make your coaching appointment now so you will be sure to get in. More on the Gold Package Program here

If you're considering a coaching session, you will need to prepare for the following seven questions . We will cover more in the coaching session. Here are the first seven:

1. Tell us a little about your self

2.Why do you want to be a firefighter?

3.What have you done to prepare for the job of firefighter?

4. Why do you want to work for this city, or agency?

5. What is customer service, and how does it affect us in the fire service?

6. What is ethnic diversity, and how does it affect us in the fire service?

7. A closing statement?

The first question is just an icebreaker, and it should be short and simple with no job experience or education, as the raters don’t have the ability to give you a score on their ratings sheet. You will be able to tell if they are starting off with an icebreaker or not.

The “what got you interested” and closing are based on emotions. There is no right or wrong answer. The closing should include any info you didn’t get out in the body of the presentation. The closing itself is the last impression you will make on the board. The taste you leave in their mouths after leaving the room. The ringing of your voice in their ears after you’ve gone. So you want it to be a good one.

The preparation question is just a laundry list and you should, without leaving anything out, make it as simple and concise as possible.

Why do you want to work here is the same as tell us about the department. Use my example from the DVD as a pattern.

You don’t need to over memorize or polish the questions, just get them to the point you can present them without reading from a piece of paper. Chances are, we are going to change your responses and I don’t want you to have to do a lot to unlearn or be married to them.

How Much Does Coaching Cost?

Coaching is $400.00 (we do accept credit cards), the session runs between one and two hours depending on what you need, and we aren’t done until we’ve covered everything.

We either do the session over the phone or if you live close enough in person. I audiotape the session, video in person, and we run through a standard oral interview. Whether we do the session over the phone or in person, I have you wear your suit. You present yourself differently in a suit than you would in sweats.

If we are going to do a session over the phone I suggest you buy a microphone jack for your phone. Radio Shack sells two to them, one is a suction cup that attaches to the back of the phone, and it’s about $6. The other one plugs into a separate phone jack in your house. You will get a much better connection with the Radio Shack Cat. # 43-228a for about $17. By being able to record our session, you will have a copy when we’re done, not having to wait days for your tape to arrive. You can start working right away while you’re still fresh from our session. I always tape the session in case your recording fails.

I don’t really find people I coach doing anything wrong, but instead they fail to include some of the things they’ve done in the past that will help the board understand what kind of a person they are.

Please don't let the cost of coaching separate you from getting a badge.

The ball is now in your court. How are you going to return it for the badge?

Contact "Captain Rob" direct for private coaching both by phone and e-mail. Phone @707-869-1330, e-mail address nrtc@sonic.net Make sure to include your return phone and cell numbers so we can get back to you quickly.

Here's What You Will Receive

Here's what we know after 30-years. Candidates who get our program like you, use the work booklet, practice with the all important TAPE RECORDER, and come back for a private coaching session as you're thinking about, catapult themselves into the Olympic camp. That's where you get a shot at that badge you have been looking for.

One on one sessions are where you get dialed into making your best presentation. The session runs between one and two hours depending on what you need, and we aren’t done until we’ve covered everything. Candidates armed with this information are the one's who are smoking past you in the oral, grab the badge and leave you as the brides maid. We know because we get the calls when they get their badge!

Imagine what a private session would do. I don't know about you, but I would want to place myself in a position where they can't go around you after that twenty minute oral.

Your taped session is a valuable tool for you to review to improve your oral board skills.

Almost immediately, candidates who get coaching get unstuck, improve their scores and get a real shot at a badge. We shorten the learning curve the shortest distance between you and the badge. The proof is in the badge!

	Individual private coaching will enable you to bring out the best "Nugget" answers for your oral board presentation.
	It will help you eliminate "Clone" answers
	Overcome stage fright
	Help keep it simple

Your session will draw out your special qualities and hidden "Nugget" answers. The sessions can be in person or because of time and distance by phone. You will receive an audio or video tape of your session for your review and improvement.

Please don't let the cost of coaching separate you from getting a badge.

How Much Does Coaching Cost?

Coaching is $400.00 (we do accept credit cards), the session runs between one and two hours depending on what you need, and we aren’t done until we’ve covered everything.

Sorry Rob is booked for coaching until August 7, 2008.

To secure an appointment candidates should schedule at least 3-4 weeks in advance.

Ask "Captain Rob" Any Question

Fire "Captain Rob"

Phone 707-869-1330

E-mail: nrtc@sonic.net

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