Job Interview

Stories Get Badges

2023-05-08T23:51:21+00:00

Stories Get Badges During the interview process, raters are often doing a lot of writing. Time after time, candidates tell me when they start telling one of their signature stories, the raters will stop writing, look up, put down their pens, and are taken on a journey with the story. This adds energy and builds candidate confidence.  Stories work effectively because they go directly to the brain and entertain. They do not require the mental processing of more formal nonfiction writing. Stories have heart and ring true. They are relatable. Stories are more than facts. If you can recreate the [...]

Stories Get Badges2023-05-08T23:51:21+00:00

Captain Bob – A Simple Q & A (Part 2)

2023-03-07T02:07:26+00:00

Captain Bob – A Simple Q & A (Part 2) The Q & A continues: Captain Bob” Smith is a retired firefighter and fire captain. A member of the MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER HALL OF FAME, Captain Bob speaks on the topics of overcoming stress and developing superior communication skills. He has written 2 books:  Eat Stress For Breakfast and  Fire Up Your Communication Skills.  With three successful start-up businesses, education, and over 40 years of research, Captain Bob thoroughly enjoys helping others. Enjoy this Q & A, part 2,  with Captain Bob. Q. Captain Bob, who has been the most influential [...]

Captain Bob – A Simple Q & A (Part 2)2023-03-07T02:07:26+00:00

Is That Your Phone?

2023-03-07T02:06:40+00:00

Is That Your Phone? In many instances, access to a cell phone has made our lives easier. They provide conveniences to rather complicated situations. Being able to reach a loved one in difficult times, checking on your teenager who broke curfew,    and alerting the authorities to trouble are just a few of the many times we are glad to be connected. Cell phones offer comfort in worrisome times. In today’s world, having a cell phone by your side is a normal thing.      Cell phones are a part of each of our lives. When needed, I am grateful. But [...]

Is That Your Phone?2023-03-07T02:06:40+00:00

Who Are You Sending to the Oral Board?

2023-01-20T19:40:45+00:00

Who Are you Sending to the Oral Board? Picture this. You are sitting on the Firefighter’s Oral Board and candidate after candidate comes in, sits down, and sounds just like the person before. I am not kidding. Each candidate repeats the same things as if they memorized each other’s responses to our questions. As a participant in the Oral Board, there is no greater is disappointment. Here is what I mean… Imagine spending lots of time, money, and effort. You have gone to the same academy as some of your fellow applicants. You have even volunteered in the same department [...]

Who Are You Sending to the Oral Board?2023-01-20T19:40:45+00:00

Fantasy Land – For Real!

2022-11-22T21:35:11+00:00

Fantasy Land – For Real! If you want to become a firefighter, an Oral Board Interview is in your future. There is no way to get around it. So – know this: The Oral Board interview is like Fantasy Land. It is not like the real world. Your answers in the oral board might not be what you would do in real life. The board understands the rules and you can't fool them. Don't try to intellectualize and bring heavy logic to this process. If you do, someone who understands the rules in fantasy land better will get the badge. [...]

Fantasy Land – For Real!2022-11-22T21:35:11+00:00

Private Coaching Will Make A Difference!

2022-09-27T22:53:12+00:00

Private Coaching Will Make A Difference! “Hope is the anchor to the soul.” – unknown   My name is Captain Rob. I am Captain Bob’s son. It is my job to coach all the entry level applicants nationwide. The folks I coach are not doing anything wrong. The truth is they simply fail to include some of the key things they have done in the past that will help them stand out and reveal what kind of person they are. Let me get on my soapbox. If you have applied, taken the written, or physical ability, you are moving along in [...]

Private Coaching Will Make A Difference!2022-09-27T22:53:12+00:00

Feeling Lucky?

2022-09-27T22:53:31+00:00

Feeling Lucky? With all that this said about being a medic, I must tell you that we help candidates get hired all the time with little or no experience. Introducing Jim. Jim picked up one of our flyers when he picked up an application for the San Francisco Fire Department test.  He saw the ad for the test in the newspaper. Now, Jim was not a kid. With no background, formal education, or experience related to the fire service, Jim thought he would give it a shot. The smartest thing Jim did was reach out to EatStress for help. We [...]

Feeling Lucky?2022-09-27T22:53:31+00:00

Multiple Job Offers

2022-03-02T23:07:04+00:00

Multiple Job Offers Email from Jimmy who has received 2 offers: Dear Captain Bob - After getting your program, I got offered a job. Today, another job offer came. It's unreal. Thanks for helping me package the product (Me) and sell it. It worked! Here is my dilemma. I received a conditional offer of employment from a County Fire. I have signed it and will mail it out. I need to pass the medical and psych exams. Today, another fire department's Chief called. He gave me a conditional offer over the phone. As I expected, I have to pass the [...]

Multiple Job Offers2022-03-02T23:07:04+00:00

Don’t Chit-Chat – PUT A CORK IN IT!!

2022-02-16T21:07:05+00:00

Don't Chit-Chat – PUT A CORK IN IT!! Often, we get phone calls or emails from candidates after they have completed portions of the firefighter hiring process. This guy wrote to me about his experience during his Oral Board. Read what he wrote and my response below. Captain Bob, I recently passed a written and agility for a department. I had my oral interview the next day. Honestly, I felt the interview went pretty well. I am waiting to see if I made the final cut. Here is my concern. During the interview, I was asked what I had done to prepare [...]

Don’t Chit-Chat – PUT A CORK IN IT!!2022-02-16T21:07:05+00:00

It’s Finally Here!

2021-11-15T17:28:04+00:00

It’s Finally Here! Well, it's finally here. Your day has come. Congratulations! And, welcome, Brother. There were ups, downs, twists, and turns. No matter what happened and however long it took, you stuck with it. Persistence is key. You now have your badge. Let's back up and talk about the road traveled to get here. Sharing your experience could help others get the badge, too. Don't be too big for your britches. Share what happened along the way. Be open with recruits who may be so green behind the ears that a bit of encouragement could change his path. Yes. [...]

It’s Finally Here!2021-11-15T17:28:04+00:00

Title

Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:44:54+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.  
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:47:33+00:00
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out what the heck I was doing wrong… with Captain Bob’s program and coaching, I was shocked to see I had ranked number one and got my badge.”  
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:51:46+00:00
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there that don’t believe this, try passing and ranking #1 on orals with a stuttering problem…I did.” – Dave, FF/PM  
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:01:21+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:02:45+00:00
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out of a possible 120 pts, I scored 119.87 pts! I couldn’t believe it! … Just wanted to say THANK YOU!” – Armando  
5
5
Becoming a Firefighter

Contact Info

Go to Top