Oral Boards

Grab Hold of the ORAL INTERVIEW!

2023-05-08T23:49:39+00:00

Grab Hold of the ORAL INTERVIEW! Many years back, our friend and Battalion Chief Dennis O'Sullivan (retired) said, "The Oral Interview gets you the job!” I agree. The Oral Interview is where a firefighter candidate needs to put their efforts. Here is what I mean – Imagine that I am a rater on the receiving end of your Oral Interview. Let’s say I get a positive feel from you and how you answer our questions. DING! DING! DING! You have engaged a rater. Typically, this will work to your benefit. But – how do you build this connection? Stories are [...]

Grab Hold of the ORAL INTERVIEW!2023-05-08T23:49:39+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

New Year’s Resolutions

2023-03-07T02:06:27+00:00

New Year’s Resolutions New Year’s Resolutions. You make them. I make them. We all make them. You see – a new year brings hope and optimism for what might come. It brings a fresh start to correct the wrongs of years past. For many, the new year means that the possibilities are endless. A 2023 Forbes Health “OnePoll” Survey found some resolutions more popular than others. The top 3 are improved mental health, improved fitness, and to lose weight. Here is the question – what percentage of New Year’s resolutions fail? Real and lasting change takes time. Setting goals too [...]

New Year’s Resolutions2023-03-07T02:06:27+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

Unmasking the Oral Board Question

2022-11-22T21:36:31+00:00

Unmasking the Oral Board Question During my career as a firefighter and Fire Captain, I witnessed about everything imaginable in Fire Service. Having been on more than a few Oral Boards, I believe there are about 30 oral board questions – give or take. That said, these questions can and will be disguised as hundreds of other questions. Buckle up. Be ready! Now is the time to prepare for the ride of your life. Here is the list of the 30+ Oral Board Questions 1. Tell us about yourself. 2. Why do you want to be a firefighter? When did [...]

Unmasking the Oral Board Question2022-11-22T21:36:31+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

Man In the Mirror

2022-09-27T22:48:22+00:00

Man in the Mirror We get it. You want to be a firefighter so badly, that you can taste it. It is all you have ever dreamed of. Right? Right! Here is the key. The best way to get hired and earn that badge is to put yourself in a position where the department can't go around you. Here is what I mean. If you have the attitude that the system is against you, you will give off that vibe. If you have the attitude that you are being passed over because of minority hiring, you will send that message. [...]

Man In the Mirror2022-09-27T22:48:22+00:00

A Little Bit About Coaching

2022-09-27T22:50:06+00:00

A Little Bit About Coaching Being a person of faith helps tremendously in this job. Personally, my faith seems to give me a moral compass, a code of honor that keeps us out of trouble and helps with decision-making. I think that it helps many with this. In my experience faith has helped people dig a little deeper when they have needed it the most. You see, as firefighters, we see a lot of things nobody wants to see. Daily, we go into very sad and difficult situations. Over the years, my fire department has lost more on duty than [...]

A Little Bit About Coaching2022-09-27T22:50:06+00:00

Information is Key!

2022-09-27T22:51:19+00:00

Information is Key! If we have said it once, we have said it 100 times. After 40 years in Fire Service, we know a thing or two about earning your firefighter’s badge. As retired Fire Captains, Rob and I have found ways to share this knowledge so that others can have their dream job as a firefighter. After all, being a firefighter is like having a front-row seat to the greatest show on earth. Here is tip Number 1 - As you may know the written and the physical ability are both pass/fail. Why does this matter? Well, it tells [...]

Information is Key!2022-09-27T22:51:19+00:00

Your Goal is the Badge. What’s Your Plan?

2022-09-27T22:52:10+00:00

Your Goal is the Badge. What’s Your Plan?  Having helped many over the years earn the badge, we have seen a thing or two. Yup. We have witnessed all types of candidates. Why is this important? Because we are passing our experience and lessons learned onto you. Here is the bottom line – you need to score high enough on your Oral Board to get a call-back. If you are not able to do that, you will experience a HARD STOP! The cornerstone of what we do is to teach candidates how to ace their Oral Board. How do we [...]

Your Goal is the Badge. What’s Your Plan?2022-09-27T22:52:10+00:00

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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  
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Becoming a Firefighter

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