credentialswhy

I see many postings on internet web sites of what credentials candidates have in trying to get a firefighter job. Amazing! Not once in the postings was it mentioned what they've done to get through the most important part of getting that badge . . .THE ORAL BOARD!

Too many think with their fabulous credentials they're unique, got it down, dialed in, and can wing the interview. Often college programs, friends, firefighters and fire academies have made you into "clones" like everyone else.

If you're not getting through an oral board high enough to be called back for a chiefs interview and ending up in the top 10 or band A, you've got to ask yourself, what's wrong? Nothing will change if you keep adding credentials. The rubber meets the road in the oral board.

If you haven't gotten a badge by now with all of your great credentials, here's some food for thought from a testimonial I received:

Capt. Bob, I received your audio/video combo tapes yesterday and had a chance to listen to the whole thing and I have to tell you that I was so pissed by the time I finished it. Not mad at you that is, but mad at myself. I have been testing for 6 years and if I had known about you years ago I would be "wearing that badge" by now. By listening to your tape I saw that I wasn't anything but a clone in my answers, but I can tell you that is the last time I will be a clone. I will follow your advice and as soon as I have the extra cash I will be calling you to do a counseling session. I have 4 test coming up and I want to be on any of those depts. Your tapes showed me that the answers that I thought made me stand out only made it like a "where's Waldo" game and I was just a face in the crowd. Well I can bet that this is my year and I owe the start of it to you, now lets go get that badge!!! Thanks Tony

The light came on for Tony. I hope it has for you too. This is your future.

Now this is what happened once Tony was armed with the skills to make it happen:

Capt. Bob,

Well the time has come for the testimonial. After 6 years of testing, 2

of which were hardcore throughout the West and here in Wisconsin, I have

achieved my goal. I ordered your program in October of '99. The first

time I went over the video I immediately saw what was the problem; I was

a clone. I took the outline and put all of my oral answers on paper. I

then went over them and set up a coaching session with Rob. After that,

I went over everything that Rob taught me, changing and condensing.

Finally, I refined it to where I though it should be.

I had my first oral after ordering on January 26th, 2000. Knowing this,

I set up a super session with Rob. The super session was the

key. I hung up the phone with Rob and knew I was going to get hired. I

was the first person to go into the interview at 8:00 am. I flew home

the next day, I called my wife from Minneapolis, she informed me that

the fire chief had called and he said that "I blew the panel away and

set the standard for every other candidate." Starting at 77 people, I

finished 16th on the written. Finishing first on the oral, I was now

3rd overall. I was then invited back for the physical ability and the

chief's oral. #2 failed the physical, so I went into the chiefs oral at

#2. Well, needless to say, I came out of the Chief's oral with a #1

final ranking overall.

It gets better. My wife and I had made the decision to move and then

the City of LaCrosse called, I was #2 overall and they needed to hire 3

immediately. Then, the City of Wauwatosa sent a letter, I was set for

the final stage and a police and fire commission interview. When it

rains, it pours.

Capt. Bob, I have a list of credentials a mile long. I was aceing the

writtens, never once finishing out of the top five in a physical

agility. I was kicking ass and taking names, but not enough names to

get a job. Is it coincidence that the three tests I took immediately

after you program came with JOB OFFERINGS? I DON"T THINK SO!!!!!!!

Now for the last part. Next to you, I owe my ever loving and supportive

wife, Shannon everything. She has supported me through every

diappointment and rejection letter. She watched the tapes and

immediately knew. Not only do I tell everyone about you and your

program, but she does as well.

We have chosen the Fire Department in Washington and moving next

week for a start date of April 17th which, strangely enough, is 13 years

to the day that we had our house fire which started this whole career.

How is that for destiny!!!!!!

Capt. Bob, Shannon, Myself, Morgan, Austin, and Justin can't thank you

and Rob enough. Without you and your program this move to the mountains

and the culmination of a dream would not be possible. Not only the

program, but every time I called you gave me advice, You were always

there. Even if I got the machine, you always picked up when you heard

it was me. Remember what I said, "Your program should come with a

warning label saying; if you don't want to get hired and hate making

decisions which department to choose, than this is not for you."

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

The only thing I have left to say is that I have a strong desire to meet

you and Rob. I would like you to meet my wife. If there is any way I

can get you up to Washington, I will. Or, if we are down in the Frisco

area, could we take to out to dinner? That would make my day.

Thank you for everything, you made the dream a reality.

Sincerely,

Tony, Shannon, Morgan, Austin, and Justin Pegg

Do you want to keep beating your head against the wall, spending years trying to figure out how to get hired? Or, do you want to shorten the learning curve with proven skills that will enable you to step up and get that badge pinned? The choice is yours.

How do you want it? You can do hard time or you can do easy time; the choice is yours.

Getting the job of your dreams is like winning the lottery!

Learn how entry level and promotional candidates are improving their interview scores up to 15 points and nailing that badge from the FREE "101 Inside Secrets to Get A Badge" on our web site.

Check out our new audio album "Job Interviews 2000". New, cutting edge interview skills.

Everything you will need to pass your next oral board! Register for our FREE weekly drawing for our "Job Interviews 2000" Audio Album on our web site.

Absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!

"Captain Bob"

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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