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Since 100% of your score in obtaining a firefighter badge is in the oral
board, what are you missing that's keeping you from gaining that badge?
Estimated reading time 2-5 minutes for any segment!
August 1, 2007
Thousands have been hired by using the free information from our web site and
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When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take
the reason of the thing into your mind, and then look forward. Mistakes are
lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.
Author: Phyllis Bottome
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know that wants to shorten the learning curve to get
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In This Issue
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
2. Entry Level Skills Tip
3. Robs Corner
4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
(Entry level should read this too)
5. New Badges
6. Humor
7. Resource Websites for Candidates
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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New! Some of our products are
now available with a payment plan with no interest. More here:
http://www.eatstress.com/paymentplan.htm
Question: Is it ok to sound
rehearsed if your answer is original and not a clone?
Reply: No. The more you
practice with a recorder the less you will sound rehearsed.
Our formula here:
http://www.eatstress.com/formula.htm
This tip appeared in last months
Nugget Blast:
A candidate in a recent chief’s
oral told the panel he stayed in shape with arena boxing. Isn’t the cage
boxing? Yea. This lead to more questions into areas you might not want to go.
Anytime I hear someone is involved in motor cross, cage boxing, ice hockey or
any other extreme sports I wonder how many times this candidate has had their
bell rung or injuries they have already had or will have that could affect
future time and sick leave or ability to do the job. I’m not the only person
that feels this way. All you need is a little doubt with one rater and it can
affect your score to keep you ought of the running to be considered.
In response to the tip I got
this e-mail:
So would ballet and bowling be a
better choice to put on my resume as opposed to ice hockey or other extreme
sports?? Would I not want to include sports that are demanding and rigorous on
the body as experienced in firefighting?
I noticed you left off the bell
ringing ALL AMERICAN sport of football??
THANKS FOR THE TIPS
Reply: A way to present this is
to say you are physically fit and can play most any indoor or outdoor sports.
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Check out
http://www.eatstress.com and learn how entry
level and promotional candidates are improving their interview scores up
to 15 points and nailing that badge!
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Want Captain Bob to come speak to your group? See
http://www.eatstress.com/seminar.htm
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2. Entry Level Skills Tip
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How do you go from last place to first?
You gain the skills you’re
missing, practice and get back in the game. Take a moment and read how quickly
it can happen:
I tested in March for a spot on
a list; I scored a 90 on the written and flushed the interview down the toilet,
plunged it, and flushed again. I finished dead last. Frustrated after the
interview, I found your website. I hemmed and hawed about buying it but
something somewhere said, make an investment into a million dollar career. I
said what the heck and bought your program.
This was three months ago. I
had two interviews since; the last one didn't go so well because like every
other jock head in America I didn't use the tape recorder the program says to
use. After that I got the recorder and listened to how I sounded. Train wreck.
I stuck with the program watched the DVD and listened to the CD's constantly,
always picking up another piece of info that I had missed the first time.
Then came the most recent (and
last) interview that I needed. I knew what they were going to ask before they
finished the question and already had my answer memorized. Oddly enough one of
the questions was what is one of the hardest things that you have had to
overcome in pursuit of this job. I said my interviewing skills were very horrid
at best, and explained that I had gotten some help (from your program) and they
said that it was one of the better interviews they had that day (after the
interview).
As soon as I walked to the car,
I told my wife to get ready cause were going to move. I sent my certifications
in because they had not had them, and I called down three days later to assure
that they had received them. One of the fire merit members told me oh yes we
got them and I think that it almost put you to the top. I said are you
serious? He said hold on would look. Here I am trembling being told that I am
almost at the top. The Department is hiring 12, and I didn't care if I was
number 12. He came back on the phone and said I'm sorry I made a mistake,
You're number 1. I told him that he had no idea how happy he just made me, and
I broke down crying on the phone.
I had a psych and medical test
three weeks ago, and of course the first place I looked was to you. I got the
conditional offer of employment and all that stood between my badge and me was
this test. I purchased your psych report with Don Mcnea's and I knew that I was
going to do it.
I just got confirmation that I
have passed my tests and I will be getting my badge in the beginning of
September. There are absolutely no words to describe the debt that I owe to you
Captain Bob for helping me and many countless others achieve their dream of
becoming a firefighter. Thank you for everything.
Robert Eberhardt
Robert is the newest firefighter
in our program. Bravo! Congrats on the success in gaining
your badge! Thank you for sharing your journey and letting us be part of your
pursuit. We hereby bestow upon you badge number 2,482 in our program. You have
proved once again that our program works.
Here’s the program Robert used
to go from last place to first to get his badge:
http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm
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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge, tell them
you want our Gold Package with the companion “It’s Your Turn in the Hot Seat” CD
Series!!! Check it out here!:
http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm
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While You’re here get a 10 day test drive of
selected inside secrets how to get a badge. Learn more here:
http://www.eatstress.com/testdriveintro.htm
Bottom line getting a badge is
all presentation skills!
Check out
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm for the FREE 101 Inside
Secrets How to Get a Badge!
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Ask Captain Bob any questions
E-mail
Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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The secret Formula to get a badge here:
http://www.eatstress.com/formula.htm
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3. Robs Corner
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The words you choose may be talking about you
Many people spend days and weeks coming up with answers to questions
they may be asked in an interview. Unless a candidate is able to do this
successfully they may be doomed to failure. Along with what we say in an
interview, there is also the way we say it to be considered.
We just ended a presidential election in which the style and words the
candidates used was one of the ways they were defined. One was known
for using big words that most had to look up, and would answer with 100
words when 20 would have been enough. The other used words he had problems
pronouncing, and even seemed to make some up as he went. The first was
considered a well-educated, intelligent person. The second gained a reputation
as being a moronic buffoon. They both attended and graduated from the same
schools. They are, by every account, equally intelligent.
The way they were perceived came down to their speech. That is one of
the ways an oral board will form their opinion of you.
First of all you want to speak concisely. In a fine art museum the
pieces are displayed evenly spaced and well lit, so each can be
appreciated. A lot of the presentations I listen to are more like the
way my refrigerator looks, it’s covered with kids art work, to-do lists,
and calendars, it would be hard to pick any one thing out. The prime
example of this is the “what have you done to prepare yourself?”
question.
A lot of them sound as if the person put everything they
wanted to say on a board and then threw darts at it. Make it easy for
the board to get the good stuff out of what you say, and to do that you
need to organize it. Chronologically, by order of importance, or what
ever method you wish, you need to make it flow. I have missed the most
important things people had on their resumes, because it was mixed in
with stories about college, side jobs and being on teams in high school.
I’m not saying to leave those things out, but don’t clutter your
presentation.
Second you want to stay away from sounding like a professor taking to a
group of graduate students. When composing their script, some
candidates write them like they are writing an encyclopedia. You want to sound
like you are just having a talk over a cup of coffee in the station house
kitchen. I will talk to someone before a coaching session and they sound like
you or me, and then when they start the session it’s like they started speaking
Shakespeare. Talking in this manor could make interviewers who aren’t the
highest educated feel intimidated, and those that are highly educated may thing
you are a nut. Keep it to the level of prime time TV.
Thirdly, choose your words well. If asked a question where the
candidate needs to talk about a problem with another person, a lot of them say,
“Well I’m going to go up and confront him about that”. The word “confront”
sounds to aggressive, and you may be preserved wrong. Better to say, “ I would
approach the person and ask him about it”. Another word that may be
misinterpreted is “excited”. Telling a chief you want to be a firefighter
because you like excitement may make him concerned you are a yahoo. Better to
say, “I like the challenges of the job and respond well to emergencies”.
Just remember, you and I could go into the same interview and say
basically the same thing, but in a different manor, and have a 10-point
difference in our scores. So, while you are composing your script think
not only about what you want to say, but how you want to say it.
Where ever you might be stuck in the hiring process from the written or video
testing, physical agility CPAT, oral interview, psych interview, background,
polygraph, or medical, you can find new powerful information on Captain Rob’s
new web site here:
www.myfireinterview.com
CAPTAIN ROB (Thank you)
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.myfireinerview.com
For more on entry level coaching visit
http://www.myfireinterview.com/private%20coaching.htm
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4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
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Smoke Showing?
Depending on individual department procedures, I encourage candidates in
the assessment fire tactical simulation when they are dispatched to ask
how many calls have been received. Since this fire could get bigger
than they would ever fight in their career, they should order a second
alarm right off the bat and to keep from forgetting later call for PD
for traffic, Utility company, Ambulance with supervisor, air and light
unit, etc.
Then I received this from KL:
CL: On the tactical, what do I do, or how shall I continue, if when I
ask dispatch for an update on my fire scenario, dispatch states there is
none?
CB: OK, you're starting to hallucinate on me. You might be sitting
there watching a screen. This is not going to be a false alarm. It's
going to be a real fire. Maybe a big big fire. There will be more calls
coming in.
CL: How do I articulate justification of the 2nd alarm prior to arrival?
Is it based on smoke showing?
CB: Yep! You know this is going to be a bigger fire. You will never be
criticized for ordering more equipment. You will be crucified if you
don't. You can always send them home. Like most candidates, you're not
thinking big enough.
CL: If I get no updates, I can't make up the idea of smoke showing, so
how could I justify a second alarm here?
CB: You're forgetting you are in fantasyland. You can see smoke there.
Do you doubt for a moment there will not be smoke? So, it goes like
this. Dispatch, I see smoke showing and proceed. If you’re dispatched
to a single family dwelling instead of an apartment or commercial
building you might consider holding off on calling a second until you’re
on the scene.
New Badge:
I just made #1 on the Lt.'s
list. I was #10 last time and still battling seniority points this time. My
department usually only promotes 3-4 from every 2 year list so this was a big
boost and a real surprise. Learning from my previous promotional mistakes as
well as the tip on telling personalized stories about incidents and training is
what really helped with the Police and Fire Commission. I received the highest
interview and assessment center scores this time around, but only a top ten
written score.
Last time I had the top written
score and dropped after the interview and
assessment process. Thanks for
the assistance.
Dan Collins
Skokie (IL) Fire Department
Capt. Bob, Thanks for your help!!! Your program helped me
tremendously, kept me organized, and confident. I'm happy to report that this
was the first time I tested for our Lieutenant's list and I came out No. 2 out
of 16. A month later, No. 1 and myself were promoted to Lieutenant. Thanks, Roy
Wait! While you're
here Captain Bob wants to give you a 10 day FREE
test drive of selected inside secrets how to get a promotional badge. Learn
more here:
http://www.eatstress.com/promointro.htm
For more on our promotional
program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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5. New Badges
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I loved the information the book had so much that I knew I should get the
private coaching too. So I went and met Rob for my coaching just a few weeks
before I had my first ever oral interview with Los Angeles City Fire Department.
I am proud to say that I not only got a perfect score on that interview but I
also took Emeryville's oral interview a month later and placed 13th out of about
200. The best news of all is that I got the call from L.A. just a week ago and I
will be starting their academy on August 6th.
I wasn't sure if I believed your website at first, and that it would help me get
to where I wanted to be. But now, I am ever so thankful to you and your son Rob
for all your help and encouragement.
The first department I ever applied for...are you kidding me? I tell people
about your services all the time and hope that this testimonial will help as
well. It's the least I can do for what you've done for me.
Thank you!
Sincerely, Nicholas
I just made #1 on the Lt.'s
list. I was #10 last time and still battling seniority points this time. My
department usually only promotes 3-4 from every 2 year list so this was a big
boost and a real surprise. Learning from my previous promotional mistakes as
well as the tip on telling personalized stories about incidents and training is
what really helped with the Police and Fire Commission. I received the highest
interview and assessment center scores this time around, but only a top ten
written score.
Last time I had the top written
score and dropped after the interview and
assessment process. Thanks for
the assistance.
Dan Collins
Skokie (IL) Fire Department
I did not buy your
program BUT your tips and free questions and answer on your site did help!! I
now am the newest paid firefighter for the town in NB. thanks Captain!
I spent a lot of time on your
web site studying and using your information and advice. I tested for a
department once before and was washed out after the interview. After using your
insight I tested and interviewed with the same interviewers at the same
department as before. This time I made it, went on to recruit class, and now I
have a badge and am working on an engine company. Thank you for everything!
I'm living my dream thanks to you.
Mike
More badges here:
http://eatstress.com/testbest.htm
To see how candidates have improved their position in gaining a badge
visit
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage152.htm
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Check out the current "Bonus Nugget" oral board tip
http://www.eatstress.com/bonusnugget.htm
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6. Humor
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The Perils of Retirement
Our old friend, Wm. H "Bill" Fenton, recently retired from
The phone company and, to help fill his days, now accompanies his
Wife on her shopping trips to the local Walmart. We know Bill and,
Therefore, can only speculate that extreme boredom has led to his
Recent disruptive behavior at the local Walmart...
**********************************************************
Dear Mrs. Fenton,
Over the past six months, your husband, Mr. Bill Fenton has
Been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate
This type of behavior and have considered banning the entire family
From shopping in any of our stores.
We have documented all incidents on our video surveillance
Equipment. Three of our clerks are attending counseling f rom the
Trouble your husband has caused. All complaints against Mr. Fenton
Have been compiled and are listed below.
Mr. Wally Worrywart
President
Wal-Mart Complaint Department
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------<
MEMO
Re: Mr. Bill
Fenton - Complaints - 15 Things Mr. Bill Fenton
Has done while his spouse/partner is shopping:
1. June 15,
took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them
In people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2, set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off
At 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7, made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading
To the restrooms.
4. July 19,
walked up to an employee and told her in an
Official tone,"Code 3 in Housewares..." and watched what happened.
5. August 4, went to the Service Desk and asked to put a bag
Of M&M's on lay away.
6.
September 14, moved a "CAUTION - WET FLOOR" sign to a
Carpeted area.
7.
September 15, Set up a tent in the camping department
And told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they'll bring pillows from
the bedding department.
8. September 23, When a clerk asks if they can help him, he
Begins to cry and asks, " Why can't you people just leave me alone?"
9. October 4, Looked right into the security camera; used
It as a mirror, and picked his nose.
10. November 10, While handling guns in the hunting
Department, asked the clerk if he knows where the antidepressants
Are.
11. December 3, Darted around the store suspiciously loudly humming the "Mission
Impossible" theme.
12. December
6, In the auto department, practiced his Madonna look" using different size
funnels.
13. December 18, Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled
"PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"
14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud
Speaker, He assumes the fetal position and screams "NO! NO! It's those
Voices again!!!!"
(And; last, but not least!)
15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door and
Waited awhile; then, yelled, very loudly, "There is no toilet paper
In here".
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7. Resource Websites for Candidates:
http://www.eatstress.com/hotlinks.htm
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For Back Issues of Fire-Zine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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==> SHARE YOUR TIP or STORY. Send it to
captbob@eatstress.com
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Nothing counts til you have the badge . . . Absolutely Nothing!
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Code 3 Publishing. Fire Captain Bob Smith, Speaker, Author, Publisher
Information Products on How to Get a Badge.
Web site:
http://www.eatstress.com Over 300 pages of helpful
information.
Phone: 888-238-3959 local 925-846-3959 Fax: 925-846-9650
E-mail
Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
Remember, absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the
badge. Nothing!
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