FIREZINE
Cutting edge interview skills to get that badge from Fire
Captain Bob.
More than 2,011 candidates have received their badge from
this program!
February 3, 2002. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2002
captbob@verio.com web site: www.eatstress.com 888-238-3959
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IN THIS
ISSUE
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
2. Entry Level Skills Tip
3. Promotional Level Skills Tip
(Entry level should read this too)
4. Robs Corner
5. New Badges
6. Humor
7. Resource Websites for Candidates
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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I often receive questions like this one:
What posture is acceptable in an oral? Is it o.k. to use your hands when in the oral board? I have taken public speaking classes in high school and college and have learned to use my hands to help emphasis points, etc. I feel pretty comfortable using my hands to explain myself, my question is will it hurt me in the oral board. Chris
Chris:
Yes it's O.K. to use your hands. A Stanford University study showed that getting a job is 15% knowledge and 85% percent enthusiasm! How can you be enthusiastic if you're a frozen statue in the chair? It can't be done. If you can light yourself on fire with enthusiasm and bring the excitement, emotional, the magic of the actual event in a story, the oral board with stand up, applaud and watch you burn.
I have candidates tell me, well, they said you can not use your hands. Sit on your hands if you have to. I always ask, Who are they? Where is that written? I've never been able to find out who they are, or where that is written.
It is perfectly acceptable to use your hands. If you are already using them, you will cause problems trying to stop. You will start concentrating on stopping and that will throw off your timing, concentration and presentation.
When I play back a video for review during private coaching sessions, many candidates go to a different posture. Some even lean forward with placing their elbows on their knees. I look for this different posture. I will ask if that position is more comfortable? If so, I encourage them to use it. It makes for a better personalized delivery in the oral.
I have had candidates in an oral move the chair right up to the table and place their elbows on the table. After a candidate did that in an oral, one of our rate's commented, Did you see how he took it right to us! He got top scores. It was this candidates style and personality. He was able to pull it off. You might not. It can be risky. If you're going to try it, first ask the raters if you can move the chair.
Also, when you are that close to the interviewers you have to use the owl affect to talk to the raters. That means you have to turn your head way to the extreme right and left to make contact and answer the raters questions. This can also violate the raters healthy boundaries and make them feel uncomfortable.
Sitting in a comfortable boundary for yourself and the raters is critical. A healthy boundary is where others end and you begin.
As each candidate enters the room at an oral board, they have a tendency to pull the chair back a little as they sit down. After several candidate s cycle through an interview room the chair can end up further away from the interview table than you want. If so, ask first, and place it where you would feel most comfortable to make your delivery.
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Learn how entry level and promotional candidates are improving their interview
scores up to 15 points and nailing that badge!
Click here:
www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm
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2. Entry
Level Skills Tip ===========================================
Nugget Answers:
One of the corner stones of our program is Nugget Answers! What is a Nugget? A Nugget is an answer to an oral board question that will get you your best score, satisfy the raters and cause them to on to the next question. You will get bonus points by personalizing your answer with a story. A big part in getting this job is convincing the oral board you can do the job before you get. Using a story that you not only know the answer to the question, you have already lived it. Demonstrating you have been there, done that, got the ball cap, T-shirt and played the game. Your personal stories deliver this point like nothing else.
Stories are more than facts. You must practice your stories with a tape to recreate the actual story with the magic, color, excitement and enthusiasm of the actual event.
I believe there are only about 30 oral board questions. If you were able to establish a scrip of answers for these questions, practice, rehearse and over learn them until them became second nature to you, your scores with improve dramatically. You wouldn't be frustrated and fooled again in an interview.
You can get the list of Thirty Possible Oral Board Questions by clicking here:
http://www.eatstress.com/thirty.htm
This just
received testimony demonstrates the transformation:
Dear
Captain Bob,
My name is Chris. I purchased the power audio/video pack about 8 months ago.
Since receiving them, I have tested twice, and twice made it to chiefs orals.
First off, I could not have done it without your help.
I had my
chiefs oral in San Diego County last week, and was immediately given a
Background Packet to return ASAP.
It was just like you said it would be...they fired off questions, and I had the Nugget Answer for every one of them. It was the first time I walked out of an oral knowing that I smoked it!!!
Thank
You!! Chris
Bravo Chris
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Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
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Men, Stay Out of the
Penalty
Box on Valentine's Day!
Most men are usually going into or coming out of the penalty box. Often, they don't know what they have done wrong. There's hope. Speaker, author, humorist and firefighter “Captain Bob” Smith has two passions. One is putting OUT flames and the other is putting FIRE back into relationships by helping couples communicate with his book Fire Up Your Communications Skills. He’ll reveal:
| Take the mystery out of buying gifts. |
| The top 5 secrets that show romance to a woman. |
| How to get your partner to listen to EVERYTHING you say. |
| The top 5 secrets that make your partner feel special and loved. |
| Why women need romance for SEX, men just need a place. |
You can have the book just in
time for Valentines Day.
Click here for more
information:
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3.
Promotional Level Skills Tip
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The Presentation:
Your test might include making a 10-15 minute presentation to a panel. The topic can be one of your own or a selection from a list. You might have 30 minutes or two days to prepare the presentation.
Speaking to a group is one of the top fears. Most candidates panic. Everyone has butterflies; the trick is to get them to all fly in the same formation. Dottie Walters, author: Speak and Grow Rich, Prentice Hall.
This simple formula from the book “Inspire Any Audience,” by Tony Jeary can help you through the process:
1. Introduction
2. Three major points (and examples to support major points)
3. Questions & Answers
4. Summary
5. Closing
The Nugget here is to use K.I.S.S. (keep it simple sweetie). Most candidates complicate the presentation. They try to intellectualize the process. They waste time and put the audience in the sleepy zone by trying to give a blue print, when all that is needed is a sketch. The I.Q. of an audience drops when a presentation is given. Stick to the formula . . . Nothing more . . . Nothing less.
The toughest thing to do in making a speaking presentation,
or an interview, is to be yourself on purpose.
Patricia Fripp, National Speakers Association.
Lt. and Capt. In-basket
practice exams; Each Lt. and Capt. in-basket prep exams include two 50 question
practice examinations. Each exam is over 80 pages in length, with in-depth
explanations for each question and corresponding behavior dimensions. You will
also receive our top scoring performance strategies that have proven to
extremely successful. Go to www.fireprep.com
to review these products.
1-800-989-FIRE
For more on our
promotional program click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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4.
Robs Corner
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Scoring:
Lets talk for a moment about
what our goal in an interview should be and what the board is looking for? Do we
know what is on the rating sheet? …. Not on every test, but overall we have a
pretty good idea what to expect.
In each question the raters
will have check off boxes they use to give you your score.
In some, an area to give subjective points for if you gave them something
in your response there was not a box for, or if they want to give you a little
something extra for doing an exceptional job. So for the what have you done to
prepare question, they would have a box for: EMT, f/f1, paramedic, A.A., B.A,
volunteer work, etc, and then 1-3 points subjective.
Your goal should be to
attack these questions as if it is a military operation. Get in, get all the
points you can and get out, with as few extra words as possible. As you can
learn from our video, you could waste valuable time telling them of all the
great people who taught your f/f 1class, all the experiences you learned, how
you were part of a team, live burns, ladders, hose, feeling like you had seen
your calling, and the board will just check off the box that says f/f1.
If you told the same board I
got my f/f1, they are still only going to check off the box that says f/f1.
Raters already know what ff1 is. Don't
waste time taking them on a journey of everything involved in getting it.
Imagine that you were sitting on a hiring board, it is day 5 of 11, you
have just had lunch and your feeling like a nap would be nice. Which of those
responses would you like to hear? The long or short version?
If there is a civilian on the board, the in service raters will translate
for them later.
Now, what are raters looking
for, and who are they. Usually captains and chiefs will evaluate you. What do
you think they are looking for in a candidate? I do not mean what would they
tell a reporter or the personnel department, but what would they tell you if
they went down at the corner pub with you and gave you their honest feelings?
The chiefs are looking for
someone that will never cause them a problem, you are going to be at work on
time, not abuse your sick leave, no one is going to call and say they do not
like working with you, you will not call and tell him you want a different
station because your not getting enough sleep, you need him to think you will be
a hire and forget employee.
The captains are going to
have to work with you, so they are more interested in who you are. What is the
first thing that we do in the fire station, after we are done checking out the
equipment and cleaning the station? We want to know whose cooking and what is
it. We like our food three ways, on time, cheap, and lots of it. Make it hot.
Make it a lot. The captain is also looking at attitude; is he going to
have to ask you to clean the bathroom? He is also looking for someone who is
going to be able to work a computer. Is there a computer in the fire station?
Does he know how to us it. I work with captains that are afraid of their
answering machines, let alone their computers. You just know their VCR is home
flashing midnight.
When answering questions it
does not hurt to remember that you have your supervisor with you. If you get
into trouble dealing with a citizen, police officer, or business owner, and you
have done all you can, add that you will differ, ask for advice, or advise your
captain. It is what we really do, and it lets the captains on the panel know you
understand how important they are. It never hurts to stroke the board.
Usually you are not
evaluated by members of the department you are testing for. But if you are or if
it is a chiefs, or follow up interview, the more you can make the department
sound like the best thing in the world the better. We as firefighters place our
professional ego with our dept. if you make it sound good it makes us feel good,
especially if they are chiefs.
Good luck, and keep
practicing your script.
FIREFIGHTER ROB NRTC@SONIC.NET
For more
ideas and tips from Rob, click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/robs_corner.htm
5.
New Badges
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Dear Captain Bob
I read every single one of your postings on perfect firefighter. I bought
your audio/video program and guides to making it through the interview process.
When I called you on the phone worried about the next phase and whether I was
going to make it through, you told me to take a deep breath and knock it off.
When I emailed you personally with questions, you replied right away. You
have been my reality check, my pressure gauge, and now I can finally say the
words you have heard 2000 times before...
I got the call today. I'm hired. Done. Kaput. My search
is over. It has been a LONG road and I can't begin to tell you how
excited I am. You do good work captain. And we all appreciate it
very much. thank you for your help.
K
Hey Rob, I just wanted to write a quick thank you to
you and your pop.
About two years ago I got the tapes and had you come out to my station at
the river for personal coaching and since have been hired by a great
department in the peninsula. I am recently off probation and loving life!
This job is the greatest thing (next to my family) that has ever happened
to me and was worth all the hard work. The tapes and your coaching gave me
a good foundation to work from to improve my interviewing skills and
ultimately got me hired. Thanks again guys, you truly are helping a lot
of people get into the fire service.
Scott.
Capt. Bob,
I can really relate with the last post you made on the community board dealing with testing. I was very similar to the guy named Dave. I took every test I could in California. I was a paid on call fire fighter, a seasonal for CDF in the summer and a student at CSU Chico trying to get a Bachelors degree. All of the sudden this last year my life changed forever. I took a test for a department just thinking I was doing it for experience. A few months later I got a letter stating I passed and that my oral interview was soon. I took the oral, got a letter a few months later stating that I passed. I was thinking to myself cool!! But I did not hear anything for a while (nearly six months). Then all of the sudden I had a chiefs interview, wow!! Then a physical, psych, background. Nearly a year after the test I had a full time job. This was a test I almost did not take, but I took it any ways for the experience. I am so grateful that I had a great girlfriend that convinced me to take the test. I am half way through probation and looking very good. I am so happy that all of my dreams for my career have started. I tell all of my buddies that want the badge as you say, test, test, test. Some get the idea and have gotten jobs. Some have not.
Matt Johnson
Firefighter
East Diablo Fire
District
Rob I talked to you and got your tape in the mail about 3
yrs ago. The
very next 2 interviews I took I got job offers. I have now been a fulltime
FF-medic for 2 1/2 years down here in So. CA. I can truly see the
difference in my orals before and after. I will be testing for Las Vegas
and if I get an interview will for sure get in touch with you. Thanks
again
Steve
Hey Captain Bob, I am writing from Idaho to thank you for
your help. I have been a volunteer with the cities department for 2 years now
and finally got a shot at a full time position. I went into the hiring process
knowing nothing
about interviews. I had taken one before to get on as a volunteer. I knew I
needed help so I purchased the audio video program you sell. I did exactly
what you said to do and ill be damned I was called back for a second
interview then offered the job.
The funniest part about the whole thing is a few of my buddies were interviewing for the position as well so I said nothing to them about your program. Come to find out one other guy knew about it as well and had it sent second day about a week before the interview....needless to say he got offered a job as well...
You can be sure ill recommend your program to anyone seeking assistance with an oral board.... I can not wait to get on the team...thanks Captain. Jim
Dear Captain Bob,
Just a
quick note to let you know that I have been on the job for 2 months now and your
tapes gave
me the confidence that I needed in the oral boards. Thanks a million, from my
whole family! Keith
Click here to see how candidates have improved their
position in gaining a badge:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage152.htm
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Check out the current "Bonus Nugget" oral board tip on our web site by clicking
here:
http://www.eatstress.com/bonusnugget.htm
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Hot off the Press! Captain Bobs new book, Eat Stress For
Breakfast. Click here to check it out:
www.eatstress.com/stressfire.htm
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The Formula
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Here's
what we know after 30-years of experience. Candidates
who get
our Audio/Video Entry Level or Promotional Program, use the work booklet,
practice
with the all-important TAPE RECORDER, and come back for
a
private coaching session, catapult themselves into the Olympic
camp.
That's where you get a shot at that badge you have been
looking
for.
One on one coaching
sessions are where you get dialed into making your best presentation. It can
make the difference between being down on a list and being in the top 10 going
for the chief's oral. 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 bride's
maid again. We know because we get the calls when they get their badge! You can
contact my Son Rob direct to set up a coaching session @ 707-869-1330.
Robs e-mail is nrct@sonic.net
Click here to learn more
about private coaching
http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm
You start by ordering our
Entry Level Audio/Video or Promotional Program from the products section of our
web site below or by calling our distributor Rayve @ 800-852-4890. This program
will keep you motivated! The program comes with a no questions asked full refund
if you're not satisfied. You're at no risk except you might get a badge.
Consider also getting our new book "Eat Stress For Breakfast" to help you
along your journey.
"Nothing counts 'til you
have the badge . . . Nothing! And, there is no feeling like proudly
wearing the badge."
Check out the specials on
our products for entry level and promotional testing:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm
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6.
Humor
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1. WILL THE REAL DUMMY PLEASE STAND UP?
AT&T fired President John Walter after nine months, saying he
lacked intellectual leadership. He received a $26 million severance package.
Perhaps it's not Walter who's lacking intelligence.
2. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS:
Police in Oakland, California spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who
had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters,
officers discovered that the man was standing beside them in the police line,
shouting Please come out and give yourself up."
3. WHAT WAS PLAN B???
An Illinois man, pretending to have a gun, kidnapped a motorist and forced him
to drive to two different automated teller machines, wherein the kidnapper
proceeded to withdraw money from his own bank accounts.
4. THE GETAWAY!
A man walked into a Topeka, Kansas Kwik Stop, and asked for all the money in the
cash drawer. Apparently, the take was too small, so he tied up the store clerk
and worked the counter himself for three hours until police showed up and
grabbed him.
5. DID I SAY THAT???
Police in Los Angeles had good luck with a robbery suspect who just couldn't
control himself during a lineup. When detectives asked each man in the lineup to
repeat the words, "Give me all your money or I'll shoot, the man shouted,
"That's not what I said!"
6. ARE WE COMMUNICATING??
A man spoke frantically into the phone, "My wife is pregnant and her
contractions are only two minutes apart!" "Is this her first child?" the doctor
asked. "No!", the man shouted, "This is her husband!".
7. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED!!
In Modesto, California, Steven Richard King was arrested for trying to hold up a
Bank of America branch without a weapon. King used a thumb and a finger to
simulate a gun, but unfortunately, he failed to keep his hand in his pocket.
(hellllllooooooo!)
8. THE GRAND FINALE
Last summer, down on Lake Isabella, located in the high desert, an hour east of
Bakersfield, California, some folks, new to boating, were having a problem. No
matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get their brand new twenty-two foot
boat going. It was very sluggish in almost every maneuver, no matter how much
power was applied. After about an hour of trying to make it go, they putted to
a nearby marina, thinking someone there could tell them what was wrong. A
thorough topside check revealed everything in perfect working condition. The
engine ran fine, the outdrive went up and down, the prop was the correct size
and pitch. So, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath,
he came up choking on water, he was laughing so hard. NOW REMEMBER ...THIS IS
TRUE...
Under the boat, still strapped securely in place, was the trailer.
Does any one else find it frightening that the majority of these took place in
California??????
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7. Resource Websites for Candidates
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Perfect Firefighter
Candidate. Job listing and a
complete resource web site with a community bulletin board.
Don McNea Fire School, Inc. is the #1 Firefighter
Preparatory Entrance School in the Country.
They have the inside information how to tackle those psychological and
personality questions on the written.
Learn how entry level and promotional candidates are
improving their interview scores up to 15 points and nailing that badge!
www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm
FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get a Badge!
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
Check out the specials on
our products for entry level and promotional testing:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm
Firenuggets.com "The Internet magazine dedicated to keeping firefighters safe" www.firenuggets.com
B-Pad Assessment Devices.
If you're an agency looking for a new dimension to evaluate candidates,
or a candidate wanting information on how you can orientate your skills for this
evaluation check out their web site:
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FREE ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATIONS
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I have many articles available for reprint in your
publication, newsletter, etc. You may use
articles written by me that you see in Fire-Zine or
go to our web site @ http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
All you have to do is print the article in its entirety along
with the by line, the credits, and complete contact
information found at the bottom of the web site page. I would
appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy too. Thanks
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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.
5565 Black Ave. Pleasanton 94566 (near San
Francisco)
Phone: 888-238-3959 local 925-846-3959 Fax: 925-846-9650
E-mail
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