Becoming A Firefighter or Officer-----The Complete Guide to Your Badge!

Fire "Captain Bob"

"Getting the

job of your

dreams is

like winning

the lottery!"

"Nothing

counts 'til

you have

the badge. 

Nothing!"

Anything

less and

you're

still the

bridesmaid.

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Firefighters

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!

Thousands have been hired by using the free information from our web site and having their questions answered by phone or e-mail.

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The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.
— Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915), The Note Book

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Please forward or recommend this FireZine to anyone you
know that wants to shorten the learning curve to get
that badge! 

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For Back Issues of FireZine

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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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Listen to the question.

What’s the question about?  A candidate asked me if he had answered a question correctly.  He was asked, “What have you done to prepare for ‘This’ interview?  He though for a moment that this question had to do with the interview for this agency, not the bigger picture.

When I asked him what he thought the question was about, he said when he left the interview he immediately remembered one of the 30 possible oral board questions, “What have you done to prepare for this position?”  When you take off the twist of “This interview”, to the real root question, “What have you done to prepare for this position”, it was a question he had a drop down killer answer for.  Probably the longest answer in an oral board that could be the tilting point of any interview. 

He hmm and haw’d through his answer but didn’t get to use the killer answer he was prepared to deliver. 

Listen to the question.

You can find our list of sample oral board questions here:

http://www.eatstress.com/thirty.htm
 
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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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New! Selected Programs offer payment plans of 3 payments without interest over three months.   http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm
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2.      Entry Level Skills Tip 
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 Tee Time

If you’ve ever played or watched golf you know there’s an assortment of clubs for the different shots needed to get the ball in the cup with the least amount of shots.  Just like an oral board selecting the right club for the situation can make a huge difference.

I was a caddy during high school.  Being able to suggest the right club for the next shot, read the green and pull the pin at the right time made a better round for the golfer and a higher tip for the caddy.  You even see the pros asking their caddies for information.

Many of the golf courses are now set up so you can use the Sky Caddie Golf GPS System http://www.innovagolf.com/personalgps.html to tell you how far it is to the cup from any point on the course. We offer something similar.  We have the GPS for the J-O-B.  So you can have the right drivers and other clubs for a seamless no surprises interview to place you at the shortest distance between you and the cup (badge).  This is not for Pee Wee Golf.

It starts by knowing each hole on the course.  This is having practiced any possible oral board question in advance with a recorder and taking lessons to get your swing down.  Taking any test you can get (golf courses) to so you won’t be stumped by a question or shot you haven’t seen or heard before.

Then, selecting the right club for the shot.   Usually a driver from the tee, maybe a 2 or a 3 wood, or one of the many angled irons from that big golf bag.  It’s like being able to call up an oral board answer from your bag on your first question that that will allow you to WOW them as you come out swinging.  This will get you your best score, satisfy the panel and cause them to go onto the next question (hole).

Now that you’ve make a killer drive straight down the fairway on your opening question you’re in position for you next shot which is a dog leg left to the green.  Steady now.  The next question is asked.  You select the club (answer) that will put you within a shot of the green.  You slice your shot (answer) just a little and end up in the sand trap.  Ouch.

But you’ve been here before with a question that has a twist.  From experience, you grab your trusty wedge (nugget answer), focus and take the shot that puts you on the green.   You’re on in 3 for a par 5 hole, three feet from the cup.

They say golf is all about the short game.  Putting.  The oral board is where you putt for dollars.  Now something happens you’ve never experienced.  The panel members are helping you read the green nudging you with little tidbits.  They want you to see the slight angle (possible additional segments to your answer) that can help you make your next shot.  You see the slight angle, ask for the pin to be pulled and line up your shot with your killer signature story “Nugget” answer. 

The ball curves then straight into the cup sinking the putt for a one under par birdie. You look up to see the ever so slight smile from the panel members.  This hasn’t happened before. 

As you’re waiting back in the holding pen you heard your name called.  You think you might have somehow shanked a shot or two.  As the lady walks you down the hall away from the rest of the candidates she says congratulations you just scored a perfect 100% as she hands you a background packet.  A perfect game. You. Just like a hole in one.  You’ve made the cut.  You’re on the other side of the hiring process.  The dream feels real now.  A chance to ride big red.

Haven’t played a round like this before?  Remember even pros take lessons.

Here’s how it can play out:

Captain Bob,

You have helped me out over the last few months while I was testing and didn’t have access to my e-mail.  Your products are amazing.  The great guidelines gave me the template and knowledge on how and what to present from my life experiences to the interview panel.  With the products, all the additional help you gave me over the phone and the preparation for the psych test.  I got the call and am going in for uniform fitting.  Mike

Reply:  Welcome to the fire service Mike

Mike used this program: http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm

New! Selected Programs offer payment plans of 3 payments without interest over three months.   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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FOUR!!!!!!!

Just like learning to play golf, there is a learning curve in taking
oral interviews. Some people learn to play golf by going out with
friends and just winging it. After a while they get some lessons, which
usually means unlearning bad habits and changing to the right way. I
have done this and it is hard, there is no chance you will ever see me
on the pro tour. But I play with a guy from work that learned to play
golf by going to a pro and having him teach him the right way right off
the bat. He has a beautiful swing and can hit the cover off the ball.

I can think of at least 10 people I have talked to in the last month
that got hire after only one test. How did they do it? They learned to
do it right the first time, and that way didn’t waste time learning it
the hard way.

Having somebody help you get it right from the start will help him or
her to do just as you said. When you know you are going into your
interview with well thought out, well organized responses, that you have
memorized to the point that you could not forget them if you wanted, you
can go into an interview and be far more relaxed, and that is half of
the battle. Knowing, going in the door, that you are going to get the
best score you are able to get, allows you to be yourself. It frees you
up to actively listen, pay attention to the board’s body language, and
to sound confident.

I think, at some level, a board takes your demeanor in the stressful
interview process, and thinks that it will be an indication of what we
will see in the stressful situations that come up in the job. How do we
reduce the stress we have in the job? We learn how to do it right from
an expert, and then we drill to reinforce the skills we learned. Do the
same with your interview skills. Learn to do it right from the
beginning, by working with someone who knows, and the reinforce it by
doing mock interviews, talking into a tape player, or taking advantage
of any other interview where you can practice presenting yourself in
front of others.
 
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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Assessment Center Preparation

There is a lot of information out there about focusing on specific traits i.e. leadership, discipline, motivation, etc for assessment centers.  Trying to target and use those key words to get the boxes checked off on the rating sheets.

We've know for a long time that concentrating on trying to get the boxes checked off on the rating sheet for specific traits draws you away from your personal life "Nugget" experiences and can give our guys the advantage of killing them with their "Nuggets".

It all Plays Out on Game Day:

Captain Bob:

Our department in the Northwest was testing for Lieutenant.  It was a very important test because the list may expire before the #2 guy gets promoted. There will be a lot more people eligible for the next exam, so things will only get more competitive.

My big competition on the test flew out to California to go through a different program for a personal 6 - 8 hour private in person coaching session.  He was well polished and did a great job, but he tended to be trained to focus on very specific traits.

I feel that I was prepared with a ton of general nuggets that I could apply to different scenarios and questions (the nuggets paid off BIG TIME in the final Chief interview). The final interview was "rule of threes" so the top three technically had an equal chance of getting promoted. The preparation and "nuggets" paid off.  I beat him on the Chief's interview. Not bad... he flew to CA and I stayed at home and studied your program like it was a new religion. Your program works... it's right on the money!!!

The big competition other guy came out #2

Capt Bob-

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your assistance.  I got my badge!! Although I was unable to schedule a private session, I followed your program and came out #1.  I listened to your cd more times than I care to remember, but it has all paid off. 

This was my first time testing for Lieutenant and your program helped me get my badge. Thanks

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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Beginners luck?

Dear Capt. Bob.

I am 32 years old, married, Bachelors Degree and a Master Degree from a top ten school in the nation. I wanted to change careers and look into the fire service. Having no experience whatsoever in the fire service, I knew I would need an edge over many candidates that have experience and paramedic certs. (I do have my EMT-B).

I got your info, used the program, and in January I took the first written test for a Fire Job that I have ever taken. It was for a major city. I passed the written, and just two days ago, I received above a 95 on my oral board. I’m now in backgrounds. This was my first oral board ever. Thanks again. Jeremy

Captain Bob,

Thank you for so much.  I received a job offer and currently scheduled to start their academy in August of 07.  AND, I just received a second job offer for sure from my number one choice.  Good pay, 48/96, 20 minutes away from the farthest station, and best of all their ALS nontransport.  It's my dream job and it's all because of you, your CD's and your son.  I went in for a coaching session in March of 07 and who would have thought of me having an offer of a lifetime in just 3 months after the coaching session, and two for that matter!!  I finished in the top three to land a job after it was all said and done.  They're hiring three of us.  The only thing I wish I would have done different, is coming to you guys at least a year ago because now the village idiot isn't taking my badge anymore.  So Cap, don't think for a second that this is the last you'll hear from me, because I plan on going for engineer or captain some day.  But once again, thank you for all your help.  Your right, your son and you sure have a gift for this sort of thing!! Jason    

Morning Capt,
I am sending you a quick note to say thanks for your service and advice.  I have to admit that I didn't buy your Gold Package but I am taking advantage of all the free info on your website.  I am working hard for an upcoming interview and I feel more prepared than ever before.  I realize why I don't already have a badge and that's because my other interviews where GARBAGE.  Thanks for showing my the light.
 

Captain Bob,You have helped me out over the last few months while I was testing and didn’t have access to my e-mail.  Your products are amazing.  The great guidelines gave me the template and knowledge on how and what to present from my life experiences to the interview panel.  With the products, all the additional help you gave me over the phone and the preparation for the psych test.  I got the call and am going in for uniform fitting.  Mike

Reply:  Welcome to the fire service 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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ZEN FOR THE SERIOUS

(If you're over-serious, these might really irritate you!) --Joe Hoare, www.joehoare.co.uk

--He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

--On the other hand, you have different fingers.

--Honk if you love peace and quiet.

--The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

--A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

--Plan to start being spontaneous tomorrow.

--If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends ?

--What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

--Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.

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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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http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm
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Remember, absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!

Get a Bonus when you sign up for our Free Newsletter here

Although our products are sold separately, I would suggest you order Gold Package Program and our companion "It's Your Turn in the Hot Seat" CD series here: Special offer program

This program is also available on an easy payment plan

"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"

Fire "Captain Bob" Author, Becoming A Firefighter
http://eatstress.com/goldpackage.htm

www.eatstress.com

888-238-3959

Ask "Captain Bob" Any Question

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