Fire-Zine Newsletter
FIREZINE
Cutting edge interview skills to get that badge from Fire Captain Bob.
More than 1,963 candidates have received their badge from this program!
July 1, 2001. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2001
captbob@verio.com web site:
www.eatstress.com 888-238-3959
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No one ever lost credibility by
being interesting.
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Nothing counts til you have the badge . . . Absolutely Nothing!
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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. New Badges
5.. Humor
6. Resource Websites for Candidates
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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There are Six Steps
In Answering an Oral Boar Question
You should have a script that you have rehearsed with a tape recorder of
anticipated questions by the time of your oral board. At the interview
use these six simple steps in answering an oral board question:
1. Actively listen to the entire question. I have seen candidates stop
listening when they think they already have the answer. They don't.
Listen!
2. Make sure you understand the question. If not, have the question
repeated or rephrased.
3. Pause and gather your thoughts. It might seem like an eternity, but
pausing is an acceptable tactic to show interviewers you are paying
attention. During the pause, you can figure out the root of what they
are asking.
4. Ask the question or make the statement to clarify the question. The
question might be, "You see your partner pick up something at an
emergency scene, what are you going to do?" Taking the question down to
its basic form, what is the issue? Stealing. Then, formulate a simple
answer.
For example, you might say, "I would ask, 'Is that yours?'" The
board is going to tell you that he is taking it, but you already scored
the points. After asking the question, you determine your partner is
stealing, then what do you do? Since stealing is an ethical issue and he
won't put it back, you might say, "Why don't we go the our supervisor?"
Why? Stealing is against the law.
5. KISS. Keep it simple sweetie. Don't start a soap opera. Most
candidates complicate the process. They intellectualize their answers,
run past the question, decide an answer before hearing the entire
question and fail to understand the process.
My son, Rob, was interviewing in Contra Costa County, Calif., and the
question was asked, "You have just finished your interview and go
outside and find a man down on the sidewalk. What would you do?" He
answered, "I would go up and say, 'Buddy, are you all right?'" Someone
finally got the answer right. For three days, job candidates were saying
things like "Activate the 9-1-1 system" and "I know CPR."
6. Deliver the Nugget answer with enthusiasm! Your personalized Nugget
answer will set you apart from the clones.
A word to women. You have the advantage of bringing more feelings and
emotions to your answers at an interview. Be careful though. I've had
women at interviews start talking and it was like going on a journey.
There seemed to be no final destination. Most men on the panel were not
packed for the trip. This can't be like a conversation with your girl
friend. You have about 20 minutes to give complete but concise answers.
Getting this job is a process. Here is a testimony how quickly it can
happen:
To: captbob@verio.com
Subject: Another success story
Dear Captain Bob,
I am writing to thank you again for your audio-visual "power-pac"
program. I sent you an e-mail after my first interview outlining how
much your program had improved my presentation. At that time, I
mentioned that decisions were not expected until July.
To my surprise, 8 days later I received a call from personnel. Could I
attend a chiefs oral next week!! I was 1 of 30 to be called in for 23
jobs.(The first interviews involved 900 candidates). My first thoughts
were "stay on that winning pony"
After the chiefs oral, the good news kept coming. I got the call 2 days
later with a conditional offer of employment! The background and
medicals were done the following week.
My most recent phone call came yesterday. I heard the words I have been
working towards for six years- Congratulations, you have been accepted
as a probationary fire fighter!! Uniform and equipment sizing is set for
Saturday, can you attend?
I can't stress enough how much your program helped me. I will be sure to
recommend you to anyone I can.
Thanks again!
Brian
It proves that, "Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"
Ask Brian
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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
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What Do I Wear to a Job Interview?
I had a candidate tell me he went to an interview wearing a tie,
suspenders and no jacket. I asked him, "Who did you think you are Larry
King?" I asked him if they called him back for a chief's interview? No.
The defense rests. McFly?
The strongest non-verbal statement you can make in the oral board is
what you wear. It is time to step up and make the investment.
Men: Do wear a wool suit in dark blue or gray. Pinstripes are fine, but
avoid brown, black, or high fashion brightly colored suits. Sport coats
or blazers are out, so is polyester. Tie should be in a solid color such
as navy, red, maroon, or yellow stripe, or paisley print. Wear a white
or off white, or pale blue long sleeved shirt in cotton or a cotton
blend. Starch it no matter what the instructions say. No patterned
shirts!
Don't: wear casual or novelty watches, too much jewelry, monograms,
religious, political, or fraternity affiliation accessories. Beards are
out; mustaches are a gray area. When in doubt, shave it off.
Women: Do wear a tailored business-like suit or dress with a jacket not
overly feminine. Choose suits in conservative solid colors such as gray,
navy blue, black, beige, or camel with conservative hemlines. Natural
fibers, such as wool or linen, are your best bets; most synthetic
blends, not matter how attractive, give off a whiff of the bargain
basement.
Always wear stockings in natural shades. Avoid dark colors will light
colored shoes. Always carry a spare pair.
Don't: Wear anything flamboyant, trendy, faddish, low-cut, too tight or
short, or otherwise provocative. You are not trying to make a fashion
statement, but trying to get a badge! No heavy perfume, ankle bracelet,
stockings with patterns, lace, bold colors, or seams; sandals, very high
heels, unusual colors, or casual styles. Ladies: hair up; no bangs
falling into your eyes or face.
Don't ever wear slacks, even pantsuits. I had a female candidate contact
me for private coaching for an oral interview for the city of Oakland.
This paramedic had been trying for 5 years to get on the fire
department. She just missed the cut at Contra Costa County. She was
tired of being the brides maid.
I asked her what she was going to wear.
She said she always wore a pants suit. I convinced her it was time to
step up and make the investment. She showed up for our private coaching
in a tailored (Killer) wool suit.
I showed her in 10 minutes on the video the mistakes she was making in
her presentations. The problem was since she was a paramedic,
unknowingly, she was using the same monotone voice used in talking to
the hospital on patient evaluations to answer her oral board questions.
Once the problem was revealed, she instantly changed into a new
candidate (this is the tremendous value in private coaching).
She called me on her birthday two weeks later, that she had received her
notice that she nailed that job in Oakland. She now has the job of her
dreams.
I've been coaching firefighter candidates for over 30-years. You may
have great credentials, but if you can't pass the job interview, you
don't get the job.
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Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!
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3. Promotional Level Skills Tip
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After investing huge amounts time and money for the promotional written
test that can be weighted as only forty percent of the total score, most
candidates do little or nothing preparing for the remaining sixty
percent in the interview process. It's all presentation skills at the
assessment center. It doesn't take much to separate you from the other
clone candidates. Our Promotional Program is running over a 90 percent
success rate!
Stories Make the Point!
Events like Detroit's Devils Night can be a great example how to use
your personal life experiences in answering questions in an oral board.
Although the following is from our Special Report "Conquer the
Promotional Interview", ( featured in Firehouse Magazine Aug/Oct/Dec
2000 and February 2001) it might spark a personal experience story you
can use in your next oral.
Steve was going for his third engineers test. Even though he had the
knowledge and acting time experience, he had not made it high enough on
the previous lists to get the badge. When asked questions, he would just
give the standard technical answers. Everything changed when he stated
caboosing signature stories as part of his answers.
Steve was a firefighter in Arizona. He had also been a firefighter in
Detroit. You have heard of Devils Night during Halloween? Steve had
worked many a Devils Night attacking a fire, picking up and moving to
another fire. I asked him if he had ever used these stories in his
answers during testing. He said, "No." I marvel why candidates have
these great "Nugget" treasure stories that no one has ever heard.
These stories can demonstrate their experience and they do not use them.
During his next engineers test, Steve was asked if he were fighting a
fire and was given an order to pick up and move, how would he do it? He
told the panel how he would do it technically and then took the panel on
a Detroit Devils Night recreating the magic, excitement of the actual
events when he had to pick up and move all night. Steve could not
believe
the difference in his testing score. Firefighters love firefighter
stories. He was confident and conversational because he was on his own
turf. His signature stories. His own experiences. Oh, by the way, Steve
got the badge this time!
Click here to find out more about our Promotional Program:
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.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 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."
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4. New Badges
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Entry Level:
After many years of tests, hardship and getting those flimsy "No Thanks"
letters in the mail, I finally got a chance to prove my worth in great
Fire Dept. in So. Cal. I was one of the candidates that was out of the
process with this particular department then the phone rang and I was
put through all the hiring hoops in 2 days! I called Capt. Bob and he
could not be more supportive. I had never taken a psych. test and was
very worried that I would fail. He reminded me about the winning pony
and gave me a few other tips. Just wanted to say thanks again to Capt.
Bob and to all the others who helped me get this far. This is only the
start of a great career. Dave
Hey Capt. Bob I wanted to say how much your products
have helped get hired. It is so true that the Oral is
everything and that you need an edge to pass ALL the
others you are competing against. Especially with me.
I took more tests than I care to admit as well as
having some background issues I was lucky to have been
hired by a Dept. here recently. Again I couldn't of
done it without learning from your audio/video program tapes.
Thanks DT
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Promotional:
Captain Bob,
I just wanted to let you know that I just scored # 1 on the Fire
Captain-Paramedic list for the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. Thank you
for helping me be me and scoring #1. Take Care! Felipe
Captain Bob,
Paul Long here in York County, VA. You assisted me with
my
interview format as well as how to present myself and I would like to
let you know that I was promoted to Lt. this morning. I cannot thank you
enough for your assistance, and the tape recorder does not lie!! Again
thank you. Thankyou.
Paul Long
Lieutenant, York County Department of Fire and Life Safety
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5. Humor
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Subject: Airline Announcements
Occasionally, airline attendants and pilots make an effort to
make
the "in-flight safety lecture" and their other announcements a bit more
entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or
reported:
1. From a Southwest Airlines employee..... "There may be 50 ways to
leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane..."
2. Pilot - "Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude now, so I am
going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you
wish, but please stay inside the plane till we land ... it's a bit cold
outside,and if you walk on the wings it affects the flight pattern."
3. After landing: "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope
you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for
a ride.
4. As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Washington
national, a lone voice comes over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella.
WHOA!"
5. After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a
flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced: "Please take care
when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like
that,sure as hell everything has shifted."
6. From a Southwest Airlines employee..... "Welcome aboard Southwest
Flight XXX to YYY. To operate your seatbelt, insert the metal tab into
the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seatbelt and
if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in
public unsupervised.
In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will
descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it
over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure
your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with two
small children, decide now which one you love more."
7. Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but
they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and
remember,nobody loves you or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."
8. "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation and in the event of an
emergency water landing, please take them with our compliments.
9. "As you exit the plane, please make sure to gather all of your
belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the
flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."
10. "Last one off the plane must clean it."
11. From the pilot during his welcome message: "We are pleased to
have some of the best flight attendants in the Industry ...
Unfortunately none of them are on this flight...!
12. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a
particularly windy and bumpy day. During the final approach, the
Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing,
the Flight Attendant came on the PA and announced, "Ladies and
Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your
seatbelts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane
to the gate!"
13. Another flight Attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing:
"We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to
the terminal."
14. An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had
hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a
policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the
passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying XYZ
airline." He said that in light of his bad landing, he had a
hard
time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have
a smart comment.
Finally, everyone had gotten off except for this little old lady walking
with a cane. She said, "Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no,
Ma'am," said the pilot, "what is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we
land or were we shot down?"
15. After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the Flight Attendant
came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats
until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a
screeching halt up against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has
cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you
can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.
16. Part of a Flight Attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to
thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get
the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal
tube, we hope you'll think of us here at US Airways."
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5. Resource Websites for Candidates
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Perfect Firefighter Candidate. Job listing and a complete resource web
site with a community bulletin board.
www.firecareers.com
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.
www.fireprep.com
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
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: www.bpad.com
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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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http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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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 Mailto:captbob@verio.com
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