FIREZINE
Cutting edge interview skills to get that badge from Fire
Captain Bob.
More than 2,036 candidates have received their badge from
this program!
Jun 10, 2002. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2002
captbob@eatstress.com web site: http://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. 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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Often, oral boards run late. You get there a little early and now it’s been over an hour. You have dry mouth; sweaty palms and you haven’t even gone in yet.
For dry mouth, carry a little bottle of Bianca mouth drops. They will loosen up your salivary glands and keep the juices flowing. When it looks like your getting ready to go in, deliver a few drops on your tongue.
As you stand up when your name is called, run your open hands down the back of your pants to dry them off. This will give you a dry handshake for the board.
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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:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm
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2. Entry
Level Skills Tip ===========================================
The big
blockbuster Star Wars movie of the season is Attack of the Clones.
There is a bigger threat out there though.
It’s the attack of the clone candidates.
Question:
Recently I had the opportunity to participate in mock orals with one of my instructors who happens to be really great when it comes down to interviewing. In our class that comprises mostly of people starting fire tech classes, nobody did very well. It was a great lesson about how we need to start preparing and getting to familiarize ourselves with the testing process. However, 2 guys who were friends with our instructor, participated in our mock orals, and put the rest of us to shame. ( they obviously have spent countless hours practicing orals with our instructor)
They really knew their stuff, and not having any oral experience myself, I was very impressed, along with the rest of my class. My question is that these guys were so well rehearsed and knew each question and answers like the back of their hand, they sounded like actors in a play - anybody could tell that everything down to expressions, and hand motions had been practiced over and over to perfection, is this what interviewers want when they interview you? Do they really want to see rehearsed answers? Don't get me wrong, the answers were very good, but seemed so artificial. If anyone could let me know if it's better to answer questions to the best of your knowledge, or just to memorize good answers. Thanks, any input would be great
Reply:
What you saw was a perfect example of turning candidates into "Clones". It's impressive at first. But if you felt it was too rehearsed, so will the oral board panel. When you see it over and over again it gets old and puts the panel into a daze. We could tell who the instructors were on many of the clone candidates by the second question. This will stick out in an interview. One thing about clone candidates; they will end up with a score that will put them in the clone pack.
With all respect to Jed's following comment, this is one of the most important clues why candidates have trouble in their oral boards:
"I recently had an interview, and I know my answers were great, especially after hearing how another candidate answered them. He made the list, and I did not.. Go figure!"
This is the problem! Most candidates think their answers are great, when they aren't. If their answers were as great as they thought, they would make the list and get a badge. When candidates do poorly in an oral board, they blame other's and add more credentials. Then, they still do poorly because they have done little or nothing to improve their oral board skills. They listen to other candidates and firefighters who make them into clones. Once a person becomes a firefighter, they are instantly the experts on how to get hired.
One of our officers was going to be on a panel for our department. He had been shooting his mouth off that he could tell which candidates were mine. After the interviews, he was telling us about this great candidate who nailed his interview and came out number one. I asked him if he thought the guy had been coached? He said he was so good using his own stuff he couldn't have been.
When I told him this was one of my candidates, he screamed . . . NO WAY! Yep, he's one of our guys. Not only that, this guy had been testing for over 3 years. He scored 532 on his last test in Stockton. He came to us three weeks before his oral with our department. He had great stuff, but didn't know how to present it. He placed number #1 with our department.
The toughest thing for candidates to do is be themselves on purpose. Not a clone of someone else.
The proof is in the badge, and, as you already know . . .
"Absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"
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Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!
Click here for the FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get
a Badge!
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
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To ask Captain Bob any question just click here:
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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3.
Promotional Level Skills Tip
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Change the dimension:
Anytime you can advantage of changing the dimension in your interview do it!
On Tim’s interview they asked him a question on training. This was his strong point. There was a white marking board in the room He asked to use the board to illustrate his points. It worked. When you change the dimension of the interview by shifting gears, adding graphics or a different approach the other candidates don’t think to use, you stand out. Nice job Tim in securing another badge!
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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Everyone going to an interview
needs to have a suit and a resume. Also to be successful you should have some
fire and EMS education and experience. But, it’s the other stuff that can put
you over the top, ahead of everyone else. Things like school sports, work
experience, supervising, military, and what most people overlook volunteer work.
So many people say they want
this job to help people, but when asked what they are doing to help people now
they’ve got nothing.
Volunteering for you kids
school, or the soccer team won’t cut it. Going to Mexico with your church and
working is good, but in an interview I would leave off the part about church,
because you never know how the raters may respond to that.
If your looking for something
to do, go serve food to the homeless in a soup kitchen, you don’t have to tell
them how many times you’ve done it, you could just say “ and on occasion I’ve
gone and served food to the homeless in the local shelter”
Other options are Meals On
Wheels www.projectmeal.com, or Habitat
For Humanity at www.habitat.com they are
always looking for people to help out.
Everyone should be able to go
into their interview and be able to demonstrate education, experience, and
integrity, be sure not to leave the last one out
Good Luck Rob
Captain Bob’s reply:
Rob knows what he is talking about. He volunteered with teen missions go to Haiti and Europe to work in an orphanage and a drug treatment center. He raised the money himself to go.
FIREFIGHTER ROB
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.eatstress.com
Rob is Captain Bob's Son. He works for Contra Costa fire department. He does all the entry level coaching by phone nationwide. You can contact him direct with your questions or set up a coaching appointment @ 707-869-1330. or e-mail me @ nrtc@sonic.net
You can read more of Rob’s
wisdom by clicking here:
http://www.eatstress.com/robs_corner.htm
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5.
New Badges
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Entry
Level:
I received
your 2 audio tapes and video last year. I was trying to
get on at
another paid dept. at the time, (which i have got on as a
paid part timer on my off duty days)
Anyway.
I refered your tapes to a friend of mine that was trying
out for
the dept that I am currently on. This was his 2nd time
going thru
the process and I thought your tapes would put him
over the edge. Well he called me yesterday...He got the badge.
Your course works! Thanks Jeff
Thank you so much for this web site. It helped me when I
felt
like there were no answers for my questions. This web site is a
godsend for those who are looking to get the badge. From June
to August of 2001 I was in the entrance process for the second
largest fire department in New Mexico. I don’t recall how I
found this web site, but let me say that the information
contained in this site helped me all the way through. All I needed
was in front of my face. The information I found on here led me
to do more research on my local fire department within the
community. All of my questions were answered. Let me say that I
began the academy on August 28 and graduated on December 15 with
the pinning of my badge. Nothing counts till you get the badge,
nothing! I am now in my second rotation of my rookie year.
There are three all together. So far my rookie year has been
successful. It will continue to be so. We are now getting
geared up to run another academy and I have so many people
asking me the same questions that I had last year they even have
the same lost look on their face that I did. I have referred
them all to this site, and suggested they buy the products
offered. I know that it will help them. I don’t want to give
them all the answers, I fell that if they want it bad enough
they well find a way just like I did. There are a few things
that I want to share. Becoming a firefighter is the best move
that I have ever made. I cannot wait to get back to the station
when we get relieved from the oncoming shift. I cannot imagine
doing anything else. I have fulfilled my child hood dreams and
would like to thank you for putting a light at the end of the
tunnel for those that are searching for answers and hope. Thank
you very much.
Hi,
I got the call today. I have a conditional job offer from County
Fire Rescue in Maryland. This was my fourth time applying to a department
and I am thrilled. I got your tapes, talked with Rob and it happened.
When I was telling my story in the interview as to why I wanted to be a firefighter, the panel did it just like you said. They all stopped writing about the same time, put their pencils down and looked up at me. I was on fire, it was the best feeling to know they were completely caught up in my story.
It was like talking with old friends after that. At the end of the interview they were smiling and so was I. It was a great experience. Thanks so much for the help. Thanks again, Gary
CAPT. BOB I AM A FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF ORANGE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS JUST A NOTE TO TELL YOU TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. IT TOOK ME 3.5 YEARS (27 TESTS) TO GET HIRED. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM UNTIL I WAS HIRED, BUT READING YOUR POSTINGS YOUR INFO IS RIGHT ON. JUST A THOUGHT IF YOU ARE THAT CONCEREND ABOUT PEPOLE GETTING HIRED YOU MUST HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF YOUR ROOKIE, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. MIKE
Thanks for the help on your
site.
I aced the interview from studying questions and recording myself to hear
how I did. The chief told me he was excited to work with me and hoped I
could offer the department the technological edge they are looking for.
Thanks again. Jon
Promotional Badges:
Capt. Bob;
The oral board and assessment scores came in. Even though it was different
than I expected I moved up to #2, with an overall score of 83.5 %, only 1 1/2
points out of #1. You were right, they didn't surprise
me. Your program is great, but without your individual coaching, I
wouldn't have trusted myself enough and believed in my abilities to relax and be
ENTHUSIASTIC! Everyone thinks I'm in, but I'll let you know when
I've got the badge. Thanks again! Terry
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your help in getting my "Gold" from the Marinwood Fire
Department! Every idea you suggested in your materials on the oral interview was
used by me to get the "Chiefs" job.
Here’s how:
Number one, I was myself (not an actor).
Number two, I used stories that related to me personally about the fire
service (not a canned answer).
Number three, I showed enthusiasm, looked at my interviewers eyes, and
smiled a lot! I thought about the question before answering...
Number four, I did lots of research about the Marinwood Community
Service District via the web and friends who were familiar with their fire
department. I went to the firehouse and spoke with the troops...they gave the
answers to questions asked of me during the final interview.
I failed many more oral boards than you can imagine, but passed the
final one...my personality matched what the district was looking for in a new
fire chief.
I am having fun in my new position and have a group of individuals who
respect me professionally and individually...
Sincerely,
Chief Bill Long
Marinwood Fire Department
P.S. Learn as much as one can about ICS and apply to ALL emergency
incidents questions...start with establishing command, naming command, and
assume all the responsibilities of command until your span of control is
exceeded...initiate command staff positions and general staff positions as
needed by you to control and eliminate the emergency situation.
Cap: I ordered
your video/audio tape to prep for my oral and departmental
interview for Police Lieutenant and I came out number one on the promotional
list. I won’t say that it was 100% from the result of your program, but it
surely helped. The use of the tape recorder was great, it helped me in
getting my thoughts together and the ?nugget? theory drove it home! I hate
to say it, but even though it was a ?firefighter? geared presentation I was
able to take some pointers from you and score ?The Badge?.
Bob Pasadena Police Department
Captain Bob’s reply:
As Bob found it’s the same skill set for Fire, Police or any job
interview. The proof is in the
badge!
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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REAL EPITAPHS
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Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York:
Born 1903-Died 1942
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the
car was on the way down.
It was.
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In a Thurmont, Maryland, cemetery:
Here lies an Atheist
All dressed up
And no place to go.
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On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in East
Dalhousie Cemetery, Nova Scotia:
Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102.
The Good Die Young.
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In a London, England cemetery:
Here lies Ann Mann,
Who lived an old maid
But died an old Mann.
Dec. 8, 1767
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In a Ribbesford, England, cemetery:
Anna Wallace:
The children of Israel wanted bread,
And the Lord sent them manna.
Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife,
And the Devil sent him Anna.
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In a Ruidoso, New Mexico, cemetery:
Here lies Johnny Yeast.
Pardon me
For not rising.
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In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania, cemetery:
Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake.
Stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
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In a Silver City, Nevada, cemetery:
Here lays The Kid.
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger
But slow on the draw.
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A lawyer's epitaph in England:
Sir John Strange.
Here lies an honest lawyer,
And that is Strange.
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John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne,
England, cemetery:
Reader, if cash thou art
In want of any,
Dig 6 feet deep;
And thou wilt find a Penny.
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In a cemetery in Hartscombe, England:
On the 22nd of June,
Jonathan Fiddle
Went out of tune.
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Anna Hopewell's grave in Enosburg Falls,
Vermont
Here lies the body of our Anna -
Done to death by a banana.
It wasn't the fruit that laid her low,
But the skin of the thing that made her go.
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On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket,
Massachusetts:
Under the sod and under the trees,
Lies the body of Jonathan Pease.
He is not here, there's only the pod.
Pease shelled out and went to God.
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In a cemetery in England:
Remember man, as you walk by,
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so shall you be.
Remember this and follow me.
To which someone replied by writing on the
tombstone:
To follow you I'll not consent
Until I know which way you went
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And last but not least, a friend of mine found this in Key West:
"I told you I was sick!"
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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!
http://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" http://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
Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com