Cutting edge interview skills to get that badge from Fire
Captain Bob.
More than 1,948 candidates have received their badge from
this program!
May 1, 2001. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2001
captbob@verio.com web site: www.eatstress.com 888-238-3959
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Listen, learn, and participate in live,
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Upcoming Seminars:
May 8, Tues. --"Conquer Fire Department Oral Boards" with Fire "Captain Bob"
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Learn the inside secrets how to master those psychological questions that are confusing everyone on the entry level tests
Details on this and more
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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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I received a call from one of our candidates. He has made it to a few oral boards and one chiefs oral without success. He has been invited to a large city oral and wanted to set up a private coaching session. In just a few moments I was aware of something critical. Then I asked him if he were using a tape recorder to practice? Like most people, he himmed and hawwwed and finally said, "Well, no. But, I'm thinking about it."
Even though he bought our audio/video tape program that hammers and hammers the point home that you have to use a tape recorder and hear how you sound. He still did not get the message. His answers were garbage. I do not get it. You folks want this job so bad you say you will do almost anything ethically and morally to get it. I guess that does not include using a tape recorder to get your timing, inflection, volume, where to cut out material, and find out if you really sound like Donald Duck. You need to get married to your hand-held tape recorder. You need to hear what the oral board is going to hear from you. It is the closest distance between you and the badge you are looking for!
This is usually a guy thing. Guys think about their answers in their head and write them down. Then they think their answers are going to come out of their mouths like magic in the oral. Trust me, after being on over 100 oral boards, they don't!
Let me tell you how critical this really is. If you are not using a tape recorder to practice, practice, practice, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse and over learn your material until it becomes second nature to you, YOU MIGHT AS WELL NOT SHOW UP FOR THE INTERVIEW. YOU ARE WASTING THE ORAL BOARDS AND YOUR TIME! Seek out another career. Understand you still have to interview there too. The above candidate has already lost some great opportunities. Had he been faithfully using a tape recorder to prepare for his oral boards, he probably could have had a badge already.
Some will say, "Well, if I practice it too much it will sound canned." NO it will not! It sure will be planned though. Practice makes permanent. "Luck is where preparation meeting opportunity." One practice session with a tape recorder is worth 10 speaking out louds. After practicing, you will get to a point where your answers will get into your subconscious. That's where the magic begins. You can't be fooled.
Everyone has butterfly's in an oral board. The trick is getting all the butterfly's to fly in the same formation that can make the difference. Practicing with a tape recorder will remove up to 75% of the butterfly's. You want the other 25% to carry you through the interview.
We think this is so important, we will not do private coaching with a candidate if they are not using a tape recorder. It is a waste of our time and their money.
Be advised that your competition knows the value of using a tape recorder. They are catapulting past you if you are not using one too.
Here is what we know after 30-years of experience. Those candidates who get our audio/video program, use the work booklet that will become their script to audition for the job of a firefighter, USE A TAPE RECORDER TO PRACTICE and come back and do private coaching end up catapulting themselves into the Olympic Camp to get a shot at the badge. A proven inexpensive way to gain a 25+ year career. To be one of the last of America's heroes.
Instead of posting messages on bulletin boards asking others where they are at in the testing process for this city and I am in the top 40 on this list or that, start asking yourself this question: What am I doing that can best prepare me for the most important part of the hiring process? . . . The oral board. Because if you can not pass the oral board, to score high enough on the list, you do not get the job. Never! Ever! Ever! Period! Now, where is your tape recorder?
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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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The dilemma is shall I have a short or long answer for the typical opening question "Tell us a little about yourself". Remember "a little". This is just an ice breaker question to get you comfortable in the chair. A one minute or less answer about you and your hobbies is all that is needed here. They don't need your name (they already have it) and NEVER tell them your age (they don't have that and never will until you're hired). A "Nugget" here: If they look baffled after your short answer, ask if they want more. They usually won't.
Most candidates make a big error on this question by dumping the whole load on why they want to be a firefighter, what they have done to prepare, why this city and on and on. That's not what this question is about. It's only to get you comfortable in the chair. Then, when the panel starts asking why they want to be a firefighter, what have they done to prepare and the other standard 30 possible oral board questions (click here to see the questions: http://www.eatstress.com/thirty.htm ), they have to reiterate what they have already said. They lose valuable time and points here.
When some candidates start talking in an oral, it is like going on a journey. There could be no final destination. Most panel members are not packed for the trip. I asked a candidate to tell me a little about himself during private coaching one day. I stopped him 12 minutes later. I said you have just used up 12 minutes of a 20 minute oral. What do you think we have time for now?
Here's how fast it can change:
Hi captain Bob. I am probably one of the biggest skeptics
in the world, when
it comes to purchasing instructional and motivational tapes. I researched you
for about a month and decided to purchase your audio/video package 3 days
ago. Within the first five minutes of your video, I wanted to shoot myself,
because you began to point out everything I have repeatedly been doing wrong
during my orals. I have listened to your audio tapes 4 times in 3 days, and
everyday I pick up new "tidbits" of info. I am in love with those tapes. I
have purchased a small tape recorder I carry everywhere. I have been using
the script, refining and condensing until it sounds good. The main problem I
was having was "DUMPING THE WHOLE LOAD" when I was asked to tell about myself.
No wonder they looked so bored. Joe
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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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Projects:
Be able to identify projects that have your name attached to them. Here is how Kevin handled this situation on his first captains test:
Kevins oral board asked him if there were any projects or programs that carried his name. He asked the board to turn to his resume which was several pages into his file. This was a great way to have the board take a first or second look at his resume. While they were all looking at his resume, he pointed out how he had developed and implemented a knox-box colored-coded key system city wide. All keys for elevators were red, front door keys were blue, etc.. Kevins name was on a program to place tape measuring wheels on every engine to calculate hose lays for all apartments and commercial buildings. He continued with a high rise pack, the implementing of a department speakers bureau and a new program for ride alongs. The raters were doing lots of writing.
I coached Kevin several years ago on his entry level testing. It was a treat to revisit this candidate as he prepared for this first captains test. He was a strong candidate. He made a special note in his oral board presentation of his third generation heritage of firefighters.
The results of the test were mailed to the candidates homes. Kevin lived outside the area. As the candidates received their results, the chalk boards at the stations started filling in the slots.
Along with two other candidates, Kevin still had not received his letter two days later. The slots that were still left open were 2, 9, and 13. I knew Kevin was not a 9 or 13 candidate. The magic was confirmed the next day. He hit a home run his first time out and nailed the number two position. Two weeks after the test the chief called Kevin and told him he was being promoted to captain. Along with a scheduled department raise and the promotion, it raised his pay a $1,000 more a month. That is real money.
The number 3 candidate on this list called one of the raters after the scores were released. He wanted to know how he compared to the other candidates. The rater told him that the one and two candidates were so far ahead of him they just couldn't go around them.
Congrats Kevin!
Click here to find out more about our Promotional Program:
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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4.
New Badges =====================================================
Entry level:
Hello Captain!!
I am happy to tell you that I received "the badge"!!! I start the academy this following week. I expect it to be challenging, yet I am looking forward to all in which I will be learning over the next few months.
Thank you (once again) for all your guidance, for your insight had provided me with the level of confidence I so greatly felt I needed in order to achieve my goal!!! Now the rest is up to me!! Sincerely, Dawn
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Captain Bob,
Hi,
Your tapes have done the trick. The very
first department I applied to I came out #5 on the
list with a score of 92! I just had an interview
with a second department and the interview was like
listening to one of your tapes, questions were almost
verbatem. Thanks, Bill
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Promotional:
Hey Capt. Bob
Steve Sweeney or should I say Captain Sweeney here yeah that's right I GOT THE BADGE. I got the packet that you sent me a few weeks ago and hit the oral board hard, nailed it with a 95%, and blew the competition right out of the water. Thank you very much for the help. Fraternally Stephen
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I scored 93 out of a possibly 100 pts. I'm happy
with that considering this was my first interview for promotion. I ended up # 1
I found your program to be of significant value in preparing for the
whole testing process. I will definitely recommend you to others and utilize
your ideas in the future.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Capt. Bob
I was going for my
third promotional test. I didn't
want to be embarrassed again. But,
even after going through your audio/video promotional program and doing the
coaching with you, I wasn't convinced that using my own signature stories to
personalize my presentation would make that much difference. I'm a believer now.
I'm NUMBER ONE! Not
just number one, but 3 full points in front of number 2!!!
You got to love it.
Captain James.
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5.
Humor =====================================================
Top 8 Sign Winner Idiots of 2000
Idiot # 1
I am a medical student currently doing a rotation
in toxicology at the poison control center. Today,
this woman called in very upset because she caught
her little daughter eating ants. I quickly
reassured her that the ants are not harmful and
there would be no need to bring her daughter into
the hospital. She calmed down, and at the end of
the conversation happened to mention that she gave
her daughter some ant poison to eat in order to
kill the ants. I told her that she better bring
her daughter into the Emergency room right away.
Here's your sign lady. Wear it with pride.
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Idiot # 2
Seems that a year ago, some Boeing employees on
the airfield decided to steal a life raft from
one of the 747s. They were successful in getting
it out of the plane and home. When they took it
for a float on the river, a Coast Guard
helicopter coming towards them surprised them.
It turned out that the chopper was homing in on
the emergency locator beacon which activated
when the raft was inflated.
They are no longer employed at Boeing.
Here's your sign guys. Don't get it wet, the
paint might run.
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Idiot # 3
A true story out of San Francisco: A man, wanting
to rob a downtown Bank of America, walked into the
branch and wrote "this iz a stikkup. Put all your
muny in this bag." While standing in line, waiting
to give his note to the teller, he began to worry
that someone had seen him write the note and might
call the police before he reached the teller window.
So he left the Bank of America and crossed the
street to Wells Fargo.
After waiting a few minutes in line, he handed his
note to the Wells Fargo teller. He read it and,
surmising from his spelling errors that he wasn't
the brightest light in the harbor, told him that
she could not accept his stickup note because it
was written on a Bank of America deposit slip and
that he would either have to fill out a Wells Fargo
deposit slip or go back to Bank of America.
Looking somewhat defeated, the man said "OK" and
left.
He was arrested a few minutes later, as he was
waiting in line back at Bank of America.
Don't bother with this guy's sign. He probably
couldn't read it anyway.
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Idiot # 4
A motorist was unknowingly caught in an automated
speed trap that measured his speed using radar and
photographed his car. He later received in the mail
a ticket for $40 and a photo of his car. Instead of
payment, he sent the police department a photograph
of $40. Several days later, he received a letter
from the police that contained another picture,
this time of handcuffs. He immediately mailed in
his $40.
Another sign (though this guy might be onto
something worth thinking about)!
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Idiot # 5
Guy walked into a little corner store with a
shotgun and demanded all the cash from the cash
drawer. After the cashier put the cash in a bag,
the robber saw a bottle of scotch that he wanted
behind the counter on the shelf. He told the
cashier to put it in the bag as well, but he
refused and said, "Because I don't believe you are
over 21."
The robber said he was, but the clerk still
refused to give it to him because he didn't
believe him. At this point the robber took his
driver's license out of his wallet and gave it
to the clerk. The clerk looked it over, and
agreed that the man was in fact over 21 and he
put the scotch in the bag. The robber then ran
from the store with his loot. The cashier
promptly called the police and gave the name and
address of the robber that he got off the license.
They arrested the robber two hours later.
(Remind me to have more signs printed
up. Give this guy his!)
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Idiot # 6
A pair of Michigan robbers entered a record shop
nervously waving revolvers. The first one
shouted, "Nobody move!"
When his partner moved, the startled first bandit
shot him.
(This guy doesn't need a sign, he
probably figured
it out himself.)
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Idiot # 7
Arkansas: Seems this guy wanted some beer pretty
badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder
block through a liquor store window, grab some
booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block
and heaved it over his head at the window.
The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be
thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. Seems
the liquor store window was made of Plexi-Glass.
The whole event was caught on videotape.
(Oh, that smarts. Give him his sign!)
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Idiot # 8
Ann Arbor: The Ann Arbor News crime column
reported that a man walked into a Burger King
in Ypsilanti, Michigan at 12:50 am flashed a
gun and demanded cash.
The clerk turned him down because he said
the couldn't open the cash register without a
food order. When the man ordered onion rings,
the clerk said they weren't available for
breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.
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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.
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
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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go to our web site @ http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
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###### T E L E S E M I N A R
I N F O #########
FREE TELESEMINARS
Teleseminars happen over the
telephone. They are essentially a large conference call.
Listen, learn, and participate in live,
1-hour phone-based seminars.
The next two seminars are FREE to the first 30 who register.
There after the price is $25.00
May 8, Tue-- "Conquer Fire Department Oral Boards" with Fire "Captain Bob"
Think it can't be done? Learn from someone who has helped over 1,948 candidates
successfully get their badge! Fire
"Captain Bob" has over 30 years in the business and honed the proven skills that
can dramatically improve your position!
You can expect to learn:
| How to master the secrets of successful interviews. |
| How to get the "Nuggets" to raise your score. |
| How to overcome stage fright. |
| Know the clone answers that can dome your interview. |
May 16, Wed.-- "Don't Psych Out on the Written Test" with Don McNea Fire School.
Learn the inside secrets how to master those psychological questions that are confusing everyone on the entry level tests.
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern; 8:00
Central; 8:00 Mountain; 6:00 Pacific
Duration: 1 hr.