FIREZINE
Cutting edge interview skills to get that badge from Fire
Captain Bob.
More than 2,030 candidates have received their badge from
this program!
May 1, 2002. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2002
captbob@eatstress.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. 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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If you haven't already figured it out yet, there are psych questions being placed in the entry level written test to eliminate candidates early in the process.
Are you prepared? Most aren't. We've had several calls from candidates looking for a way to get over this hurdle. "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you."
Since we're a resource, we've only found one company that is at the cutting edge of providing candidates with study information to get over this hurdle.
Several of our candidates have purchased the home study program. One of our candidates said if he had answered the psyc questions on the LA County test like he normally would, he would have failed. He passed. His buddies didn't.
The company is Don McNea Fire School.
Web site: www.fireprep.com
Phone: 800-989-3473
Here's a testimony from a candidate who benefited from the Don McNea Fire School:
I am sending this e-mail to say Thank You for helping me with the psych portion of the written exam. I took a test a year ago without knowing your info. and scored in the low 70's. About 3 weeks ago I took that same test and scored a 94% and will be continuing in the process. That following week I took the same exam at my home department and though I do not know my score i have been invited to continue in their process as well.
I
honestly believe that without knowing the information that you
gave me and talking to you on the phone
I would not be continuing in the process anywhere. I believe in what
you have done for me and therefore I have recommended your material and website
to many of the candidates that I have talked to in the past few weeks. I
cannot say it enough but THANK
YOU!
THANK YOU!!!
Larry
Reply:
You must know if you cannot pass the written, you will not go on to the physical ability or oral. Most written tests are pass/fail.
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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 ===========================================
Captain Bob,
I am going through the process of applying for a badge. I Scored well on
the test and am planning on using your program to give me the edge on an
interview. However, in the process for one particular department, before
the interviews is an oral presentation consisting of the applicant being given a
topic and 40 min. to prepare on it before giving a 5 to 8 min presentation
on it. Have you ever heard of this in the testing process? If so,
What would be a good way to prepare myself for this?
Phil
Reply:
Yes, this can be a part of an interview or promotional assessment center. This might help.
Presentation:
Your test might include making a 10-15 minute presentation to a panel. The topic can be an oral resume, 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.
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 short examples to support major points)
3. Questions & Answers
4. Summary
5. Closing
Nothing more. Nothing less. 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 we need is a sketch. A dump truck, when we only need a trailer. The I.Q. of an audience drops when a presentation is give. Stick to the formula . . . Nothing more . . . Nothing less.
“The toughest thing to do in making a presentation, or an interview, is to be yourself on purpose.” Patricia Fripp, Past President, National Speakers Association.
If you cannot give a talk or go to an oral board and be conversational and yourself on purpose, you are sending someone else in to do the job. According to a study done by Stanford University, 85% of getting the job is your enthusiasm. If you will light yourself on fire with enthusiasm in an interview or speaking presentation, the panel will stand up, applaud, and watch your ass burn.
With any time you have once you have an outline together with the above formula, practice, practice, rehearse, and over learn it with a tape recorder until it becomes second nature to you. Once you do this, it will be in your subconscious. That is where the magic begins. Some people might say that you will become canned. No! It sure will be planned though. Practice makes permanent.
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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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Resumes:
A
candidate faxed me his resume for review.
The cover letter for the position he was applying for stated attached is
a brief description of my qualifications.
I laughed aloud because he had sent me a book.
The printer ran out of paper.
Save a tree, the raters will not read these volumes.
I am a one-page resume guy.
No cover letter unless requested.
Do not send me out on a search party or a treasure hunt to find your great
stuff. Hit me with your major
qualifications, starting with your experience, on one page.
Write it believing the raters will not go past the first page.
If you put you resume in a folder, do not cover up the first page with a
title page. You and put any
supporting details, documents, certificates and letters of recommendation
following the one page resume.
Captain Bob:
I want to thank you for all your help on getting my captains badge. You were right about the resume. The panel complimented me on having just a one-page resume. Chris.
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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So, you have done all that you
can do. Gone back and completely reworked your answers to those questions you
know they are going to ask in your oral board. You have built a presentation
that you are proud of. One that reflects all of the effort you put into the
construction, as well as all the time invested in practicing. You are going to
get this next one, you know it.
But the problem is, the next
interview is not even on the horizon, you have put in the applications, interest
cards, and there still just is not anything happening. How do you keep it fresh,
have it sound just the way you have got it now, in three months?
This is what I have done. You
have got to keep going over your stuff to keep it in your memory just the way
you want it, so every few days with or with out the tape recorder, maybe on your
way to work you need to go over it. I try doing it fast, slow in a deep voice,
like an evangelist. It helps to wear a hands free phone head set so people in
the other cars do not stare. But beyond that I have found that motivational
tapes are the way to keep your energy. In a process that can have a high failure
rate you need something to keep your spirits up, and nothing does it for me more
than Zig Zeigler. The man is a dynamo. It does not matter which of his programs
you listen to, they are all great.
Just imagine if an oral board
asks you about motivation or attitude, and you have been surrounding yourself
with uplifting highly motivated input for the months before that. You could blow
them away. There are lots of other motivations speakers including my dad,
Captain Bob, and his Eat Stress For breakfast audiotape and book.
His books are being translated in China, Korea and Indonesia.
Motivational audiotapes are available in libraries, video stores, or over
the Internet. This is what worked for me, and to tell you the truth I began to
really look forward to going to interviews after I started doing this. Good Luck
FIREFIGHTER ROB.
FIREFIGHTER ROB
NRTC@SONIC.NET
WWW.EATSTRESS.COM
For more on my dads motivational audio tape and book Eat
Stress For Breakfast, click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/stressfire.htm
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. E-mail @ 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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Hi
I just wanted to thank you for your tapes. I got a badge after only two oral
boards after receiving your tapes. I have been pursuing this career for
nearly eight years. And four months after using your tapes I got the best
job in the world. Thank You Trevor
Captain Bob,
I have been recently offered a Deputy Fire Marshal position for a major
university in Southern California. By nature of course, I will be
conducting
inspections, provide fire prevention programs/training to the school population,
and respond, yes respond, to fire alarms, fires, hazmat situations etc. (with
the backing of the Los Angeles Fire Department). Although, some may have
different opinions of a "fire prevention" position as opposed to a "fire
suppression" position, I consider this a HUGE opportunity. Word has it that it
was my interview that nailed my position.
I have purchased your program
and cherish it. I took your advice on the tape/video, contacted fire marshals
for insight on the position, wrote my "script", had my business attire prepared
(I prefer not to buy new underwear, I feel more comfortable with my
unmentionables being broken in),
and practiced, practiced, practiced. Was the nominal purchase price you
charged worth the future career I have in front of me? DEFINITELY,
POSITIVELY and ABSOLUTELY yes!! It took me seven years to obtain a
fire position with many sacrifices, but worth the wait.
Many will knock you for your services. I see nothing
wrong with helping others achieve their goals and getting a little something in
return. It is what
consulting is all about. Thank you for your help.
Respectfully submitted, Ricardo
P.S. I can't stop from feeling giddy.
Promotional:
Captain Bob,
A little history, if I may? After 3 years at my department, I had
the opportunity to test for Engineer. To my surprise, I was one of 3
firefighters promoted. How? I don't know? During the oral interview,
my voice was cracking, I had hot flashes, I felt like I hadn't drank water for a
week my mouth was so dry and to myself, my voice sounded like a bad mix of
Donald Duck and a bull elk in the rut. To say the least, I was a nervous
wreck.
Around my 6 year anniversary with the department, the notification for
the Captain's promotional test was posted. They would be promoting ONE!
I had less than one month to prepare and knew I had to do something different
than what I did on the Engineer's exam. On this test, I would be fighting
20+ years of seniority and some guys with good, solid experience and training.
I never doubted my ability to do the job. I knew that my hard work and
many weeks away from my family at training classes had prepared me to take the
next step. What I did doubt was my ability to portray to the oral board
that I was the one they should choose. And the way I felt after the
Engineer's exam; well, I must say, thoughts of skipping it danced through
my head.
Then I found your website. I spent nearly a week reading every
word. I'm not one to throw money around easily, so I wanted to be sure it
was legitimate. I made my decision and ordered the promotional package.
I read it over and over again, I watched the video 10 times and listened to the
audio tape on and off for a solid week. I then formulated my game plan and
broke out the trusty tape recorder. At the house, in my truck, out in the
backyard, at the station....I practiced, practiced, practiced. I felt
close to being ready, but I wasn't quite there yet and the exam was three days
away. So, I decided to invest the money and do some private coaching with
you the morning before. And that is what brought it all together for me.
I practiced the rest of that day until dinner time and then spent the rest of
the night enjoying my family time. I got a good night's sleep, knowing I
was ready, and awoke the next morning feeling refreshed.
As I was donning my Class A's at the station for the oral interview, I
kept waiting for that infamous "sick" feeling that I got before every other
interview I had participated in. It never came. I couldn't wait to
get into that room and light it up. When they called my name, I was still
wondering where the "sick" feeling was? All I can say is it never came.
There wasn't a question they could ask me that I wasn't prepared for.
And in the interview, that was the case. I was so relaxed and confident
and every answer to every question came out so naturally. I could see a
look in their eyes when I was talking that I had never seen before in an
interview. And the simulation that we practiced on the phone was right on.
I had an answer for every twist that they threw at me and most of the time I was
one step ahead.
Sadly for me though, I did not get the promotion. And they
did not post the order of finish because we don't keep lists. But through
the station grapevine, I heard that I was....well let's just say I did very
good. (I don't want to jinx my chances for the next one, especially
since it is in 3 months. I can't wait!)
I'm sorry this is so lengthy, but if there are others out there that are
in my situation, I wanted them to know what it did for me.
Thank you very much for your help. And thanks for not
sugar-coating things and being straight-forward when we talked. I needed
truthful assistance, not coddling, and that's what you gave me.
If it's ok, I'll being calling you for a little pep talk before the next
one. Chris
Now Four months later....
Capt. Bob,
After speaking with you following my first try at the Captain's promotion, you gave me some excellent advice. First, you told me to keep my head up, congratulate the successful candidate and continue preparing for the position. The second thing you told me to do was, "Don't change ponies".
Well, I heeded your advice and I'm writing to tell you that I now, a
little over four months later, I have achieved my goal of Captain.
I just wanted to let you know how valuable your program was to my success. I think I explained it pretty well in my first letter to you. I can't thank you enough for your help and "No B.S." approach to getting ready to grab the badge of your dreams.
One other thing...my wife thanks you, too! She is so happy that she doesn't have to deal with me and another promotional exam for a long time.
Thanks again! Chris
Reply:
That sick feeling that Chris referred to is caused by not being prepared. Chris was prepared. It worked in his favor.
What is important here is not just the badge. It is the pride and validation of a career position, not to mention the increase in pay and benefits that will follow you way into retirement.
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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The Wisdom of Will
Rogers.....
"When I die, I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully
in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car."
"Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back
in."
"If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and
then to make sure it's still there."
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started
roaring.
He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him... The moral: When
you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut."
"Never kick a cow chip on a hot day."
"There's two theories to arguing! with a woman. Neither one works."
"The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back
in your pocket."
"Don't squat with your spurs on."
"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from
bad judgment."
"Never miss a good chance to shut up." (my favorite)
"Always drink upstream from the herd."
"When you're throwing' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown
around by somebody else."
"There are three kinds of men:
1. The ones that learn by reading.
2. The few who learn by observation.
3. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
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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
Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com