Since 100% of your score in obtaining a firefighter job is in the oral board, what are you missing that's keeping you from gaining that badge?
FIREZINE
Cutting edge interview skills to get that badge from Fire
Captain Bob.
More than 2,062 candidates have received their badge from
this program!
November 2002. Copyright Code 3 Publishing 2002
captbob@eatstress.com web site: www.eatstress.com 888-238-3959
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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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It's
ShowTime
Question:
I hope someone can tell me if what I did in a recent oral board was ok. I had an oral board, my very first one, and they slotted 15 minutes for the interview. I am worried because I was only in there for about 7 minutes.
When I entered the room one of the members of the board asked me not to give novel answers. They stated that the person being interviewed before me took 15 minutes to answer the first two questions and he still had 2 questions to go. I felt that the questions were very cut and dry.
They started off by asking what my educational background was and wanted to know what certs. I hold. The other questions were pretty cut and dry. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
"Captain Bob's" Reply:
You might have let their statement of the previous candidate psyche you out. No matter what they might say, or who is on the panel, you have to give the great presentation you prepared. It's like the bright lights of a Broadway Play. It's show time! The curtain is going up. You have to put on your top hat, grab your cane, step it out, and strut your stuff! You’re only looking for one badge. YOURS!
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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 ===========================================
Just when I thought I had heard all the oral board questions, I get these two in the same day:
Give us a reason why we should
NOT hire you. What is the
response that you would want to hear or expect to hear?
- Kris
If you were a piece of furniture what piece would
you be? What are
they looking for and what would be the right answer? I have been asked
this question and my answer would be the table. But I am still very
unsure of what direction they are coming from. Need help!
Thank you Suzanne
Reply:
I have never heard of a panel
asking " if you were a piece of furniture what
piece would you be"? You probably never be asked this question again.
I have no idea what they were looking for in these questions.
Some departments
ask some off the wall questions.
I certainly wouldn’t give them reasons not to hire you.
You could turn that around to be a positive i.e. unless your looking for someone with the education, experience, integrity and a burning desire to be a great firefighter with your department, then don’t hire me.
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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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A firefighter tells you another employee has sexually harassed them. How would you handle this situation?
One candidate told the panel he would write down what happened and notify the BC. Right? No. You have both employees separately write down what happened.
Remember sexual harassment is not tolerated! It is posted in each firehouse. Research your department and agency personnel rules and be able to tell the panel that according to department regulation number 120.77 each employee is guaranteed to be free from sexual harassment.
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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Coaching:
When I do a one on one
coaching session, we go over questions the
candidate has prepared for, and questions they haven't. I don't have them
polish their responses, because we will most likely change them in the
session. I just want them to have spent the time and effort to get the
direction they want to take with their responses. Here are questions I
have candidates prepare before a coaching session:
1. Tell us a little about yourself?
2. Why do you want to be a firefighter?
3. What have you done to prepare for the job of firefighter?
4. Why do you want to work for this city, or agency/
5. What is customer service, and how does it affect us in the fire
service?
6. What is ethnic diversity, and how does it affect us in the fire
service?
7. A closing statement.
At some point in just about every interview they will ask you most of these
questions. If you can have answers you are proud of think how much better
you'd do in your interview if you have them down pat?
Good Luck,
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
For more on entry level coaching click here:
http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm
You can read more of Rob’s
wisdom by clicking here:
http://www.eatstress.com/robs_corner.htm
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Just 49 more shopping days until Christmas.
If anyone asks you
what you want, send them to the products section of our web site:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm
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5.
New Badges
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Entry Level:
Hi Captain Bob and son,
I don't have much time but I wanted to let you know that I have been hired and I am presently fighting to keep hold of the brass ring in the another Fire Academy. I am half way through and facing incredible challenges everyday. I am so grateful to both you and your son and to be a part of the best profession on earth. I will send you a more complete testimonial when I have graduated the academy. Right now it is my only focus. This is Dan singing off for now.
Thanks Again!
Rob, Hey just thought I would let you know that I got my results back.
I received a 96.67%. It placed me # 17 on the list. They only took the top 16.
They said I should get a chiefs interview out of it soon. Oh well, it will give
me a chance to go through the process with Contra Costa Fire and hopefully stay
in northern cal and work for a great department.
Thanks for all your help
Captain Bob,
I've sent you a couple of letters before, and contacted you in the past for help
with resumes and which path to take to getting my badge. Well, this is the
letter I've been waiting to send you for about 2 years now. This is the
letter THANKING YOU FOR HELPING ME GET MY BADGE!!! I just received my
official offer of employment letter from the City of Oakland as a Firefighter /
Paramedic today. Your resume critique, audio tapes, psyche report, and all
aspects of your website made a huge difference in shortening my learning curve.
Being offered a job at 20 years old is rare, and I firmly believe that had it
not been for your help, I wouldn't have my badge today. Thank you again
for everything!!! Bill
Just to keep you updated on our progress, we both accepted job offers.
Now we have to hurry up and move...
Thanks for all your help throughout the entire process.
Jim & Jan
Promotional:
Well Capt. Bob, I have some great news to report. Last year I purchased your video and workbook in preparation for a Fire Captain Promotional Exam here in SoCal. Two days ago I received the news that I got the badge! Many thanks to you, your proram, and your availability to speak to me over the phone. Again, thanks! Greg
Hi Capt. Bob... don't know if
you will remember me, but I wrote to you last
year about your program. You might remember that I had taken the previous
test, outscored everybody, but didnt have enough time in rank to get all the
service points, and ended up number 4. Well, that list expired with me at
the number 2 spot. We just finished taking the assessment center testing,
and the list was posted last week.... I finished number 3 this time, and
should be getting promoted soon, as we have several people
planning on retiring in the next two years.
I ended up scoring about 5 points higher than last time, 2 of which came
with getting the full seniority points, and the rest came from my
performance. I know that your program was well worth the money spent. I have
to say, your tip on rehearsing and practicing my script surely helped me.
Well, when the official day comes, I'll write to you again.
Thanks.....Dave
Capt. Bob,
Just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the "Conquering the Promotional Interview" series you did in Firehouse a few years back. I recently went through a promotional assessment for Deputy Chief in my department.
I had remembered reading the articles and went back through my issues to find all of the parts. These articles became my guide as this was a new process to all of the candidates. In short, I came out on top by a mere 1 point over the next candidate. I "got the badge!" There is no doubt that your series of articles helped put me over the top. I was able to prepare answers for many questions that others have said they were unprepared for, but we’re exactly as you had stated in the articles.
Thanks.
Dep. Rich Patterson
Dracut MA Fire Department
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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In 1994, a New Mexico jury
awarded $ 29 million U.S. in damages to 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who suffered
third-degree burns to her legs, groin and buttocks after spilling a cup of
McDonald’s coffee on herself. This
case inspired “ “ Award -for the most frivolous lawsuit in the U.S.
The ones listed below are
the 2000 Stella Award candidates.”
January 2000: Kathleen
Robertson of Austin Texas was awarded $780,000 by a jury of her peers after
breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running amuck inside a
furniture store. The owners of the store were understandably surprised at the
verdict, considering the misbehaving little brat was Ms. Robertson’s son.
June 1998: 19 year old
Carl Truman of Los Angeles won $74,000 and medical expenses when his neighbor
ran over his hand with a Ronda Accord. Mr.
Truman apparently didn’t notice there was someone at the wheel of the
car, when he was trying to steal his neighbor’s hubcaps.
~*~*~*~
October 1998: Terrence
Dickson of Bristol, Pennsylvania was leaving a house he had just finished
robbing by way of the garage. He was not able to: get the garage door to go up,
because the automatic door opener was malfunctioning. He couldn’t re-enter the
house because the door connecting the house and garage locked when he pulled it
shut. The family was on vacation. Mr. Oickson found himself locked in the garage
for eight days. He subsisted on a case of Pepsi he found, and a large bag of dry
dog food. Mr. Oickson sued the homeowner’s insurance, claiming the situation
caused him undue mental anguish. The jury agreed to the tune of half a million
dollars.
~*~*~*~
October 1999: Jerry
Williams of Little Rock Arkansas was awarded $14,500, and medical expenses after
being bitten on the buttocks by his; next door neighbor’s beagle. The beagle was
on a chain in its owner’s fenced yard, as was Mr. Williams. The award was less
than sought because the jury felt the dog may have been provoked by Mr. Williams
who, at the time, was shooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun.
~*~*~*~
~ May 2000: A Philadelphia
restaurant was ordered to pay Amber C Larson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania $113,500
after she slipped on a soft drink and broke her coccyx. The beverage was on the
floor because Ms. Carson threw it at her boyfriend a moment earlier during an
argument.
~*~*~*~
December 1997: Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware successfully sued the
owner of a nightclub in a neighboring city when she fell from the bathroom
window to the floor and knocked out her two front teeth. This occurred
while Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the window in the
avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000
and dental expenses.
-*~*~*~ ~
A man was stopped by
police in Vermont. After running his name, for his arrest from Florida. Before
the police could arrest him, he fled into a nearby forest (in the middle of
winter) .The police searched for him, but were unable to find him. Three days
later, the suspect turns himself in to the police and was taken to the hospital
with frostbite. He ended up having several fingers and toes amputated. He is now
suing the police. Why? The police didn’t look for him hard enough! He stated in
an interview, ‘If they had searched harder, they would’ve found me’ .He is suing
the police for dereliction of duty leading to his loss of limbs.
-*~*~*~
Mr. Merv Grazinski of
Oklahoma City. In November 2000 Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32-foot
Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having joined the freeway, he set
the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the
back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly the Winnie left the
freeway, crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago £or not advising
him in the handbook that he couldn’t actually do this. He was awarded $1,750,000
plus a new Winnie.
(Winnebago actually changed their handbooks the back of this court
case, just in case there are any other complete morons buying there
vehicles.}
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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
FIREHIRE, Entry-level
firefighter examination process:
Fireforhire:
firefighter employment job
listings
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