FireZineOct07

Firefighters

Since 100% of your score in obtaining a firefighter badge is in the oral
board, what are you missing that's keeping you from gaining that badge?

Estimated reading time 1 - 3 minutes for any segment!

Thousands have been hired by using the free information from our web site and having their questions answered by phone or e-mail.

Brick walls are there for a reason; They let us prove how badly we want things - - Professor Randy Pauche, Carnegie Melon University

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Please forward or recommend this FireZine to anyone you
know that wants to shorten the learning curve to get
that badge!

If you are receiving this issue as a forward, and want
your own subscription, visit
http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm

1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip

2. Entry Level Skills Tip

3. Robs Corner

4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
(Entry level should read this too)

5. New Badges

6. Humor

7. Resource Websites for Candidates

The next Las Vegas Nevada exam will be held on Jan 29, 2008. Applications will be accepted from Oct 1, 2007 until Oct 12, 2007. Las Vegas Fire exam details can be found here:

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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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Question: How do you feel about a red shirt for the oral? I have heard that a power color is good way to go.

Reply: Power colors are for the corporate world not fire. The fire department is a semi-military organization. You're applying for a snott nose rookie position. Leave the power stuff in the closet. Wear a white, 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!

Hey Captain Bob, my name is Jim Daveluy. About 10 months ago I finally purchased your gold package program. I read the book, listened to cd's, watched the dvd, and practiced with a tape recorder. I tested for 5 departments in Michigan before getting the package. I tested for four since getting the package. The agility were pass/fail but the oral and written were scored. Long story short I was offered jobs from 3 of the 4 after practicing your program. I have wanted to be a firefighter a long time and figured i would be hired in a suburb but one of the jobs was a big city, a dream come true. I ended up taking the job of firefighter/paramedic in Memphis, Tennessee. I just finished the fire academy and am a probationary firefighter. Thank you for helping me get hired. After a lot of hard work and the assisstance of your program I did what most thought couldn't be done, I got a hired on a big city fire department and at the age of 21. I am the youngest member of the department of more than 1800, and I beat thousands of others to get the job. Thank you!!!!

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Check out http://www.eatstress.com and learn how entry
level and promotional candidates are improving their interview scores up
to 15 points and nailing that badge!

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Want Captain Bob to come speak to your group? See
http://www.eatstress.com/seminar.htm

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While you’re here get a 10 day test drive of selected inside secrets how to get a badge. Learn more here:

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2. Entry Level Skills Tip
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New! Some of our products are now available with a payment plan. More Here: http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm

Question: I am having trouble answering the cultural diversity question. I have good stories that will fit this question I am just having trouble tying it all together. I went to a school in Chicago, on a scholarship to play baseball. Lived in a house with 12 guys of different cultures, races, ethnic and religious backgrounds. All of us lived, went to school and played baseball together. We spent a year together like that. At times we didn’t get along but must of the time we did. But, when push came to shove we worked together as a team on and off the field. I was named captain of the team.

Reply: Eric told me he recently had the question on cultural diversity for the a couple of tests. He said, after just completing a coaching session with Rob http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm that covered this question, I have a better understanding about diversity and how my life experience of being in Indonesia can fold into my answer. I now understand why too many candidates get caught flat-footed on this question like I did. Eric

Cultural Diversity

We often hear I'm stumped on cultural diversity questions.

For most candidates, the oral board is the most difficult part of the hiring process. Cultural diversity questions can be the toughest. Most candidates have trouble in this area. Even for those with diverse backgrounds. It's not as easy for most people to just use common sense. Yes, we try to get the wheels turning in the candidates mind.

Many don't realize they have already experienced cultural diversity going to school, in the military traveling, and at work. Once they can identify situations that demonstrate that understanding, and put it in a story form as part of their answer to this question in an oral board, is where it starts making a difference.

Since everyone has a different life experience and you don't want to sound like the other candidate "Clones", it's tough to give a generized answer here. This is an area where you have to prepare a personalized answer.

Then lacing these areas with personalized stories how you have already lived in diverse situations.

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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge, tell them you want our Gold Package with the companion “It’s Your Turn in the Hot Seat” CD Series!!! Check it out here!:
http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm

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While You’re here get a 10 day test drive of selected inside secrets how to get a badge. Learn more here:

Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!

Check out http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm for the FREE 101 Inside
Secrets How to Get a Badge!

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Ask Captain Bob any questions

E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com

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The secret Formula to get a badge here: http://www.eatstress.com/formula.htm
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3. Robs Corner
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Hire Through Rate

The rate of people weeded out during any part of the hiring process has to do with two things. The requirements of the department, how high they set the bar, and who applies for those positions.

Some departments set the bar high in every category, written, physical, oral interview, and then the background. Others want as many people to get through the process so they can have the biggest pool of people to select from.

If the department has a watered down testing process then there will most likely be a lot of people on the list that won’t cut it. But when the test and the requirements are tough, needing EMT, F/F1, paramedics, a lot more will be “hirable”.

Find someone that was in the last group they hired and see how many made it through then. You could probably see a similar result this time.

But the place someone has on the list doesn’t indicate if they will be hired or what kind of firefighter they will be, just how well they do on a test. The one thing in your favor, however, is that with the hiring being delayed others may have taken jobs elsewhere. It has been my experience, that when someone figures out how to do well on a test they start getting offers from every place they apply.

If there is a chief’s interview coming up for you I hope you are preparing for it. It is very common for them to call in more than they want to hire and give the final interview. A lot of times the people don’t go into the interview by their number, but as a group. If they are hiring 20 and call in 25, it would not be unusual for the person that was 25 to come out number one.

Where ever you might be stuck in the hiring process from the written or video testing, physical agility CPAT, oral interview, psych interview, background, polygraph, or medical, you can find new powerful information on Captain Rob’s new web site here: www.myfireinterview.com

I encourage a lifelong firefighter friends Son Ray to come in for private coaching for his first Captains test after he had received our Promotional Program. He thought he didn't need it. He ended up fourth on the list. Just when he thought he would get the next job, they announced they would give another test. I told him if he had come in for the private coaching session, he probably wouldn't have had to take another test. Again, he didn't take advantage of the coaching offer. I can not figure this out, because his brother Kevin complete our program with a coaching session and came out number 2 his first time out. He had a badge within a week. I guess you can not take people kicking and screaming.

I bumped into Ray at the coffee shop and asked him how he ended up. He started talking about the guys with less seniority, the salesman type that jumped ahead of him. When he told me it wasn't fair he had lost value points in the In and Out Basket because those newer medics had the advantage of doing all their reports, I said do not tell me you were not helping your captain out with his reports. He said he did not know it would be part of the test.

This is covered in our Promotional Program because the In and Out Basket segment of the assessment center is changing. Ray ended up number six, when he should have had a badge already.

During the in-and-out basket exercise you will be given tasks to make a decision and complete in a specified time. You probably won’t complete all the tasks. The “Nugget” here is to go through the in basket completely and separate the tasks in order of importance and amount of time they would require to complete. Do the simple tasks first. It will help you feel less overwhelmed with the pile. Try to handle the task the first time you pick it up. Make a decision and move on.

Some items just need your signature of approval. Leave the tasks that will require the most time until last. You may never get to some of them. That is O.K. If you can do a hard in-basket item the raters will know you can do the simple ones.

Many candidates get bogged down trying to complete every task. The secret “Nugget” here is to delegate, delegate, delegate as much as possible. If you're lucky, just a quick note to delegate and calendar a follow up date in your day timer will get it to the out basket and onto the next task. Often though they will want you to write out what you would actually do.

Like Rays situation, they changed the process for the In-and-Out Basket. You could be given a computer to log onto and do a line up, response reports, handle training reports and customer complaints.

Another test gave the candidates the assignment to prepare a speech to be delivered to the mayor at 6:00 p.m. that same evening. Some candidates lost valuable time attempting to write the entire speech. A simple outline of an opening, three major points, a summary, question and answer time, and a conclusion would have covered this assignment. It’s time and presentation that’s being tested, not the subject.

At the end of this exercise they will want you to justify what you have done. This is another great opportunity to use your personal experience stories relating to the tasks.

Ray called the following week that he was headed for an interview with the Chief and now wanted to take advantage of that coaching session. Believe me like most candidates, he needed it. The session helped because he jumped to number 4 position after the Chiefs interview and was promoted in the next round. Pretty amazing considering the circumstances.

Wait! While you're here Captain Bob wants to give you a 10 day FREE test drive of selected inside secrets how to get a promotional badge. Learn more here: http://www.eatstress.com/promointro.htm

For more on our promotional program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm

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5. New Badges
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This one from Canada:

I'm from a smaller town but with a stringent recruitment hiring process like that of any other larger city. I had been trying to get on with our local department for a few years now and each time I'd get stumped and turned away after the oral board. They would give me tips about what to improve on and so forth, but it wasnt until after I ordered and received Capt Bobs program that it really catapulted me forward in the process! I studied the material and practiced practiced, practiced, and when I completed the oral board this last time around, the board representative gave me a call saying I had been put forward to chiefs oral! I'm now the newest probationary member at my local department, and I couldnt be happier about how i've worked and earned a position in my dream job. Thanks Capt Bob! Sean

I received the PHONE CALL today!! I couldn't have done it without the Help of Capt. Bob. I have never applied anywhere and Got on my first try. It is all about the INTERVIEW. I did not score full points on the physical and still made the first academy. If anyone is serious about getting their badge you should get Capt. Bob's gold program!
I have been waiting for that phone call for soo long and worked soo hard. I know it is just the begining but with his help I know I can make it.
I also wanted to thank everyone and their input here at Firehouse.com. Its an amazing thing to be part of when you know you can go anywhere and the fire department will help you out. Joe

Man what a relief it was to get that phone call. I felt like I had won the Lottery!!!!
I can not thank you enough for your program. You gave me the confidence to go into my interviews and just blow them away with my personal nugget answers. You really motivated me to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes. I took everything you said and did it. I visited stations, I went out and bought a suit that made me feel invincible, I practiced and practiced and practiced my interview skills and it was that easy. All I have to say is that your the MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Fiance thanks you a ton also!

Hey Captain Bob, my name is Jim Daveluy. About 10 months ago I finally purchased your gold package program. I read the book, listened to cd's, watched the dvd, and practiced with a tape recorder. I tested for 5 departments in Michigan before getting the package. I tested for four since getting the package. The agility were pass/fail but the oral and written were scored. Long story short I was offered jobs from 3 of the 4 after practicing your program. I have wanted to be a firefighter a long time and figured i would be hired in a suburb but one of the jobs was a big city, a dream come true. I ended up taking the job of firefighter/paramedic in Memphis, Tennessee. I just finished the fire academy and am a probationary firefighter. Thank you for helping me get hired. After a lot of hard work and the assistance of your program I did what most thought couldn't be done, I got a hired on a big city fire department and at the age of 21. I am the youngest member of the department of more than 1800, and I beat thousands of others to get the job. Thank you!!!!

O.k. everyone, give another round of applause for Capt. Bob. He helped another wanna be firefighter becomes a firefighter. Just checking in and paying my respect to Capt. Bob for helping me realize my value and strengths that helped me achieve that sought after icon we call a badge. I received word that I will be starting at a major metro dept., this month. Thank you capt. Bob. P.S.: read the firefighter psychological report, it helps.
Chris

I went for my medical/physical exam last week and just got notice everything was cleared by the Doc. I start recruit school October 15th. Just wanted to say thanks for the help. Thanks Scott

A quick trip to Walmart...

You are in the middle of some kind of project around the house. Mowing the lawn, putting a new fence in, painting the living room, or whatever. You are hot and sweaty. Covered in dirt or paint.

You have your old work clothes on. You know the outfit, shorts with the hole in crotch, old t-shirt with a stain from who knows what and an old pair of tennis shoes.

Right in the middle of this great home improvement project you realize you need to run to Wal-Mart to get something required to complete the job.

Depending on your age you might do the following:

In your 20's:

Stop what you are doing. Shave, take a shower, blow dry your hair, brush your teeth, floss and put on clean clothes. Check yourself in the
mirror and flex. Add a dab of your favorite cologne because you never know, you just might meet some hot chick while standing in the checkout lane. You went to school with the pretty girl running the register.

In your 30's:

Stop what you are doing, put on clean shorts and shirt. Change shoes.
You married the hot chick so no need for much else. Wash your hands and comb your hair. Check yourself in the mirror. Still got it. Add a shot of your favorite cologne to cover the smell. The cute girl running the register is the kid sister to someone you went to school with.

In your 40's:

Stop what you are doing. Put a sweatshirt that is long enough to cover
the hole in the crotch of your shorts. Put on different shoes and a hat.
Wash your hands. Your bottle of Brute Cologne is almost empty so you don't want to waste any of it on a trip to Wal-Mart. Check yourself in the mirror and do more sucking in than flexing. The spicy young thing running the register is your daughter's age and you feel weird thinking she is spicy.

In your 50's:

Stop what you are doing. Put a hat on, wipe the dirt off your hands onto
your shirt. Change shoes because you don't want to get dirt in your new
sports car. Check yourself in the mirror and you swear not to wear that
shirt anymore because it makes you look fat. The cutie running the
register smiles when she sees you coming and you think you still have it. Then you remember the hat you have on is from your buddy's bait shop and it says, "I Got Worms".

In your 60's:

Stop what you are doing. No need for a hat anymore. Hose off the dog
crap off your shoes. The mirror was shattered when you were in your 50's. You hope you have underwear on so nothing hangs out the hole in your pants. The girl running the register may be cute but you don't have your glasses on so you are not sure.

In your 70's:

Stop what you are doing. Wait to go to Wal-Mart until they have your
prescriptions ready too. Don't' even notice the dog crap on your shoes.
The young thing at the register smiles at you because you remind her of
her grandfather.

In your 80's:

Stop what you are doing. Start again. Then stop again. Now you
remember that you needed to go to Wal-Mart. Go to Wal-Mart and wonder around trying to think what it is you are looking for. Fart out loud and you think someone called out your name. The old lady that greeted you at the front door went to school with you.

==> SHARE YOUR TIP or STORY. Send it to captbob@eatstress.com

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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.
Phone: 888-238-3959 local 925-846-3959 Fax: 925-846-9650
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com

Although our products are sold separately, I would suggest you order Gold Package Program and our companion "It's Your Turn in the Hot Seat" CD series here: Special offer program