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Resume Stuff

Captain Bob,

I am having a little bit of a conflict preparing for my Oral interview on Tuesday for a department here in San Diego. Here is my dilemma, I have been told to personalize my resumes to the department that I am interviewing with, i.e., a picture of the department’s patch or the city’s crest or a picture of their equipment, etc. faded into the background. Tonight, while printing up my resume a buddy of mine who has already gotten a job told me that it is inappropriate to do so because it would give the interview panel the impression that I have given myself permission to use their letter head.

I looking forward to your feedback, Ross

Reply: Who told you that? I wouldn't take the risk in using anything from the department on your resume. You have no time or rank with that department. You could place a picture of yourself in the upper right hand corner. A rater told me they were reviewed 175 candidates resumes after the oral boards. Three of the top candidates had their pictures on their resumes. It brought the raters back to remembering their presentations. But, don’t overdo this:

Pulling Out All the Stops

Candidates were asked to submit a photo with their applications to go forward in the hiring process. One candidate called to find out what the requirements were for the photo. They said just a head shot, because one candidate had already submitted a photo of himself in uniform, standing on an engine, with a Dalmatian dog on a lease, and holding a little girl in his other hand. Talk about pulling out all the stops.

Resume Profile

Many candidates think they need to include their strengths or career profiles on their resumes. Here are a couple of examples from resumes sent to me for review:

Strengths: Performs effectively within group atmosphere. Continuously strives for improvement by education and work experience.

OR:

Career Profile: An experienced Firefighter whose professional responsibilities expanded his knowledge in the areas of fire suppression, emergency medical service, rescue, hazardous material, public relations, public education, fire prevention, and decision making. Qualified by:

1. A proven record of success with progressively increasing responsibilities based upon experience, knowledge, and superior work performance.

2. Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work effectively with individuals in all levels.

3. Excellent communication and time-management skills and abilities.

4. The ability to remain calm and utilize deductive reasoning in critical and demanding situations.

5. Committed to promoting a positive public image of the fire service.

yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah

The first thing I do when I see these types of statements is line them out and write, "Who Cares?" Understand the board doesn't! Candidates who put these on their resumes tend to be anal. This is the type of resume material that belongs on a regular job interview resume. Not a firefighter resume. We don't have time to look at this mindless garbage and it takes away from the stuff you really want us to read.

I'm a one-page resume guy. Don't give me a book.

Recommendation Letters

Question: Will it help to present letters of recommendations from prominent people, such as a former police chief or my Priest or other firemen in the area? Will it carry any weight at all?

Reply: On most oral boards, the raters are from other departments. It is my experience that although the raters might thumb through and glance at any attached documents they seldom if ever read them. And come on, if you're going to attach a letter of recommendation, its not going to say anything bad but only glowing words about you. Save a tree, the raters will not read these volumes. Don’t send us on a treasure hunt to find your great stuff.

I'm a one-page resume guy for entry level without a cover letter, not in a binder or folder. Do not give us a book. We will not read it. Write it believing the raters won’t go past the first page. You can put any supporting details, documents, certificates and if it will help you sleep better and letters of recommendation following the first page. Keep it simple.

Question: If you are going to attach any letters of recommendation following the first page how many is appropriate. I am thinking maybe two. I realize that there is a very good chance they won't read it but wouldn't it still look just a little better to have a couple of them?

Reply: How about none! Again, I'm a one page stand alone resume guy. Don't give me a book. And, if you have already listed your education, experience and certs on your application and resume, why do you need to attached them; unless they were requested or you're going to a chiefs interview where there is more time with each candidate.

Many entry level and promotional candidates have told me they were complemented on having just one, as in one page only, resume.

As you know everyone becomes an expert on these issues. They will fill you head with all these crazy ideas and stuff. And because "They Said" (I've been trying to find "they" for 30 years) you needed to have all that extra stuff or the other candidates are going to get ahead of you. So, how is all this extra stuff going to help you, really? Keep it Simple.

From interview rater BC Steve Prziborowski:

I'm with Captain Bob on this one - leave them at home!  Personally, letters of recommendation really aren't worth much because it is very easy to get them (in my opinion and experience) and they're like a verbal recommendation of someone.  Many times, people will say how great you are either to get rid of you or because they really don't know the true you.

On an oral panel, they don't have the time to look at them either.  Every oral panel I have been on (on either side), there has usually not been much room for the rater's to utilize.  There is usually a cramped table space with enough room for a rating sheet, and then maybe your application and/or resume, that's it.

You're getting graded at the oral for things you say, not for things that are written down.  Remember if you don't say it, you probably won't get full credit for it.  Dimensions you're getting graded on during oral interviews include oral communication, NOT written communication.

If the rater's are reading your paperwork, they're not listening to you - and that can be bad (remember if you didn't say it in the oral, you're not going to get full credit for it, even if it is on your resume). Having to read your resume and application while trying to make notes and comments on your rating sheet and keep their ears open to make sure you say all of the key phrases, buzz words, etc. is challenging enough. Throwing more paperwork in front of them (letters of recommendations, certifications, etc.) just convolutes the issue.

About the only time to include a letter of recommendation might be during the chief's oral (even that is an iffy time).  Personally, if I was a chief, I really wouldn't put much weight on a letter of recommendation (and I know many chiefs that agree with me).

In my opinion, letters are letters. Whether they are from your boss, a friend, an acquaintance, etc. Whether they are saying how awesome you supposedly are, how great you performed at an event, etc.

Extra, unnecessary paperwork, that just takes away from what you're being graded for.  During a background investigation, unless they ask for it, I wouldn't provide it.  The background investigator has enough to deal with than have more paperwork.

“Nothing counts ‘til you have the badge . . . Nothing!”

Convert your resume into the attached suggested format: http://www.eatstress.com/resume.htm

More Oral Board tools here: http://eatstress.com/newpage6.htm

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Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!

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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge,
send them to the ultimate source here!:
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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.

Remember, absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!

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"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"

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