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Captain Rob

About Robert Smith

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So far Robert Smith has created 10 blog entries.

Grab Hold of the ORAL INTERVIEW!

2023-05-08T23:49:39+00:00

Grab Hold of the ORAL INTERVIEW! Many years back, our friend and Battalion Chief Dennis O'Sullivan (retired) said, "The Oral Interview gets you the job!” I agree. The Oral Interview is where a firefighter candidate needs to put their efforts. Here is what I mean – Imagine that I am a rater on the receiving end of your Oral Interview. Let’s say I get a positive feel from you and how you answer our questions. DING! DING! DING! You have engaged a rater. Typically, this will work to your benefit. But – how do you build this connection? Stories are [...]

Grab Hold of the ORAL INTERVIEW!2023-05-08T23:49:39+00:00

Tell Your Unique Story

2023-05-08T23:49:25+00:00

Tell Your Unique Story Earning a firefighter’s badge is a goal! And, your success in a firefighter’s Oral interview is all about your presentation skills. Our many decades of experience tell us that a candidate will do well to weave personal experiences or stories into his or her answers. A candidate’s life experiences are unique. Personal stories can present a clear picture of who the candidate is and how they will or will not be a good fit in the department. Sound simple? It can be. We get it! It is not easy for firefighter candidates to relax and be [...]

Tell Your Unique Story2023-05-08T23:49:25+00:00

Captain Bob – A Simple Q & A (part 1)

2023-05-08T23:19:12+00:00

Captain Bob – A Simple Q & A (part 1) Captain Bob” Smith is a retired firefighter and fire captain. As a motivational and public speaker on the topics of overcoming stress and developing superior communication skills, Captain Bob has written 2 books:  Eat Stress For Breakfast and  Fire Up Your Communication Skills.  With three successful start-up businesses, education, and over 40 years of research, Captain Bob thoroughly enjoys helping others. Enjoy this Q & A, part 1,  with Captain Bob. Q. What has been the best thing about becoming a motivational and inspirational personality? A. This is a great [...]

Captain Bob – A Simple Q & A (part 1)2023-05-08T23:19:12+00:00

Is That Your Phone?

2023-03-07T02:06:40+00:00

Is That Your Phone? In many instances, access to a cell phone has made our lives easier. They provide conveniences to rather complicated situations. Being able to reach a loved one in difficult times, checking on your teenager who broke curfew,    and alerting the authorities to trouble are just a few of the many times we are glad to be connected. Cell phones offer comfort in worrisome times. In today’s world, having a cell phone by your side is a normal thing.      Cell phones are a part of each of our lives. When needed, I am grateful. But [...]

Is That Your Phone?2023-03-07T02:06:40+00:00

New Year’s Resolutions

2023-03-07T02:06:27+00:00

New Year’s Resolutions New Year’s Resolutions. You make them. I make them. We all make them. You see – a new year brings hope and optimism for what might come. It brings a fresh start to correct the wrongs of years past. For many, the new year means that the possibilities are endless. A 2023 Forbes Health “OnePoll” Survey found some resolutions more popular than others. The top 3 are improved mental health, improved fitness, and to lose weight. Here is the question – what percentage of New Year’s resolutions fail? Real and lasting change takes time. Setting goals too [...]

New Year’s Resolutions2023-03-07T02:06:27+00:00

Who Are You Sending to the Oral Board?

2023-01-20T19:40:45+00:00

Who Are you Sending to the Oral Board? Picture this. You are sitting on the Firefighter’s Oral Board and candidate after candidate comes in, sits down, and sounds just like the person before. I am not kidding. Each candidate repeats the same things as if they memorized each other’s responses to our questions. As a participant in the Oral Board, there is no greater is disappointment. Here is what I mean… Imagine spending lots of time, money, and effort. You have gone to the same academy as some of your fellow applicants. You have even volunteered in the same department [...]

Who Are You Sending to the Oral Board?2023-01-20T19:40:45+00:00

Trouble with the Written

2023-01-20T19:40:57+00:00

Trouble with the Written If you are having trouble with the written portion of the firefighter hiring process, do not feel bad. You are not alone. Trying to make the cut where departments are raising the bar is a “thing”. Of course, you want to improve your score on the written tests it is still weighted. Even still, the top program for preparing for the written test is the Encyclopedia of Firefighter Examinations (EofFE). This is where you decide to continue reading……. Many of the entry-level books today have multiple practice firefighter written examinations. These examinations cover an assortment of testing subjects. [...]

Trouble with the Written2023-01-20T19:40:57+00:00

Have a Plan!

2023-01-20T19:41:06+00:00

Have a Plan! If you have been trying to get hired by a fire department, you have probably had some interesting experiences – both good and bad. You have run into problems that you may or may not have overcome. Here's an example of a simple fire problem. You give an on-scene size-up at a residential fire. There is smoke blowing out of a bedroom window.  You order your engineer to hook up. You and your firefighters start pulling lines. WAIT! STOP EVERYTHING! If you followed this sequence, you have just lost the fire! Here is the problem. You went [...]

Have a Plan!2023-01-20T19:41:06+00:00

Unmasking the Oral Board Question

2022-11-22T21:36:31+00:00

Unmasking the Oral Board Question During my career as a firefighter and Fire Captain, I witnessed about everything imaginable in Fire Service. Having been on more than a few Oral Boards, I believe there are about 30 oral board questions – give or take. That said, these questions can and will be disguised as hundreds of other questions. Buckle up. Be ready! Now is the time to prepare for the ride of your life. Here is the list of the 30+ Oral Board Questions 1. Tell us about yourself. 2. Why do you want to be a firefighter? When did [...]

Unmasking the Oral Board Question2022-11-22T21:36:31+00:00

Fantasy Land – For Real!

2022-11-22T21:35:11+00:00

Fantasy Land – For Real! If you want to become a firefighter, an Oral Board Interview is in your future. There is no way to get around it. So – know this: The Oral Board interview is like Fantasy Land. It is not like the real world. Your answers in the oral board might not be what you would do in real life. The board understands the rules and you can't fool them. Don't try to intellectualize and bring heavy logic to this process. If you do, someone who understands the rules in fantasy land better will get the badge. [...]

Fantasy Land – For Real!2022-11-22T21:35:11+00:00

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Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:44:54+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.  
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:47:33+00:00
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out what the heck I was doing wrong… with Captain Bob’s program and coaching, I was shocked to see I had ranked number one and got my badge.”  
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:51:46+00:00
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there that don’t believe this, try passing and ranking #1 on orals with a stuttering problem…I did.” – Dave, FF/PM  
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:01:21+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:02:45+00:00
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out of a possible 120 pts, I scored 119.87 pts! I couldn’t believe it! … Just wanted to say THANK YOU!” – Armando  
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Becoming a Firefighter

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