Capt Bob

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So far Capt Bob has created 82 blog entries.

If Mama Isn’t Happy

2022-10-06T20:51:34+00:00

If Mama Isn't Happy When you finally get that call and pack up for the academy, do not forget the ones who stood by and encouraged you along the way. Do not forget those who were your sounding board or stayed up with you at night trying to figure out how you could get a badge. Firefighters already have a higher divorce rate than many other occupations. You do not want the additional stress of being a rookie compounded by a divorce. Here is a rule to follow - If momma isn’t happy, nobody is happy. I receive calls regularly [...]

If Mama Isn’t Happy2022-10-06T20:51:34+00:00

Multiple Job Offers

2022-03-02T23:07:04+00:00

Multiple Job Offers Email from Jimmy who has received 2 offers: Dear Captain Bob - After getting your program, I got offered a job. Today, another job offer came. It's unreal. Thanks for helping me package the product (Me) and sell it. It worked! Here is my dilemma. I received a conditional offer of employment from a County Fire. I have signed it and will mail it out. I need to pass the medical and psych exams. Today, another fire department's Chief called. He gave me a conditional offer over the phone. As I expected, I have to pass the [...]

Multiple Job Offers2022-03-02T23:07:04+00:00

Your Polygraph is Inconclusive

2022-03-02T23:01:15+00:00

Your Polygraph is Inconclusive Part of the firefighter hiring process may or may not include a polygraph test. Do not be surprised if your day with the polygraph examiner comes sooner rather than later. Here is what the poly looked like for Bill. There were six pages of questions. These questions were read out loud by him before he was hooked up to the polygraph. When Bill was hooked up, only ten questions were asked to him. Each question was asked 3x in a different way and in a different order. Confusing right? Well, that is the point. For Bill, everything [...]

Your Polygraph is Inconclusive2022-03-02T23:01:15+00:00

Never Ever Lie!!

2022-03-02T20:27:18+00:00

Never Ever Lie!! According to Doug Williamson, a 35-year veteran polygraph evaluator from www.polygraph.com “It is a very serious mistake to believe that you will pass your polygraph or CVSA tests just because you are telling the truth - they are not "lie detectors". Scientific research proves that simple nervousness will cause a truthful person to fail!” Meet Phil. I got a call from him just after he failed his polygraph. He was a mess and distressed. After talking with him, he realized he had not been as prepared as he could have been. This, I knew. You see, Phil revealed information [...]

Never Ever Lie!!2022-03-02T20:27:18+00:00

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us?

2022-03-02T20:23:53+00:00

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us? Being prepared for the firefighter hiring process before you show up will put you in a better position to get that badge. You do not want to be caught flat-footed and wondering what happened when the career you have been pursuing evaporates before your eyes. Are you hearing me? Let me tell you about SCOTT. The first time I had contact with him was 45 minutes after he got the call that he failed his poly. He was devastated. I asked him how he had prepared for his polygraph. He said he used the free [...]

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us?2022-03-02T20:23:53+00:00

New Rookie

2022-02-01T22:41:45+00:00

New Rookie A few years ago, I talked to a devastated candidate at a written test. This paramedic had been hired with four other medics by a good fire department. After four months he was fired. He said he thought things were going fine. Then, the captain started telling him that the other firefighters didn't like some things he was saying, starting counseling and documenting him for not taking down the flag, rolling up the hose, etc. He said he was busy doing other assignments. I could see the writing was on the wall. I asked him what the other new [...]

New Rookie2022-02-01T22:41:45+00:00

Know the Formula!

2022-02-16T20:59:02+00:00

Know the Formula! If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times, after 40 years in Fire Service, we know a thing or two. Some things have changed in fire service, but not the basics. What I mean is that the written and physical ability tests are still pass/fail while the ORAL BOARD carries all the weight of getting you that badge.  After sitting on more than 100 Oral Boards, I have seen quite a few things. I have seen awesome candidates with great credentials. Yet, there is something missing. These candidates couldn’t present what I [...]

Know the Formula!2022-02-16T20:59:02+00:00

Don’t Chit-Chat – PUT A CORK IN IT!!

2022-02-16T21:07:05+00:00

Don't Chit-Chat – PUT A CORK IN IT!! Often, we get phone calls or emails from candidates after they have completed portions of the firefighter hiring process. This guy wrote to me about his experience during his Oral Board. Read what he wrote and my response below. Captain Bob, I recently passed a written and agility for a department. I had my oral interview the next day. Honestly, I felt the interview went pretty well. I am waiting to see if I made the final cut. Here is my concern. During the interview, I was asked what I had done to prepare [...]

Don’t Chit-Chat – PUT A CORK IN IT!!2022-02-16T21:07:05+00:00

Having Trouble with the Written?

2021-11-29T22:13:31+00:00

Having Trouble with the Written? The firefighter hiring process is unlike any other job interview process you will ever experience. And, if you have read my other blogs, you know how I feel about being prepared. It is a MUST! Even still, no matter the preparation, you might get hung up as you move along. Let’s talk about the written. Is this where you are having trouble? Are you trying to raise your score to make the CPS cut? Do you want and need to improve your score on those few tests where the written is still weighted? We get [...]

Having Trouble with the Written?2021-11-29T22:13:31+00:00

Really? YOU GOT FIRED FROM A DEPARTMENT?

2022-02-16T21:10:51+00:00

Really? YOU GOT FIRED FROM A DEPARTMENT? Let's get real here! One of the most difficult hurdles to get over is being fired by another department. It is a blow for sure. But, the cold, hard truth is that there has been an alarming rate of new firefighters fired in their academy and during probation. So, what is going on here? Here is what we know: The number one reason new hires are getting fired is simple. These folks are showing up for their academy without being in good enough physical shape. That’s it. They are not physically ready for [...]

Really? YOU GOT FIRED FROM A DEPARTMENT?2022-02-16T21:10:51+00:00

Title

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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