Getting Hired

When the Wheels Come Off the Wagon!

2021-05-24T21:23:40+00:00

When the Wheels Come Off the Wagon! The firefighter hiring process includes a Psych Test with an evaluation by a psychologist. When the evaluation goes wrong, the firefighter candidate is eliminated from the hiring process. As you can imagine, the wheels start coming off the wagon. Here is how it goes down. Before the interview, the psychologist will often have you take a separate personality test, fill out a personal family history, a biography, and additional information forms. The biggest mistake firefighter candidates make during the psychological evaluation is thinking there is patient/doctor confidentiality. There isn't. The Psych Evaluator is [...]

When the Wheels Come Off the Wagon!2021-05-24T21:23:40+00:00

The Number One Problem in Getting Hired

2021-05-25T17:38:20+00:00

The Number One Problem in Getting Hired If your dream has always been to become a firefighter, most likely you understand that there is ­­a process that happens to earn the badge. Chances are you have researched or talked with others about the firefighter hiring process in general. There are applications to fill out and requirements to meet. You know this. Part of this process means that there is an ORAL BOARD interview in your future. It is unavoidable. And, truthfully, this is where most firefighter candidates get hung up. Here is how it goes. You walk to the mailbox. [...]

The Number One Problem in Getting Hired2021-05-25T17:38:20+00:00

Five NUGGETS for A Successful Firefighter Job Interview

2021-05-27T17:18:03+00:00

Five NUGGETS for A Successful Firefighter Job Interview After 40 years in Fire Service and much of that on the line, I know a thing or two about earning your badge. I know that nothing else matters to you than becoming a firefighter. Most likely, you have wanted to become a firefighter for as long as you can remember. I understand that being a firefighter is in your blood. Afterall, it is a rare breed that runs toward danger to help another. You are that breed. I talk about NUGGETS quite often. Let me tell you what I mean. Nuggets are [...]

Five NUGGETS for A Successful Firefighter Job Interview2021-05-27T17:18:03+00:00

It’s a Small World

2021-06-07T16:53:35+00:00

It’s a small world Ever feel like you are living in a fishbowl – or under a microscope? Here is the story of Tom. He is going in for his oral interview in Berkeley, Calif. He has an education, loads of experience, and he's ready to knock 'em dead. Tom is ready!  They asked him to tell them about a stressful situation he'd been in at work and how he handled it. Well, Tom had been on a C.D.F. hele-attack hotshot crew. He tells them about a particular grass fire. Tom felt the captains on the scene were messing everything [...]

It’s a Small World2021-06-07T16:53:35+00:00

Goals and Why We Need Them?

2021-06-07T21:45:18+00:00

Goals and Why We Need Them? Goals – we all have them. We need them. They keep us moving forward and on track with what matters. Goals relate to family, work, education, and just about everything in our life. Ask yourself this – What is your goal? Is it a degree? Is it a firefighter's badge? Once you know what you want, how do you make it happen?  Let's say your goal is to become a firefighter. After all, it is all you have dreamt about since you were a kid. People forget how hard it is to become a [...]

Goals and Why We Need Them?2021-06-07T21:45:18+00:00

The Hiring Process

2020-10-29T16:59:44+00:00

The Hiring Process When the scores start coming, I start getting phone calls. I am referring to a testing cycle in LA. Many of our candidates nailed the top three slots to go on in the process. For many, this is their first time in the "Hiring Process". And, after we congratulate our candidates, we tell them to BUCKLE UP! They have already heard the rumors. Often, they are freaked out. As with many tests, there is probably going to be a chief’s oral. They think they have to reinvent themselves to get ready. Here’s my advice to these folks: [...]

The Hiring Process2020-10-29T16:59:44+00:00

First and foremost – Your mom was right.

2020-09-06T15:59:31+00:00

First and foremost – Your mom was right. Honesty is always the best policy. That said, understand that the Preliminary Background Questionnaire is designed to eliminate candidates early in the process before they spend time and money on those who would not make it. Yes, candidates should live their lives as if their future of being a firefighter depends upon it – because it does. And, some departments include a polygraph test as part of the process in the background packet. Now, folks are panicked. They call me to say the background packet and or the investigator said a polygraph [...]

First and foremost – Your mom was right.2020-09-06T15:59:31+00:00

One-on-One Coaching Works

2020-08-21T14:03:55+00:00

One-on-One Coaching Works By the time I have finished one-on-one coaching with a firefighter candidate, he/she is more than ready to get off the phone or leave my house. You see, the truth is that the amount of information we go over can be overwhelming. As a result, our sessions are recorded, and the taped sessions become a great study guide. Here is why. Sometimes it is hard for some people to understand that what they thought was their “best stuff” gets shot down right out of the gate. One candidate wrote: You assisted me with private coaching back in [...]

One-on-One Coaching Works2020-08-21T14:03:55+00:00

Don’t Let This Happen in Your Interview

2020-09-16T14:37:47+00:00

Don’t Let This Happen in Your Interview We have all been at a party where a group of guys is standing around telling jokes and laughing. Then, somebody says something that doesn't quite fit, and the mood is gone. Enter the uncomfortable silence. Do not let this happen at your interview! Besides answering the questions correctly and having enthusiasm, it is crucial to keep a smooth flow during your interview.  Here is what I mean. I have witnessed this happen first-hand. A firefighter candidate was asked this question. "What if you are on duty and a co-worker smells like marijuana [...]

Don’t Let This Happen in Your Interview2020-09-16T14:37:47+00:00

Follow The Bouncing Ball

2020-08-21T14:04:19+00:00

Follow The Bouncing Ball Why is it that some firefighter candidates apply and go through the steps to earn the badge with what seems like complete ease? Why is it that some candidates struggle? The answer is simple. Being prepared matters. Let’s take a look at how this is done. Humor me as we follow this firefighter candidate over a two-week period. Note that this candidate has never been to an oral interview and is non-medic testing against medics. This is what he emailed me. Hi Captain Bob, I just took my first interview with a multi-agency test after going [...]

Follow The Bouncing Ball2020-08-21T14:04:19+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  
5
5
Becoming a Firefighter

Contact Info

Go to Top