How to land a badge???

[baxter84]

So you score a 100% on the written. You pass the agility test. You finally get called for an interview. You purchase all the help you can get, including Captain Bob's CDs. You make your script and it is flawless. You get your suit dry cleaned and shine your shoes, and you buy the tie color that Trump suggests in his book How to Be a Millionaire. You walk into the firehouse and are greeted by a the firefighter in the watchdesk. He sees you sweating and can tell your a little nervous. He says "Son, don't worry about it, they know who their hiring."
So how does one land a badge when they're up against civil service and all its injustice??? You call the hiring department a few days after the interview to ask what you scored on the interview and are told that they don't know, they aren't given that information. How do you compete with guys who already know the oral board questions, have friends or family on the department who are in charge of hiring, and department policies which basically permit unfair hirings???
I have been around the block and have taken countless tests. I have even interviewed with combination departments (paid and volunteers) where volunteers have interviewed for the job in their Class A uniforms issued by that department.
I have yet to find one department where the hirings were absolutely fair and justified. How can a civil service office not have the information which states how you did on the test and the interview, nor your list number on the "list"???? I think that firefighter tests have become civil service cash cows and offer a large "donation" to the city.
Glad to hear anyone's opinons on this.

[BCLepore]

Baxter,
I can hear your frustration. I would like to address a few things you said in your post.
The exam process is a complex thing. The reason you get NO feedback is because the department doesn’t want to have the list challenged in court. The more information they give each candidate, the better chance someone sues over an injustice. Feedback is minimal. Get used to it.

If you truly desire feedback I encourage you to find the firefighter on your oral board and seek his or her guidance on how to improve. If you present with an attitude of entitlement, you will be denied any help. If, on the other hand, you present as someone who genuinely is seeking to improve I would expect that you would be given some insight.

While you may think you did well, the oral board did not think you did well enough to land the job. If everywhere you go there is someone else getting the job, I encourage you to look in the mirror.

Do you have all of your education?
1. EMT
2. Fire Science courses
3. Fire academy
4. Affiliation with a volunteer department
5. Degree
6. Paramedic license

Lastly, you made the following comment:
“I have even interviewed with combination departments (paid and volunteers) where volunteers have interviewed for the job in their Class A uniforms issued by that department.”

My question to you is this:

Why shouldn’t someone who is already affiliated with the department be awarded the job? He or she has already given of their time and proved him or herself. I would certainly hire him or her over an unknown.

What are you doing so you can be the one interviewing in your Class A’s?

We are looking to hire people who we know and will get along with our firefighters. If I already know someone and like him enough to allow him to wear the uniform representing my department, why would I not hire him?

Lastly, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that a certain candidate is a lock for the job. More often than not he or she fails the physical agility exam, a medical or bombs the interview.

My advice to you:

Control what you can control. Become the best candidate you can be and learn how to take a FIRE DEPARTMENT INTERVIEW.

Good luck in your endeavors!

Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
Author of:
Smoke Your Firefighter Interview
The Aspiring Firefighter's Two-Year Plan
Smoke Your Firefighter Written Exam (coming soon)
www.aspiringfirefighters.com

[jmitchell]

Could not have said it better myself!!

[DrJobMD]

Good evening. My name is K. Miller and I have over 20 years experience in the H.R. dept. I am going to give you some worthwhile information regarding job hirings and it isn't going to cost you a cent. I have seen every kind of hiring imaginable. Nothing worse than the firefighter hire. A prime example is that BC Lepore even confirmed that as an officer he would hire someone he knows, over someone who scores better and is an unknown. This isn't called civil service. Why give a civil service test? I'll tell you why. So cities and departments can cash in on your application fees. I know a department that gives a test once a year and doesn't hire anyone off the list. After inquiring as to why they give a test when they don't hire anyone, I was told by a colleague that it is the biggest civil service moneymaker for the city. Enough said.
Here is my suggestion:

THE BIG 3

Pick three departments that you would like to work for. Research the human resource dept. for that city. Go to the gap and get yourself a nice pair of dress pants and a dress shirt, and then go to the HR dept of any of the three cities on your list. The key word is GO- don't call!! Tell them you are interested in taking the fire exam and that you would like some information. It is almost a sure bet that someone will help you. Ask them for their residency requirements, and what kind of test they give (traditional, private company, their own, etc.). If they use a private company they will most likely give you the name of the company and then you contact them. Then you will be able to purchase 1 book instead of every "how to pass the written" book on the market. By doing this you get a feel for what the hiring is like in that city and your chances of getting the job. From their you can judge whether it is worth while of investing your time and money. There are legitimate depts out there. The only way to successfully master the process is to take the initiative to seek them out. I know it can be discouraging. I have seen firsthand how departments have chosen candidates before the test was even completed. I would be happy to answer any questions anyone might have or offer any advice on any FD hiring processes.