Please Don’t do this!

[CaptBob]

I often heard and read information from candidates and I think and say, “Please don’t.”

Here are a few recent examples:

A candidate told me they had whittled down the objective on their resume from four paragraphs to one. The one was still way to long. I asked why? Well, I think it’s a really good way for them to get to know me better.

Please don’t

Understand we really don’t have a lot of time to read resumes and seldom look at the objective.

Another candidate asked me if it was a good idea to give out note pads and pens to the panel members when he walked into the room so they could take notes for him.

Uh, Please don’t

A candidate who wanted to get on as a volunteer because this department hired most of their rookies from the volunteers was turning himself inside out getting to all the stations on all shifts taking advantage of every opportunity for face time.

The volunteer training officer told him the guys thought he was intense but they were going to give him a shot as a volunteer. He then proceeds to set up SCBA and other training with the individual stations. I asked him why? Here again I want them to know about who I really am.

He said his previous job and training was in journalism and the way to get a story is to ask lots of questions. He was starting out asking a lot of questions at his first volunteer trainings classes.

Please don’t

You want to remain invisible to those that are watching you. Your actions will speak for you. All ears and no mouth.

I get a call from an agency with volunteers asking if I knew this new volunteer. Yep, well someone needs to tell this recruit to keep their mouth shut. Coming into stations trying to impress the firefighters. I had a friend call the recruit who then called me. Why are you doing this? Here again, I want them to really get to know me. I’ve schedule several ride alongs. How many? Fourteen.

Please don’t. Stop now.

A candidate recently showed our son Rob and me his resume. It was over 35 pages in plastic dividers in a heavy leather binder. It had a resume profile on the inside cover, cover letter, several pages of a resume, certs, pictures of his academy and the wedding and honeymoon photos. We asked him why???? He said I wanted to let the panel really know about me. Rob and I looked at each other and broke out laughing with who cares?

Many candidates think they need to include resume profiles of 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 t 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.

[HopefulFF]

CaptBob,

Do all oral boards require a resume?

[CaptBob]

CaptBob, Do all oral boards require a resume?

Not all departments accept resumes. Some departments don’t let the raters see your name or application. You’re just a number.

If you’re invited to an oral board they might tell you that they will be accepting resumes. If in doubt call HR and ask them. Follow the instructions. If they tell you resumes aren’t being accepted that means don’t bring one to your interview no matter what anyone else tells you. I’ve heard from candidates that even though they weren’t accepting resumes their already firefighter friends told them to bring and present a resume anyway because it would make them stand out. It did, but not in a way they weren’t expecting.

If they are accepting resumes, don’t even think that you can go into an interview and hand over your resume for the job panel to review on the spot. This upsets the normal flow of the interview. Be sure to FedEx or hand deliver a hard copy of enough copies of your resume to human resources before the interview. Having your resume printed out on special resume paper will give it that special touch. Don't fax it.

More on resumes here: http://www.eatstress.com/resume.htm

"Captain Bob" www.eatstress.com

[FFighterRob]

I get a few calls a month from people wanting to know if they should call or send a thank you note to the people that sat on their interview panel. Please don’t.

Also people who were told the results would be out in two weeks and it's been three ask, "Should I call and see what is going on"? Please don't. Very few departments get test results out on time, entry level or for a B/C test.

Good Luck, Capt Rob
www.myfireinterview.com
nrtc@sonic.net
(707)869-1330

[donedeal]

I get a few calls a month from people wanting to know if they should call or send a thank you note to the people that sat on their interview panel. Please don’t.

I'd like to hear some other opinions on this one. I've always been told you should send a thank you letter following any interview, regardless of the industry.

[CaptBob]

I'd like to hear some other opinions on this one. I've always been told you should send a thank you letter following any interview, regardless of the industry.

The firefighter interview can't be compared to any other industry. That's one of the problems with entry level firefighter candidates have trying to use regular job and corporate interview skills. More on the differences of regular compared to fire interviews here: http://www.eatstress.com/new_page_2.htm

Like Rob, I don’t believe in thank you letters. Often panel members are not from the department you’re testing for and it’s hard for panel members to remember the candidates. The decisions can already be made before you can lick the stamp to mail your thank you letter. If it will make you feel and sleep better go ahead and send them.

"Captain Bob" www.eatstress.com

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I guess the fact that the WT is non-existent will give rise to more of this blatant advertising that was stopped before.

And yes, it will give rise to more of my efforts to stop it.

You do not have to pat anything to get a FF job. Hundreds of thousands-perhaps millions-of FF have been hired w/o any help from cap'n bobby and jr. Do not waste your money. Find local resources to help you. They are there if you look.

[nmfire]

George, you're getting soft. I was really looking forward to you refering to them as "Capt Bob and his Spawn".

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

George, you're getting soft. I was really looking forward to you refering to them as "Capt Bob and his Spawn".

I usually save that for the third or fourth post.

[owenscott]

I dont know, bob says some stuff that makes sense.

[nmfire]

On occasion, along with his e-business card at the end of every statement for free advertising. Of course, he also says some things that make no sense or are of questionable practice... also with his e-business card attached.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I dont know, bob says some stuff that makes sense.

So does the village idiot every once in awhile.

[Latron]

As far as the thank you note, I don't understand how this could hurt.

I have only been to one interview, but there were two members from the Fire and Police Commission, which is a voluntary position. Maybe it won't get you hired, but isn't it just good practice to show some appreciation after these people took the time, and some volunteered their time, to invite you into their station and offer you an interview?

[JayDudley]

Latron....If you feel you send a thank you to certain individuals....then by all means send them. It doesn't hurt to send them...but you have to understand that sometimes they never reach the people who should be getting them.

[CALFFBOU]

If you just completed a CHIEF'S ORAL, then I would do a thank you note. If its the first oral board, no.

[CaptBob]

In all reality you have to make a high enough score in the body of your presentation for your oral board that is going to stun the panel into considering you before you leave the room. Instantly delivering, faxing or mailing thank you letters is not going to all of a sudden put the brakes on with those making the decisions who’s going forward to give you a second look. It just doesn’t happen that way. If you think that way you probably still believe in the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny and still leave out milk and cookies for Santa.

The problem is too many candidates don’t have their stuff in place before they walk into the room. Often it’s a huge error that tanks their score. For some they’re closer than they realize and only a few adjustments could make the difference.

Again, If it will make you feel and sleep better go ahead and send them.

"Captain Bob" www.eatstress.com

[JayDudley]

Captain Bob....It's just a thank you. If a candidate feels he/she wants to send a thank you letter to those who were on the board...I see no reason to do so. However you and I know that in some cases they never reach those individuals. The plus here is the candidate feels he/she has done their duty and sent a thank you letter off. There is NO chance that it will change their score as it is totaled after they leave the room....but the candidate will feel better.

[MontvilleFire39]

Please Don't...keep posting this garbage. Seriously, this is a forum and not free advertising. You play on the emotions of young, eager, and impressionable people who are just dying to get a fire career started all in the name of a quick buck for you.

[nmfire]

Capt Bob and his offspring are two of the non-existant webteam's protected children of the forum. Capt Bob allegedly writes articles so they let him do whatever he wants in the forum. I have that in writing from the WT last year. I don't know what was more amazing, that or the fact that the WT actually responded.

Capt. Bob is a contributor of ours so we allow him to to post and put up his business info. He is not compensated for his articles so that is why we allow him to do so.

Some people find his advise useful. Some do not. That is all based on opinion.

Thank you, Webteam

[JayDudley]

Look it's their web site ....their rules....nobody forces you to click to Bob or Robs' web site.....soooooooo....get over it and turn the page.