"Sacrifice" Question and How to leave the interview?

[b52turkish]

A question about the "what sacrifices have you made?" question.

I am currently in a job that pays approx $70k a year. I love it, but it isn't what I really want to do. Obviously a rookie fire fighter makes half that. If i am asked the "what sacrifices have i made" question, do I say I gave up a better paying job? I am guessing I would be shooting myself in the foot if I do, but I wanted a second opinion from the experts.


Also, How do you conduct yourself when the interview is done? I have heard conflicting answers on whether or not you should ask questions if they ask you if you have any questions.

Before you leave, should you shake the hand of the board members again?

Would "I appreciate the opportunity to be here, thank you for your time" be a good closing/exiting statement?

thanks for any help guys.

[OlieCan]

I dont personally think the money thing would be a shot in the foot, its definatly a sacrafice, just make sure you say it the right way.

I would maybe say something like "This is something thats I've always wanted to do, and I'm leaving a higher paying job to be here" Doesn't sound snotty, but still ets them know you're passionate about it.

You could also say something else in there too, after the money thing, say, but money aside, I... (insert sarafice here)

Good luck

[JayDudley]

As a person who has done and still does oral interviews....let me say this:
If a person has a $70 K job and loves it and wants to be a Firefighter at half the wages..who's to say he or she might not like it and move on. That is , he or she likes the job(loves it) and loses the mood . I would say that if you love your job and the money stay there. You might become disappointed and decide you made the wrong move. There are some who just can not do the job as Firefighter. So think hard before you make that decesion.

Respectfully,
Jay Dudley, Retired Fire

[b52turkish]

I do love my current job, but I know it isn't for me anymore. Firefighting is what I am truly passionate about right now and I am more than willing to give up the money and a good job for something I really want to do. Firefighting is a calling, you know it when you know it.

[crk1972]

People in the fire service are not here for the money, as long as you are aware you are going to poss make less for a while and you think you may ejoy being a firefighter I say go for it. It's not all about the money. When you are at a job you enjoy your life is ten times better.

I do, however, would suggest you shy away from giving the info of you leaving your job of 70k to be thre...unless they ask.

[coachleather]

First off never never talk about money in an oral board, it is a huge can of worms. Again never talk about money. Use this question as another opportunity to tell the panel more about yourself. What sacrifices have I made, well for me, I put myself through college, while working as a part time manager of a warehouse and working as a volunteer FF. In that answer I can show ten ways how I sacrificed, none of them talking about money and all the while giving them more good info about myself. Remember use every opportunity in the oral board to let them know more positive things about you. As an interviewer I wouldn't want to know how much you made at your other job or how much you were giving up, I really wouldn't care. I want to know what your about and who you are and bottom line, if I had too would I want to work for 24 hours 8 days a month with you? Good luck