Interview tips

Futbalfantic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Location
Charlotte
I'm going in for my 3rd Interview for a city fire department and I need some tips on how to present my self and what to sell. Does anyone have any Interviewer experience in a big corporation... better yet a fire department. What do you look for, What attributes do you want and not want? Any Advice?
 
Just be the real you.
No matter what the job is...they are hiring you. If they hire what you are trying to represent....then you'll have to continue to represent that. You fail....they fire.
Be open, honest, friendly.
Look them in the eye and shake their hand, coming in and going out.
 
Good advice, to that I will add:
Be well groomed. Hair neat, cloths neat. And don't wear the hip stuff. Wear normal cloths that are in good order and match. including shoes.
Go in with a positive upbeat, attitude. Shake hands.
Listen carefully to what he or she says. Answer questions with direct answers. Not "well, I dunno, or I usually" If you honestly don't know. a " I have never been put into that situation. or an honest I don't know, and follow it with a I hope you can train me to know, it sounds important.
Above all listen to the interviewer. at some point you should be given an opportunity to ask questions. Make them good questions.
End he interview with a handshake, and a positive " I look forward to hearing back from you. Walk away with confidence just as you walk in.
Good luck
 
Definitely come up with some questions for the interviewer. It's a two-way process -- this is as much your opportunity to find out about them, and decide for sure if this is a place you'd like to work. Find out what's going on internally -- if they've had a new chief recently or new city manager, if the city has changed some policies, contracts, etc, that would affect your job. Those are good things to base questions on. Not only does it show that you're interested and engaged in the process, but their answers can reveal a good deal about how the organization works.

Hope that helps.
 
Good Advice.

Good luck with the interview.

Later.
 
talk about the job and what it can do for you, your future, your personal development.

I interviewed a guy once, wanted to go to work for my business. For over an hour, all he would talk about and ask questions about was his salary, insurance, benefits, time off, vacations, holidays, etc. He never once asked me one question about what the job entailed, where it would take him, etc. Needless to say, he got a "thanks but no thanks". Salary benefits, etc will come later. You have to get them to want you and like you first.

Look the interviewer in the eye. Use "yes sir" and "no mam" enough but not too much.
 
Yeah these things mentioned are things that I have done with my past 2 interviews, but for some reason or other they did not find me the "most qualified." Is taking notes during the interview a no-no? I think that is the biggest thing that trips me up... is not remember the question fully and tripping over my answer. Any tips to make me stand out?
 
It may be you are not the most qualified. This may be able to be over come. Simply state, " for a great job like this I know you may have some others that are more qualified, but I assure you, you won't find anyone else more willing to learn, and work hard at what ever needs to be done. Give me the opportunity, and I will earn it, and prove to you I am the best choice.
 
You have some great advice here, in the pat five years I have hired probably 100 people and interviewed probably10 for every hire.

If this is your 3rd interview, (I am reading this as 3rd with same company/position) you are doing something right. If this is the 3rd different interview for the 3rd different psoition..well that point doesnt apply.

A FIRM handshake and sincerity are HUGE keys to me. Dont tell them what they want to hear, bu dont tell them exactly what they don't want to hear either. Be honest, but don't damn yourself.

Notes are ok, but dont make the interviewer uncomfortable. Personally I would never take notes, I want to be watching the other person and responding. If you are giving an answer and you sense it is making them uncomfortable, clarify what you are trying to say, or at a minnimum know what to avoid later in the interview
 
In a fire department you have to stress teamwork. Don't go in talking about everything you can do but how you can work well with others. Stress safety! Don't brag about personal accomplishments, fire departments don't like hotdoggers.
 
SkyHiK5 said:
A FIRM handshake
Click to expand...

That means both, not some limp-wristed :gay: shake NOR a Conan "break every bone in their hand" shake! Our last candidate dang near crippled all the the women he came in contact with...

so as stated, shake *firmly*, but leave the "show of strength" for activities like haulin' hoses! :lol:
 
Yeah the only problem with fire department interviews is the fact they are 100% strucurted (sp) and only about 20 mins long... so I have to impress them within those constrants... everyone gets the same excat quesiton
 
I was contemplating getting out of the Marines and did a lot of reading. one thing they said is to not mention whats in it for you. They said you want to bring out your strengths. Key words like confidence and such help. They also said to mention how you can be an asset to the business. My line of work is different from yours. I had apretty good resume and was getting discouraged but then I got an offer making 85k and another in Raleigh, the same day I was told i could stay in. Good Luck and hopefully the New Year brings you a new job.
 
What would be a good answer to the question. "Why the cary fire department" or Why (city)....
 
" I have heard good things about the Cary Dept. Responce times, teamwork, but for the most part, the guys that work here seem happy with their job,...I'd like to be part of that."
 
All of these bits of advice are right on the mark. I'm a career firefighter with High Point and as far as what to wear I've always heard dress appropriately for the position you are applying for. I wore khakis and a golf shirt and felt comfortable. Be ready for questions like what word would best describe you and why this department and profession. The usual answer is "I just want to help people" is fine but wow them with something else. And be ready to "define" your one word answer. Good luck and by the way, High point is taking applications too.
 
Yeah I have an interest card for them that I need to get into the mail. Thanks everyone for the tips.
Dan
 
Back
Top