I thought I would discuss what being recruited means, however from the prospective of the fire department.  I have taken this approach with many of my members who have asked about the interview process.  It seems to help them get their heads around interview anxiety, as well as be able to settle down in the interview and answer the questions in a professional manner. 

Fire departments have a huge decision to make when it comes to hiring a new recruit.  I have talked about this in my book “The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter”.  Fire departments aren’t just hiring for the short term, literally they are hiring for the long term.  Unlike every big investment you will make in your life such as buying a home for example, you can get out of it; you could sell the home, move… whatever.  The point is some of the biggest decisions we make typically we can get out of it one way or another.  When a fire department hires a new recruit they are making a 25 to 30 year commitment, no questions asked.  

Instead of looking at your interview from your prospective, we all know what that entails… getting hired could mean you can start your life, maybe settle down, have kids, buy a house, and the list goes on.  Sometimes the easiest way to get what you want is to give others what they want.  So I’m going to let you in on an earth-shattering secret.

The whole purpose of an interview and interview process no matter how in-depth it is or not is to find out and confirm that you are who you say you are and you believe in what you say you believe in.  Fire departments realistically have a very short period of time and realistically limited resources to determine that you are deserving of the job and I’m not talking about qualifications because if you weren’t qualified you wouldn’t have got the interview in the first place.   I’m talking about character… do you process the characteristics that the fire service is built upon such as honor, integrity, adaptability, discipline, great people skills, determination, and so on.  If you don’t have these personality traits then the fire service will go down the tubes.

Next time when you’re preparing for your interview and you’re thinking about the potential questions you could be asked.  Just keep in mind all they’re trying to do is ask you a series of questions that help them determine you are who you say you are, will you fit it in, and not in any way shape or form threaten the reputation that the fire service has fought so hard to obtain.

Things seem a lot simpler and clearer when you do the role reversal. If you’re not having any luck with interviews, it could be possible that you’re just not giving the fire department much to go on.  It’s not to say that you don’t process all those traits listed above, however it could be said that you didn’t portray those traits in your interview.  

Hope this has helped for your next interview.

Over & Out!