Rock Your Interview

BY MARK ROSSI

“As the first line goes, so goes the fire.” Stretch the first hoseline right and you may not need another. Well, when it comes to interviewing, be it for a new job as a firefighter or a promotional interview, your first few actions will dictate the outcome as well.

Here’s why: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This quote says it all. How you dress, how you enter a room, and your body language will either show the oral board you are confident or it will show them you are defeated.

• Ready For a Promotion? Tell a Story
• Remaking Your Department’s Promotional Process
• Promotional Exams for Company Officers
• Promotional Assessment Centers: Understanding the Process

The Art of Interviewing

Interviewing is both a skill and an art. You can learn some of the basics in a classroom setting, workshop, or one-on-one in-person setting. But you won’t learn about it in fire school. And while you may find great books on interviewing, a textbook doesn’t give you any feedback on your answers.

In the world of interviewing, practice is key, but memorizing an answer to a question while standing in front of a mirror is not the way to perfect this skill. Perfecting the art of interviewing takes time—lots of time. Candidates who consistently score the highest on interviews have taken the time to research, think, develop, design, and study their answers to possible questions and scenarios so no matter what is asked in their interview they are well-versed and prepared.

Types of Interviews

Here’s an overview of 12 types of interviews, some more common than others.

1. Structured interview. If the interviewer asks predetermined questions in a consistent, standardized manner, you’re at a structured interview. All the candidates will need to answer the same set of questions, in the same order. This allows for fair and objective comparisons between candidates. When fire departments use this approach, they can collect consistent and reliable information and minimize the potential for bias or subjective interpretations.
2. Unstructured interview. With a free-flowing, conversational approach to reveal your personality, an unstructured interview includes open-ended questions. In many cases, your response will solicit a follow-up question or a deeper probe into certain topics.
3. Semi-structured interview. Combining elements of both structured and unstructured interviews, a semi-structured interview includes predetermined questions with the option for the interviewer to follow up or delve deeper into certain topics.
4. Behavioral interview. Designed to evaluate past actions of candidates to predict future job performance and problem-solving abilities, a behavioral interview requires you to provide specific examples of how they handled different situations often found in the fire service such as dealing with conflicts, solving problems, or morals and ethics.
5. Situational interview. In a situational interview, the interviewer presents hypothetical scenarios to assess decision making, critical thinking, and adaptability. Interviewers generally evaluate candidates based on how well they can provide all the possible outcomes or actions they would take to handle the scenarios.
6. Panel interview. In a panel interview, you’ll meet with multiple interviewers simultaneously. Panel interviews are often part of the promotional process for rank-specific promotional exams such as company officer or chief officer.
7. Group interview. An effective way to assess teamwork, communication, and leadership skills among multiple candidates simultaneously is a group interview. You and other candidates may be asked to participate in group activities, such as role playing or group discussions. The group may also have to solve a problem or complete a task as part of the evaluation.
8. Stress interview. Interviewers looking to test your ability to handle stress and maintain composure may conduct a stress interview. The interviewer may use aggressive questioning, criticism, or interruptions to create an atmosphere of tension and pressure during the interview. Be ready for any combination of voice-stress tests, polygraph interviews, and psychological interviews.
9. Phone interview. Efficient for preliminary screening for remote or geographically dispersed candidates, phone interviews can be structured or unstructured. You may have a phone interview with a single interviewer or with a panel of interviewers.

10. Video interview. The best remote alternative to in-person interviews, video interviews save time and resources on travel and logistics. A video interview will happen over a video conferencing platform like Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.

11. Informational interview. Usually done over the phone or on a video platform, informational interviews usually last 20 to 30 minutes. These informal conversations give you a chance to speak with someone working in a career field that interests you. An informational interview is not a job interview.

12. Job simulation. Also called a case interview, a job simulation evaluates your problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills. In a job simulation or case interview, you get a hypothetical scenario or problem related to the job you are applying for. You must analyze the situation, identify the key issues, and propose a solution or a course of action.

The most common interview for a fire-service initial or promotional interview is still a structured panel interview, with the online (or video-based interview) structured interview taking a close second.

Questions often include a combination of standard static questions and dynamic (scenario-based) questions. Departments can use the online video format to provide access to prescreened candidates ready for further processing and employment consideration. The review panel can consider several candidates over a period of time vs. a more limited number of those who interviewed in person.

The Interview: New Firefighter Hire vs. Promotional Candidate

Interview panels can tell who did their due diligence and who did the bare minimum to prepare. Poor candidates will try to “wing” their answers, typically failing the interview long before it’s over. Top-scoring candidates, on the other hand, are well-prepared and execute their interview strategy before every interview. They have a game plan, an all-in attitude, and a blueprint to help them succeed. They have mastered the art of interviewing and have perfected the skill as well.

If you’ve been proactive in your interview prep process, you probably have a good idea of what to expect. If you’re well-versed in common questions and confident in your public speaking skills, you may even enjoy the interview.

Being nervous is normal. To minimize nervousness, prepare ahead of time and take every opportunity to make sure you’re ready. If public speaking is not your forte, take classes to gain confidence in speaking or seek out help in feeling comfortable with talking in front of small to large groups of people. If you’re prepared, you won’t be caught off-guard when an interviewer asks you something specific—even if you’re nervous.

If you’re a firefighter new hire candidate or promotional candidate, take the most common interview questions and write out your answers. Then use the answers as a study guide. This exercise will force you to come up with detailed answers, often with specific examples. If you don’t take the time to learn the answers to common questions, you are more likely to have a poor showing at your interview.

The promotional interview is likely your final chance to prove that you are the right person for the job. If you’re interviewing for a promotion, come up with three proactive goals you could achieve at the rank you are pursuing. Make them specific and measurable to the position. As an example, if you are interviewing for the next captain position and your department doesn’t have a specific tactic on how to fight garden-style structure fires, maybe one of your goals can be to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) on how these structure fires will be fought. You can include the design and delivery of departmentwide training to support the new SOP.

The interview is usually the final stage of the promotional or assessment process. It will determine where your career goes next. The competition can be intense and the pressure overwhelming. Again, your preparation is key. The questions will most likely be rank specific and center around operations, training, administrative skills, personnel, and customer service. Expect follow-up questions to your initial answers. This is the time for the interview panel to gauge your character and validate your answers. The more specific and measurable your answers, the higher your score will be. More importantly, the interview panel will know whether you are the right person for the job!

Ways to Successfully Rock Your Interview

Your Mindset

It all starts with the right attitude and the right mindset. Before you embark on the interview process or the promotional process, make sure it is what YOU want to do. If you are entering the fire service because someone else told you to but you don’t really believe in it yourself, you are wasting your time.

The process of becoming a firefighter will test your mental and physical strength. The average length of time for the typical hiring process (after your education is completed) is anywhere from six months to a year—or more. The same can be said with making the decision to promote. Hopefully, if you have decided to promote, it is because you want to make the fire service better than you found it. The average promotional process can last anywhere from one to two years, which spans from initial prep to the actual promotional exam.

Both decisions should be carefully considered. Once you have decided to go “all in,” make your preparation a priority and give it a 110 percent effort. This must be your mindset and attitude if you want to come out on top.

Your Research

What department is right for you? What do you hope to get out of a career? What is pushing your decision toward a large or small department? Why do you want to promote? If promoted, how are you going to make your agency and the fire service better than you found it? These are just some of the many questions you, as the candidate, need to ask yourself and honestly answer, whether you are trying to get hired or making the decision to promote. Make sure you ask friends, family, and current employees about the department. Do the department’s goals align with your professional goals?

Do not simply rely on the internet for your research. You are about to decide where you will spend half of your life if you are just entering the fire service or in a new position if you are thinking about promoting. Make sure you are ready for the new responsibilities that come with the new role. Seek the advice of others and do your homework.

Your Application

Filling out a job application is the first step to starting a new career in the fire service or letting the department know you are serious about the promotional process. The more you understand the job application process, the more effective your search is for the right department or future role.

The job application is the full set of materials you submit to a department as a new hire firefighter candidate. Depending on the agency, the application may be online or in person. Providing all the elements of a job application is a great step toward getting an interview. It is also the right step in being added to the promotional roster as a potential candidate for the next step in your career.

Most fire department applications include a form, a request for a resume, and space to write further information about your education and experience, including background information, certifications, and references. Here are some additional tips on completing the application as a new firefighter or promotional candidate:

• Pay attention to detail. Read all the information and any additional directions on the job application carefully. Pay attention to when the application process closes and submit the application prior to the closing date. In some agencies, time dictates your seniority if you are head-to-head with your competition or scores are tied.
• Respond honestly. Make sure that all the information in your application is accurate and a true account of your experience and qualifications. Your application and resume must be consistent.
• Research the position. Take the time to get to know the department you would like to work for and fully understand the job description, especially if this is for a promotional exam. Use your research and experience to tailor your job materials to the specific job posting on your application and resume.
• Proofread your application. Review and edit all your application materials to make sure you have no grammatical mistakes or formatting errors in your documents. Also, maintain a consistent and simple design, such as the same font and font color, so your application materials are easy to read. An organized job application stands out and looks professional. Before you submit your materials, ask a friend or family member to review your application for any typos or errors.
• Make copies. If you cannot make an actual copy of the application, ask human resources to e-mail you a copy. This will give you a reference point for that future interview. You’ll want this as a reference, so your answers are consistent—even you have a substantial waiting period between the application and initial interview.
• Ask questions. When you are unsure about a portion of the job application, try to find an answer to your question by reviewing the directions. If you still have any concerns, reach out to human resources.

Your Resume

You want your resume to be a snapshot of who you are so the board can quickly scan and look over your education and experiences. With that in mind, make sure your resume is condensed to one page.

As this is your only chance to make a first impression, you want your resume to look as professional as possible. Check your resume for grammatical errors. Use watermarked resume paper that looks professional and an off-color of white. Your competition will take the easy way out and print their resumes on white printer paper because it is cheap and easy and requires no extra effort. Again, if you settle for mediocrity, expect to be in the hiring process for a lengthy time or repeating the promotional process.

Bring several copies of your resume to your interview. When you go to the interview, you will probably not need to provide additional copies of the cover letter, references list, or folder of certifications, unless the department asks you to.

Your Attire

You’ve heard the term “dress for success.” This is real and an important part of interviewing. When preparing for a job interview, wearing the right outfit can help you feel comfortable and confident. If you are going for that promotion, dress the part. Wear your full Class A (minus the lid).

While a fire department may interview you based on your credentials and the information in your application documents, dressing appropriately can also help you make a strong first impression as someone who is professional and prepared.

What is the right kind of attire? Plan to wear formal clothing, meaning suits for men and pantsuits or a skirt/blouse for women. Avoid wearing anything exotic, flashy, or potentially inappropriate.

It’s important that your hair is groomed, any facial hair is neatly shaven or trimmed, and you remove any visible piercings prior to the interview. If you have tattoos on your arms, cover them up. The minor details are also important, so limit the amount of cologne/perfume that you’re using, ensure your nails are trimmed, and make sure you are clean shaven (for the men). Remember, the fire service is a paramilitary organization. Dress the part and remember your audience.

Your Body Language

Body language is a simpler term for kinesics, which is defined as “a systematic study of the relationship between nonlinguistic body motions (such as blushes, shrugs, or eye movement) and communication,” according to Merriam-Webster. Because of kinesics, the interview starts long before you say a word. Even the way you enter a room helps set the tone for the interview. Look your interviewers in the eye when they shake your hand. Be pleasant and professional.

Kinesics includes the use of posture, facial expression, movement, and gestures to communicate nonverbally. How you, as the candidate, send the right messages is part of the nonverbal conversation. In an interview setting, your body language can help you or harm you.

Keep your head up and your shoulders back. This will display a sign of confidence, whereas walking in with your eyes focused on the floor and your head down will not help you at all. In fact, this would show a sign of defeat before you even say anything. When you sit, choose a position ideal for making eye contact. It’s fine to sit against the back of a chair if it doesn’t cause you to slouch. Don’t fidget or spin in a chair. Not only is this a sign of nervousness, but the interviewer could take it as a sign of disrespect.

When the interviewer speaks, lean slightly forward to show that you’re engaged. You can also show that you’re engaged by alternating between sitting up and leaning in. Avoid folding your arms. If your interviewer stops making eye contact during an interview, you can try to reengage by asking a question or volunteering some additional information about a subject you have been discussing.

By practicing in advance in front of a mirror or camera, you can develop positive nonverbal communication skills and confidently use body language during your interview. The more you practice, the less you will need to think about that aspect of the interview. After concentrating on your own body language, you will be more attuned to your interviewer’s nonverbal cues. This will help you control the course of the interview.

Your Preparation

Preparation for an interview is critical. The biggest interview mistake you can make is going unprepared. Prepping the day before an interview is not going to cut it. The appropriate preparation for an interview should take anywhere from three to four weeks, sometimes longer for the promotional candidate.

Earlier in this article, I mentioned creating a study guide for yourself by writing out the answers to the most common interview questions. When you do this, use bullet points rather than writing out long paragraphs. This format will be easier to refer to and easier to use as a study tool for future interviews or promotional exams.

Have a response ready for one of the most common interview openers of all: Tell us about yourself. Your answer can set the stage for a successful interview. It can also send the interview down the wrong path right away.

If you are a new hire candidate, consider breaking your answer down to demographics (department statistics such as number of stations, call volume, number of personnel, square miles covered by the agency, and other related details), education, work experience, and hobbies. This will present you as a well-rounded candidate. If you are a promotional candidate, you can use a similar format, but your answers will be based on your current and former roles as they relate to the position you are seeking.

Use bullet points to list the four areas mentioned above that you feel will be important for the interviewer to know about. Then refine these bullet points down to a two- to three-minute answer. Be specific and provide examples. Don’t forget to “connect the dots” as to why you decided on a fire service career or made the decision to promote.

Your Interview

The big day is here. You’ve done your research, you have a professional resume, you’re dressed to impress, and you’ve completed the required preparation.

Here’s the catch: Nailing an oral interview takes more than preparation and practice. If you want to get hired, you need to tell a story about why you’re the perfect person for the role. You need an honest narrative that portrays who you are and what you value. Be specific. Pay attention to detail. Show confidence, not arrogance.

Make your story personal and show passion for the job you are seeking or the promotion you are pursuing. When you take the interviewers on this journey, you give them a chance to really understand your character and what you stand for. The more personal your story, the more you will set yourself apart from the competition.

Following up with the agency after an interview may or may not have a significant impact on your success. While it may have a better chance of making an impact if you’ve interviewed at a smaller department, it can never hurt to follow up, reiterate your interest, and thank the interviewers for their time.

Final Tips

This list of helpful hints includes some of the points included throughout this article plus a few additional tips to get you to the interview finish line.

1. Show passion and arrive with a positive attitude.
2. Dress for success and dress to impress.
3. Be punctual.
4. Thank the board for their time.
5. Tell a personal story and make it stick.
6. Be sure to mention how personal failures have made you a stronger person and how they have shaped who you are today.
7. Use relevant and specific examples in your answers.
8. Tell them how you will make the fire service better if they hire you.
9. Never talk about your competition or other agencies in a negative way.

10. Have several copies of your one-page resume, on resume paper.

11. Tell them you want the job.

12. Be humble and remember you are not entitled. You must earn it like those who came before you.

How Badly Do You Want It?

“If it is important to you, you will find the time. If not, you’ll find an excuse.”

This quote can be applied to so many aspects of life. As a candidate preparing for an interview, are you OK with mediocrity, or do you want to strive to be number one? When it comes down to preparation, you can make excuses, you can be complacent, and you can be just plain lazy. But don’t forget about your competition. There’s always another candidate who wants the same job or promotion as you. What is your time worth, and how badly do you want to be hired or promoted?

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MARK ROSSI is a captain and 24-year veteran of the fire service assigned to Fort Lauderdale (FL) Fire Department Engine 8. He is the host of the Rock Your Interview podcast and owner of Rockstar Training & Consulting Interview & Promotional Prep. He has written more than 20 articles for Fire Engineering and has been featured as a guest speaker on the Humpday Hangout and Code 3 podcasts. Rossi has delivered his interactive “Rock Your Interview” workshop at various fire academies and training conferences across the country. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance and an MBA from the University of Florida. He is currently working on publishing his first book, Rock Your Interview, and is pursuing a doctoral degree.