Mastering the interview process

A CONVERSATIONAL GUIDE PART ONE: IT ’S AN INTERVIEW NOT AN OUTERVIEW Mastering the Interview Process by Rommie L. Duckworth Tuesday, October 11, 2011

What qualities are YOU looking for?

The Interview

How To Succeed in Three Steps
Step 1) Be Natural.
Step 2) Be Introspective.
Step 3) Be Relaxed.

Types of Interviews
Formal Interview Board.
Usually five to twelve questions.
Everyone gets the same questions the same way.
The questions have limitations that you can use!
Informal Interview.
More Conversational.
Back and Forth with some follow up.

Know your Job

Bring it with you
Your Resume / CV
Your Certifications.
Other paperwork as requested.
Bring enough for everyone (10 copies).
Use binders.

Hand / Eye Coordination
Make Eye Contact
Firm Handshake
Address their title
Everyone in the room

The first person to interview you, is YOU!
You run the interview!
They ask the questions, but YOU wrote the study guide!
Don ’t leave anything on the table.

What are THEY asking questions for?

How to Answer: Be the TOP!
T ruthfully!
Self Explanatory?
Introspection. There ’s work involved!
O n the Job!
Give each answer as YOU are the in the DEPARTMENT and the JOB applied for.
Example: “As a firefighter for the XYZ FD I would…”
P ositive!
Stay upbeat and optimistic with each answer.
Some questioned are posed with built-in negativity.
Example Phrases: happy, love, excited

What to Answer: Use your ACE!
A nswer the Question
What you say MUST answer the question asked.
Ask them to repeat the question any time you need.
C onnect
Show why you are special.
Phrases: the right candidate, the best, right fit,
E xamples
This is the proof. Don’t just say it, show it.
Phrases: shown, demonstrated, proven

Dress for Success
Follow the instructions that they give you.
If none, then a suit or at least a tie.
Nice Shoes.
Haircut.
Grooming.

How to Finish: Summ Tanks
Summarize
Repeat Question
Summarize Answer
10-Q
Thank You lets them know that you’ve finished speaking.
Thank You lets YOU know that you’ve finished speaking!
T.O.P. A.C.E.

What to Answer / How to Answer
Review
T RUTHFUL
O N THE JOB
P OSITIVE
A NSWER THE QUESTION
C ONNECT
E XAMPLE
S UMMARIZE
10-Q !
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
1) Opening
Your Demographics
Your Background
Your Family / Hobbies
Your Experience / Employment
Why you are here.
Thank you.

Question Categories
2) Tell us about…
What do you like to do?
What are your hobbies?
What do you do for fun?
Tell us about your life outside the firehouse.
How are you involved in your community?
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
3) Why are you right for the job? (Three Positive Attributes)
Why do you want this job?
When did you decide on this career?
How did you decide to become a firefighter?
Why do you want to work for this city or agency?
What is the job of a firefighter? Are you qualified?
What are the attributes of a firefighter? What is the most important one to you?
What have you done to prepare for this position?
What are you bringing to the job?
Why would we select you over the other candidates?
How would you become a team member with the Department?
What would you contribute to the Department?
What problems would you anticipate in taking a position with the Department?
What types of projects would you take on as a team member with the Department?
Have you ever been in an emergency situation? What did you do?
What motivates you?
How do you measure success?
What are you passionate about?
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
4) Strengths / Weaknesses
What are your Strengths?
Most Positive Attribute
Weaknesses?
Problem into Opportunity
What would your employer say about you?
What would your friends say is your best / worst quality?
What do you say when you don't know an answer to a question?
What word would best describes you in a positive way? A negative way?
What do people praise you for? Criticize you?
Who was your best boss / worst boss?
What is your greatest accomplishment / failure?
In what work environment do you feel the most comfortable?
What gives you the most satisfaction?
How do you work under pressure?
If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
5) Site Specific Questions
What do you know about this city or agency?
What is the population and make up of our city?
What are the Fire Department target hazards in town?
How will you change your personal schedule to accommodate your fire department schedule?
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
6) Skill Specific Questions
Describe the proper method to force entry through a double hung window.
Explain how a pump governor differs from a pressure regulator.
What is the role of the nozzleman in engine company operations?
What are your treatment priorities for a patient complaining of severe chest pain?
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
7) Emergency Scenarios
Incidents
Structure Fire
Technical Rescue
Motor Vehicle Accident
Emergency Medical Incident
Hazardous Materials Incident
Mnemonics
RECEO VS
REVIS
WALLACE WAS HOT
NAT WAC LAST
ABCs
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
8) Ethical Scenarios
Stop if Safety
Gather Info
Correct the problem immediately if within your job.
Report it up C.O.C.
Drinking or drugs on the job
Stealing on the job?
Conflict with another employee?
Irate citizen?
An employee crisis at an emergency?
Sexual harassment?
Racial situation?
Conflicting orders at an emergency?
An order that could place you in great danger or be morally wrong?
What method do you use for problem solving?
How do you handle conflict?
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
9) Your Future Here
How far do you want to go in the fire service?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Are you on any other hiring lists? What would you do if another city called you?
How long do you plan to be with us?
When can you start if we offered you the job?
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
10) Closing
Why you are the right person for this job.
Big Finish!
Thank you.
T.O.P. A.C.E.

Question Categories
Opening
Context
Tell us about…
Begin to relate
Why are you right for the job?
(Three Positive Attributes)
Strengths / Weaknesses
Don’t go to the dark side
Site / Skill Specific Questions
Look it up
Emergency Scenarios
Tactical Mnemonics
Ethical Scenarios
Stop, Gather, Correct and Report
Your Future Here
Here to stay
Closing
Big Finish!

Practice, practice, practice.
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

Questions?

www.romduckworth.com
For More Information Twitter: @ romduck Facebook : romduck Linked In : romduck For questions, comments, feedback and to find additional resources on this and other lecture topics find me at…

A CONVERSATIONAL GUIDE PART TWO: DON ’T PRESUME YOUR RESUME Mastering the Interview Process by Rommie L. Duckworth Tuesday, October 11, 2011

What qualities are YOU looking for?

What are THEY looking for?

Don ’t Presume your Resume
YOU ARE AWESOME!
One page Resume. More pages for a CV.
Follow the same format throughout.
No errors. Period.
YOU ARE AWESOME!

Components of your Resume / CV

Personal Information
Demographics
Placed on top

Employment

Education

Licenses / Certifications

Explorer Programs
Volunteering
Internships
Ride-Along
Union Positions
Service Experience

Citations and Awards
What are yours?

Skills and Abilities
What are yours?

Special Projects
Acting Assignments
Special Assignments
Union Work
Other Relevant Employment Experience
What are yours?
Acomplishments

Personal Strengths
What are yours?

Personal Goals / Objectives
What are yours?

Personal Interests / Hobbies
What are yours?

Professional Associations
What are yours?

References | Declaration

You will need PROOF!
Spell and Grammar check it.
When finished, proof it.
Have someone else proof it.
Print it saved in another font, and re-proof it.
Have someone else proof every revision.

Social Media Monitoring

Your Application
Follow Directions.

Physical Agility / CPAT
Consult your Physician First.
What are the requirements?
Attend Orientation / Demo.
Safety First.
Practice, Practice, Practice.
p90X!

The Testing Process
Application
Written Exam
Assessment Center
Interview Panel
Chief ’s / Officer’s Interview
Mayor ’s / H.R. Interview

Know your Written Test
What kind of written test are they using?
Who has taken these tests?
Is there a study guide?
General Study Guides.

Bring it with you
Your Resume / CV
Your Certifications.
Other paperwork as requested.
Bring enough for everyone (10 copies).
Use binders.

Questions?

A CONVERSATIONAL GUIDE PART THREE: YOU ’RE THE CENTER OF THE ASSESSMENT Mastering the Interview Process by Rommie L. Duckworth Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Assess Your Center First
Types of Promotional Assessment Centers
In-Box
Operational Scenarios
Tactical Scenarios
Leaderless Group
Subordinate Employee Counseling
Oral Presentation
Written Report

Assess Your Center First
Types of Promotional Assessment Centers
Structured
Situation Presented, then questions asked.
Evolving
Situation is changing, usually in real-time.
Interactive
Situation is dynamic, changing based upon the choices of the candidate.

The In Box
Assessment Centers Dimensions (KSA)
Be able to organize/prioritize the items given
Be able to work through most if not all, of the items
Delegate
Give clear and concise instructions
Give deadlines when delegating
Ensure follow-up
Properly Schedule
Manage conflicts
Make decisions

Leaderless Group
Initiates discussion
Keeps the group on track
Gets others involved
Supports others
"Sells" or sways the group
Clarifies issues
Identifies key points
Monitors time

Employee Counseling
Identify the problem
Give the employee specific goals
Include specific completion/due dates
Build in some form of monitoring their progress
Be specific as to what will happen if they fail to meet their goals
Try to elicit a verbal contract
Conclude on a positive note

Measure the Dimensions
Professional Experience
Personal Experience
Personal Judgment
Written Policies and Procedures
Other Relevant Paperwork
Relevant Law
Textbooks
Current Practitioners

Measure the Dimensions
Safety
Scene Management (Organization)
Delegation
Problem Solving / Decision Making

Assessment Center Assignments

Questions?

http://www.ems1.com	134
http://m.ems1.com	22
http://paper.li	16
http://www.romduckworth.com	15
http://us-w1.rockmelt.com	1
http://hootsuiteapps.com	1

Mastering the interview process

by Rommie Duckworth on Oct 11, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

6 Embeds 189

Statistics

Mastering the interview process Presentation Transcript