[Mindy]

Hi Ladies,

Thank you for your motivation in prep for my CPAT today! I passed with 1:36 to spare! I had a great experience and felt really strong thru the entire testing.
So, on to preparing for my interview. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If anyone remembers questions they were asked if you could share those that would be great.
Thank you to a couple of you who shared that during your interview you were asked specific task questions ie, what are the 4 classes of fire. Also, the idea to not rush out the door right after the interview but, to show confidence by shaking hands, thanking those by name etc. Much appreciated! Any other ideas anyone has!?

Mindy

[Marley]

Mindy,

Yeah! I wasn't even a little worried. I knew you'd breeze through the CPAT.

Now you can walk into that interview with your head held high and your shoulders back, not only because it makes you look confident, but because you've earned it. Nice going.

First impressions are everything. Walk in like you own the room. Pretend you're walking into an unknown situation--actually, you are. Assess the situation. Be alert and aware. Be confident. Look forward to this--if you want to be there, it will show. If you're nervous or hesitant, that will show, too.

Greet everyone individually, if you can, and be genuinely pleased to meet them. These are people who have been doing the job that you want to do. They deserve your respect.

Before you go in there, put yourself on the other side of the table. Visualise being an interviewer. What would you want to see in a candidate? What would be a turn off?

I'll let others think of possible questions. I'll just remind you: Head up, back straight, shoulders down and back. Take confident steps that eat up real estate, not little mincing steps. Walk with purpose. You're a firefighter. Look the part.
_________________
Marley
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Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it up. --Henry Ford

[Old Fire Gal]

Mindy --

Congratulations on doing so well on the CPAT! That's the biggest hurdle for most women.

I think one of the key elements of a good job interview is to show how much you want to be a firefighter. Many of the people on the other side of the table probably joined the fire service back at a time when the calling to be a firefighter was something special, and have come to feel that for lots of applicants now, it's just a job with good pay and benefits. If you have a passion for firefighting, a real drive to become a firefighter, let that show through.

Another thing you want to show the interviewers is what you can bring to the job. What is there about you that will make you an asset to their fire department? This might be skills learned in a former job, experience or expertise pertinent to some aspect of emergency response, or it might be more basic traits such as being a quick learner, remaining calm in a crisis, etc.

I took a fundraising class once, where they taught us, "You get the money when you figure out why they want to give it to you." I think the same thing is true about a job: you'll get it when you figure out why they want to hire you. As Marley, said, go in there and be that firefighter.

Good luck!

[protectNserve]

I've not been through an interview yet but recently purchased a book by ARCO to help with my exam. One of the chapters in the book is specific to the screening process, complete with mock interview questions, and may be able to help you prepare. The ISBN of the book is 0768918340, and it costs $14.99 at Branes N Noble.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE INTERVIEW!!!

[firething]

When I did my interview, i noticed that my interviewers' eyes lit up when I discussed my fitness history. I said I was not just getting in shape for the job, but have made fitness and strength a lifelong committment. They had asked what I did to prepare for the job. Also when they asked what my strengths are, I mentioned that I am a hard worker and am good at getting along with all different kinds of people. I stayed away from discussing anything gender-related since they did not bring it up.

[FF977]

I believe no matter how physically strong you are, how skilled you are, or how smart you are, one of the biggest strengths you can market yourself on is, getting along with people. Probably most problems in the station are related to people not being able to get along. Those interviewers are probably old chiefs that have had to manage people for many years, and know when you work in a unique workplace such as ours where you have to eat, sleep, and breathe for 24hrs with those boys (and very few women), that the biggest asset is the ability to get along with all kinds of people.

[Mindy]

Thank you for all of your input. I had an interview yesterday and thought I'd share some of the questions I was asked to help others of you prepare. My interview lasted just over an hour so, these are just a couple I remember!
How many years can you commit to our department?
What does Excellence mean to you?
What is the hardest decision you've had to make in your life?
What is your weakest personal attribute?
Tell me about a challenging time in your life and how you handled it.
Did you play sports in high school?
Why should I hire you?

So, my advice would be have answers ready to questions you think may be asked. Don't take a lot of time "pondering" but, think of an answer and go with it. Show confidence in your answer. Some great advice one of you shared earlier is..."make a decision, go with it, and don't look back." They want to know if you can make quick decisions, show confidence, and not doubt your thoughts and actions knowing you will have to live with your decision. We'll see what happens! Good luck ladies.

Mindy

[Old Fire Gal]

[Bump for Monica]

[FireSue]

As I read the posts I did not read anything about the importance of your appearance. The interview is being conducted for a number of reasons. Everyone prepares for the the question and answer period. Your appearance is very important. The first impression on the interviewers is very important. Make sure you are dressed in a professional manner. If you have any questions on what is appropriate and considered professional in your area check with your local colleges or professional women's group to find out what they recommend you wear to your interview. You want to make the statement that you are a serious canidate for the position. We all know that every point counts as to your placement on the hiring list.

[debcapt]

[debcapt]

Mindy, was the time limit 10 min 20 seconds? Was it pass fail or did they band it? Had you trained for a while. Was it the Columbus Oh test?

[Mindy]

Yes, the time limit was 10 min. 20 sec. It was pass/fail so the time didn't really matter anyway. I took this CPAT for a twp. near Columbus Ohio. The actual test however, was near Dayton. I trained for about 6 weeks. I am also a personal trainer myself so, I modified my workouts to prepare for the specific muscle groups that would need more attention. I had a great experience and felt a lot of support from everyone around which was very motivating!

[clbg]

Great ideas for the interview. One post mentioned appearance. I have my interview at the end of the month and am concerned about what to wear. For all my other job interviews I dressed in a suit with a blouse, jacket and skirt. Even when I was in the military the recommendation for official photos was a skirt. As firefighting is not the kind of job where a skirt is appropriate should I wear pants. I was also wondering about hair and makeup. I have long hair and was going to cut it if I got the job but was thinking it may be a good idea to go ahead with a short style. On the other hand as the interview is so close it may be better to just pull it up. I know not to wear excessive makeup but should I wear conservative makeup, I may feel "underdressed" without any makeup for an interview. Thanks and this is such a helpful message board