The Job Interview

The Job Interview A guide to public safety careers

OBJECTIVE • To assist potential interview candidates in successfully navigating the preparation and conduction of the Fire Recruit job interview in a logical, organized sequence of preparation techniques

CLASS ORGANIZATION • Length of class • Breaks • Homework

GETTING STARTED • Know yourself! • Three Types of Skills • Adaptive Skills • Transferable Skills • Job Related Skills

Adaptive Skills • Personality Traits • Basic personality traits to survive • Most of these traits are not taught • Considered “soft skills” • Employer’s value • Potential to develop

Adaptive Skills • Personal History Questionnaire • Resume • Education • Training • Experience

Adaptive Skills • Personal Traits Questionnaire • Describe Yourself (5 Adjectives) • Strengths/Weaknesses • Success Factors

Adaptive Skills • Accomplishments • Goals • Initiative • Communication • Listening • Speaking • Body Language • Honesty • Integrity • Work Ethic • Consistency • High Self Esteem • Motivated • Pride • Team Player • Handles Pressure • Decisive • Mature Attitude Success Factors

Transferable Skills • General skills useful in any job • Good writing skills • Good language skills • Ability to organize • Time management • (Ability to prioritize) • Relate all skills to Public Safety

Job Related Skills • Mechanical and manipulative skills • Physical skills • Skills may overlap – • process the information - • then apply information • Example: Learn rescue tool • Learn parts & maintenance • Put in operation & use • Department Research • Web Site • Mission Statement • Job Description

FIRST IMPRESSION • Image • No cell phone • Jewelry • Tattoos – Policy • Piercings GOOD: NOT SO GOOD:

FIRST IMPRESSION • Body Image • Shoulders back • Keep head erect • Do not fold arms • Do not cross legs • Legs close together • Posture slightly forward

FIRST IMPRESSION • Your actions • Handshake all panel members • Make eye contact • All within moderation • Gestures non-distracting • Gestures only to enhance statements

FIRST IMPRESSION • Smile! • Attentive eye contact • Nod your head affirmatively • Demeanor displays controlled energy • Non verbal feedback communicates • 60% of your message

FIRST IMPRESSION - Verbal • Verbal • Project your voice in conversation tone • Articulate clearly, do not mumble • Pause for emphasis • Ask for clarification • If necessary ask to repeat question • Pace – people often talk fast when nervous • Hear It • Understand It • Answer It (briefly, non-damaging) • Relate It (answer underlying question) • Know yourself!

FIRST IMPRESSION - Active Listening • Active listening = attentive to what is said • Don’t be distracted, your mind will wander • Don’t try to read what panel is writing • Disregard appearance of the panel • Listen objectively, don’t analyze • Understand what is being asked • Let interviewer finish speaking, …then pause, formulate, and answer

GET READY • Read the entire job announcement • Read the entire interview letter (make notes) • Recheck time, location, directions, parking, apparel, and items to bring • Practice your interview in the mirror • Practice mock interviews with a credible source • Video, audio recording

THE INTERVIEW • Difficult Interview Situations • Present flexible open view of future • Test – • Commitment • work ethic • goal setting ability • Negative Traits – turn positive

Morality/EEO Situational Questions • EEO = Equal Employment Opportunity • What is the law? • What is the EEO policy? • Zero tolerance – 100% response • Moral obligation • Initiate, Isolate, Identify, Investigate, Inform • The 5 “I”s

Direct orders • Don’t be lead • Understand Chain-of-Command • Know current related events • Fire Service world • Regionally • Nationally

Budget • Safety • Training • Maintenance • Cost Effectiveness • Obligation to Citizens • Customer Service

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS?????Your interview will be conducted without regard to your age, marital status, ethnic origin, sexual preference, gender or other protected classes. • When responding to the questions, focus on your skills, abilities and education which has prepared you for the position (i.e. for fire recruit when interviewing for fire recruit). • Help the interview panel to understand your passion and why you chose firefighting as a career. • If you need any accommodation for any disability, please contact City Personnel (236-6400) and request it before the interview or testing process. Do not discuss your request with Fire-Rescue Department personnel.

POST INTERVIEW • Write down the questions asked after you leave the building in private • DO NOT DISCLOSE QUESTIONS • Write down your questions and answers • Write down how you would like to have answered

Website Resources • www.sandiego.gov/empopp • www.firecareers.com • www.miramarcollege.net • www.swc.cc.ca.us • www.palomar.edu

Other Resources • Job Interviews That Get You Hired, Learning Express, Learning Express, LLC. 2006 • Next Day Job Interview, Michael Farr, JISTS Works Publishing, Inc., 2005 • Hire Me, Roy J. Blitzer, EP Entrepreneur Press, Media Inc., 2006 • Interviews for Success, 8th Ed, Caryl and Ron Krannich Ph.Ds., Impact Publications, 2003

HANDOUTS • INTERVIEW/RESUME PREPARATION • A POSITIVE IMAGE OF YOURSELF • FIRE RECRUIT INTERVIEW – • PRACTICE QUESTIONS • HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION QUESTIONS • CITY OF SAN DIEGO • APPLICATION & TESTING GUIDE

The Job Interview