7 Firefighter Interview Mistakes That Will Keep You From Getting Hired (and how to fix them)

[@rivkadanielle4606]

Video starts @ 4:25 Mistake 1 - Using generic/canned answers Mistake 2 - Looking sloppy Mistake 3 - Don't be rude (even by mistake) Mistake 4 - Don't be late Mistake 5 - Do NOT bring up perks of the job Mistake 6 - Have some follow up questions in mind (not too many questions but don't just get up and leave after) Mistake 7 - Practice, practice, practice (do not be unprepared for the interview!

[@chloemx7534]

Thanks for this, I was wondering when it started so looked in the comments

[@simontrucker3624]

I knew of an applicant that was asked, "So, how do you like to spend your free time"? He answered by saying how he loves to chill at home or get away by himself and go surfing etc. As you'll understand, he wasn't hired. As you have mentioned in another video, being in the Fire Service is being part of a team. If you can't handle that environment, especially giving each other shit...or 'busting chops' as you say in the US...you'll have trouble fitting in. Here in New Zealand you're even asked to supply specific examples of working in, or being a part of a team. On the flipside, they also want examples of individual decision making. They also want to see examples of self motivation, mixing with different cultures, leadership etc. And for gods sake, keep the answers to questions, accurate and concise. Don't waffle on, or go off on tangents...unless asked to "Please give us an example". Have a sense of humour, but never be a smart ass. Anyway, that's enough waffling from me for now

[@mgallager1449]

Great ideas. I used these ideas for my interview back in 2006. Yes I got hire.

[@namesareallusedup]

Just did my interview. It did not go well. 5 questions I got asked: 1. What is your biggest strength, and how will you strive to improve it overtime 2. Why are you interested in the fire department at x city 3. When have you refused a supervisor or company policy, and describe the situation 4. What skills do you bring to this fire department 5. What things have you done to prepare you for firefighting I struggled to answer some these simply due to a lack of experience and preparation. It seems like it’ll be hard for someone outside of firefighting to land a position if you do not REALLY think about your experience

[@mike_pertz]

Well, fortunately I made an entire video that covered all of that and more for people in your situation. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKHHfYRqbZ6mfbs Hope it helps, good luck!

[@namesareallusedup]

@@mike_pertz that’s awesome. And just curious, how would you go about answering a question that you do not have an answer for? Is it better to just say you do not have an answer?

[@c_law3575]

@@namesareallusedup I was wondering the same thing

[@c_law3575]

For a question you don’t have an answer for

[@parkereads7757]

Thank you for this comment

[@robblovre8258]

A huge thank you Mr. Pertz for doing these videos. I am a retired firefighter and now teach at a school that specializes in occupational skills. I teach the fire services program and I show your videos to reiterated my points to the students! Again, many thanks Sir!!

[@mike_pertz]

That is awesome! Thank you!

[@josephcollins6377]

This is very helpful man thanks I did bad on my firefighter interview and didn’t get the job

[@cnw-jd9tt]

I feel you lol it was my first panel interview

[@josephcollins6377]

cnw2000 I just thought it was going to be like two people it was like 8

[@RPMX4]

Mistake #6 - TOTALLY AGREE with you Mike. Strong advice and direction there mate!

[@angelgabrielgrove9938]

Dang this is very helpful when I turn 18 and finish school this is what I want to do and now I have a way better understanding of what to do study and figure out and plan the way my interview thanks iam going to work to the best of my abilities to get this its been my dream to feel belonging hope I can fix these generic answers

[@mike_pertz]

Good luck!

[@mgallager1449]

Good luck. Increase your ability by studying the biology & the human body. This will aid you to get your EMT TRAINING.

[@brandoncarrillo951]

Thank you for this sir. I have my interview Monday and I want to make sure that I’m prepared for it.

[@brandonulloa9687]

how did it go ?

[@brandoncarrillo951]

@@brandonulloa9687 I think it went great man. I could definitely practice my interview skills because even though I felt natural I know that I said a lot of filler words like “ums and likes”. I’m supposed to find out if I get to have another interview next week I believe🙏🏽

[@spanners6489]

I am applying for a career in the SFRS. I too had tried to get in the police but i spent too much time focussing on the ins and outs of the force instead of practicing the competency questions and i realised that i was totally unprepared for those types of questions. That situation has made me really realise the importance of focussing on all aspects of the interview and not just a select section of the interview. Your video was really helpful and hopefully i can use this information to help me gain a position within the service...as long as i pass the application section first!!! Thank you, liked and subscribed.

[@samfisher1591]

I’m from willowick Ohio I love your content man. I get out of the army in a year and I’m applying for a department here in Tennessee

[@mike_pertz]

Thanks man! That’s awesome I’m glad to hear you’ll be applying soon, good luck and keep me posted!

[@diegoarmandopenasanchez879]

Ahhh mann my interview is tomorrow and I’m a lil nervous thanks for uploading vids like this 🤟🏽🤟🏽🤙🏽

[@MrParamethius]

It's nice to learn a bit about who's videos I'm watching. Thanks for your work put into these, you're creating a great resource for myself and many others! Since this video is more recent and you mentioned several times about shaking someone's hand during introductions, do you believe it would still be expected to shake someone's hand in most departments? (COVID-19)

[@mike_pertz]

Glad you found it helpful! As for your question I would definitely continue to try and shake hands, let the other person be the one to decline if they’re uncomfortable with it

[@kingapollo3113]

Hope I can make Boston fire in a few more years this was very helpful man thanks

[@duncansiror5033]

That's gotta be competitive!

[@markw9398]

Thanks. Right about now!this video is what I needed.

[@jimsmith8797]

Hello brother. Mansfield fire here. Lookin to move up north ...

[@mike_pertz]

Hey Jim! Always good to come across another NE Ohioan here!

[@thecheif6316]

I’ve had 2 great interviews with San Fransisco and I just cannot pass. Still haven’t got to a chiefs interview Some guys they previously hired had DUIs and parole violations and my record is clean and clear. Yet I keep getting denied

[@zachgillis7355]

This is great feedback, however I feel like most good candidates would agree that the mistakes you brought up are common sense. Could you make a video about Common mistakes that most candidates dont realize? Maybe more subtle or less obvious ones?

[@GoCri661]

Hi im 15 years old and ever since I was born Ive always wanted to do something that would benefit not only me but myself, Ive gone through quite a few a years of therapy enough to know that I love making others feel great about themselves while using my goofy personality. I bounced from many different job thoughts and mine could still change, but first I wanted to be a US Marine, then after that I wanted to be a Police officer, after a while of thinking in the 8th grade, I finally figured out I wanted to be a fire fighter. And ever since that is what Ive been striving for ever since. Im currently In my Sophomore year of High School and I know its only a matter of time before it is ME who is sitting in that room for that interview, despite me being quite rowdy and making the class laugh and jokes, Im horrible when it comes to a higher authority, I always try to assume authority in a room when Im making a joke or making a statement. When Im questioned by another student, I can take the situation and make it go the way I want too, but when I come to a higher up like a teacher or my parents, I freeze up and start to rethink everything i say wondering if I should have said that. Iv'e made it my goal to be as mentally and physically prepared as I can be for when It is my turn to be interviewed. My stepmoms friend is a retired Fire Captain recently Ive been asking as many questions as I can even though I might end up bugging him. I know here it seems Im everywhere jumping from place to place, but as my goal, I am preparing myself as best I can for that position.

[@angelgabrielgrove9938]

Keep going i believe in you I been deciding this for a very long time what do I want to accomplish or achieve in my life I thought of many things and I've always keep coming back to firefighter and now all I do besides school is figuring out and planning to get to this goal i fealt the same way I always thought there's more to helping people then just me benefiting

[@colto8284]

I'm nervous, my interveiw is tommorow, it's that last part of the process and I feel like for me it's actually one of my better skills but I'm still nervous.

[@Unknown-hp6dr]

Video starts at 4:25

[@cj6580]

Thanks bro

[@chanceryder9736]

My suit is a nice, but green over coat, white dress shirt and green pants. Taylored to me of course. Is this good or should I get a black one?

[@chel4329]

I will be taking a “comprehensive examination Battery(CEB)” test for a department, was wondering if that test is a bit different compared to the civil service test? Any tips to help prepare for the test? Thanks.

[@Phoenix411th]

How do you become a volunteer firefighter?

[@udaymuhammad3003]

Plz respond to my question if you want to go to the fire academy do you need to learn how to swim

[@mike_pertz]

It depends some departments will require a swim test and some will not. You’ll have to contact the department you’ll be applying to to find out.

[@timtrocke1696]

MIKE! Just had my first interview this past week. I think I had a fair performance, however, in regards to #6 on your video.. They gave my a sheet of paper to review before the interview basically explaining the format of their interview process. I'd be asked this many questions and have this much time to answer each, etc. This outline did not have any time slot assigned for my questions at the end. When the interview was over, they did not ask me if I had any questions so I didn't ask my questions that I had. Is this going to hurt my chances given the facts of what I just explained to you? Thank you in advance.

[@mike_pertz]

I don’t think so-sounds like you did awesome, good luck!

[@Teeko253]

Do you work with stipe miocic ??

[@mike_pertz]

I don't. He works for a department about 30 min from where I work.

[@aroque2170]

I was wondering, should you prepare for interviews even before the cpat exam? do they only select a certain amount to interview or do they interview everyone that did the cpat?

[@K1ngDre-DMZ]

I love your videos but the commercials are killing me, every few minutes.

[@09764312468]

download adblock

[@entityknight5970]

Would a really nice pearl snap button up shirt be ok for the interview? Or should i for sure go and get a suit

[@TylerJohnson.]

Black suit, white shirt, red tie👍🏽

[@entityknight5970]

@@TylerJohnson. thank ya

[@emmanuelkalala6426]

What if you have a speech impediment like me I stutter a lot to a point that no one understands me so it usually makes me nervous at any interviews and plus also I'm not from here I was born in Africa I came here when I was nine years ago so will I be able to become a firefighter.

[@mike_pertz]

Hi Emmanuel, it definitely sounds like you may have some obstacles with overcoming your speech impediment. I'm not sure exactly your situation but based on the little I know I don't see any reason why you can't become a firefighter. It will certainly take some hard work and dedication on your part though.

[@emmanuelkalala6426]

Okay thank you and I been trying to overcome my stuttering every day by talking to people and reading every day but thank you sir

[@emmanuelkalala6426]

@@mike_pertz thank you I will try my best

[@Magic-bd3pj]

I have my interview next month can you help personally

[@mike_pertz]

Send an email to [e-mail]

[@dariolascano9554]

Appreciate Video! Excuse me for chiming in, I would appreciate your initial thoughts. Have you researched - Rozardner Lucky Interview Reality (search on google)? It is a good one off guide for firefighter interview tips minus the normal expense. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my close friend Aubrey after many years got cool results with it.

[@mannycaballero4370]

Can Anyone or non firefighters , wear or buy wear, turnouts etc?. I'm from California I can not find anything really specific on the subject online.

[@mike_pertz]

As far as I know anyone can purchase them and I’ve never heard of someone not being allowed to wear them.

[@mannycaballero4370]

@@mike_pertz Thank you. I Recently Purchased a Firetruck a Pierce Dash, and came with 25 Pairs of Turnouts.

[@TONYROCKZ818]

The “don’t ask what’s the standard pay” is a valid question in any job/position. I always ask what’s the most anyone gets paid (at the job I’m applying) because I wanna know what I can achieve. The world runs on money, it’s not rude to ask about it. (And yes, I got the job after asking my manager how much they get paid lol, it’s not rude)

[@TONYROCKZ818]

That being said don’t make it the main thing, just ask if you’re curious, if it’s a job you’re planning on staying at possibly your whole career...it’s really important.

[@mike_pertz]

Hey Tony, thanks for the comment, you’re correct the world does run on money and you should be cognizant of how much you’ll be getting paid. However, if you’re applying to a public fire department that’s already public information, and not knowing that ahead of time means you didn’t do your homework.

[@TONYROCKZ818]

@@mike_pertz That makes sense, people should know what the starting pay is and then negotiate anyway. Just got my friend who tests covid patients to get $25 an hour by simply asking for it. Never hurts

[@simontrucker3624]

@@TONYROCKZ818 Good luck trying to negotiate a starting rate, or any rate for that matter. Salaries are based on rank, qualifications earned, experience, seniority and responsibility. If one wants otherwise, stay in the private sector. A job in the public sector, especially in a role where service is deemed more important than financial gain, may not be the right choice.

[@TONYROCKZ818]

@@simontrucker3624 since I wrote this comment I got a job at universal studios, starting pay $23, however I asked what the rates would be if I stayed (I already know but I wanted to ask) and he accurately told me they can go up to $55/hr depending on what I drive. So it doesn’t hurt to ask, if they don’t tell you it’s usually shady, because there’s never a valid reason to not tell you what you could be paid. They aren’t making promises just letting you know what’s possible.

[@thomasdenning622]

Watching this makes me feel like I killed it today at my first oral

[@pyronac1]

I am 40 years old, does age matter?

[@adventureguy4119]

No no no when I see 18 year olds who walk rigjt in and skip entire rosters of get hired then get out threw an academy. That’s when I call BULLL SHIT. Seen this time and time again it’s who you know a lot.

[@snarkycommenthere9027]

me memorising these so I never accidentally become a firefighter

[@svitlana5093]

Should girls shake a hand on an interview as well ?

[@mike_pertz]

yes

[@oneblood100]

Shaking hands !?!?! Must be pre COVID 😂

[@PfefferD12]

"QUICK RECAP" = Half your video. Stop chewing up the scenery and get on with the valuable info. There's enough BS in the service already buddy.

[@mike_pertz]

Thanks for the feedback. Next video I won't chew on any scenery, buddy.