The Job Interview

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The Job Interview

• A guide to
• public safety
• careers

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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

3
CLASS ORGANIZATION

• Length of class
• Breaks
• Homework

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GETTING STARTED

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

5
Adaptive Skills

• Personality Traits
• Basic personality traits to survive
• Most of these traits are not taught
• Considered soft skills
• Employers value
• Potential to develop

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Adaptive Skills

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

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Adaptive Skills

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

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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
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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

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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

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FIRST IMPRESSION

• Image
• No cell phone
• Jewelry
• Tattoos Policy
• Piercings

GOOD
NOT SO GOOD
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FIRST IMPRESSION

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

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FIRST IMPRESSION

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

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FIRST IMPRESSION

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

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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!

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FIRST IMPRESSION - Active Listening

• Active listening attentive to what is said
• Dont be distracted, your mind will wander
• Dont try to read what panel is writing
• Disregard appearance of the panel
• Listen objectively, dont analyze
• Understand what is being asked
• Let interviewer finish speaking,
• then pause, formulate, and answer

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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

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THE INTERVIEW

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

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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 Is

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Direct orders

• Dont be lead
• Understand Chain-of-Command
• Know current related events
• Fire Service world
• Regionally
• Nationally

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Budget

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

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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.

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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

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Website Resources

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

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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

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HANDOUTS

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

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