A couple of weeks ago we started the series, How To Get Hired. Here is Part 2.
When going into a job interview the natural emotion seems to be anxiety. We tense up, we are unsure of what is about to happen, our stomach's flutter a bit. We are nervous. Don't let it show. What you should exude is confidence, courage, and relaxation.
Follow these 18 tips to project a job winning image:
- Be natural - don't try to be something that you are not
- Get comfortable - sit in a comfortable position, without lounging or sprawling
- Don't wisecrack - skip the small talk, stop trying to pretend that you are a member of the "good ole boy" club
- Don't exagerate your abilities - be honest about your experience and skills, no need to embellish
- Personal connections - don't name drop, but if it comes up it is okay, you are also not trying to hide it
- Don't overpower - let the interviewers be in control of the interview, don't talk over them or dominate the conversation
- Be attentive - pay attention, be observant
- Don't interrupt - take your time, don't finish peoples questions, or start answering before the questioner is completed
- Understand the question - make sure you know what is being asked, it is okay to have the question repeated or ask for clarification
- Reply promptly - answer the question in a timely fashion, but don't rush through your answer
- Don't create answers - be real, don't answer questions only based on what you think the interviewer wants to hear
- Hold your ground - don't change your answer just to agree with the interviewer
- Admit error - don't be afraid to admit errors in judgement if you are shown to be wrong
- Don't dwell on your present position - answer questions succinctly, do not keep a focus on your present employment
- No anecdotes - don't bring in your extra comments or helpful analogies
- No slang - keep a clean mouth, and use only common english
- Leave your exhibits at home - this is often recommended, however, this sometimes works in getting the job (just know your interviewer, and feel it out)
- Don't flatter - people can tell when you are insincere; nobody wants to listen to this
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There are many certified firefighters, EMT's, and paramedics, however, not so many jobs. Out of the several hundred applicants that are filed, only a handful will make it through the hiring process to the final oral board or interview. The ones who fail to make it through this stage typically fail due to lack of preparation and confidence.
Here are 5 steps that will prepare you to go into the oral interview with confidence and exit with a job offer.
- Know your resume - be familiar with how your resume is laid out, know what you included or did not include, it is always good practice to bring copies of your resume for yourself and each of the interviewers.
- Know the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of the position - you should practically have these memorized from the job posting, be specific; do not assume that every firefighter position is the same; being intimately familiar with this information will enable you to frame your interview questions around the job requirements and your capabilities.
- Know the department and community - spend significant amounts of time on the department and communities website; Google search the community; keep up with the local news; you should be familiar with fire department staff and community leaders, and have an idea as to the size and make-up of the community you will be serving.
- Be prepared to present yourself effectively - know what you have done, and what you can do; know what uniquely differentiates you from all the other applicants. Get a good nights rest before the interview. Wear your best suit and tie.
- Practice - visualize the interview, and yourself answering the questions; answer questions out-loud, this help you to know how to best word responses so as not to get tongue-tied.
Next week we will go over common interview questions and how to best answer them.
