Some “experts” want you to believe that there are magic answers that will sweep the panel off their feet. They attempt to make the candidates believe that they are missing something and that by purchasing their material they will have the “secret” information.

Let me assure you that there is no secret to the interview process; there are no magic answers. It’s plain hard work that earns people a badge. Anyone who tells you differently is just playing on your emotions and is playing a game of smoke and mirrors. While there are some rules that a successful candidate needs to understand, there are no time-guarded secrets.

The majority of candidates all have the same responses. I refer to them as “canned answers.” This is best described as one that has been rehearsed and has no depth or passion in the delivery. I encourage you to answer from the heart. Don’t try to answer the question the way you believe we want to hear it; rather, use your life experience and your passion for the job when considering your responses.

The interview process is relatively straightforward. We don’t have time to play games, nor does the Civil Service testing process allow for it. We are looking for candidates who have done their homework and who we believe will fit into our organization. We will ask questions to get to know you and to try to determine three things:

1. Will you make it through our training program?
2. Will you make it through our probationary period?
3. Will you fit into our organization and will my firefighters respect you?

We will ask you simple questions such as:

Why do you want to become a firefighter?

The average candidate usually relays some story about seeing the fire department in action and seeing a flash of light and knowing from that point forward this was his or her calling.

The truth of the matter is that we interview 12 –15 candidates each day. We don’t want to have to sit through a dozen stories of some life-changing event of why you want to become a firefighter. We are not looking for your “signature story.” Believe me, after the first couple of stories they all sound the same. We are looking for mature, well thought out responses as to what compelled you to want a career in public service.

The following is a response form the average candidate:

Average Candidate:

I have always wanted to become a fireman. It all started when I was young. I saw smoke coming from my neighbor’s house and arrived before the fire department. I heard the sirens and got to watch them put out the fire. From then on I knew this was the job for me.

I worked at Costco and I couldn’t see myself standing on my feet for the rest of my life. I had a neighbor who was a fireman and he told me I should look into it. I took a few classes and it seems like a really neat job. Every fireman I speak to seems to like his job. That’s pretty unusual.

I have driven an ambulance and it’s pretty exciting driving with red lights and sirens. I also like to help people and this is a great way to do it. I also like to work with my hands and I believe I am a pretty mechanical person. Also the retirement is pretty attractive.

The following is a response from the excellent candidate:

Excellent Candidate:

Sir, I really enjoy helping people. I work now as an EMT on an ambulance and I can’t explain the feeling when someone looks me in the eye and says, “ Thank you, you made a difference in my life.”

I like the camaraderie in the fire station. I work as a reserve firefighter for the City of San Diego. I love the way firefighters take care of each other both on and off duty. The friendships you develop are like nothing I have ever seen.

I love the excitement of the job. When the bells go off you never know what you are going to be doing. You could be going on a structure fire, a traffic accident, a hazardous materials call or anything under the sun.

I like the fact that there is always something new to learn as a firefighter. I have to be an expert on firefighting, be a proficient EMT, Know my equipment and firs- in district like the back of my hand, as well as become an expert at ventilation, forcible entry and a host of other things.

I like being a role model in the community. I like the fact that people look up to firefighters.

I like the fact that the pay will allow my wife Stephanie and I to continue making our mortgage payment. The benefits will allow me to take care of my family, and the time off will allow me to spend time with my kids and coach their soccer team, just like my father did for me.

I always enjoy it when the "experts" advise candidates not to tell the oral board that they want to become a firefighter because they want to help people. I believe that if you do not have a true desire to help your fellow man, that this is not the job for you. Consider that over 90% of firefighters across the country are volunteer. These men and women certainly believe in helping out their neighbors.

If your number one reason for becoming a firefighter is anything other than that you enjoy helping people in need, I respectfully encourage you to consider another career choice. Firefighters are about helping others. We believe in the team concept, which is why you always see us dressed alike. You rarely see a firefighter performing on his or her own; we’re always together.

Candidates who truly do have a desire to help, but are given poor advice and told NOT to tell the panel they are drawn to the job by a desire to help, are in a quandary. Since they cannot tell the panel the true reason they want to become a firefighter, they are left with having to guess what the panel wants to hear. The candidate is forced to come up with a canned answer and sounds like all of his competition. Since we have an average of 100 people apply for each opening, the numbers become overwhelming.

Once a candidate learns the rules to taking a FIRE DEPARTMENT interview, he or she always scores at the top of the list. This is why many candidates receive multiple job offers. They understand what we are looking for and understand how to communicate it during the interview.