One Thing That’ll Take You A Long Way in The Fire Service (and life)…
I’ve been spending some time recently in the forums for candidates trying to get hired in the fire service. I’ve found that some things never change. There are a whole host of candidates who are probably otherwise great individuals complaining that life is unfair for one reason or another because they haven’t gotten hired. In this post I’m going to save you a lifetime of pain and disappointment in and out of your fire career.
Ask yourself this question next time you feel the need to share why you haven’t gotten hired in the fire service yet:
“Does anyone besides me care why I “can’t”?
Unless you’re talking to your mother, chances are that the person you’re talking to will politely agree with whatever it is you’re saying. The thing is, none of them will really care. They’ll just be trying to fulfill your need for them to agree with you in that moment. The truth is that many of them will be bored by what you’re saying, some will be a bit offended, and others will just think you’re a whiner.
I’ve heard alot in the last 16 or so years. Here are some of my (least) favorite excuses:
1. “The testing process isn’t fair.”
2. “They had to fill spots with minorities.”
3. “They were hiring volunteers first, so the test was basically a waste of time.”
4. “There were like 2000 people applying for the department when they were only going to hire 12.”
5. “The testing process was rigged. They hired people ahead of me who had NO experience!”
6. “They didn’t want to hire me because i’m a minority.” (Or woman, or from another state, or …)
Few things make me want to rant more than this…
Instead of screaming, i’m going to give you a few thoughts and an exercise that might actually help you get the career of your dreams.
Here are some things to think about:
1. Would anyone who has “made it” really care about why you haven’t?
2. Does firefighting strike you as a profession that encourages people to stop, quit, or make excuses when situations are difficult ,unfair, or filled with risk?
2. If the person you were talking to were in a position to recommend you for a badge in the future, would they do so after hearing your excuses?
3. Do you want your life story to be about why you ‘didn’t’ or why you did?
Here’s an exercise to give yourself some perspective and change the voice in your head that comes up with these excuses:
Imagine you’re in your chief’s oral board. The chief is deciding between you and a very small group of other candidates for one last badge. He or she will decide who gets that badge based on the answer to the following:
“Well Mr./Miss hopeful, you seem to have presented yourself fairly well to this point, and you certainly possess many of the skills and qualifications that we’re looking for, but i’m curious, why don’t you have a badge yet?”
How will you answer it in a manner that conveys a sense of personal accountability, an understanding of the firefighter’s need to be an interpersonal relations expert, the likelihood of a career filled with difficult situations, and the mission of the organization you’re trying so hard to join?
I look forward to your preparation. I also look forward to meeting the best candidates who are the one’s who don’t make excuses because they get the job done.
You can do it.
Paul
Ask yourself this question next time you feel the need to share why you haven’t gotten hired in the fire service yet:
“Does anyone besides me care why I “can’t”?
Unless you’re talking to your mother, chances are that the person you’re talking to will politely agree with whatever it is you’re saying. The thing is, none of them will really care. They’ll just be trying to fulfill your need for them to agree with you in that moment. The truth is that many of them will be bored by what you’re saying, some will be a bit offended, and others will just think you’re a whiner.
I’ve heard alot in the last 16 or so years. Here are some of my (least) favorite excuses:
1. “The testing process isn’t fair.”
2. “They had to fill spots with minorities.”
3. “They were hiring volunteers first, so the test was basically a waste of time.”
4. “There were like 2000 people applying for the department when they were only going to hire 12.”
5. “The testing process was rigged. They hired people ahead of me who had NO experience!”
6. “They didn’t want to hire me because i’m a minority.” (Or woman, or from another state, or …)
Few things make me want to rant more than this…
Instead of screaming, i’m going to give you a few thoughts and an exercise that might actually help you get the career of your dreams.
Here are some things to think about:
1. Would anyone who has “made it” really care about why you haven’t?
2. Does firefighting strike you as a profession that encourages people to stop, quit, or make excuses when situations are difficult ,unfair, or filled with risk?
2. If the person you were talking to were in a position to recommend you for a badge in the future, would they do so after hearing your excuses?
3. Do you want your life story to be about why you ‘didn’t’ or why you did?
Here’s an exercise to give yourself some perspective and change the voice in your head that comes up with these excuses:
Imagine you’re in your chief’s oral board. The chief is deciding between you and a very small group of other candidates for one last badge. He or she will decide who gets that badge based on the answer to the following:
“Well Mr./Miss hopeful, you seem to have presented yourself fairly well to this point, and you certainly possess many of the skills and qualifications that we’re looking for, but i’m curious, why don’t you have a badge yet?”
How will you answer it in a manner that conveys a sense of personal accountability, an understanding of the firefighter’s need to be an interpersonal relations expert, the likelihood of a career filled with difficult situations, and the mission of the organization you’re trying so hard to join?
I look forward to your preparation. I also look forward to meeting the best candidates who are the one’s who don’t make excuses because they get the job done.
Don’t give up…Own up…Get it done! You Can do it.
Paul
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