Fire Service Interview.

The Fire Service Interview is based on the Behavioural Interview style. This means that you do not need any experience of being a Firefighter to pass the Fire Service Interview, but rather experience of how you have behaved in a given situation in the past. All of the answers to the interviewers questions you already have. I say this because they will be your examples from previous incidents and interactions with others in the past. The Fire Service Interview is therefore quite easy to prepare for even though it might seem a daunting task at the moment.

Interviews can make you nervous and not perform your best. Preparation is the key. Know your examples, make sure they are detailed, and make sure they relate to the PQA's. The interviewers are highly trained and very experienced. They will try to put you at ease and they are used to candidates being nervous so don't worry. This is your chance to show them that you have the qualities they are looking for in you as a Firefighter.

Preparing for the Fire Service Interview.

When you receive confirmation of your Fire Service interview date you will also receive some guidance on the type of questions that will be asked in the Firefighter interview. All of the questions are based on the PQA's Personal Qualities and Attributes.

To prepare your examples you need to think the questions you will be asked and about how you have performed in the past in a given situation. The examples need to be based around the PQA's which will be the framework all the interview questions are designed to assess.

As an example in the PQA Commitment to Excellence a question may be ..' What have you done to achieve and maintain excellent standards within your work?'

or

In the PQA Openness to Change a question may be... ' Given an example of when you have accepted a change and adapted effectively?'

The information that came with your Fire Service interview pack may provide some practice questions which will give you an idea of the type of question you will be asked. There are also many publications and training aids that can assist you at this stage and are a worthwhile investment in your future.

You can also create your own questions by reading through the PQA's and thinking about the type of question that could be asked in each area. Write them all down and then answer each in turn later. It is a lot of work but it is also good practice at coming up with examples as a learning experience. You will also find that some examples fit more than one category. You will also find that you have already compiled many answers when you completed your Fire Service application form.

In planning your answers try to follow a set routine. We use the STAR acronym... Situation..What was it?... Task..What was the task to be achieved?...Action...What action did you take to achieve the goal...Result... What happened in the end.... Try to get at least two if not three examples for each PQA main heading in order that you do not have to use the same examples over again. This is far more credible.

On the day of your Fire Service Interview.

There is nothing worse than rushing around to raise the blood pressure. So plan the day out in advance. Make sure you know where you are going for your Fire Service interview and leave in plenty of time. If you don't know where you are going why not do a trail run at the same time of day as your interview ( it will be a weekday of course!). Allow for delays and traffic also. Aim to arrive with at least 30 minutes in hand.

Take your interview letter with you and any certificates and references you need. Present them neatly in a folder.

When you arrive for your Firefighter interview book in at reception and you will be guided to where you need to be. They always show you where the toilet is so take up the offer and check your appearance at least.

What to wear for your Firefighter Interview?

Standard interview rules apply for your Fire Service interview unless you are otherwise told. So dress smartly a clean smart suit is the norm, clean shoes, and tidy hair. Don't forget this is a uniformed job you are trying to join where appearance and discipline rank highly. Even though the interviewers are specifically trained not to judge on appearance you have to realise that simple human nature can sometimes make people judge on your attitude to work and discipline from your appearance.

During your Fire Service Interview.

Upon entering the interview room there will be a little ice breaking conversation to put you at ease. You will be offered a seat and to make yourself comfortable. Accept the glass of water as you will be talking for a while and most people find they get a dry mouth due to a few nerves on the day.

There will be two interviewers. Generally they each take turns in asking you a question whilst the other one writes down notes on how you have responded.

Try to sit with both feet on the floor and lean forward slightly towards the person asking you the question. Try not to fiddle and fidget. You would be surprised how many people do this when they are nervous so try to relax.

When we are nervous we tend to speak a little quicker as a consequence of adrenaline in the blood stream. Try to be aware of this and speak a little slower with short pauses. The pauses give the person who will be scribing time to write notes about what you have said and not miss anything.

Try to maintain eye contact with the interviewer who asked the question. Sometimes they may both make notes so don't be worried they will both be listening intently to what you are saying.

You will be asked a few questions to break the ice and ease you into the process and make you feel a little more relaxed by getting into the flow of answering. Things like ' Why do you want to become a firefighter?' and 'what qualities do you think you will bring to the Fire Service?' Try to be prepared with some answers for these type of questions. You can get help with your interview on our Fire Brigade Jobs...Help in applying page.

During the Firefighter Interview..

Listen to the questions you are asked very carefully and take a moment to understand what is being asked. This way the answer you give from the examples you have previously prepared in line with the PQA's will show the right evidence that you would be competent in the situation. Your example is your chance to demonstrate your potential as a future firefighter. This is why preparation is the key and the more time and effort put into your preparation for the Fire Service Interview the better.

The importance of having a number of examples in each PQA skill area becomes apparent here. If you have prepared well you will have an example to fit in with what is being asked. Assistance with PQA's can be found in PQA Workbooks that will give an idea on how to prepare you answers.

If you do not understand what the interviewer is asking you ask the person to repeat the question again or to rephrase the question. They will not mind. Make sure the answer you give is relevant to the question being asked.

When you answer the Firefighter interview questions relate to your experiences and talk about yourself. 'When I found myself in this situation..... and I did this' This type of answer relates to your behaviour specifically, which is what the interviewers are looking for. They can relate how you are likely to behave as a Firefighter from your past behaviour in similar situations. Ask yourself 'What was my role in this?' and reply accordingly. They do not want to know about a group of people just about you, how you performed, and your qualities in the situation.

The interviewer may interrupt you mid flow or ask you to stop. There are a few reasons for this...

• you may be running out of time for that question. The interview is strictly timed and each question will have a limit in order that you get asked all the questions the same as every other candidate.
• you might have misunderstood what was being asked and be providing the wrong evidence or you may not be describing what you did but rather what 'you would do'. Time permitting the interviewer will try to redirect you back on track to answer the question with the type of evidence they are looking for.

They may ask you to clarify something you have said in your response. Don't be alarmed at this as the interviewers are trying to help you provide a full account and understand the example that you are giving. They may ask you some direct questions probing you for answers. The looks at you example in more depth and checks what you have told them previously is correct. Don't make the examples up, and don't exaggerate, as they will always find the cracks. Keep to the truth it is far simpler.

When the interview is complete the interviewers will thank you and ask if you have any questions. As long as the questions are relevant to your application and they have time I am sure they will be happy to answer. This is not the time to be asking questions about the FRS you should already have the answers about the role from your research.

Thank the interviewers before you leave and try not to dwell on what you said or what you could have said. If you prepared fully then it is likely they will have the evidence they that they required to make a decision. Your Firefighter Interview is complete so all you have to do is wait....

The next stage is... Firefighter application medical and eyesight tests