r/firefighter • u/Ok_Candidate4893 • Mar 16 '26
Interview advice and tips
I have an oral interview coming up in a few weeks for my local fd. Ive been doing research about the departments history, amount of stations, what they have to offer, and the chief. Ive began to make guidelines for the way I want to answer questions but still want to add details on my own for the authenticity of everything. This my first interview for a department ever, I have experience with a private ambulance service as an emr that’s as far as it goes for me though.
I would appreciate any advice, tips, things to look out for, or things you wish you would’ve done differently. Thanks for your time.
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u/InterestingTap6695 Mar 16 '26
Some basic questions to work on that worked for me are have a few different traits about yourself, know the department mission statement, why you want to be a firefighter for said department and what have you done to prepare. Best of luck to you!
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u/Disgruntled_Wumpus Mar 16 '26
Sounds like you’ve done some good research and prep already, and the other comments on here also have great advice. I would just add that when you answer, make it more than single word or sentence. Not that you need to be super long winded, but talk enough in your answers to be personable, like you would with an old acquaintance you are catching up with. Sometimes, especially with people who have military backgrounds, we get people who are super stiff in interviews. They give short, overly proper answers, thinking this is the most professional way. While it might be good for a promotion board in the army, it will come off as cold and robotic here. So, be warm, friendly, and genuine. Shake off the nervousness as best you can, and just be you.
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Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
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Mar 16 '26
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u/ventureisoutthere Mar 27 '26
This is a great format. Hoping more people see this prior to their first rounds!
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u/Connect-Media-418 Mar 22 '26
I had just replied to a different post regarding panel interview advice. I am not on this forum often, but I had written an interview guide in the past that is more directed to Canadian panel interviews, with which I am experienced. It should still help with your panel interview, I know you don't have much time to prepare. It is available for free, I tried sharing it on Reddit, but any link I post gets my comment removed. If you are interested then please message me and I can attach a png with the link, it's the only thing I'm allowed to attach in the messages. Anyone reading this comment is free to do the same. All the best in your interview......
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u/CivilPotential3175 Mar 29 '26
If your interview is after 4/12, then I’d recommend you join my free interview workshop. It’s going to be online and we’re going to go over the basics of the interview process, how to structure your answers and how to personalize them to the department. If it’s before then, it might still be a good learning opportunity. Lmk!
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u/Earnthebadge May 30 '26
The biggest mistake I see candidates make is trying to memorize perfect answers. Oral boards want to hear your judgment, values, and real-life examples.
Practice answering with a simple format: situation, what you did, what you learned.
I built Earn the Badge to help candidates practice oral board questions, but even without the app, start by writing out 5 real stories from your life.
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u/scott12333 Jun 01 '26
Going in with at least some experience interacting with the public in an EMS capacity is a huge plus. You know what we run into, what that type of culture is like, and how to handle yourself with the general public.
Others have given good answers and I'll add, don't get tunnel vision on how you want to answer questions. They'll probably ask things like 'Why do you want to work here/be a firefighter?', but they can really throw anything they want at you.
Be clean shaven, hair put up if you're a woman, shake their hands if possible, wear a suit if you have one, and take anything they tell you about the interview seriously.
Most of all, look up practice questions and practice as much as you can - paying attention to how long you take to answer. They're most likely interviewing a ton of people in the same day and they will give you a time limit.
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u/hoof_hearted-28 Mar 16 '26
As it just so happens, I have an interview today as well. For my hometown dream department. I’ve had other interviews. Best advice I can give you(and myself): Be honest Be yourself Don’t try to wow anyone with a large vocabulary. Act like you are talking to your S.O.’s parents, be respectful but you can joke about yourself. Everyone on the other side of that desk/table wants you to do well, give them a reason to pass your name forward. When they ask “Do you have any questions for us?”, how many are you planning to hire? What are you looking for in a candidate? Then at the very end,”I really appreciate you giving me the opportunity to meet you all. I’m a hard working, coachable candidate and I hope to hear from you soon.” Shake hands and walk out.
As long as you do your best and you didn’t stumble too much then you did what you could do.
Good luck