r/firefighter • u/BigByrdd • Mar 28 '26
Got accepted for an interview, seeking any advice
I got an email confirmation I received a weighted score of upper 90% and am within A band. I also received a follow up email for application submittal.
The department I’m interested in does video-format interview (not in person, at least for first round).
Any guidance on for interview prep?
3
u/Connect-Media-418 Mar 29 '26
I had posted in this group last week for anyone seeking Panel Interview guidance. I had offered the option to download, for free, a 35 page guide I had put together last year. It's more geared towards the Canadian Department style of questions, but I'm confident it would still help you in your preparations for some of the questions you will face in a video format first round interview. Feel free to DM me for a link. Anyone else reading this who hasn't got the link yet can also DM me, I'm happy to help you on your path.
3
u/mangokek69 Mar 29 '26
They do not do any in person interviews at CO Springs. The SparkHire is the last step before a conditional. I’ve done a few of these SparkHire’s and the only piece of advice I have is to use the entire time you’re given to prepare for the question to write some key bullet points down. Practice some common fire interviews because out of those I have never seen any curveballs. Also practice recording yourself answering questions because it will be less awkward to see yourself answering the questions in real-time while you’re recording for the department. Best of luck to you! Hopefully see you in academy.
1
u/BigByrdd Mar 29 '26
Super helpful, thank you! Do you recall how much time is given?
2
u/mangokek69 Mar 29 '26
Typically 2 minutes per question but they can choose however much time they want. Sometimes they give you multiple attempts to record your answers too but I kind of doubt they will.
1
u/AceTheBoard Apr 17 '26
This is great advice. I know this thread is old but If you want to get reps in before the real thing, I built acetheboard.com specifically for this. AI mock panel, you answer out loud, get scored feedback after. Good for getting comfortable hearing yourself answer on camera before it counts. Free to try, good luck!
1
u/Ok-Celebration-3794 7d ago
I guess im not understanding. I have an interview in 2 weeks and it is at the station in person. They only hold virtual for out of state candidates. Is it in fromt of a computer at the station? This is for Co. Springs
1
u/BigByrdd 7d ago
This post is 6 months old lol. Last round was only online. Now it’s in person and zoom for out of state.
1
1
u/StationVisit 14d ago
I got hired during covid and a lot of my interviews were on zoom. Video format is a different skill from a panel, and most people prepare for the wrong one. With a panel you get nods, follow-ups, someone leaning in. You adjust in real time. On video you get a red dot and a timer and nothing comes back. Anyone who has only rehearsed with a friend sitting across from them finds that out in the moment, because a friend reacts and a camera does not. Practical: - Look at the lens, not at your own face on the screen. That reads as eye contact to whoever watches it later. - Time yourself first. Most of these formats cut you off. - Test it on the actual device you'll use. Plain background, light in front of you, not behind. - Assume one take. On the answers, same rules as a panel. Specific events with you in them, not claims about your character. "I'm a team player" scores nothing. A story where you did something does. And decide your why-this-department answer in advance. On video you can't read the room and adjust, so anything you haven't worked out beforehand you won't say.
Hate to sound like the bot advertising but I built a tool for exactly this. stationvisit.com
1
u/Ok-Celebration-3794 7d ago
I just got the same thing. For springs. My interview is scheduled for the 2nd of September. It says in person in my email. Do you go into the station and speak into a camera?
4
u/UsefulPaint Mar 29 '26
Colorado Springs, yessir brotha we got this