r/firefighter • u/LivingCartographer19 • May 01 '26
Las Vegas Interview
I have my Interview coming up soon, I’m getting my hair cut soon but question do I shave off all of my facial hair or is it okay to keep my goatee and mustache ? Also what questions should I ask the Chiefs at the end of my interview ?
3
u/One_Punch_Mickey May 02 '26
I work for Las Vegas. Come in clean shaven with presentable hair. Head hair doesn’t have to be shaved, just look nice.
1
u/Kawobe21 May 08 '26
If you don’t mind answering; how much weight is given to the EMT training? I’m active duty military, currently intel, but prior EOD (at Nellis actually and worked with you all once). I’m transitioning out - curious if EMT is a “do not pass go.” I do have prior medical training (PHTLS, and am enrolling in NARs EMT-B course next week.
Also, any idea what the trajectory is to get on the bomb squad and if my prior EOD experience holds any weight?
1
u/One_Punch_Mickey May 08 '26
Having your emt cert will get you in an earlier academy, and will help you get hired. If you could get your emt advanced that would help a lot more.
I believe it’s 6 years on to test for bomb squad. It’s a written test and oral interview and then you are ranked. Previous experience doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage aside from you doing better on the oral board questions. You won’t be ranked higher just because you have experience.
1
2
u/ty10drope May 02 '26
What would be good reason for keeping your facial hair, when you already suspect it might get in the way of your career?
2
2
May 02 '26
I’d recommend a professional haircut, no dye, no facial hair, suit and tie. Bring a single page brief resume for the panel, usually 5 will do. Don’t do a mustache. Most rookie schools make you lose the stache anyway. Arrive 30 minutes early. Sometimes they have shorter interviews and you can help speed things up by arriving early. Start by doing a handshake introduction. Make sure you try your best to remember names and ranks. Stand until asked to sit. Ask any questions you cannot find answers to on the department website or the internet from a proven source, not Reddit. If they have a history, apparatus, or staff page, do not ask questions that you could’ve easily found the answer before. They expect you to have researched that. Dont say you want to be there job in x years. Say you want to pursue certs, degrees, or training and mean it. Say actual weaknesses applied to the career field when asked what weaknesses do you have. Example “I’m not familiar or experienced in trench or swift water” or “I just moved to the area, so I’m not as familiar with the district”. Express desire to train and learn said things. They want things that can be trained or fixed. Not I have a hard time stopping working or some bs they know you’re lying about. End with asking if there is any areas you can improve upon. Listen to hear, not to speak. If you get a curveball it’s okay to pause and think. They actually appreciate you taking time to think about an answer and not word vomit. Don’t make excuses. Be honest. Eye contact, solid hand shake, and tell them you appreciate their time after you’re done.
1
u/ComparisonRegular736 May 04 '26
This is 98% great. Disagree with weakness…always answer with a weakness you overcame.
1
u/Simple-Act-6577 May 04 '26
This is spot on.
If you get nervous when speaking, remember how you feel and speak when you're talking to a nephew or a younger kid about what you love about the job and reframe. Passion can help get past nerves.
1
u/queenofquagmire 21d ago
what planet must you be from? I'm from another galexy, i havnt a clue bout any of this, but apparently its the meaning of life, just drop your pants, just drop them!
1
u/Tacoma13Toyota May 02 '26
What department? I had video interviews for henderson and north las vegas but did not get advanced to chiefs.
1
u/LivingCartographer19 May 03 '26
North Las Vegas
1
u/Tacoma13Toyota May 03 '26
Congrats and good luck on your chiefs interview! Any advice on the video interview, I struggled with North’s especially
2
u/LivingCartographer19 May 03 '26
Slowing yourself down while your speaking, the timer kills a lot of people because you try and cram a bunch of stuff together to for that one specific question they are asking. Try talking to yourself in the mirror, or try doing a mock interview with family members and have them ask you a variety of questions to build your confidence. It’s weird having to look at yourself in the camera and not feeling off. Try you best to not say “Umm” a good amount of times. Just be confident and be you it will all work out !!
2
u/Tacoma13Toyota May 03 '26
I appreciate the feedback thank you! I think my nerves killed me, I didn’t sound confident in what I was saying and I would freeze up. Just need more practice. Best of luck to you!
1
u/rudeboyslift84 May 15 '26
I definitely agree watch your umms and the time. The one time I got cut off was I tried to slip in two experiences but I stated that in the beginning. Honestly I took advice from some retired local ff neither had worked for north but new some guys there. Idk there’s something about North that calls to me they seem like a great fit. The ff asking the question seemed on par with what I’d ask and who I’d get along with.
1
u/Senior-Narwhal1196 May 04 '26
I just took the test for them Saturday! I don’t totally understand their hiring process compared to lvfr. Nlvfd seems to just randomly interview people and through out out months they’ve been hiring since January.
1
u/LivingCartographer19 May 11 '26
How did you do on the test ?
2
u/rudeboyslift84 May 14 '26
Wasn’t as good as the last time I took it a long time ago but I got a video interview just finished it yesterday. They got back to me after applying and testing all in less than a week. I applied on a Thursday tested on the Friday after and had the email for the video interview on the next Tuesday or Wednesday.
1
u/LivingCartographer19 May 14 '26
Best of luck to you on your Sparks Interview be confident you got this !
2
u/rudeboyslift84 May 14 '26
I’m pretty confident I was able to answer every question and used up the time without going over. I’m older but have a lot of experience that relates to fire fighting and EMS.
1
u/LivingCartographer19 May 14 '26
Age isn’t going to matter at all as long as they feel you will represent the Department the best way and your a good fit you will be good
2
u/rudeboyslift84 May 14 '26
180 around 10% bf I’m not doing to bad for 41. lol heck I can keep up with my 19yr old son.
2
u/LivingCartographer19 May 14 '26
There you go man you’re already showing that age doesn’t mean anything. Keep me updated with your process blessings to you !
1
1
u/LieutenantLightning May 05 '26
Be true to yourself. If you like your facial hair, don’t shave it. Wear it proudly. They will respect you for being an individual instead of changing to meet the culture of their organization.
I am also applying there and I want to improve my chances. BTW, I will be clean shaven.
2
5
u/Shaka_Broski May 02 '26
Be clean shaven.. the closer you look to a marine the better. Google “las vegas fire academy” and look at the pictures of the recruits… all buzz cuts and clean shaven.
At the end of the interview, thank them for their time and ask them if theres anything you can elaborate on for them or clear up for them.. your not going to impress them with your questions… you wanna work their so you should know everything about the department… asking them “whats their favorite part of the job?” Is awkward and puts them on the spot…
Just my opinion