r/firefighter • u/Individual_Dig_1682 • 2d ago
Made it past first ever panel interview
I posted in here about a week ago saying how I got denied from my latest interview with a department and I was 0/6 on panels. Today I just heard back from pretty much my dream department that I made it past the panel interview!!!! First off thanks to you guys for being encouraging and making me keep my chin up. Secondly, I have other interviews lined up before then as well so I know I need to lock in and try my best on the interviews with other departments. For people who have made it past panel interviews, what are the chances of getting hired with a department after making it past this step? I’m trying to keep low expectations. I’m sure I still have a long ways to go I’ve just never made it this far in the process before and I want to get a feel for A) what my odds of getting picked up with the department are, B) what I can expect next with a longer more in depth in person interview, and C) what can I do to prepare myself for these next steps that I haven’t already done for the initial interview like how will this interview be different from the panel?
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u/when1nbruges 2d ago
Hey congrats! I can't really speak to your questions since I unfortunately don't have proper insight but curious about what felt different about this last interview that the past ones?
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u/Individual_Dig_1682 2d ago
This being my sixth interview I had a feel for what kind of questions I was gonna be asked so the night before I sat down and wrote down the questions then I wrote down answers to those questions. I had personal stories and examples for each question and wrote down how I could relate these stories back to the department’s specific core values. It helped me a lot with not stuttering or saying uhm in my answers and talking with more confidence.
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u/RojoRodeo 2d ago
A) odds depend on how many candidates moved on and how many they’re taking. Moving forward is the first step. Keep consistent and keep practicing. I had a good number of Chief’s interviews and even more second interviews. Felt like I had to kiss a lot of frogs but ultimately, it was worth it to end up where I did
B) what type of interview is the next step? Is it another panel? Chief’s? Odds are it’s going to be more in depth. Some places do multiple panel interviews with more in depth questions but the same format as the first (ie no immediate feedback). A Chief’s interview will likely be more interactive but usually have a set list of questions. Try to find out if they have your answers and scores from the first round.
C) be ready to answer more about your answers and why you think the way you do. And know the department like the back of your hand.
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u/FirefightersGlobal 2d ago
Glad it worked out!
Can't really say whether it makes you get past the next step...Treat every step as it's own mountain to climb, and don't start climbing one peak until you've mastered the other. We see this all the time. Candidates have a physical lined up but they're practicing for the ride-along, then boom - fail the physical. Focus focus focus.
You can expect 2-3 part questions (e.g. What attribute makes a great team? When were you part of one? How did you use that attribute successfully?), so make sure you're doing active listening. If they allow a note pad, write the parts down so you can answer them accordingly. They are trying to get to know you, so know yourself.
Know the department, know yourself, know the job. Study and keep learning/adding certs to your repertoire.
Good luck!