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The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): The Interview (no bacon this time)
Tell you what, I'll save all of you the trouble and say it myself....
I'm a jackass.
There. Everyone happy?
I spent the better part of the day yesterday semi-obsessing, stressing and second-guessing about my interview. I changed clothes twice after work (I didn't want to come across as too business-like, but I didn't want to be sloppy or look too girly) and spent ten minutes alternately putting my hair up and then taking it back down again (who does this??? Oh, only me???) and then took the short walk down the street to the station.
I had spent some time thinking about how I wanted to respond to what I thought would be a variety of questions, and while I wasn't rehearsing my answers, I had certainly dedicated a good chunk of time thinking about what I wanted to say and how I wanted to portray myself and how best to be true to myself and not sound like a moron.
I met with two of the past chiefs, and they conducted my interview in the apparatus bay, leaning up against the rig. I thought it was a bit unconventional, but it actually served to put me at ease.
After we completed all of my paperwork and talked about the whole "what happens after you're voted on" and what to expect in terms of time commitment, not only for FF1 class, but also time for drills, community events and responding, I heard a little history about the department....and then my interviewers took deep breaths and I thought to myself......here it comes.....the big important questions...
Well, no.....not exactly; here's how it really went down... (Past Chief) "So, do you have any questions for us? (Me) "I think you covered all the basics, will they be voting on me tonight?" (Past Chief) "Yup, the business meeting starts in about half an hour and we'll vote on you then, then you'll get a letter from the secretary telling you when and where you should report for your physical" (Me) "Would you like me to talk about my background and why I'm here?" (Past Chief #2) "Nah, I think we got enough to present to the membership....basically, as long as you're not the village idiot, you're most likely voted in, and you don't seem like the village idiot".
And THAT was my interview. I'm feeling sheepish for all the hours I spent fretting, and the mental gymnastics, and the response inventory rehearsals, and the outfit changes, and the hair nonsense....but I also know in my gut that if I had sashayed in there with NO preparation, the interview would have rivalled the Spanish Inquisition ("No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!"--a little Python humor), because that's just the funny way that life works.
So now I can start stalking the mailman and wearing a groove in the pavement in front of the mailbox.
On a positive note, I lost three pounds stressing over the whole thing.
:)
Add a Comment
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Comment by mike newbury on January 11, 2008 at 6:45pm
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I guess I will sound like a pig here, thats what my wife and 14 yr old daughter say when I say this to them...WHATS UP WITH YOU WOMEN AND CLOTHS???
Look I know you where nervous...I was too 16 years ago but and I was nervous when I interviewed for Captain a year ago too. But the cloths thing I don't get
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Comment by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on January 11, 2008 at 11:10am
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Damn; I almost forgot.
Congratulations on losing the three pounds!
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Where I live, they DID vote the village idiot on. He now sits on a Harley and makes motor noises with his mouth, is president of his fire department's board of trustees, wore a white helmet for a time and likes long walks on the beach. My favorite color AND music is blue.
And unlike others, MINE are real.
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Comment by LadyChaplain on January 10, 2008 at 9:42pm
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Oh Mel! You're amazing in so many ways!
All that stressing over nothing... but here's a little secret... I sort of did the same t hing... lol.
:-) But there's one difference between your department and mine... at mine they welcome the village idiots haha.
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Comment by Joe Stoltz on January 9, 2008 at 11:12pm
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See, we told you so... Congratulations!
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Comment by Mick Mayers on January 9, 2008 at 9:04pm
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Oh, by the way, congratulations!
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So what about the bacon?
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Comment by Bill Major on January 9, 2008 at 8:37pm
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Yeah I guess your right. I am a bit thin with the hair..... I am sure my four daughters will train me : )
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Comment by Mary Ellen Shea on January 9, 2008 at 8:34pm
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Siren,
He wouldn't understand the hair thing either--
;P
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Comment by Firegal77 on January 9, 2008 at 5:07pm
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Sweet! You're in! Now you can fine tune your preparatory speech for when you meet the rest of your crew! ;o) You'll do fine!
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