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What am I missing?
I figured up the other day that I have applied at 23 different departments in my area. I've tested for maybe 6 of them got onto one and am on 2 waiting list. I have several certs including my 240 and emt b. i also include come certs for rope rescue and evoc in my application. other than a medic card what am i missing? why am i not hearing back from these places or getting hired?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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First off I have no clue what the heck a 240 is, so having that...umm OK.
What are these places you are applying to, career or volly depts? What is your goal?
If looking for career, well, hate to burst your bubble, but chances are most other applicants would also have the same certs, yet those who get hired may have more setting them apart, like a degree, medic, etc. Other than what your resume lists, how do you sell yourself? Ever practice for an interview to limit the "ahhhs" and "ummms"? Have you looked at why you want to do the job? What is going to set you apart...or why take a chance on you?
If looking for volunteer, there are also variables at hand and also comes down to how you sell yourself as well. Not every volly dept "takes what they can get"...at least the good ones don't.
Another factor is costs. No doubt this economy has hit everywhere and hit hard, so many times depts will still do testing or establish an eligibility list, but may not hire, nor even intend to hire. Another realistic factor is the time frame for (at least career) can take a looooong time. One can apply and not hear back for months, get invited for a written test and not hear back for months, and so forth.
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Permalink Reply by Prentice "Marshall Berry on
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240 is professional fire card in ohio.. im looking for a career in the long run but for the time being i jst want a couple part time jobs so i can pay off my school debt.
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And there in is a lesson about the internet and asking questions. What terminology used one place does not echo the rest of the fire service.
So since you are looking for career, yep, you are going to have to step up your game. Having the same basic certs and anyone else does nothing to make you stand out. Having a degree definately helps, paramedic helps, but so does certs atypical of a general applicant. Fire officer, inspector, etc stands out a bit more.....but also look beyond the fire service. The great thing about the fire service is that so many other things can easily translate to FF, especially for interviewing purposes.
Look at any job you do and how it can relate to the fire service. Good with computers etc? Well most reports on done via computer and different programs. Drive a truck etc? helps with experience in driving a fire apparatus. Do you have leadership roles within your job and can you easily adjust from leadership to a team member? What about diversity? Can you speak another language? Do non-profit or community based programs?
Most career FF's have all been there. The process is definately long and one can apply, and keep testing and not get hired....but keep plugging away and learn from each step and dept......one figures out the standard interview questions, how to do the written test and so forth. Basically, don't give up....keep plugging away.......and like many career FFs, after they finally accept a job....everyone else now wants to hire them.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Callahan on
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A few questions ....
Are these departments hiring or were you just submitting an application?
Did they have vacancies?
Do they hire in an ongoing process or at specific times during the year?
What kind of experience do you have? Does your experience match the demographics of the departments?
Who do they typically hire? Are you their "type"?
What does "240" entail?
One other comment ... and I don't mean this to be critical but it could be an issue. Your post above contains several grammatical errors. Your ability to write in a professional manner can have an impact on the intitial impression that your application provides.
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some places are hiring and some i'm just turning in applications. i dont know about the hiring times i just figure i would hear ffrom these places. as far as experience i have been a volley for about 6-7 months now in a department with a full time paid staff. i have experience operating a 110' tower ladder along with driving an engine rescue and a medic. as far as certifications i just started a SCUBA class and will be going through haz mat tech certification as well. a 240 is firefighter I&II it contains hose advance search and rescue basically its ohios professional firefighter card. i know gramatically im not correct but on my applications i am very correct and use my best handwrigint.
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