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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on February 28, 2014 at 9:39am

A disclaimer first, I am not part of, nor have I tested for, nor have I been to Cleveland to know how they conduct a hiring process. My opinion here is based off experience from numerous other depts I have tested for etc.

Considering Cleveland is a larger dept and they are doing a civil service test, your chances are just as good as anyone else. Such civil service tests tend to focus on a general written test, revolving around math, reading, science, map reading, etc. The test, while may be worded in fire service terms (IE, you are a firefighter on this crew....) the test itself is general in nature so as not to be biased to those with a fire service background. Such written tests may incorporate a personality type of test as well. Then there tends to be a physical agility type of test and perhaps some interview, of course depending if you pass all aspects. At that point all things get scored and you are ranked and placed in ahiring pool. Depending upon vacancies and where you rank, you may or may not get a call to get hired.

 

Now just looking at Cleveland's site, it says they have an 18 week fire academy, which means they will teach you their way. So I hate to tell you, but your volunteer experience really means nothing to them in the grand scheme of things, don't rely upon that. Also there will be many others with a fire related background testing as well. So while your volunteer experience can help "you" in knowing tools, basic operations, dressing out, etc, the fact you have some volunteer experience isn't really going to stand out.

 

Such cities tend to look for diversity and how you can fit the dept. Again they will teach you to be a firefighter, so they are not looking for that, but what make "you" stand out to hire? Now you are young and don't have the life experience like many others you will go up against, but look at what sets "you" apart. Some examples are like volunteer work (like Big Brother, Big Sisters, youth clubs, service organizations, etc) What about sports, were you are leader or show you can be a team member? What kind of work experience, do you jump from job to job or stay with one? What are your reasons? If no job, what about schooling? What are you doing now? Classes, college, certifications? Can you speak another language and so forth.

 

Some things that may help someone standout more is military experience and veterans points, which isn't going to help you now, but could be something to consider. Education can help, some cities like this may give extra points for having an Associates or Bachelors degree.

 

 

As for my experience and how long it took me to get on the dept? It took me 4 times to get on my current dept. I had military experience, I was going to college for my Associates and obtained my paramedic all before I was hired on. (well I was able to finish paramedic after I got hired). I didn't really start apply for departments until I got out of the service in 1999, I worked a job servicing and inspecting fire extinguishers and systems, before getting into school. I was able to intern with a dept while in school and was hired in 2004. In that time I applied all over, I filled out more applications than even what I could test for. I tested for many departments and made many lists. At the time there were many hiring freezes and so forth limiting chances to get hired. When I did get hired I turned down 2 job offers before getting the call for my current dept. I turned down a call from Milwaukee because they called after I just finished my physical for my dept, and I turned down an offer for Madison because they called after I finished my academy and was on the floor.

 

What I learned is you don't give up, apply everywhere you possibly can, test everywhere you possibly can, even if the dept is not your "dream job", it will only make you better at taking tests, knowing interview questions and working on calming nerves. Don't rely upon your volunteer fire experience to laud your experience, they really don't care and will teach you their way.....besides almost everyone one else has the same experience. Work towards education for a degree, work on getting your paramedic and so forth.

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