The fire officer Interview is so competitive candidates should try to gain any advantage that they can. The difference between getting promoted and having to test again the following year could be one single interview question. Here are a few tips for your Fire Captain Interview.

Be Prepared: First and foremost you must be knowledgeable and well versed in all aspects of the Fire Captain interview. You should know all of your department’s policies and SOPs. The easiest and most thorough way to prepare for the interview questions is to use our Fire Officer Interview Book. It contains over 80 questions from Fire Officer Interviews around the country. It essentially gives you the questions to study prior to your interview.

Be Passionate: It’s not always about which candidate can most eloquently answer each question. Interview panels want to see the passion and the fire behind the words in those answers. Be sure to demonstrate this passion in all of your questions. Make sure the panel knows how badly you want this position.

Show long term dedication: As strong as the competition is for these positions, many times very good candidates are just not promoted. The biggest mistake they can make is to become disenchanted and stop testing, or worse adopt a negative attitude and resent the administration for not being promoted. Instead if the opportunity arises during your interview be sure to tell the panel that THIS position is your goal and you will stop at nothing to get it. If you’re not promoted this time, you will test again, score high again, and see them again in another interview. This will absolutely leave a lasting impression on the interview panel.

Finish Strong: Your closing statement is your opportunity to sell yourself and leave a final positive impression on the panel. Use this opportunity to once again highlight your greatest strengths and then to passionately state how much you want this position, and that you will thrive and succeed once promoted.

Be sure to look at our Fire Officer Interview book if you want to study over 80 actual interview questions from around the country.