Each stage is difficult and you will need to take your time to consider what is required from you and you need to show as an ideal candidate. The job of a fireman, like that of a police officer, is one of the most respect jobs you can undertake. It is also regarded as one of those few jobs that are safe and secure even in a time of financial crisis.
This popularity has meant that many people are now seeking this career path and the number of applications received by the fire service recruitment team has grown rapidly in recent years.
However, it is estimated that around 75% of people who apply never make it past the application stage. This is a staggering statistic and also a sad one because it means that the majority of candidates never achieve their dream job.
So why do 25% of candidates succeed at the application form stage and 75% fail?
There is no definite answer to explain the reasoning behind this but there are number of factors that can help the fire service recruitment team differentiate between candidates. The rest of this article is going to examine what these factors are to ensure you stand out as an ideal candidate.
The factor is a fully completed application form which has been submitted exactly how the recruitment team have specified. While this may sound like a simple statement to make, it is surprising the amount of applicants that do not follow this. For example, read the application form very carefully and ensure you follow all the instructions. If it asks you to complete the form in black ink, make sure you do this.
The second factor is answering all the questions asked and using relevant examples which are specific to you. For example, you may be asked to describe a time when you demonstrated the ability to work as a team.
Within this question you may be asked to describe what you role was, what you did, how this fitted in with the team and what the end result was. There are now a number of questions that you must answer otherwise the question will be deemed incomplete.
A good candidate will provide a response that answers all questions and is straight to the point. If you are asked to stick to a word limit then ensure your answer does not exceed this. The word limit is not set because the fire service recruitment team do not want to read long answers but to test your ability to write in a concise manner.
The third factor is taking the time to research the role you are applying for. When the recruitment staff receive an application form it is clear who the candidates are that have researched the role they are applying for. Their answers are often linked to the job description and they show an understanding of what is required from a fireman.
Spend some time researching the role of a fireman and try to include what you have found in your answers and this will show that you are taking the application seriously and have spent some time on it.
