Essay test for hiring. Why do you want to be a firefighter paramedic?

abckidsmom

abckidsmom

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I'm about to go back to work at the small department I've worked at part time before. I currently am a volunteer in the system, and know everyone and function in the exact same role as I would if I was hired, only without a paycheck.

I talked to the Chief tonight and he said there is an essay test on the day of pre-employment testing. He said the questions would be scenario questions, plus one or two "Why do you want to be a firefighter paramedic for our County?"

I feel pretty comfortable with these people, and have been in the system longer than all of their current personnel. I am, however, new as a firefighter.

What would you say in this essay? I want to be completely honest and say, "I want to earn money doing the work instead of working for free," but I think that would be a little too snotty.

Somethign funny, not too serious, not too arrogant.
 
abckidsmom said:
I'm about to go back to work at the small department I've worked at part time before. I currently am a volunteer in the system, and know everyone and function in the exact same role as I would if I was hired, only without a paycheck.

I talked to the Chief tonight and he said there is an essay test on the day of pre-employment testing. He said the questions would be scenario questions, plus one or two "Why do you want to be a firefighter paramedic for our County?"

I feel pretty comfortable with these people, and have been in the system longer than all of their current personnel. I am, however, new as a firefighter.

What would you say in this essay? I want to be completely honest and say, "I want to earn money doing the work instead of working for free," but I think that would be a little too snotty.

Somethign funny, not too serious, not too arrogant.
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Stick with serious. You never know who reads that stuff or how it would be taken.
 
Veneficus said:
Stick with serious. You never know who reads that stuff or how it would be taken.
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Right. But the serious answer is "for the money" unless I go with the standard "to help other people and save lives."
 
abckidsmom said:
Right. But the serious answer is "for the money" unless I go with the standard "to help other people and save lives."
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"Because my true calling lies in helping other people and saving lives, and I want to focus on my professional development in this field," or something like that. A bit about how you know the county well and would be proud to be employed by the system probably wouldn't hurt, either.

Sounding way too eager and earnest is much better than humor being taken the wrong way.
 
abckidsmom said:
Somethign funny, not too serious
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don't try to do funny on an essay question for a potential job!!

stay serious. you could segue into "light" ... but still serious.

sense of humor doesn't always translate, and it is FAR from universal.
 
beandip4all said:
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I'm sensing a theme. Do you want to be my friend (I could always use someone who has animated gifs of drag queens for random occassions).
 
I freely admit to still being an EMT-B student, but a relatively older one, and I've had some time to see how the world works. Having said that, one of many lessons I've learned is that honesty is most decidedly NOT the best policy. In this case, it's probably wise to tell them what they want to hear.
 
beandip4all said:
tumblr_li4274RChb1qhxckbo1_250.gif


don't try to do funny on an essay question for a potential job!!

stay serious. you could segue into "light" ... but still serious.

sense of humor doesn't always translate, and it is FAR from universal.
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I love drag queens.

Make up some feely BS about saving lives and working for the greater good. That's what people want to hear. NEVER answer that honestly unless your honest answer is the touchy feely BS.
 
I'm gonna have to disagree with every one else. Be honest, tell them that you wish to get paid for your services. It shows that you value yourself as a professional and that you feel that you deserve compensation for your time spent. Moreover, they see the "I want to help people", "I want to save lives" answer in at least 3 out of every 5 individuals. What's wrong with wanting to get paid to do what you do? Is what you do not worth money?

Now, if they asked something along the lines of, "Where do you see yourself in 10 years", lie like hell. Say, "still here as an FTO potentially!".
 
medicRob said:
I'm gonna have to disagree with every one else. Be honest, tell them that you wish to get paid for your services. It shows that you value yourself as a professional and that you feel that you deserve compensation for your time spent. Moreover, they see the "I want to help people", "I want to save lives" answer in at least 3 out of every 5 individuals. What's wrong with wanting to get paid to do what you do? Is what you do not worth money?

Now, if they asked something along the lines of, "Where do you see yourself in 10 years", lie like hell. Say, "still here as an FTO potentially!".
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They may also see her as someone who doesn't care about the patient and is only in it for the money. Not very hireable in my opinion!
 
Sasha said:
They may also see her as someone who doesn't care about the patient and is only in it for the money. Not very hireable in my opinion!
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Her previous work experience and references will reflect whether or not she was a good provider or one just in it for the money more so than an essay question.
 
medicRob said:
Her previous work experience and references will reflect whether or not she was a good provider or one just in it for the money more so than an essay question.
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Not necessarily. People work in EMS for a long time who are in it for other reasons than the patient care. I know abdicksmom isn't in it for that, but just because someone has previous work experience doesn't mean they're not a good provider.
 
Sasha said:
Not necessarily. People work in EMS for a long time who are in it for other reasons than the patient care. I know abdicksmom isn't in it for that, but just because someone has previous work experience doesn't mean they're not a good provider.
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Yes, but if you are a bad provider and a lazy one, chances are, it will probably come up when they call to check for references in one way or another.
 
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medicRob said:
Yes, but if you are a bad provider and a lazy one, chances are, it will probably come up when they call to check for references in one way or another.
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Not here, at least. Legally if you call a previous employer they are only legally allowed to be asked if they would rehire you and if you worked there for such and such dates, and they're only allowed to answer "Yes" or "No".

You can pad personal refrences with people you know got your back.
 
Sasha said:
Not here, at least. Legally if you call a previous employer they are only legally allowed to be asked if they would rehire you and if you worked there for such and such dates, and they're only allowed to answer "Yes" or "No".

You can pad personal refrences with people you know got your back.
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If you are a bad provider, word gets out sooner or later. You will start noticing that no service wants anything to do with you. Word does travel, regardless of whether it is by way of formal on the record references or innocent conversation between two good ole boys offering a tip to help out a friend.
 
Unfortunately, businesses in general today seem more interested in form than function. I've been criticized more than once for having a resume that gets to the point without being all "fancied up".

So really the best answer to that question will depend on the collective mindset of those who review the application.
 
It's all in the delivery!

abckidsmom said:
What would you say in this essay? I want to be completely honest and say, "" but I think that would be a little too snotty.
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It IS the real truth, so just make it the meat in the sandwich:

I've spent (X%) of my life helping people get through the worst parts of their lives. I'm into it and also into expanding my abilities. My record shows it. People in the community have been getting my very best for a long time.

Quite frankly, I want to earn money doing the work instead of working for free. (Just a little while ago -- OFF DUTY! --I saved some guy's head from getting crushed by a car and the SOB didn't even tip me!)

You are presenting me the opportunity to provide for my family's future, help me to grow professionally and also offer more to the people here. I'd like to take advantage of that.
 
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