Not so great on paper...

JanetDoe

JanetDoe

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Hi all,

This is my first post here on the site so I hope i'm posting in the right spot. I recently completed EMT school and am preparing for the National Registry Exam. My ultimate goal is Fire Dept Medic (yes I know I have quite a bit of work ahead of me). Here's my question.... I don't exactly look great on paper. I messed up in high school, got in some minor trouble here and there, have some difficult to explain gaps in my employment history, I don't have any resume worthy accomplishments etc etc. Long story short, it took me a few years to get my act together (i'm now 26). Is this going to eliminate a lot of options for me? I mean right now as it stands I would assume so, but there has to be ways to fix that. I know without a doubt that this is what I want to do the rest of my life, it's all I want to do. What can I do to keep my past mistakes from ruining my future within EMS? Only thing that comes to mind is volunteer work, more schooling (just not sure what courses), i've looked at CEU but I can't do that untill i'm certified anyway. Any suggestions? I'll do whatever I have to do, just need to know where to start.
If you're still reading this than I thank you for taking the time to do so and am waiting impatiently by the computer for a response lol
help? please?
 
Look into college or university medic programs. A lot of what you are asking is dependant on where you live . California for example is over saturated with EMTs. Pay is low and there is ALOT of competition for fire jobs. Other places you could walk into a job. Some departments look favourably on any customer service experience as well.
 
Thanks Tim! Very much appreciated : )
I was just reviewing my post and how many views it had and was really starting to get bummed out that 25 people read it but not one person responded, than you did : ) you rock!
I had thought about the location of the FD and yes I know LAFD is going to take a small miracle. But I still have to get through being a medic and than paramedic school before I reach that level. Right now it feels like I never will, but every journey starts with one step right? I just don't know where to start as far as getting hired with a decent company. I'm just so overwhelmed :blink:

thanks again for replying : )
 
btw i love your avatar picture. One of my all time favorite movies : )
 
Tim, anything come to mind as far as which departments i might have a better shot with? I know that's kind of an impossible question but anything come to mind? I'll move if I have to, thats fine, but i don't think i could handle anything too middle of nowhere though, I"m a city girl since birth
 
JanetDoe said:
Tim, anything come to mind as far as which departments i might have a better shot with? I know that's kind of an impossible question but anything come to mind? I'll move if I have to, thats fine, but i don't think i could handle anything too middle of nowhere though, I"m a city girl since birth
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Hopefully some others will chime in here. While I did some of my EMS training in the US, I am Canadian and live up north. Most of what I know about others systems is from here.
 
What about any tips on compensating for a resume that's lacking in, well everything. It probably sounds ridiculous but like I said, took me a few years to get my act together. So I have difficult to explain employment gaps, no real accomplishments, nothing I'd consider resume worthy. Only thing I have is I went to one of the top schools in the country so that's hopefully going to help. But I want to be an outstanding candidate because I know i'll be an outstanding medic. I've never wanted anything so bad in my life. I have so much passion and dedication to EMS, I just don't know how to get my foot in the door let alone succeed with such a checkered past. No legal issues or anything, just about every other kind of issue though. = ( We all make mistakes, am I doomed forever (professionally speaking)? How can I get in there enough to prove myself? because I know i will. There's gotta be a way. right?
 
EMT is an entry level minimum wage position in most of the us. Try not to stress yourself out by putting it on a pedestal . Find a program that works for you.

Some options I have seen from people here were to get hired as a service tech / inventory tech with a service to get your foot in the door. You can try volunteering at a hospital or volly service ( if that is a possibility).

The main thing is getting your cert and going from there.
 
Well unfortunately as Tim stated the California Market is kinda saturated. I don't know about your relocation options, but as a EMT almost everywhere is a saturated job market, minimal pay and 30 people to take your place if you decide to decline or leave the employer.

To start and build a resume if you can financially afford to do so, volunteer is a way to start depending on where you live. Some places have volley squads and some don't.

If Fire Medic or even firefighter is your goal, its achievable if your willing to
1. Relocate
2. fly or drive all over the nation to test at various cities.
3. Paramedic, A lot of Fire depts. scoop up paramedics, the last place I tested for offered paramedics first crack after the physical agility test.

As far as minor trouble, How long ago and what was it? Legal? If so YMMV, some places prohibit any felony records, DUI's or drug related offenses. Some places it depends on the length of time since the last infraction. I.E. you got popped for a small bag of weed 7 years ago. But have been squeaky clean since. Of course be prepared to be bombarded with questions about it.

Firefighter/Paramedic is a great job, and like Tim said its also very competitive. So your A Game is a must, its not unachievable but its a long hard road.
 
That was a huge help fury, it at least helped me narrow down potential problems and routes to take. I have no problem relocating but I don't think i could handle anything too rural and most major city departments I'm assuming are going to be tough to get on, which is fine. If I can just get in there I know i can do the rest. My ultimate goal is 100% FD Paramedic. Paramedic school is very expensive, FT hours and close to a year long (at the school I'm trying to go to that is). They also require a certain amount of time spent as an EMT before you can apply. Maybe I'm over thinking it but I"m just so overwhelmed and frustrated.

As far as "trouble" goes... no felonies, no drug convictions, no DUI's. Only trouble with the law I ever had was unpaid tickets (which are now fixed) and maybe a fight here or there when I was a juvenile. I'm not too worried about that. What I'm worried about is just the fact that on paper I probably look a little shady. I'm 26, no real accomplishments, no community involvement (something i'd like to change but don't really know how), a work history that's scattered across multiple fields, multiple states & nothing solid. I can understand why employers frown on these things but hey we all mess up, but I can't exactly put that on the resume lol I'm so lost but relentless is an understatement so if it can be done, i know i can do it... just don't know how.
thanks for listening this far, i know theres no magic answer but i just need a few points in the right direction and/or advice.
Tim & Fury you guys are awesome, thanks for taking the time to write back.
I hope to make some friends and become a regular on this site, seems like a great one to be a part of. I can't wait!
 
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Just tell them your a late bloomer,..

lets be real, at 18 your not really sure what you really want to do with your life and people these days do change careers mid life. Which is fine. Just put what you have on paper, and be honest, in the meantime if you are working hold onto whatever job you have. If you can land a job elsewhere even out of state and are willing to relocate what do you have to loose If I was in your shoes a national job search would suit me, but I'd aim for southern states (I hate the cold) As far as a juvenile record. they are usually sealed after you become a adult unless it was a felony or you committed murder or something.

Google search EMT resumes and aim for tailoring to a "Entry level resume" or recent graduate resume. Lets be honest the ink hasn't even dried on your card, and your looking to enter the profession. I wouldn't expect you to have a 12 year job history and record achievements since we all have to start somewhere.
 
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vebuzare.jpg

When you refer to unleashedfury as fury all I can think of is this.
 
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nope, nothing i my past that i'm worried about was illegal. Immorale, in poor taste and embarrassing for sure but not illegal. I'm in the process of changing my last name back to my original name at birth which should help me out a bit but it is a long, expensive & slightly complicated process. I'd be okay with that except i feel like i'm losing everything i learned in school in the meantime,:blush:
 
JanetDoe said:
nope, nothing i my past that i'm worried about was illegal. Immorale, in poor taste and embarrassing for sure but not illegal. I'm in the process of changing my last name back to my original name at birth which should help me out a bit but it is a long, expensive & slightly complicated process. I'd be okay with that except i feel like i'm losing everything i learned in school in the meantime,:blush:
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Read your book,,, feel free to ask questions. and didn't know changing your name was so difficult. I guess it depends on the reasoning, If you were married use that as your scape goat for employment history gaps.. I was a homemaker,, Hubby liked it that way.
 
JanetDoe said:
lol i apologize, i am new to the whole concept of forums and forum etiquette. Won't happen again :blush: sorry about that
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Nothing to be sorry for at all. I watched a few marvel movies recently and my brain went right to nr Jackson
 
JanetDoe said:
lol i apologize, i am new to the whole concept of forums and forum etiquette. Won't happen again :blush: sorry about that
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Its quite ok,, most people on forums I use this chat name on do the same.. it originated from a name for a race team,, and really fits on car forums. and I'm not that imaginative so I use it for EMS forums now too..
 
unleashedfury said:
Just tell them your a late bloomer,..

lets be real, at 18 your not really sure what you really want to do with your life and people these days do change careers mid life. Which is fine. Just put what you have on paper, and be honest, in the meantime if you are working hold onto whatever job you have. If you can land a job elsewhere even out of state and are willing to relocate what do you have to loose If I was in your shoes a national job search would suit me, but I'd aim for southern states (I hate the cold) As far as a juvenile record. they are usually sealed after you become a adult unless it was a felony or you committed murder or something.

Google search EMT resumes and aim for tailoring to a "Entry level resume" or recent graduate resume. Lets be honest the ink hasn't even dried on your card, and your looking to enter the profession. I wouldn't expect you to have a 12 year job history and record achievements since we all have to start somewhere.
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What kind of things are they going to be looking for at that level'? are they going to go back into every little waitressing job i had through high shool? lol or are they going to focus on youre EMS schooling, character & potential mostly? I have gaps in my employment that i can't really explain and i'm not going to fabricate a resume for a job that means more to me than waking up tomorrow. it's just this vicious cycle that's got my head spinning.
 
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