Electrical odors
"When building management teams, departments are looking for the right mix that meet the missions and values of the organization," DeMint said at the start of the class. "You could be the best truck guy in the world, but you may not be the right officer. But you can develop yourself to be that right officer to meet and match that organization’s expectations and needs."
DeMint outlined the key qualities needed to find success when going for promotion:
• Integrity
• Trust
• Intelligence
• Competence
• Experience
"If you build these into your value system, you’re going to be in pretty good shape," DeMint said. "Organizations are not doing it (interviewing) for a contest, just to see who wins. They need leaders in those management positions that they trust.
"They are looking for leadership, they are looking for communication skills – verbal, written and interpersonal. Are you able to talk to those you work with?"
DeMint outlined four key areas that interviewers assessed in candidates:
- Experience
- Organization
- Problem solving
- Tactical abilities
Think you have more skills and abilities than everyone else? DeMint urged caution.
"It’s a competitive world," said DeMint. "You may feel like that, but you need to self reflect and must find out who you really are. What have you done to improve your skills and abilities? It’s about being in when everyone else is out playing."
To move up the career ladder, said DeMint, people have to show more than just firefighting skills and have to do more than just say they were experienced. They must show:
- Confidence
- Analysis
- Application
- Competence
- Poise
They also have to know their organization inside out, according to DeMint.
"Understand your organization – what are the problems in the organization?" said DeMint. "It may be budgets, it may be the culture. Know the profession – what are the problems in the profession?"
For many candidates, giving an oral presentation can be the most daunting part of promotional interviews.
DeMint suggested joining an organization such as The Toastmasters International, a public speaking group.
"It’s like the AA for public speakers, said DeMint. "Some of the best speakers in the world belong to The Toastmasters, and they bounce ideas off."
