Firefighter interview questions and answers

1. What do you know about this fire department?

It’s important to practice before the interview. It means that you need to have an understanding about the work you are applying for, such as who the fire chief is, what you should do, and so on. It doesn’t mean that you have to know about all related persons and matters, but it’s very necessary to have an overview of the company.

2. Why do you want this job?

This is a typical question when you find a job. Everyone has their own reasons for choosing their jobs. One can say that the job makes his research come in handy. Others may think that they can become good managers or experts in certain fields such as marketing, IT, service and so on.

It’s better to consider carefully before you making decision on your career and you are supposed to have your own goals and plans established. And they should be specific, reliable and aligned with company’s values and mission statement.

3. Which education or training have you undertaken that makes you fit for this profession?

This is an important point when the employers look at your CV before an interview as they can have a general evaluation about your abilities. They will assess whether your previous training courses or education are suitable for the job they offer or not. Therefore, training or education can become a critical element in recruitment process, and in the same case, it is the element that decides whether you pass the first round of interview or not.

To become a firefighter, your profile shall be checked carefully if you have got trained qualifications and skills in firefighting? Working in a group and in case you haven’t been trained before, you can influence other persons as well as expose others to risks.

Therefore, it is important to answer properly and honestly about your previous training and education courses in the interview. And you also need to have relevant documents or certificates. They can be used to prove that you have been trained before; however, it is not necessary to show them in a short- time interview and if the interviewers don’t ask.

4. What are job responsibilities of a firefighter?

In an interview, please bear in your mind that a firefighter’s responsibilities are different from other jobs’. And this is crucial because this social job will ensure the safety of everyone and community.

If an unfortunate fire happens, a firefighter is not only the savior but also the person who is responsible for the safety and even lives of other persons and properties on the site.

5. What do you think about the role of fire department?

As mentioned above, a firefighter should and have to know his important role to people’s lives, safety as well as to the protection and maintenance of properties as much as possible when a fire happens.

A firefighter should remember that keeping human lives is the most important duty. In some cases when doing his job, a firefighter has to decide between lives and valuables. If this is the case, remember that human lives are always prioritized and more important than anything else.

6. What experience do you have in this field?

Answer tips

• Speak about specific matters that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you do not have any specific experience, get as close as you can.

• If you are being asked this question from your employer, you can explain about your experience. Tell the employer what responsibilities you were performing in your previous job. You can tell about the programs you have developed and modules you have worked on. You can also tell about your achievements in different programs.

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge since the last year?

Answer tips

• Try to include improvements that are relevant to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones in handy to mention in this circumstance.

• Employers tend to look for goal-oriented applicants. Show a desire for continuous learning by listing your non-work related hobbies. Regardless of what hobbies you choose to present, remember that the goal is to prove self-sufficiency, time management, and motivation.

Answer samples

• Everyone should learn from his mistake. I always try to consult my mistakes with my friends and relatives, especially with elder and experienced persons.

8. Tell me about a good recommendation you have made?

Have a good one ready. Be sure and present a recommendation that was accepted and considered a success. Any recommendation that is relevant to the category of the job you are applying for is a real plus.

This is a behavioral question that explores your initiative. You need to think about a situation when you came up with an improvement or change to an existing system or work process.

 9. Are you a team player?

Answer tips

The answer is YES. This is an open-ended question, so you may talk about your teamwork skills.

Teamwork skills include listening, discussing, questioning, persuading, respecting, helping, sharing, participating, and the ability to take advantages of all communication channels. Present a several of examples in 1-2 minutes each.

Answer samples

If you are asked the question whether you prefer to work independently or in a team, here is the best way to answer it:

• “I have worked both in teams and independently. Some jobs match and require a teamwork effort while others are suitable to an individual work. Project is completed in a timely and efficient manner.