1. Explain what did you like least about your last job?

There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked less than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While I do love to travel, twice a month was a little exhausting – I didn't like spending quite so much time out of the department. I'm happy to see that this role involves a lot less travel.

2. Please explain what do you think of your previous boss?

My last boss taught me the importance of time management – he didn't pull any punches, and was extremely driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet goals I never even thought were possible.

3. Why are you leaving your current role as Firefighter Specialist?

I've learned a lot from my current role, but now I'm looking for a new challenge to broaden my horizons and to gain new skill-sets – all of which, I see the potential for in this job.

4. Why do you want to work in this industry as Firefighter Specialist?

I have always appreciated and admired those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities. My interest piqued in firefighting after I witnessed a post-crash rescue. I heard the calling as I watched the first response team pull civilians to safety. It was then I knew that this is what I was meant to do.

5. What salary are you looking for as Firefighter Specialist?

I'm more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I'd expect to be paid the appropriate range for this role, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New York City.

6. Tell me how an apple tastes to someone who can't taste?

There isn't a right or wrong answer to this question. This question reveals your ability to think critically. Take a moment to think about how you will respond.

One way to answer the question is: 'I would describe the taste of an apple as refreshing because of how juicy they are. While a person may not be able to taste, they can probably feel the juice as they bite into the apple. When I think about apples, I imagine the fresh, juicy sensation that comes with taking my first bite.'

Even if your answer isn't the same as the rest of candidates interviewing, it shows your ability to think on your toes. Your interviewer will appreciate whatever answer you give as long as you provide a reason for why you chose the description you used.

7. What's your greatest weakness as Firefighter Specialist?

I've never been very comfortable with public speaking, which as you know, can be a hindrance. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous department if I could enroll in a speech workshop. I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I've given a lot of safety presentations to school children across the county. I still don't love it, but no one else can tell!

8. Why should I hire you as Firefighter Specialist?

I've been a firefighter for the past five years – my boss has said time and time again that without me, the department wouldn't function as well. I've also taken the time to educate myself on some of the non-standard techniques used in first response. I can react quickly in hectic situations, and handle the responsibilities of a leadership role. What's good enough for most people is never really good enough for me.

9. Why are you looking to leave your current job as Firefighter Specialist?

The interviewer wants to know that you have clearly thought through your decision to leave your current job, and that you know what you want out of your next role.

Never use this question as an excuse to complain about your current or previous employer, as it will make you sound unprofessional! Instead, take the opportunity to explain areas in which you'd like to be more challenged, projects you haven't had the opportunity to work on, or simply elaborate on why this move is right for you at this time. Focus on the positive aspects of what else you have to offer professionally and how it fits within the role you're applying for.

10. Tell us what religious holidays do you practice?

It is illegal for an interviewer to ask you about your religion, age, marital status, if you're a parent, or your sexual orientation. Employers use these questions to discriminate against applicants in the hiring process.

Don't assume your interviewer is intentionally asking illegal questions. One in five interviewers unknowingly asks an illegal interview question based on CareerBuilder's April survey.

There are three ways you can answer this question.

If you feel comfortable answering the question, just answer it.

Or, instead of responding to the original question, try answering the question you think the interviewer is trying to ask. Interviewers asking what holidays you participate in religiously could be their way of finding out if you will be unable to work on specific days of the year.

Finally, if you feel the question is too personal, you can refuse to answer it. Decline to answer respectfully and let the interviewer know the answer will not impact your work ethic. However, refusing to answer might result in another candidate receiving the job offer.

11. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure as Firefighter Specialist?

Pressure is actually a catalyst to my work. When there is an imperative deadline, I refocus my energy into my work which in fact, has helped me to produce some of my best works. (Give examples) I guess you can say I thrive under pressure.

12. What motivates you in you career?

I've always been motivated by the challenge – in my last role, I was responsible for training our new recruits and having a 100% success rate in passing scores. I know that this job is very fast-paced and I'm more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.

13. Explain me your gap in employment?

My work is important to me, so I won't be satisfied with any old job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I'm taking my time and being selective to make sure my next role is the right one.

32. Fresh Firefighter Specialist Job Interview Questions:

☛ What are some of the important traits a firefighter must possess?
☛ What is the most important trait a firefighter must possess?
☛ How could you help maintain good relations around the firehouse?
☛ What is a typical daily routine in a firehouse?
☛ What will you do with your spare time while on duty?
☛ What duties does a firefighter perform?
☛ What is the most essential duty a firefighter performs?
☛ What type of person would you find it most difficult to work with?
☛ Would you ever disobey an order?
☛ When would you disobey an order?
☛ What do you know about the city of ________?
☛ What do you know about the organizational structure of the ____ Fire Department?
☛ What are your hobbies and/or interests?
☛ Define harassment/sexual harassment.
☛ What would you do if you were witness to someone being sexually harassed/harassed?
☛ Have you ever been directly or indirectly or known someone who was involved in a sexual harassment/harassment dispute? What were the circumstances?
☛ Honesty and Integrity, define them and why are they important in the fire service?
☛ Pride and Loyalty, define them and why are they important in the fire service?
☛ What are the advantages and disadvantages of similar groups vs. diverse groups of people when working as a team?
☛ What do you think the future holds for the fire service?
☛ Where do you see the fire service going (how do you see it changing) in the next 5-10 years?
☛ If we were to contact your present or former employer, what would be one negative point they might raise about you?
☛ Are you currently on any other fire department eligibility list?
☛ What would you do if we offered you a position, and then soon after, you were offered a position with a bigger and better paying department, why would you stay?
☛ As part of the hiring process we will be doing an extensive background investigation. Is there anything in your past that you would like to discuss or explain to this panel?

33. Role-specific Firefighter Specialist Job Interview Questions:

☛ What motivates you to be a firefighter?
☛ What can a firefighter do for fire prevention?
☛ What are the challenges that fire departments have to deal with nowadays?
☛ Do you know the mission statement of our agency?
☛ What's the most important duty of a firefighter?
☛ What piece of firefighting equipment is most difficult to operate and why?

34. Professional Firefighter Specialist Job Interview Questions:

☛ Please prioritize the following in order of importance to you: Career, Family, Friends.
☛ Suppression, Prevention and Public Education, rank them in order of importance in the Fire Service and explain your reasoning.
☛ Describe a difficult decision that you've had to make in your life. What were the circumstances and what was your decision? Would you make the same decision again?
☛ Tell us about a conflict you've had with a co-worker or supervisor. What actions did you take to resolve this conflict? What did you learn from it? What would you do differently if the same situation arose again?
☛ Tell us about a mistake you've made in your past and what you learned from that mistake.
☛ What have you done to prepare for this interview?
☛ What have you done to prepare for a career in the fire service? What have you done to prepare for a career with the _______ fire department?
☛ Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
☛ Why do you want to be a firefighter?
☛ Why do you want to be a firefighter for the City of _______?
☛ What is the most appealing aspect of being a firefighter?
☛ What is the least appealing aspect of being a firefighter?
☛ What do you consider to be your strongest asset? your weakest?
☛ Why would you be a good firefighter?
☛ Give an example in which you had to work as part of a team in order to achieve a common goal.
☛ What is the advantage of working in teams?
☛ Why is teamwork so important in the fire service?
☛ How do you and your family feel about you working 24 (or 48) hour shifts?
☛ What makes you think you would be able to deal with the stresses of being a firefighter?
☛ How have you prepared yourself to remain calm and react effectively at emergency scenes?
☛ Give an example of a time which you were faced with an emergency situation.
☛ Explain the circumstances and your actions.
☛ What kinds of personal conflicts/problems might arise in a firehouse and what could you do to minimize such problems?
☛ What personality traits do you possess that make you feel you would be a good firefighter?
☛ If hired what would you give to our department?

35. Operational and Situational as Firefighter Specialist?

☛ Imagine that you've been called to extinguish a fire at a building and one of the residents that were taken out starts to panic and wants to go back inside. How do you handle this?
☛ What would you do if you noticed a fellow firefighter stealing something during a fire extinguishing operation?
☛ How would you care for an unconscious person?
☛ Imagine you receive two different orders from senior firefighters at the same time. What do you do?
☛ How would you deal with an order that you think is wrong and would put you in unnecessary danger?