1. Know yourself.
   1. What are your values, strengths, weaknesses, your goals in life, plans to be successful, etc.?
   2. What you want to communicate in your interview, what are your strengths and accomplishments that make you best suited for the position?
   3. How will you fit in and become an asset to the department/organization.
   4. Express confidence appropriately (not cocky/conceded).
      
      
2. Answer the question.
   1. Understand what they are asking and answer the question in full.
   2. Use proper terminology (communicates your knowledge and experience of the career).
   3. Bridge your answer with examples (provide validity to your answer).
   4. Communicate clearly how will this benefit the department/organization.
      
      
3. Understand the games that can be played.
   1. You are being evaluated from the second they see you (what you’re wearing, style of hair, facial hair, jewelry, how you carry yourself, words you use, etc.).
   2. Positioning of your chair in the room (chair too close or far away from interview panel) communicates confidence or weakness.
   3. How you scan and speak to the whole panel during an interview.
   4. What words you choose to use and how you use them.
      
      
4. Portraying a confident, humble, and professional person.
   1. Not fidgeting, playing with objects, legs bouncing, etc.
   2. Communicating you are the best candidate without putting down others.
   3. Speaking clearly, good voice fluctuation, emphasizing important words or points clearly with humility.
   4. Appropriate pauses and avoid saying “um” or “like”.
      
      
5. They should want you to join their team/family.
   1. Remember, you are interviewing to find your new team/family and conversely, they’re confirming they want you to join theirs.
   2. Do they feel confident you can do the job to their standard, represent their department/organization well, and that you will keep them and the people they serve, safe?
   3. Are you someone they can trust (carry on their traditions, deliver the best service, will be there for them if they need you both on and off duty).
   4. Evaluation of fit is important as you are going to be living with them for 24 hours or more at a time, spending time off duty with them and their families, involved in the community, etc.
      
      

Ultimately, you need to look and act the part of a professional Firefighter that they would want to respond on their family member.