For firefighter job interviews, you can anticipate targeted questions to determine if you have the interests, personal qualities, and skills that match the specific job requirements. In addition to knowing why you want the job, the interviewer will assess your qualifications to determine if you're a match for what the employer is seeking in the candidates they hire.

You will also be asked general questions about your strengths, weaknesses, communication, and interpersonal skills to assess whether you would fit in with other members of the squad.

 

Interview Practice and Preparation

Preparation is the key to any successful interview.  Review the list of frequently asked interview questions for firefighters below and practice delivering answers with a friend, counselor or to the mirror.  

Think of concrete examples demonstrating how you have applied the related skills/personal qualities to your advantage in academic, volunteer and work roles, and be prepared to share them with the interviewer.

Firefighter Interview Questions

Why are you interested in working as a firefighter?

You have seen the job description.  Which of the firefighting responsibilities would be most challenging for you?

Describe any examples of your presentations to groups?  Have you given any fire safety talks?

What are the keys to preventing fires in public buildings?

How would you describe your mechanical abilities? Give me some examples of when you have fixed things.

Do you have experience as a volunteer firefighter? If so, how did this experience prepare you for this position?

What do you believe are essential qualities in a firefighter?

Describe a time when you had to solve a problem as a group. How did working with a group help you solve the problem?

Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision in a very short amount of time. How did you handle the situation?

Tell me about a time when you used your communication skills to make a difference during a situation.

Describe a time when you had to persuade a reluctant person to take a particular course of action.

Tell me about a time that you worked outside of your job profile to solve a problem.

Tell me about a time that you served as a leader of a group.

Give me an example of a situation when you saw someone in distress and helped him.

Tell me about the most stressful job you ever held. How did you handle the stress?

Have you ever been in an emergency situation? What did you do?

Tell me about a time when you helped handle a conflict between two of your colleagues.

What is your routine for maintaining physical fitness?

What are you currently doing to improve your knowledge and skills for firefighting?

What would you do if a superior asked you to carry out an order which was outside departmental protocols?

General Job Interview Questions and Best Answers
In addition to job-specific interview questions, you will also be asked more general questions about your employment history, education, strengths, weaknesses, achievements, goals and plans. Here's a list of the most common interview questions and examples of answers.

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