Firefighter Mock Interview
Practice 35 Firefighter interview questions covering situational scenarios, physical fitness, and emergency response judgment.
Question 10 of 35
Besides the risk of death, what do you consider the least appealing part of being a Firefighter?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
What to Avoid
Example Answer 2
Community Answers
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
As with any profession, there are unappealing aspects of working as a Firefighter. A Firefighter may have to witness death, deal with blood and vomit, rescue severely injured victims from a house fire, and perform CPR on infants and children. Those are only a few aspects of the job that are unappealing, but Firefighters understand it is part of the job and work through it.
The interviewer wants to hear what you have identified as the least appealing part of the profession and how you work past it. They want to understand that you have the stomach for this job and remain calm during stressful situations. There could be other aspects that are unappealing, too. You might find it difficult to miss holidays due to the world schedule or to be up all night running calls.
However you answer, assure the interviewer that your least favorite part of the job will not keep you from performing your job successfully. For example, if you say you consider the least appealing part of being a Firefighter is fighting fires, the interviewer will think you may not be cut out for this profession.
Describe your least favorite part of being a Firefighter, and then end on a positive note. If you cannot think of the least appealing aspect of this career, think of something that might create a hardship, such as being away from your family for extended periods. Then, explain how you face that challenge.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I think the least appealing part of being a Firefighter is missing certain holidays and celebrations with my family. I have discussed this with my family, and we decided if I am working on a holiday or birthday, we will celebrate the day before. That way, we can all be together."
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Avoid naming something essential to the profession. For example, if you say the most unappealing aspect of working as a Firefighter is running medical calls, the interviewer may pass you over for another candidate. Fire departments typically run more medical calls than fire-related calls, so Firefighters must understand this aspect of the profession before they accept the job.
You should also avoid saying that the least appealing part of being a Firefighter is going through a fire academy or working through a chain of command. Firefighters must go through training to perform this job and continue training throughout their careers.
Being a para-military organization means you will work through a chain of command. It is similar to being in the military. You report to a company officer, and they report to higher-ranking officials. If you do not enjoy working in this structure, the interviewer will feel you are not a good fit for their department.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"The least appealing part of working as a Firefighter is when I have to work mandatory overtime when I have made plans for the day. What I have learned from having this happen several times is not to make plans for my day off. That way, I am not bothered by working overtime since I have no plans. Honestly, there are so many appealing parts of this profession that it was hard to choose what is unappealing."
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Anonymous Answer
The only thing that is the least appealing is not spending time during the holidays with my family. But, as a firefighter things like spending time with loved ones will have to be put aside for the community.
Amanda's Feedback
Firefighters do often work long shifts that sometimes mean missing out on family gatherings or events. Consider emphasizing that you feel the positives of the role outweigh that sacrifice if it means keeping your community safe.
Anonymous Answer
The least appealing part of the fire service for me is the possibility of getting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after a bad call. Like many types of mental issues, it's hard for people who don't have the same issue to understand what your going through or what you need to help yourself cope with it. However, the fire service knows of these struggles and understands that people need help to be able to manage these problems, between the service providing therapies and the brotherhood/sisterhood culture firefighters have for one another that can give the most support that anyone would need. This aspect of the service will always be a scary thought for me personally, but at the same time, it's also not a for sure thing to have to happen.
Amanda's Feedback
You've chosen a potential risk that is one every firefighter hopes to avoid but showing you're aware of the risk as well as ways to help deal with it is a great way to answer this question. You can also consider wrapping up your response by affirming that should you find yourself dealing with PTSD, you'd make use of the mental health services available and lean on your fellow team members to ensure you dealt with the situation in a healthy manner.
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