I have seen many interviews where the candidate has carried out little or no research into the organisation and job advertised and have come to grief within the first 30 seconds. If you blow the first impression it is curtains. Try and establish from the job advert what they are looking for. Go to their web site and familiarize yourself with their mission statement, business plan, citizens charter, action plan, any plan especially those relating to Fire Safety and Comunity Education. Get stats on fire safety issues eg deaths, injuries, cost of lost properties etc.
In your interview give them plenty of the stuff they want to hear, not what you want to say. Don't waffle because the chances are they can waffle better than you. Don't try and steer the interview into an area you know nothing about. If you are clever you may be able to nudge the panel away from a particular path. Always try and research beyond the obvious answer. Don't make a sweeping statement unless you can back it up. Interviewers have probably been listening to the same waffle all day and to relieve the bordem one may take great pleasure in chasing you down the road to hell you placed your toe on by saying something you cannot support.
Think of smart answers for those stupid questions eg
Why do you want to become a Fire Safety Officer?
What personnal qualities would you bring to the Fire Safety environment?
What would you do to help reduce the number of fire deaths in the home?
How would you influence people to take a more responsible approach to safety in the home/workplace etc?
Even if they don't ask you may be able to slip your carefully prepared answers into another question.
When you have finished answering the question then the answering is finished. Don' mumble on repeating yourself until someone asks another question.
They could finish by asking you if you want to ask them a question. Good oportunity to sell yourself if you are clever enough but be careful you don't undo any good you did earlier. It might just give you a few points to put you up the ladder.
Personnal presentation is very important. It goes without saying that you should wash behind your ears, wear a suit and clean your shoes. Sit upright with your legs side by side and your hands in front. I always think that gesticulating is good because it helps you to express yourself better.
But always remember that you have to convince the panel, without giving them a load of bull, that out of the many who have applied, you are the best person for the job.
Hope this helps and good luck.
