When most of us practice for a firefighter job interview, we focus on what we’ll say to questions like, “tell me about yourself”, or “why do you want to work for ABC fire department?” Little do you know that your interview begins the second you pull into the parking lot.

As far as you don’t know, the interview room or reception desk may be facing the parking lot. The reception desk is another key area to get information on the firefighter candidate. Those on the interview panel will speak with the reception person on how you carried yourself. You will need to consider that everyone you encounter as someone whose impression matters.

Most hiring decisions are made within the first 30 seconds of meeting the fire department interview panel. After that the interview panel is just confirming their first impression. Interview experts agree a candidate gives off hundreds of nonverbal cues that we don’t notice, but others do.

There are many ways to make a stellar first impression. Here are some things to remember:

1. Wear proper interviewing attire
2. Connect with the interview panel
3. Practice answering interview questions
4. Make eye contact
5. Offer a firm handshake
6. Learn to be different
7. Close the interview properly