The Interview

Facial hair should be shaven

• Remember, facial hair is not allowed per OSHA as it hinders the N95/N100 respirators you may wear.

Hair should be tied back, off the collar.

Avoid excessive jewelry, perfumes/ colognes/ fragrances.

Dress to impress for a job interview. NO JEANS, NO T-SHIRT, NO CASUAL SHOES.

Business suit, business attire professional appearance. Dry cleaned, unwrinkled. Wear dress shoes.

SMILE! (Goes a long way!)

Have a good attitude.

Use "Yes/No sir/ma'am", "excuse me"....DO NOT USE YEA, "HUH" or informal language.

Be open to constructive criticism.

EYE CONTACT A MUST.

DON'T CHEW GUM!

LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE IN YOUR CAR!!!

All documents (ALL certs, resume, additional documents.) you have possibly already submitted, MAKE 3-4 COPIES. Interviewers sometimes do not get these documents, only Human Resources gets them sometimes. (The documents listed above). Bring them in a Manila folder.

Black Ink Pen

Show up at least 30 minutes early.

USE CAUTION: Some bigger agencies and departments start the interview the moment you walk-in:

• They will put members of their staff in waiting area posing as a candidate like you. To see what you say or how you act.

• Bigger Agencies/Departments may have you access your social media in front of them. So assure your social media contains appropriate content that you are OK with your future employer to look at. THIS INCLUDES ANY TYPE OF HIPAA POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS.

Know the EMT Protocols for the County which you are applying in.

Refresh your EMT Skills and review your skills book. Most companies will have some skills you will test on as apart of the interview process. ESPECIALLY YOUR PATIENT ASSESSMENT.

• If you fail, some agencies will not even let you move on to a sit down interview with HR.

If you are applying in San Diego County, definitely know SD County EMT Protocols. You WILL be asked questions.

Know some information about the company you are applying to.

• If it's a large department or agency= Higher paying opportunity.... Know the amount of residents that their service area covers or how many hospitals are in that area. This shows your interest.

If applying for an ambulance company, don't keep emphasizing that you are trying to be a firefighter, Nurse or headed to another career path as soon as you can (Which is fine, it's understood.). This implies that you will not be there very long, which costs the company/agency lots of money to hire 1 person, just to have leave right away. Ambulance companies might not hire you because of this. It's no secret that 99% of EMTs will be moving on to the next level, however, don't emphasize or rub it in too much. BE HUMBLE! "I would like to get experience first, before I move on..."