Firefighter Human Relations and Personality questions ask you to reveal your decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and personal characteristics.
I often ask the aspiring firefighters I work with about the approach they take to answering Human Relations and Firefighter Personality questions on a firefighter test. Most firefighter candidates answer in the same way:
- Be honest,
- Follow the chain of command, and
- Stick to the ends on a confidence scale.
If you’re answering firefighter Human Relations and Personality questions in this automatic manner, there’s no wonder why you’re not passing this portion of a firefighter test.
Lie #1: Be Honest
The fact is some firefighter candidates do not have the firefighter personality.
Listen, if I answered firefighter Human Relations and Personality questions honestly I’d fail too! I like introverted activities like reading and Yoga at home over team sports and social gatherings. I’m a teacher more than a coach, I have a difficult time taking orders from people, and I’m certainly easily excited. So, my true personality is not in line with that of a successful firefighter.
That’s not to say I can’t pass the firefighter test and become a successful firefighter, however.
To pass, I would have to strategize. I would have to answer questions with the firefighter personality in mind, and I would have to be consistent in my answers. If you’re like me, and you don’t have the firefighter personality, consider answering strategically instead.
Lie #2: Follow the Chain of Command
Do you really think your ranking officer wants to hear from you every time you have a problem on the floor?
Heck, no. They don’t!
Future firefighters need to understand when to report a situation and when to deal with it on their own.
Firefighters are expected to have excellent teamwork skills. This means they are to communicate with each other and work together to diffuse most difficult situations. In this regard, doing nothing to resolve an issue is just as wrong as reporting it to the Chief.
If the questions involve illegal acts of any sort, then reporting to a ranking officer is warranted. Otherwise, choose the best answer that demonstrates your ability to work with a group of people effectively.
Lie #3: Stick to the Ends on a Confidence Scale
Many aspiring firefighters that I tutor say that they respond with all 1s and 9s on an OS Test or all Strongly Agree and Strongly Disagree on a firefighter personality test. If this was the correct way to answer firefighter personality questions, no one would be failing!
Firefighter candidates are expected to answer confidently on their tests, but they have to be mindful of the scenario. In some situations there is a degree of distress expected.
Likewise, you are permitted to disagree with some things and strongly disagree with others.
Read the questions carefully and answer as confidently as you can in the given situation.
Conclusion
Be careful when you follow the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
If firefighter candidates you know are answering questions in a particular way and not passing their tests, would you answer the same questions in the same way?
As a professional firefighter you will be expected to make critical decisions on your own. It is imperative that you use your judgement when answering firefighter Human Relations and Personality questions. Avoid the group-think mentality.
