Disclaimer. How to Take Personality Tests The Smart Way. The information in this guide is for information purposes only.

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2 Disclaimer The information in this guide is for information purposes only. I m not a psychologist or test producer. Any psychological and test taking information is based on my own experience as a successful firefighter. You should always seek the advice of a professional before acting on anything I ve published or recommended. Please understand there are some links in this book that I may benefit from financially. The material in this book may include information, products and services from third parties. As such I do not assume responsibility or liability for any third party materials or opinions. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, transmitted or sold in whole or in part in any form without prior written consent of the author. All trademarks and registered trademarks appearing in this guide is property of the respective owner. By reading this guide you agree that myself and my company I Will Help You Become a Firefighter is not responsible for the success or failure of your attempt to become a career firefighter. Following the strategies in this publication does not guarantee you will get a job offer. 2

3 Contents PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRE... 4 INCONSISTENCIES KILL YOUR CHANCES. ANSWER HONESTLY AND YOU WON T HAVE A PROBLEM... 9 LET S LOOK AT ANOTHER EXAMPLE SO YOU TOOK MY PRE-EXAM, WHAT S NEXT? ABOUT THE AUTHOR

4 Personality Questionnaire Questions on the personality test are designed to evaluate the candidate s attitude, motivations, interests, and other aspects of their personality. Most departments use a standardized test such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). These standardized tests usually score on 10 clinical scales that measure traits like disobedience, self concept, obsessions, intelligence, and introversions. The test also scores on validity scales which measure the person s attitude towards taking the test. The validity scales are often referred to as the fake scale, the lie scale, and the defensive scale. All of which are negative traits for a candidate to possess. There are also consistency scales that measure whether the candidate skipped around during the test and answered questions randomly, which indicates that they may have lost interest or did not try. Some tests ask you to rank your feelings on a certain topic or how you would react to a certain situation. These check for consistency by asking the same question in different ways. Watch this video for a deeper explanation about consistency on the test, and how inconsistencies can cost you the job! Don t over analyze the questions. It is usually best to read the questions carefully and give your initial answer. The test is designed to compare your answers to that of successful firefighters to see if you have the personality traits needed to succeed in the fire service. Consider these characteristics of successful firefighters. Team player Self motivated Empathetic and supportive Honest Dependable Makes safety a priority Follows the chain of command 4

5 Sensible Calm in stressful situations Ability to work autonomously Can accept helpful criticism Read each question carefully and answer using the options below: a. Agree strongly b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Disagree strongly 1. I am rigid in my thinking 2. I am a self-motivated person 3. My friends say I am shy 4. I listen to others regardless if I disagree with their view point 5. Rules are made to be broken - This is a terrible opinion 6. I am an emotionally stable person 7. I always complete work assignments on time 8. I tend to blame others when a work project goes wrong 9. I would rather be an accountant than a mechanic 10. No bad deed goes unpunished 11. Friends are more important than money 12. Working with other firefighters of different cultures will be difficult for me 13. Most homeless people are lazy 5

6 14. I would rather be recognized for an award individually than with a group 15. I enjoy physical exercise and keeping myself fit 16. I become easily confused under stressful situations 17. I am not a confrontational person 18. I would confront someone if they are doing something wrong 19. I never get stressed at work 20. It s ok to lie in certain situations 21. It s ok to wear a hat when eating at restaurants 22. I have a fear of heights 23. I like to manage people and can lead them to accomplishing the task at hand 24. On the weekends I like to unwind and party with my buddies 25. Sometimes I hold grudges against people, for things that happened in the past 26. I have thoughts of sex a lot 27. I enjoy competition and strive to win 28. I like volunteering my time for good causes 29. I dislike taking orders, unless it s from my boss 30. I avoid going to work on cold and snowy days 31. I ve never called in sick to work 32. I m always there for people who are in need 33. I m not easily offended 34. Sometimes it bothers me when people laugh at me 35. I prefer to work on tasks alone 6

7 My Answers 1. Firefighters must be flexible in their thinking, and often rely on others to make a collective decision. 2. Firefighters should be self starters there is nothing neutral or lukewarm about this. 3. Being outgoing isn t a prerequisite of the fire service. Being shy or reserved should not be confused with odd or reclusive. 4. From the firehouse to the streets you serve, conflicting views are a normal part of the firefighter s career. 5. This is a terrible opinion. 6. Answer honestly. Understand that emotional instability might not make you a good candidate for the job. 7. Answer honestly. Some of these questions are designed to detect deceit. Nobody is perfect all the time. 8. You should be accountable for your own actions. 9. Answer honestly. Don t over think it. 10. Plenty of bad deeds go unpunished every day. Right or wrong, firefighters must be grounded in reality. 11. Answer honestly. Friends and money are not prerequisites for the job. 12. Firefighters MUST practice empathy and awareness of different ethnicities and religions. 13. This is a broad and unsubstantiated statement. 14. Answer honestly. 15. Firefighters must maintain a state of physical readiness. On the other hand many people do not enjoy physical exercise. 16. A career in the fire service can be emotionally and physically challenging. Firefighters must have a high tolerance for stress. 17. Confrontational people can disrupt workplace balance and cause strife. 18. If someone is doing something potentially harmful, I would confront them. 7

8 19. I get stressed at work from time to time. Most firefighters are routinely placed in stressful situations. 20. Most people have told lies at some point in their life, but justifying and rationalizing dishonesty is not a characteristic of a successful firefighter. 21. Answer honestly. Firefighters are role models and should show class and good manners in public. 22. Fearing heights isn t conducive to the job or firefighting. 23. Firefighters must manage peers and civilians to accomplish a task successfully. 24. Partying and socializing is normal and acceptable behavior, if it s legal and not threatening anyone s health. Firefighters must have balance in their personal lives as well as their professional lives. 25. I have held grudges in the past; although this is a negative trait, I would still answer honestly. 26. The average human being thinks about sex multiple times a day. If you do not, it doesn t make you abnormal. Answer honestly. 27. Competitiveness is a positive trait. 28. Sacrifice is a positive trait. 29. Firefighters must be willing to take orders from peers when it s appropriate, regardless of rank. Your life might depend on it. 30. Firefighters must be prepared to work in the worst weather conditions, regardless of how they feel about it. 31. Calling in sick to work is not a negative trait. Calling in sick repeatedly is a negative trait. Read the answer carefully but DON T over think it. 32. It is impossible to always be there for anyone in need. It s not realistic despite your best intentions. Read the question carefully but DON T over think it. 33. Firefighters should have thick skin. Being easily offended is a negative trait. 34. Firefighters should have thick skin. Being easily offended is a negative trait. 8

9 35. Team work is an important part of firefighting. Some tasks cannot be completed alone. Inconsistencies KILL your chances. Answer honestly and you won t have a problem The same question re-worded several different ways is one of the tricks you may encounter on the personality test. Luckily, I ve created this section of my book to show you exactly what I m talking about. The following questions are both determined to measure self concept. They are also designed to test the consistency scale. 1. I m not easily offended 18. I m sometimes bothered by people laughing at me Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Are you offended by people laughing at you? If this bothers you, be honest. However, a positive trait of a successful firefighter is thick skin or the ability to not let your feelings get hurt easily. If you are bothered by people laughing at you, you re easily offended. This isn t a problem as long as both answers match. Both answers must show honesty and consistency. 9

10 Let s look at another example 1. I m not a confrontational person 2. I would confront someone if they were doing something wrong These two questions are particularly tricky if you over think them. Read them carefully, and then follow this link to see my answer and a simple explanation. Does confronting someone mean you re a confrontational person? / /?type=2&theater 10

11 So you took my pre-exam, what s next? Thanks for being an action taker and reading this preparation guide. I want to take this guide one step further and give you even more value. Let me explain I wanted to start a private group, or forum dedicated to information about the psychological test. In this forum you can compile questions from exams around the world and receive real time feedback about your answers. Sound good? There s only one catch. This group is closed to the general public. Only candidates such as yourself will have access to this private group. Follow this link to join the group! I can also be reached at: support@iwillhelpyoubecomeafirefighter.com if you need assistance. 11

12 About the Author Dontre Doxley is a 14 year veteran of the fire service. He began his career as an Army medic, serving with the 101 st Airborne Division from Ft. Campbell. Upon graduating from paramedic school, he entered the fire service as a probationary firefighter for the City of Clarksville Fire & Rescue. Within 5 years, Dontre was promoted from suppression to the rescue division. In addition to serving his community as a firefighter paramedic, Dontre is also a CPR instructor where he served several years on the Tennessee Regional Faculty for the American Heart Association. Dontre is the creator of I Will Help You Become a Firefighter. His project s sole mission is to make the fire service hiring process less intimidating, by providing content and tested strategies to candidates around the world. 12