FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Part of our hiring process involves continuous evaluation of applicants. From the moment you submit your paperwork to your first day on the job, you'll be under observation.

    Maintaining good hygiene is crucial; this includes clean fingernails and neatly styled hair.

    We expect all candidates to adhere to a clean and professional business attire standard whenever they make an appearance.

    During the oral interview, we recommend wearing a well-fitted suit paired with polished shoes. Avoid wearing flashy ties or bold colors, and refrain from wearing lapel pins or distracting jewelry. Your aim should be to present yourself in the best possible light.

  • Traffic tickets themselves do not necessarily pose a problem in the hiring process, however, repetitious receiving of traffic tickets can have an impact on your hiring process

  • During the interview, we'll delve into various aspects of your candidacy. This includes exploring your personal background, motivations for joining our team, and assessing your skill set.

    Furthermore, we'll evaluate your preparedness and specific interest in joining the Montclair Fire Department. Familiarity with our department, including our leadership team, community demographics such as population, square mileage, and ethnicity, will be beneficial.

    Beyond your qualifications, the interview panel will also assess your presentation. Your attire, grooming, and demeanor will all be observed. We'll look for traits such as confidence, humility, and professionalism. Can you communicate effectively and respectfully? Are you composed or anxious? These elements will play a crucial role in our evaluation process.

  • General Disqualifications

    - Incomplete, false, or illegible Personal History Statement

    - Falsification and/or omission of any requested information

    - Rude, belligerent, or otherwise unacceptable behavior towards staff

    - Untruthfulness to staff

    - Prior arrests and convictions

    - Felony probation/parole

    - License suspension(s)

    - Traffic accident(s)/citations(s)

    - Poor employment or education history/performance (i.e. continual firing, poor grades/performance reviews)

    - Financial concerns (i.e. bankruptcies/collection accounts/failure to pay child support, etc.)

    Medical and Psychological Disqualifications

    - Failure to meet the standards as determined by the department psychologist (written and oral interview)

    - Failure to meet the standards for the position as determined by the department physician

    Polygraph Disqualifications

    - Continued responses indicating deception on questions asked

    - Failure to appear for the exam without notification or refusal to complete the exam

    - Attempts to defeat the machine (i.e., holding breath, hyperventilating, or taking drugs/alcohol before testing)

    - Withholding information from polygraph examiner

    - Admissions to conduct deemed unacceptable by Department or POST standards

    - Information uncovered by examiner which deviates from the information provided to background investigation

  • We will consider your online presence as part of our assessment, providing insight into your conduct and character beyond the interview setting.

    We aim to understand how you engage with others online: Are you respectful of differing viewpoints or prone to hostility? Do you demonstrate behavior aligned with our values, or do you engage in online bullying? Additionally, we may examine your online connections and interests to gain a better understanding of your personality and interests.

    In today's digital landscape, social media offers a window into one's persona. Demonstrating good judgment, maintaining a positive attitude, and exhibiting behavior befitting a member of the fire service community will reflect positively on your candidacy. Your online activities can serve as a testament to your suitability for our team.

  • Maintaining a strong credit history speaks volumes about your reliability, decision-making prowess, and sense of responsibility. It reflects your ability to fulfill obligations, exercise sound judgment, and manage financial matters with maturity.

    We recognize that life's unforeseen challenges, such as divorce or unexpected hardships, can adversely affect one's credit standing. Rest assured, we approach the review of your credit information with empathy and understanding, taking into account any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted your credit profile.

  • There are a number of reasons why people fail, but the top reasons are typically:

    Dishonesty: Either omitting or failing to disclose anything on paperwork or verbally will always cause a disqualification.

    Attention To Detail: Not fully completing paperwork or caring about personal appearance.

    Not Meeting Obligations: Arriving late or forgetting appointments.