First EMT Interview

[Hypertrophy]

Hello all. I just received my EMT certification this week and have my first interview scheduled for 2 weeks from today. It's with SeniorCare in Bronx, NY. Judging from the e-mail they sent me the day will go like this.

Physical Ability Test

Written Exam / Scenarios Exam

Interview

They say to dress appropriately for the physical test and that there should be a changing area. I definitely want to wear a suit for the interview but probably don't want to wear it for the physical test. So my question to you is should I show up in the suit so they get a good first impression and then change right away for the physical, or should I just show up in whatever I'm going to wear for the physical test and then change into a suit sometime after. Also, I'm not entirely sure of what to wear for the physical. They say only to dress appropriately. I was thinking about wearing the uniform for a volley that I just started at since that would be close to what I'll be wearing on the job, or should I just wear some sneakers, shorts and a t-shirt? I'm probably over thinking this.

I also just wanted to say that I've frequently been visiting this forum to look up different ems related things but am only now posting. This seems like an awesome community and a great resource for anyone in the ems field.

[island emt]

I would go in wearing the suit or at least dress shirt with tie. First impressions are a must. Polish your shoes or boots and present yourself as best you can.

Have your gym bag with a change of clothes to do the physical agility test in.

you could also e-mail back and ask if they do the physical agility test first before spending time with interviews and knowledge testing.

Last thing I want to see is a candidate for hire walking in the door in sweats and sneakers.

[DwayneEMTP]

And it is more than likely better that you don't test the in your volly gear... Some places will be ok with volly service, other won't like it so much...

And I'm with Island.. Suit first... And I think that you're thinking about it the exact right amount. There are a gazillion basics applying for every spot... If your over thinking doesn't stress you out.. Think away!

But being really stressed at an interview won't give your prospective employer much faith in you.. Or shouldn't in any case..

But, then again, at many services hiring decisions are made based on a ton of insane criteria that have little to do with intelligence and competence...

Good luck Brother!

[MariB]

I would forgo the suit and interview in a nice slacks and shirt. Or, suit pants, shirt and tie.

You will be the best dressed there already..

For the physical test. Wear something comfortable, like a t shirt and work out pants.

[MikeEMT]

Honestly its hit or miss. Where I work they don't really like to see suits. In fact, my partner got hired after walking in wearing jeans and an untucked polo with bed head.

Our process was written test then interview few days later. Pass those you got an offer for employment and went for your physical agility test and drug test.

I think most employers, at least from what I hear, are going away from the suit and tie and just want professionally dressed. Personally I wore a nice button up shirt and slacks for every interview I have been on. Always had success.

[island emt]

Mike: Not picking on you , but the company you are employed by usually requires a pulse & a patch and not much more to be hired. Management figures if you walk in wearing a suit , you are looking for their jobs .

The OP is in a competitive marketplace where it will be expected to have professional dress for the interview as it shows you care how you look and present yourself to management and the public. He is in a place where doormen wear a suit for interviews.

[paramedicmike]

For any interview within the job search process a suit is still professional attire.

The saying is that you dress for the job you want not the job you have.* Want to move up? Hell, want to get your foot in the door? Proper attire is the first step to getting there because that is the first thing interviewers see about you.

EMS is kind of tough in that we wear uniforms to work. That's not an excuse, however, for not showing that you're serious about wanting the job.

*Dressing for the job you want not the one you have doesn't mean you show up decked out in your (or the employer's) EMS/FD uniform or any uniform parts. Somehow, and somewhat unfortunately, I had a feeling that this just needed to be clearly stated.

[Hypertrophy]

*Dressing for the job you want not the one you have doesn't mean you show up decked out in your (or the employer's) EMS/FD uniform or any uniform parts. Somehow, and somewhat unfortunately, I had a feeling that this just needed to be clearly stated.

Haha I was just thinking that, maybe show up in a doctors lab coat and steth . Thanks for all the input guys. So I guess I'll go with a suit then, I don't believe you can ever overdress (minus wearing a tuxedo i suppose) but just wanted to make sure. Honestly I don't think I would feel comfortable not wearing a suit. I think that I also feel more confident and sure of myself whenever I wear a suit, I'll probably just keep things simple and leave the vest and pocket watch at home.

I guess for the physical test I'll just throw on some shorts and a t-shirt. Though I don't really wear plain t-shirts out so the only thing I have besides polos and button downs are sleeveless tanks I work out in. I probably don't want to look like a meat head so maybe I'll pick up a t-shirt.

[Jaymazing]

I'm in the same boat as Island, Dwayne, and Mike.

If it were me, I'd rock a shirt+tie with dresspants, and the jacket I'd have to play by ear depending on my understanding of the company I'm applying for.

I'm glad that you're so passionate about being seen in a professional manner. Our industry needs that.

Good luck on your interview. Rock and roll.

[Hypertrophy]

Just giving an update. So I ended up having an interview with another company just a few hours ago. I went in with a full suit and tie (took me a while to debate on whether to leave the pocket square at home but I always wear one so I left it in). It was a one on one interview and there weren't any other applicants there at the time so hard to tell if I overdressed (although I definitely out dressed management and got a few looks walking around the facility). There was no physical test there so I didn't have to worry about a change of clothes. I aced the written test and the interview went well. He gave me a job offer right away and I accepted it.

Ideally I would have liked to at least interview with the other company next week before accepting but they are having orientation week next week. I'm wondering if I should have asked for a higher pay but I figured its already an oversaturated job market and an entry level position so he could easily find someone else. I don't think a job offer from the other company would have been much different than this one. The only plus side to the other company is that they are closer to me so I could pretty much walk there. However, I hate their uniforms (white shirt, green pants). In the end I'm just happy to find a full time position and to just get my foot in the door somewhere. I'm hoping to get some experience and then eventually get into FDNY.