Fire Department take 2

Well.. that was quick...

I sent in my application last night.. and this morning/early afternoon I got an e-mail from the Calgary Fire Department saying that I was selected to advance on past the application phase and I guess start phase 1 of the actual recruitment process.  So now I'm booked (just waiting for confirmation) to take an aptitude test next Saturday (Dec 17th).. the day after I get to Calgary from Japan.. I"m going to be tired!

I don't even know what the aptitude test involves, is it just general things to make sure I'm competent? Make sure I know how to cross my t's and dot my i's? or is it more specific and dealing more to real life situations and "What would you do?" scenarios?  I don't know, I'm suppose to be receiving an e-mail from them confirming my time as well as more detail as to what's going on, so I guess I'll find out within a few days. I don't even know WHERE in Calgary this test is taking place.

I can't even believe I got past the application phase.  Perhaps they pass everyone as long as they say "Yes" to certain things and "No" to others?  Or maybe they actually read through my written responses and thought that I was worth a shot. Who knows, I'll never know, but I guess it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

So I got this e-mail, and the first thing I did was call my parents since well.. they didn't even know I applied for the job so I figured it's something that I should bring them up to speed with so I don't randomly go "Hey guys! I'm moving to Calgary next week because I got a job at the Calgary Fire Department!"  So after a bit of a discussion with them going over everything, I called the girl.  Obviously, if it weren't for her none of this would be happening. 

Me: *ring ring* *ring ring* *ring ring*
Her : "Good Afternoon, This is Lindsey, how may I help you" (See how formal and polite she is!? :P)
Me: "Uhh... I got an e-mail"
Her: "What!? Omg! that's awesome!"

So yeah, it is pretty damn awesome and I know that when I told her, and when she heard me say it.. we both had a big smile on our face.  I don't think either of us were expecting much from this so to even get this far is something I'm happy about.

I'm still not overly optimistic about the whole thing, but it's a step closer right?  I don't have all the qualifications but if they do decide they need/want me, I'll do everything I can to get it all done as soon as possible.  Apparently they're hurting for good applicants.  I don't know what constitutes a good applicant, but I think I'm a pretty awesome individual!

So, if this is indeed as far as this process will take me and I don't get the job, I'll leave happy knowing that I got this far and gained some valuable experience to put towards the next time it comes along.

Today was a good day.