The interview felt very structured, and the Fire Chief did not come across as personable. He was also very secretive during the conversation. When I asked about his journey in state service, he stated that he could not disclose that information. As a taxpayer and someone who has worked in state service, I found that response unusual since that type of background information is generally public and commonly discussed in professional settings.
Additionally, when I asked how many positions were being hired for, he responded sarcastically, “Again, I can’t disclose that information.” I already knew the number of vacancies because it was clearly listed on the job posting, which made the response feel unnecessary and dismissive. I have interviewed with both state and federal agencies and have never encountered that level of secrecy during an interview process. Based on the overall experience and atmosphere of the interview, I immediately felt that I would not be the right fit for the organization.