Step Three: Phone Interview [Part 1: Scheduling]

It's official! I'll be checking into my apartment in Lake Buena Vista next week!  It's unbelievable.  All of this talk and excitement is finally coming to fruition.  It's here! Almost, anyway.

But as for now, let's get back to talking about the application process.  I really hope all of this information helps someone someday.  Even if it's only one person.

If you've passed the Web-Based Interview, congratulations!  Engage in a huge sigh of relief.  Pat yourself on the back.  Have your roommate pat you on the back.  You deserve it!  That was stressful.  Now it's time to schedule a phone interview.  At the end of your web interview, you should have received a number and some instructions on how to call and schedule your phone interview.

Due to the fact that you schedule with a real person and not an automated service (at least as of 2011), you can only schedule during regular business hours.  I just so happened to complete my web interview in the evening, so I had to wait until the morning to call.  I was really nervous to even make that phone call, I didn't want to sound silly!  I gathered myself and made that phone call, and before I knew it I was conversing with a pleasant, relaxing voice and felt entirely at ease.  Scheduling my phone interview reminded me a lot of scheduling lunch with a friend or a dentists appointment.

PLEASANT FEMALE VOICE: We have a time open at 5:00PM EST on Friday, does that work for you?
MYSELF: Oh no, unfortunately I have an event to attend at that time.   Is there a time available the following day?
PLEASANT FEMALE VOICE: Yes, we have time slots open from 7:00PM until 9:00PM EST on that following Saturday, the 22nd.  Would perhaps 8:00PM work for you?
MYSELF: Yes! That works perfectly! Thank you very much!

Easy!

One tip in regards to this first call: be polite!  Polite manners include watching your tone and language, saying please and thank you, or even simply ask how the person is doing meaningfully.  This person is probably going to be on the phone all day with all of the applicants calling in, so a friendly caller could be quite refreshing!  You're more than likely not judged on this phone call, but it's always good to be in the habit of being polite and friendly. :)

Next time, I'll provide some tips on how to handle the real deal.  You can do it!

"I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known." - Walt Disney   

We Interrupt this Series of "How-To" Posts for a Brief Announcement:

I registered for Disney classes today! :)

Originally I wasn't going to until I arrived, but I got too darn excited.  I intended to take two classes (yes, two!) in the Disney Exploration Series, and I just found out tonight from one of my hopeful-roommates-to-be that it's only offered in the Fall.   So, I'm currently signed up to take Exploring Disney Heritage on Thursdays and Exploring Leadership on Tuesdays.

It might be a little ambitious of me to set out to take two classes, but Disney Heritage sounded like loads of fun, and Leadership sounded like such a neat experience as well as an unbelievable gem for a resume. :)  Besides, I'll be beginning both in October, an off-peak season, and I'll already be all settled in.  I'm very excited!

I'll undoubtedly talk more about the classes when the time comes, I just wanted to post a little something about it now since I just registered!  And, oooh!  My check-in date is so soon! :)

Next time you "see" me I should be posting about the phone interview.  See ya real soon!

"When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it's because he's so human; and that is the secret of his popularity." - Walt Disney

Step Two: Web-Based Interview

After filling out all of your information for the online application, you will be invited to complete the web-based interview.   This part of the application process makes a lot of people nervous because it is possible to not pass.  If you do not pass, your application for that CP term will come to an abrupt end.  You will be able to re-apply in six months for the next program if you'd like, but if you are a second semester senior, sadly you will have to look into other options outside of the CP if you want to work at Walt Disney World.   

The good news, however, is that most applicants pass!  Some people will claim that they have discovered sure-fire ways to pass the web-based interview, but it seems to me that it isn't quite that simple.  Here, I'll give you the best advice I can on how to increase your chances of passing the web-based interview:

- Attend a campus Disney College Program Presentation or view the E-Presentation online. You must have already had this done in order to complete the web-based interview.  You can find the schedule for the campus presentations on the Disney College Program website as soon as they are released.  The E-Presentation will be guaranteed to you and also available sooner, whereas sometimes on-campus presentations are not guaranteed to visit your campus and you would have to wait longer for that date to arrive if it does.  Many people view the E-Presentation as soon as it is available so that they can fill out the application as soon as possible.  I'd still recommend going to the on-campus presentation as well if it is available to you, just because it is a wonderful opportunity to hear from a real person, get excited about the program with others on your campus, and perhaps even network!  No matter which you choose, you will receive a little code that you will need to complete the web-based interview.   

- Find a quiet place in which you can take your Web-Based Interview.  I took my web-based interview in a very quiet section of a campus library, so I'd highly recommend that.  You want to be 100% free from distractions.  Remember that this must be taken on Internet Explorer.  If you have time, it might be best to go ahead and do the interview immediately after filling out the application since you'll be "in the zone."  That is, provided you have already viewed a presentation, of course! :)

- Don't let being timed frighten you!  Do not rush.  A lot of people panic when they hear that the web-based interview is timed.  I'm not gonna lie, I was definitely one of them.  The good news is that I didn't feel a bit rushed while completing it.  Read at a regular pace and you should have no problem completing each question in the time allotted. 

-  Read carefully. Sometimes questions are worded positively and sometimes questions are worded negatively, so it is important to read the question carefully so that you know you're answering it correctly.   Most interview questions are statements followed by a simple five-option Likert scale, so if the statement is "I am not a team player" and you accidentally read it as "I am a team player," you may accidentally respond with "Strongly Agree."  You definitely want to avoid any mistakes like that! 

- Answer as positively as you can, but still honestly!  This web-based interview has a lot of questions that are designed to judge your character, so it's important that you answer as positively as you can.  It's my understanding that you want to come across as open to working hard, being a team player and serving others.  I would not condone lying in the web-based interview, but answer as positively as you can while still being honest. 

- Try to answer strongly, but (once more) still honestly!  Some people will tell you to answer strongly on everything because Disney wants to see that you have strong positive opinions.   I didn't do that and I still passed.  I answered neutrally on a couple, even.  Answering strongly is good, but don't be afraid to deviate from that a little bit if honestly demands it.  It's more important that you fill out the web-based interview in your most positive and honest opinion than it is to search for what you think is the "right" answer. 

And that's really all there is to it!  Just relax, read carefully, and be positive and honest.  That's my best advice.  Chances are high that with the right attitude, it will work out for you and you will be invited to engage in a phone interview.  But if it doesn't work out, don't let it get you down!  Pick yourself up and try again later if you can.  Something else is in store.  Don't let anything stop you from chasing your dreams. :)

I'll see you next time! 

"The era we are living in today is a dream come true." - Walt Disney

Step One: Online Application

For those of you out there who are considering applying for the Disney College Program, I know it's likely that you have a million questions floating around in your head!  It's sometimes nice to have someone who has been there lay out all of the details, just to give you a little peace of mind.  If that sounds like something you'd appreciate, I hope this entry is of help!

Here are some basics that you should know:

- As of 2011, the online application and web-based interview MUST be completed in Internet Explorer.  I have no idea why.  This was slightly inconvenient for me because I own a Mac and had to go on campus to use a PC with Internet Explorer.  Maybe someday the Disney CP Recruitment IT folks will make it compatible with other browsers, but as for now, it is what it is.

- The online application is a piece of cake!  Here are the main sections you should expect:

1. Basic information.  This is a no-brainer! You'll be asked to fill out all of the basics: Name, School, Home Address, School Address, Legal Matters, etc.  You can handle it! :)
2. Resume. You will be presented with a section that kind of serves as the "resume" section.  Here, you'll insert past work information and activities that you've participated in.  This is a small opportunity to let your personality shine and to let Disney know about any past experiences that have prepared you to be a part of Disney's Cast.
3. Role Checklist.  This is your opportunity to mark the roles for which you would like to be considered.  The roles (as of 2011) are as follows:
   
   Attractions*
   Bell Services/Dispatch
   Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess (Females Only)
   Character Attendant*
   Character Performer (Audition Required)*
   Concierge*
   Costuming
   Custodial
   Full Service Food and Beverage*
   Hopper
   Hospitality*
   Housekeeping
   Lifeguard
   Main Entrance Operations
   Merchandise*
   PhotoPass Photographer*
   Quick Service Food and Beverage
   Recreation
   Transportation
   Vacation Planner*
   * Indicates roles I checked! :)
   (For more information about roles, visit
   www.wdwcollegeprogram.com, click "Students,"
   then click "Role Descriptions.")
   
   When filling out the role checklist, it's best to only check the roles that you really want to work.   In other words, if you don't want to do Transportation, don't check it.  Try to be as open-minded as possible (there's no such thing as a bad role in the Disney College Program!), but if you know that you would be less inclined to participate if you were offered a particular role, it's best for you and for the recruiters that you simply don't select it.
   
   *It is always possible that you will be offered a role that you did NOT select.  Some roles have a lot of shoes that need to be filled, Quick Service and Merchandise especially.  Think of all of the stores and places to eat that there are in the parks and resorts!  Usually the recruiters are pretty respectful of your checklist, but it's better to be offered a role in something you didn't select than be rejected because the recruiters were unable to offer you a preferred role.

And that's all there is to it.  As said at the beginning, the Online Application really is a piece of cake.  Somewhere in all of my boxes from school I have the print-out of my application.  If I notice anything that I left out of this post, I'll be sure to edit it and let you all know.  :)

After the application is filled out, you'll be invited to begin your Web-Based Interview.  Dun dun dun!  This freaks a lot of people out because for some people, it's the end of the road.  Stay tuned for my next post in which I'll give you as many tips as I can in how to keep a level head. :)

See ya real soon! 

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." -Walt Disney

A Little More Introduction!

Hello again, everyone.  It's time for post number two!

I will soon begin making some posts about the application process, letting all you readers out there know how it went for me and giving advice to anyone who may consider applying someday.  But as for now, I figured I'd start off and let you know a little more about me.

To begin, I first heard about the college program when my sister, who is three and a half years older than me, applied back in 2008.  She was accepted, and participated that year as an Entertainment cast member for Fall Advantage.  I was able to visit her twice while she was there, and I was so envious of her working at Walt Disney World!  I wished I could, but I was worried because I felt that people would think I was silly for doing the same thing as my sister.

After visiting my sister in Florida twice and making friends with some of her friends there, I soon began to date a boy who participated on the program alongside her in a Custodial role.  With both a sister and a boyfriend who had worked at Walt Disney World, my desire to participate in the program remained constant ever since 2008.  I felt such a tie with Disney that it was as if I had already participated!

When 2010 rolled around, I began to think more seriously about my post-graduation plans for 2011.  I kept getting drawn back to Disney.  I kept talking about it with my family, boyfriend and one of best friends (my roommate all throughout college), and my roommate and I decided that when the applications were available, both of us would apply and see what would happen.

So, in a nutshell, that's my back story!  The next handful of posts are going to be about what happened next with that application process.  I hope this post leaves you feeling a little more acquainted with me! :)

Until next time.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney

To All Who Come to this Happy Place:

Welcome!

It's hard to believe that in less than a month I will be working somewhere in Walt Disney World.  I have been accepted into the Disney College Program for Fall Advantage 2011, and I couldn't be more excited.  And nervous.   Nervous-excited.

I have known about my acceptance since February, right in the middle of the second semester of my senior year of college.  It was so hard to concentrate on school knowing that the college program was right around the corner.  Somehow I managed, and I graduated three days ago. Hooray!

Now, I'm full-on Disney mode.  I prepared well for this moment by listening to my extensive Disney playlist on iTunes everyday while studying and packing to move home, but also by reading blogs and discussion boards so I could learn as much as I possibly could before going down.  The latter is precisely why I decided to create this blog.

I can't express my appreciation enough for all of the CP alumni that have kept blogs during their programs.  Their posts have taught me a lot about what to know and expect for the next seven months.  I am hoping that by creating a blog of my own, I'll be able to do for someone else what all of those other bloggers did for me. :)

I'll do my best!  Here we go!

"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney