Interview!

Last night, I had my interview for the summer alumni DCP in Walt Disney World. I am so ecstatic about being offered an interview because I am 100% ready to move down to Orlando for the summer! Not only that, but it doesn't conflict with my classes when they start up again in the fall! So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one!

I thought this would be a great time to discuss the interview process for the college program. After filling out your initial application, you will receive an email inviting you to do a web-based interview. This is a two or three part questionnaire in which they give you a statement and you choose how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement. My advice when taking the web-based is to maintain a positive attitude the entire time, as Disney is looking for candidates who are positive and cheerful.

At the end of the web-based, you will find out if you have been offered a phone interview. If you have, there will be a link where you can sign up for a time slot. Usually the phone interviews occur 1-2 weeks after you complete the web-based.

When it comes time to do the phone interview, make sure you are in a quiet place that has strong cell phone service. During my first interview, I had a paper and pen in front of me in case I needed to take notes - I used this to write down my interviewers name so that I could  thank her by name once the interview was over. 

Here are a few interview questions that they may ask. Most of them are straightforward and do not have a right or wrong answer. If there is a question that stumps you now, try coming up with an answer prior to the interview in case they ask it.

• Tell me about a time you were in an emergency situation. How did you react?
• Say you are working as a hostess in a full service restaurant and someone is upset that they have not been seated yet. What would you tell them?
• Are you comfortable living in an apartment with up to seven other people? Explain how you would deal with conflict that arises. 
• Say a guest comes up to you for help, and simultaneously the phone rings. What would you do?
• Share an experience you've had with excellent guest service. 
• What would you do if you had an assignment with a deadline, but other tasks keep popping up?
• Why are you interested in doing the Disney College Program? What do you hope to get out of this internship?
• Say you are working attractions. What would you do if a guest is too short to ride?
• What roles interest you the most? Why? (Only list 1-3 roles here).
• Have you ever had to present in front of a group of people, especially using a microphone? How did you feel about it?
• Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult person?
• Do you prefer to work individually or in a team?
• Do you prefer to work in a slow or fast paced environment?
• Are you comfortable standing outside for extended periods of time in the cold or heat?
• Have you ever driven a boat before?
• Do you have a driver's license? 
• Do you have experience handling money or using a cash register? 
• How would you handle a repetitive schedule or task?

Between my three interviews for Disney, I was asked all of these questions at least once. Feel free to use this, and other guides, to prepare for your interview. Remember to stay calm and be yourself. Good luck!

Tick Tock!

Originally posted on March 6th, 2013

Well, I should be doing the 5 online quizzes I have due by 10pm tonight, but I can't even concentrate long enough to do that at the moment! I had my phone interview earlier this afternoon for the DCP, and honestly, it went great! My interviewer was very upbeat and cheerful, I was able to make her laugh quite a few times, and I answered all of the questions she threw at me without missing a beat! I'm surprised that I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. The only show of nerves was when my phone rang and I thought something along the lines of, "Holy crap, is this actually happening? Now?!" But luckily I was able to compose myself in record time!

Usually the questions they ask can allude to the role they are interested in placing you in, but I could not figure it out! She asked me about attractions, food & beverage, main gate, custodial, hopper. And in all honesty, I would be happy with any of these roles!

And now, let the wait begin. Two weeks, I can do it. Though, I've heard of some people hearing back in 4 days, and some in 20 days. The uncertainty is going to be the death of me! Maybe I'll limit how frequently I check my email for a response. Once a day? Twice? Twice, it is.

Of course, being accepted would be the ideal outcome, but when it comes down to it, I am only a freshman and I did only find out about and apply to this program less than a week ago. If it's a no-go for DCP fall, there is always next year!

Disney College Program

Originally posted on March 2nd, 2013

It has been way to long since I've posted a blog entry, but I am back! Today, I'm going to be focusing on my adventure so far in applying for the Disney College Program (DCP) ! I figured my roommates were tired of hearing me talk about how excited I was, so I'd just write it all down for the world to know!

So the story begins Thursday, February 28th. This was the day that I first found about DCP. I sort of half-seriously started working my way through the application after reading up as much as I could about the program. Before I knew it, I was finished and submitting my application!

Not even an hour later, I received an email directing me to proceed to the online interview/questionnaire. It said that when I was finished with this interview, I would immediately know afterward if I qualified to advance in the application process. After seeing this email, I decided that it was late, almost 11pm! I headed to bed because I had work at 7 am the next morning. However, I was tossing and turning for an hour and a half before I decided to get up and do the online interview at 1:30am!

After I finished, I found out that I qualified for the next step: a phone interview! I scheduled that for Wednesday, March 6th at 12:30pm. I have spent the last day and a half furiously searching every forum and blog that has to do with the DCP so I can prepare as best I can! This would seriously be a once in a lifetime, MAGICAL opportunity! Wish me luck, and I will update later about how everything goes, as well as what the program entails!