The Phone Interview

Greetings!

So this is it. The phone interview. The most nerve wracking part of the Disney College Program interview process (in my opinion at least). After you're done taking and passing the web-based interview, Disney will send you a link in an email to schedule your phone interview (shown to the left). This will be the final step in your interview process, and mainly what decides whether or not you get in. Be prepared, but don't be too scared! The Disney interviewers are nice, easy to speak with, and understanding of extreme anxiety. (:

The first time I scheduled my phone interview was September 14th, 2012 for the Spring program of 2013. This year, I have my phone interview scheduled for March 16, 2014 at 4:30. So if you're full of nerves while reading this, don't worry, you're not alone! The best thing you can do for your interview is to practice practice practice! There are a million resources for example questions that might be asked, including the ones I have listed down below. Know your answers to these questions, and even write ideas down if it helps! Be your Disney-loving self and I'm sure they'll be able to hear that (:

For the first phone interview I had, I found a list of practice questions, and wrote points I would like to make in my answers down on a piece of paper. During my interview, I kept that paper in front of me just in case I panicked and couldn't remember a decent answer. Besides one or two questions, I really didn't find myself needing it, because the answers you give to these questions are really coming from your personal emotions and experiences.

Allow time for your interviewer to call early or late. Disney advises that you allow a 1 hour block for your interview, starting 15 minutes before the interview is scheduled. Find a nice, quiet area, let everyone around you know not to bother you, and put on a smile. I was really nervous before my interview, so I watched clips of Disney vacations on YouTube. Seeing the joy and excitement on guests' faces and remembering the memories that I had of Disney relaxed me and reminded me how much I wanted this.

So then my interviewer called. They ask to make sure it is you and if it is still a good time for the interview. They introduce themselves (although I couldn't remember her name) and then start asking questions. I don't remember everything, but I'll list the general questions they ask down below. My interview didn't last very long at all, maybe 15 minutes. I couldn't really tell how it went, but felt that I did well.

My top three roles were Merchandise, QSFB, and Attractions. She asked me about the first two, but we didn't talk about attractions. I have past work experience in both retail and fast food so I believe that is why. If you want to know about the questions I can remember from last time, and the answers that I gave, go ahead and use the contact form to the left!

I am wishing you the very best of luck, and can't wait to tell you guys how my second phone interview goes! In the meantime, here are the questions that I'm sure both you and I will be practicing like crazy:

**I did not create this list on my own, but obtained it from another Disney blog**

• Why do you want to work for Disney/do the DCP? **Almost always asked
• How do you deal with repetitive work days?**Frequently asked
• Do you have any experience speaking in front of large groups of people?
• How do you feel about having roommates and living away from home?
• Do you think any of your past jobs will help in any of your top 3 choices?
• Why do you think you are qualified for your top role?
• Are you comfortable handling money?
• Do you have any tattoos or body modifications?*Always asked DO NOT LIE
• Are you familiar with the Disney parks and resorts?
• What does Disney mean to you?
• How will the CP help you professionally?
• What are you most looking forward to in the DCP?
• What makes you a good candidate for the DCP?
• What do you plan to do after college?
• What can you offer to the Disney company?
• What are 3 positive qualities about yourself?
• Describe a situation where you have had to work with a difficult person, boss, or teacher. **Frequently asked
• What Disney character are you most like?
• What is your favorite memory of Disney?
• Do you mind working outside in the Florida heat and in the rain? **Frequently asked
• Would you rather work alone or in a group setting?
• How would you help a guest who speaks little or no English?
• Tell me about some jobs you have previously held.
• Tell me about a time you made a guest or customer happy at a previous job.**Frequently asked
• How would you handle a roommate disagreement?
• How would a previous manager describe you?
• Do you mind working mornings, evenings, overnight, weekends, and holidays?**Frequently asked
• Do you prefer a fast paced or slow paced work environment?**Frequently asked
• Can you stand for hours at a time outside?
• Do you prefer and indoor or outdoor environment?
• What are 3 negative qualities about yourself?
• What is your favorite Disney (movie, ride, park, character), and why?
• What are your top 3 roles? *Always asked
• How would you handle an emergency?
• Are you open to the QSFB or Custodial roles? **Frequently asked
• Why are these your top role choices?

ROLE SPECIFIC:

BBB

• Do you have any salon experience?
• Do you have any childcare experience?
• How would you react if a little girl was shy or scared?

Costuming

• Are you comfortable operating an advanced costume checkout computer?
• Are you willing and able to carry heavy (up to 50lbs+) costumes to different locations?
• Would you be comfortable working independently?
• How do you feel about working “backstage” with minimal guest contact?
• Are you willing to operate basic laundry equipment?

Housekeeping

• Are you comfortable working with cleaning chemicals?
• How do you feel about working in a guest’s room while they are not there?
• Are you able to work independently with little to no guest contact?

Lifeguard

• Are you comfortable working for long periods of time in the Florida heat?
• Are you willing to work in another role during off-peak seasons?
• Are you comfortable with spending long periods of time standing in water?
• What would you do in the event of a guest injury or illness?
• Do you believe you are able to pass the swim test?

Custodial

• Are you comfortable with emptying trashcans (which may include shooing bees or flies) and lifting heavy garbage bags?
• Are you willing to bus tables in restaurants and outdoors?
• Are you comfortable working for long periods of time outside in the heat, rain, or cold?

Main Entrance

• Are you comfortable delivering long speeches on a microphone?
• How would you make a guest feel special as they enter a park?**Frequently asked
• Are you willing to drive a large parking tram?
• Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades and park openings?

Merchandise

• Are you comfortable with handling cash? **Frequently asked
• What would you do if a guest was looking for a specific item, but you are out or don’t sell this item? **Frequently asked
• Are you comfortable suggesting items to guests based on first impressions?
• Are you willing to work independently outdoors at a cart?

Photopass

• Are you comfortable with operating digital cameras?
• How do you feel about achieving monthly sales goals and suggesting products?
• Are you comfortable working in several different parks, potentially all in the same week?
• How do you feel about a guest refusing a picture?

QSFB

• Are you comfortable preparing simple food items, which may include using a fryer, grill, or other cooking equipment?
• Would you be willing to wash dishes or bus tables?
• Are you comfortable selling alcohol?
• Are you able to multitask?
• Are you comfortable handling cash and using a cash register?
• How do you feel about working independently at a food cart?

FSFB

• Are you comfortable handling cash and using a register?
• Are you willing to spend long periods of time rolling silverware, and folding napkins?
• Have you ever managed a seating chart, or are you willing to learn?
• What would you tell a guest if they wanted to eat at a restaurant, but there are no tables available for several hours?

Recreation

• Are you willing to train with watercraft, arcades, and other recreational facilities?
• Do you believe you will be able to pass the swim test?
• Are you willing to work in another role during the off-seasons?
• How do you feel about working for long periods of time outdoors and around water?

Transportation

• Do you have a valid driver’s license?
• Are you comfortable memorizing and delivering long speeches?
• Are you comfortable talking to other CM via radio?
• Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades?
• How do you feel about driving large vehicles (such as a monorail or bus) filled with guests?

Vacation Planner

• What do you think the duties of a vacation planner are?**Frequently asked
• Are you comfortable handling large amounts of money and achieving monthly sales goals?**Frequently asked
• How do you feel about working in multiple parks, potentially all four in a week?
• Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades?
• Are you comfortable working with a computerized ticket system offering over 128 different ticket combinations?
• How do you work while under pressure?

Character attendant

• How would you react if a child was being violent with a character?
• What does character integrity mean to you?**Frequently asked
• What would you tell guests if you had to turn them away because a line is closing for the day?
• What would you do if a child was afraid of a character?
• What would you say if someone asked why the fur character doesn’t talk?**Frequently asked
• How would you say “(mickey, Cinderella, ariel, Donald, beast) has to leave?”

Attractions

• What would you do if a child wants to ride space mountain, but is too short?**Frequently asked
• What would you do if a guest wanted to get on an attraction but it was out of service?
• How would you feel about operating a ride?
• Would you be willing to help with crowd control during a parade?
• Are you comfortable talking in front of large groups of people?
• Can you memorize and remember long speeches?**Frequently asked
• What would you do if you messed up your spiel?

Bell Services

• Are you willing and able to carry heavy (up to 50lbs) luggage (including overhead)?
• Are you comfortable talking to guests on the phone?
• Are you comfortable being the first CM that a guest interacts with on their vacation?

Hospitality

• What would you do if a guest wanted a specific type of room and there were none available?
• How do you feel about being trained on a computer system?
• How would you make a guest feel special as they are beginning their vacation?
• Are you comfortable talking to guests on the phone?
• Are you comfortable handling large amounts of cash?

Concierge

• What do you think the duties of a concierge are?**Frequently asked
• Do you have any experience handling cash, including foreign currency, and travelers checks?
• How do you feel about being trained on a computer system?
• What do you expect when you stay at a Disney Resort?**Frequently asked

Good Luck!!
Katie