Chris Saribay

No matter what program you embark on, there’s a number of different roles to choose from, and sometimes there isn’t a lot of information on them. Today, I’ll be talking about two roles: Full Service Food and Beverage and Vacation Planner.

Full Service Food and Beverage

Full Service Food and Beverage (FSF&B) is probably one of the most underrated role offerings for both the Disney College and CareerStart Programs. Having worked in this role previously, it’s one that has a great mix of personal freedom, responsibility and its own share of fun moments, given its high guest interaction. Better still, a lot of these roles take place in a highly themed, fast-paced and dynamic environment.

As a FSF&B cast member, your primary responsibilities will revolve around two basic tasks: greeting guests at a restaurant podium, and seeing to it that they be seated as quickly and efficiently as possible. These roles alone are pretty simple, but due to the nature of the business, this role can involve a lot of guest interaction and can require some skill in resolving challenging guest situations. Particularly with busier locations (like Cinderella’s Royal Table, Chef Mickey’s and ‘Ohana), a willingness to be flexible and see challenges through to their resolution makes for a great cast member, and at the end of the day, can be quite rewarding. In FSF&B, you may also be called upon to assist in other areas of the restaurant front-of-house operation.

I also found that in FSF&B, if you prove yourself to be a strong, steady cast member, there may be additional responsibilities that you can take on, including FSF&B Assignor (which essentially dictates the ebb and flow of the dining room seatings and coordinates other podium cast) and F&B General Teller. This is a role where you can really make a very big impact to the operation if you want to.

Note that Full Service Food and Beverage is a non-tipped role. You will not be able to work as a server at any point during your program.

Vacation Planner

Vacation Planners are the one-stop-shop for guests before entering the parks. These cast members are the ultimate resource on the multitude of park admission available, and also are able to help day guests plan their visit.

As they’re stationed just outside the theme park gates, their primary responsibility is to help guests select and purchase admission media (tickets) to the various Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and water parks. To go along with this, these cast members should be pretty comfortable cash handling, as they handle a high amount of cash during their shifts. They also assist guests with any questions they may have about the park they’re visiting that day, and can provide tips and their own personal expertise to ensure a great experience for guests.

Many shifts for these roles tend to start earlier in the morning, since many park visitors will enter during the first few hours a park is open. While I would be cautious in making any assumptions, this probably points in the direction of having more of a consistent schedule than not. To go along with this, vacation planners should be very open to the idea of working under pressure while still personifying the heart of the Disney experience- Vacation Planners are often the first cast members day guests interact with. Lines are sometimes long, and Vacation Planners must still take the time to individualize their planning for each guest, while being mindful that there are others waiting in line.

Vacation Planners may occasionally be scheduled for other parks operations tasks, including Parade Audience Control, at certain parks.

Publishing Note: As the recruiting season winds down, this blog will now be posted as needed. I still plan to blog once or twice a week on a subject of interest, but the publishing of this blog may vary a bit in the coming weeks.

Note: The photo above is by Flickr user Thomas Jung, used under the “CC By/ND” license.

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Roles •

Lee Cockerell was one of the most venerated cast members at the Walt Disney World Resort before retiring a few years ago. As Executive Vice President of Operations, Lee never ceased on developing the company’s most important assets: its own people. While I never personally had the opportunity to meet or work with Lee, the legacy and the foundation he left in professional development and guest service is certainly evident throughout the fibers of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Lee started a blog earlier this year named Lessons in Leadership. I’d encourage you all to check it out, it is an excellent resource for anyone looking to gain real-life expertise from a real professional in leadership.

Labels: Development • Roles •

In the second part of this two part series, I’ll be focusing on one of the most discussed housing topics: differences between housing complexes.

It’s certainly a topic worthy of discussion. You’ve just arrived in Central Florida, and now you’ve got to choose where you’ll be living for the next couple of months. No easy task! I’ve had the benefit of living at the two key complexes that are currently open- Vista Way and Chatham Square, and they are definitely two distinct environments.

We’ll start here with a detailed look at these two complexes.

Vista Way - Supplanting the venerated Snow White Village Trailer Park down in Kissimmee at some point in the late 1980s, Vista Way is the keystone College, CareerStart and International Programs housing complex. This is where everyone checks in, and where about half of the events take place. This complex is by far the most talked about housing community for program interns, and in some respects it earns this designation.

If there’s one way to describe Vista Way, it’s a people-oriented environment. People living in this complex tend to be more outgoing, and it’s not uncommon for everyone in an entire building to know each other. While I disagree with the notion that it’s a constant party place (I think it’s more mellow than some people make it out to be), there are a lot of great parties and events that happen at Vista Way- and everyone seems to lend themselves to being open and communicative. 

The apartments themselves have been maintained well over the years, recently undergoing an extensive refurbishment to add laminate flooring to living spaces, replacing carpet and appliances and other general improvements. The apartments are good in size, but are smaller than those found at Chatham Square. About half of the domestic program participants stay at Vista Way, which has around 450 units.

Chatham Square - With the programs cast rapidly expanding in recent years, it was felt that additional housing would be needed. Thus, Chatham Square joined existing housing complexes Vista Way and The Commons (a complex built exclusively for International Cast some years earlier) was brought on board in late 2000 with about 480 units. Located close to The Commons in the Disney designed subdivision of Little Lake Bryan, Chatham Square was literally across the street from Disney’s cast recreation area, “Mickey’s Retreat”.

The best way for me to describe Chatham Square is that it’s a more intimate complex. Participants who live at Chatham Square tend to be a little more private and perhaps a bit more reserved, but by no means anti-social. Participants have events and parties every once in a while like their Vista Way cohorts, but it’s less prevalent here than it is there.
The apartments benefit greatly from their later design and construction however. Apartments at Chatham Square tend to be larger than their counterparts at Vista Way, and this complex features the elusive one-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments not found at Vista Way. Like Vista Way, Chatham Square is professionally managed and maintained by a third party partner, Price Management.

Now for some direct comparisons:

What they share - All Disney housing complexes share fully furnished environments, which includes kitchen appliances and related service wear, seats/couches, a formal dining table, beds, nightstands, dressers and more. All complexes also share an identical basic-cable lineup and high speed internet access. They’re all professionally managed and maintained by Price Management. The apartment complexes are also exclusive in the sense that they can only be accessed by their residents and invited guests (housing has a security gate and team from Price Management that enforces this ideal). All complexes also feature a pool and gym facilities.

What they differ in - Far and away the largest difference between the two complexes is the different feeling each embodies. Participants living at Vista Way tend to be more outgoing and definitely enjoy large social gatherings. They’re a fun crowd. Chatham Square participants tend to be a little more reserved and composed, but still have a lot of fun. One way to think of it is that participants who live at Chatham Square tend to have a smaller group of really close friends, while those living at Vista Way tend to have a much larger network of friends. Another key difference is space and ‘newness’- while apartments at Vista Way are by no means small, their counterparts at Chatham Square are larger and have less wear, simply due to their age. Finally, Vista Way exclusively offers a hot-tub, basketball and racquetball courts, something you won’t find at other complexes.

...and on the subject of size - Occasionally I am asked to compare the size of individual apartments at each complex, and I’ve drawn up a quick layout guide comparing two-bedrooms at each complex. Note that while the scale isn’t perfect, it is roughly correct in terms of size between both complexes.

Both of these housing complexes are great living environments to experience while on your program, and I can personally recommend both. What’s important to mention is that while housing attempts to have both complexes open and available in even amounts for each arrival date, sometimes this isn’t possible, and they may only have a certain complex or size of apartment available. If given a choice, just go with what you feel will work best for you- you’ll have a great time either way!

Later this summer, Disney will be opening a brand new apartment complex next to Chatham Square named ‘Patterson Court’. This development will have 288 units and house just over 1300 participants. Time will tell what atmosphere this complex will take on, and I’ll cover it later this summer.

Coming up next week: Inside the Roles, Part II

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Housing •

Just a quick personal update- after several long weeks (seven weeks exactly), I have finally received the official decision on my application. It looks like I’ll be heading back to Disney in late August, in Full Service Food & Beverage (keen observers will note that this was my previous role).

Needless to say, I am quite excited.

Now back to your regularly scheduled material.

Coming up on Sunday: Housing, Part II
Coming up next week: Inside the Roles, Part II

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • This Blog • Waiting Game + Response •

In this two part series, I’ll be focusing on the two most discussed housing topics: the check-in/arrival process, and choosing the right complex for you.  Today, we’ll take a look at the check-in process.

Over the course of the past 25 years, Disney has honed the arrival process for the Disney College and CareerStart Programs into an art- for most it is a very simple and painless process. On your very first day, the expectations are clearly laid out: this is your day to move in and get settled. It’s also the day to fill out a bit of a paperwork related to your company-sponsored housing.

There are a couple of key steps in this process:

Arrival: On the day of arrivals, housing security at Vista Way will be a little more relaxed in terms of gaining access- as long as you can produce your participation confirmation, you’ll be admitted into the complex and provided a temporary parking pass. As soon as you clear security, you’ll be directed to the Vista Way pavilion. At that point, you’ll store any luggage (if you don’t have a car) and begin the process of checking in.

Paperwork and Placement: After you finish that, your next step will be filling out the first round of paperwork for the day: the back of the program guide you’ll be provided. You’ll also be given a copy of the apartment community codes, which you should review in detail before signing (these housing guidelines are hard and fast rules- if you’re caught breaking them, you could be sent home). The next step is apartment selection. If there’s any choice in housing the day you check-in, you can make requests and Price Management (Disney’s housing management partner) will attempt to accommodate them. At this point, if you haven’t done online roommate selection, look around before you collect your keys- it’s likely that the people you’re standing next to will be your roommates. You’ll also sign related paperwork at this point to give authorization to directly deduct rent from your weekly paychecks. You’ll also take a photo for your property ID immediately after this. Finally, if you’ve brought a car, you’ll need to provide proof of registration and insurance so they can provide you a parking decal during this part of the process.

Compliance Checks and Portal Registration: Next you’ll be evaluated for Disney Look, to make sure you’re within compliance. They’re looking at hair, nails and any visible body modifications at this point. Among the final steps include submitting your fingerprints and information for a full background check, and registering for ‘The HUB’ company portal.

After this, you’re free to retrieve your luggage and head to your apartment- if you’re living at Chatham Square, there’ll be a special bus (in addition to normal transportation) that will drop you and your luggage off right in front of your building. If you came early, you should have a few hours before the next (last) step. The whole process up to this point takes about one hour to complete, though depending on the number of participants, it may take longer. Arrive early in the day if possible.

Housing Welcome Session: The final step for most is attending the housing welcome session mentioned on the back of your program guide. This is a two hour session goes over the rules outlined in the housing community codes, apartment orientation by Price Management and a presentation by Disney’s Partners Federal Credit Union relating to payroll and potentially opening an account at the credit union.

Lifeguards only: You’ll also need to complete a skills test at Mickey’s retreat later in the afternoon at Mickey’s Retreat, across the street from Chatham Square. Lifeguards are given more information at check-in.

All in all, it’s a pretty painless first day. The following days will initiate your paperwork and training to become a Cast Member at the Walt Disney World Resort. Check back on Saturday for a look at the different housing complexes available, and choosing the right one for you.

Coming up on Sunday: Housing, Part II
Coming up next week: Inside the Roles, Part II

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Housing •

Every once in a while I’m asked about opportunities that present themselves once you’re down on the program- and there are many. Today, I’ll be talking about this part of my own journey.

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t enjoy talking too much about myself, but I think it might help those looking for perspectives on things that can be accomplished while down on the Disney College and CareerStart programs. Suffice it to say, that there a lot of program participants, and the desire to distinguish yourself among the crowd can be important to many. There are definitely opportunities that Disney mentions on the program websites (like networking events), but there are other things that can distinguish yourself from the ranks, and even lead to a stellar performance review.

1. Work as hard and as smart as you can. This is true anywhere you go. When you show initiative in your work location and show that you truthfully care about your performance, the leaders in your area may be more inclined to stick their neck out and help you on your way. It’s like the old adage-- nothing ventured is nothing gained. If you don’t put in the work, don’t expect to bear out the rewards.

2. Network, network, network! Despite what you’re told, “what you know” is very important. The thing is though, it’s all worthless if you have no one to share it with- “what you know” is all a function of “who you know”. Disney provides several great paths for networking, three of which I highly recommend. The first one is a weekly class that is a available in numerous disciplines named the Disney Exploration Series (DES). Leaders from different facets of the Walt Disney World Co. (and affiliates) come out to lecture and field questions from participants, and almost always stick around afterwords for follow ups. Another great resource that I’ve used is the “Career Insights With...” series, which is similar to the DES. Finally, something a lot of people overlook is simply talking to your leaders- if you develop your relationship with them, they may extend their network to you.

3. Keep an eye out on opportunities. You may be taking a semester off from school, but you never cease to be life long student. There is something that always surprised me about participants- many aren’t looking at the vast amount of opportunities that present themselves while you’re on program. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon one of these opportunities myself.

A posting in my local work area was soliciting for facilitators for our resort orientation classes. I didn’t think much of it at first, but one of the coordinators of training stopped me one day and pushed the idea on me. Hesitantly I went along with it, and auditioned for the role a couple days later. To make the story short, I ended up getting this cross-utilization role, and the more I thought about it, the idea grew on me. One full week of training later, I was an official Disney Facilitator & Trainer and was good to lead classes. By the time I finished I had over 120 cast members go through my classes, including the new General Manager of Disney’s Polynesian Resort and his related support staff.

I was extremely fortunate for having had the opportunity, and to think I almost passed it up! It definitely distinguished me from the pack, and I even got a set of company-issued Polynesian Leader Kukui Nuts! Wherever this journey may take you, always look for ways to move up in the ranks- I’m sure glad I did.

Coming up next week: Housing, Parts I and II

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Development • Roles •

“I have often dreamed of a far off place... where a hero’s welcome would be waiting for me… where the crowds will cheer when they see my face… and a voice keeps saying ‘This is where I’m meant to be.’ ”

You’ve gotten that big packet in the mail, and you’ve been extended an offer to participate in the Disney College or CareerStart Programs. You’re definitely excited (rightly so), and you’re pining to take the next steps. Feverishly, you look through your packet, and you find a couple of things you need to do in order to make sure everything is in order.

Respond to your offer: The first thing you’ll want to do is respond to your offer. While this doesn’t officially seal the deal, it confirms the acceptance of your position and arrival date until you can get everything else done. For the College Program, you’ll want to login here to accept your offer and complete a profile. For CareerStart participants, you’ll want to complete the electronic participation acknowledgment form at the URL listed on your role offer.

Pay your Program Assessment Fee: The next step after recruiting receives your response is to pay the program assessment fee. This step officially reserves your position in the program.The fee currently stands at $75.50, and goes to support your application process and the various housing events. It unfortunately is not refundable if you decide not to participate at a later time. If you don’t receive this link, be sure to email recruiting at the address listed on your offer packet.

Complete special requirements for your role: if you’ve been selected to either perform your role in the show as a lifeguard, or need special medical accommodations in your work area, you’ll need to submit additional documentation. Follow the the instructions listed on these forms carefully. If you don’t have a copy of the form you need, just email the recruiting address listed on your offer packet.

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime: You’ve completed all the steps necessary to reserve your spot in the program- congratulations! Start packing and preparing now: your arrival date is sooner than you think! I’ll be discussing what to bring and how to prepare for your arrival a little later on.

Just a note on this blog- as you could probably tell, my publishing schedule obviously got a little backed up this past week or two, but everything it back on track now, so thanks for your patience!

Coming up on Sunday: Moving up in the Ranks
Coming up next week: Housing, Parts I & II

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Waiting Game + Response •

It’s been quite a couple weeks. You’ve waited, and waited. You’re religiously checking your mailbox, leaving with no more than you came with. ...and then, suddenly, you see a large envelope with Mickey Mouse on it.

For most, this large envelope is the literal key to the world that awaits them. Quickly rummaging through the envelope as if it were Christmas, inside one finds a colorful folder, with all the information it seems you’ve already read. It also has this one letter- this one letter is paper gold.

”Congratulations" is one of the first words uttered by the letter, and all that pent up anxiousness and anticipation finally release: you know you made it in! All the small details seem to escape you, and for a moment in time, it just doesn’t matter. Of course it’s not always good news (suffice it to say, a standard letter sized envelope generally doesn’t contain anything you want to hear), but for most, this is really the beginning of an incredible experience.

There’s a whole process that goes along with this, which I’ll start talking about next week, but for those of you who have gotten your offer packets, congratulations!

Personal Update: Tomorrow will mark the one month point of my wait for a response from recruiting. Let’s just say the anxiousness and anticipation continue to build.

Coming up next week: Acceptance, Moving up in the Ranks

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Waiting Game + Response •

I hope everyone has been enjoying the tips and info I’ve been passing along as part of this blog. While I intended to have another post up today, due to some unforeseen circumstances and a slight conflict of interest, I will be taking a small pause on this blog. Normal content will resume next Thursday. Until then, good luck with your interviews and getting into the program!

- Chris

Coming up next Thursday: The Large Envelope
Coming up next week: Acceptance, Moving up in the Ranks

Labels: This Blog •

No matter what program you embark on, there’s a number of different roles to choose from, and sometimes there isn’t a lot of information on them. Today, I’ll be talking about two roles: Quick Service Food & Beverage and Hospitality.

Quick Service Food and Beverage

Quick Service Food and Beverage (QSR) is a challenging role to undertake, and I’m not going to glorify this role- it ultimately boils down to serving guests in a high-volume, counter-service or cart food location, not unlike any other fast-food or quick-casual food vendor you’d find scattered across the country. Unlike these outlets however, Disney’s QSR is hardly mundane and anything but typical.

If you’re offered a position in QSR, you could have a role that takes place in almost any place imaginable on Disney property. While outlets like Columbia Harbor House and Pecos Bill Cafe at the Magic Kingdom may come to mind, QSR also embodies the various carts and wagons located throughout the numerous parks, and the various sweets & ice-cream shops located throughout property (excluding the Confectionary and Sweet Spells, these are merchandise locations).

Yes, the hours can be long and work can be demanding sometimes (just like any other role), but not without its own merits. QSR cast have their own special way of “making the magic” for guests- and even though a lot of people who go into the role initially may not be too enthused, they end up loving it before they leave. Some benefits of this role is that you can truly leave your work at work, something that sometimes you can’t escape with the next role I’m about to describe. It’s also possible that in this role, you’ll be given a certain amount of liberty to work independently in the field, which can be pretty fun. These roles also tend to pay a bit more than the program base-rate, which always helps.

Program participants typically are cashiers and food expeditors, or are stand alone vendors at the carts. It’s possible you could be exposed to the elements, and you’ll likely be standing/moving about for your entire shift.

Hospitality

Hospitality majors are often attracted to the Disney College Program experience, and what better place to get started than in a hospitality role! Hospitality is probably the most difficult role to score on the college program. Prior guest service experience and a pretty darn good phone interview are necessities for this role. Because of the significant investment Disney makes in training these cast members, it would be advantageous to sign-up for an advantage program if you’d like to improve your odds.

As far as the role goes, it can vary from resort to resort. At most resorts, this involves at least three sub-roles, Cashier (Front Desk), Lobby Concierge and Runner. The former is pretty much just like any other hotel cashier in the formal sense- they check you in to your “Disney Vacation” and get you established at the resort. However, the level of detail and explanation required is often a much higher expectation from anywhere else you’d work. You’re not just checking people in to a hotel, you’re setting up their vacation!

Lobby concierge, as you can probably deduce, assists guests in a resort lobby, typically adjacent to the front desk to organize dining reservations, excursions and other activities, and sell tickets. This sub-role is a lot like a glorified vacation planner at one of the parks. The runners do exactly that- run items per guest requests. Other resorts have additional sub-roles that you may or may not be selected to perform. This includes Club Concierge (Disney desk experience is required for this, and is located at deluxe resorts only), Lounge Attendant and Bell services.

Something to keep in mind is that resorts operate 24/7/365. There is a great potential for you to be given “funky” shifts, because they must always be staffed. These roles can be a lot of fun, but are a lot of stress as well.

Coming up on Thursday: The Large Envelope
Coming up next week: Acceptance, Moving up in the Ranks

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Hospitality • Quick Service • Roles •

“In the big blue world, I’m going to go explore… In the big blue world that I’ve never seen before… so many creatures- swimming ‘round the sea… in the big blue world, and all of them are waiting for me!”

As part of the Year of a Million Dreams, one of the newest attractions at Walt Disney World is Finding Nemo - The Musical. This production is a first for Disney Parks in a couple of ways- it’s the first time Disney has adapted a screenplay for a musical that wasn’t originally commissioned as such, and it’s the first time a Broadway-class and style show with puppets has been brought into the fold at the Walt Disney World Resort. With its spectacular effects and the performer’s amazing puppetry, the show plays out to full crowds at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. I saw it for myself during one of my first weeks on the program, and it’s definitely a must see!

Growth is a good thing.

I’m sure this crowd is plenty familiar with the story behind Finding Nemo, so I won’t rehash that for you. Suffice it to say however, I think one can draw certain parallels from this Disney/Pixar production to the Disney College and CareerStart Program experiences. While I don’t think anyone is truly “lost” in any part of the program, there’s definitely a lot of self discovery that takes place during the program, and it’s filled with ups and some downs. When you realize that you’ll be spending the next five months with complete strangers from all parts of this country in an unfamiliar environment for most of us: Central Florida and the Walt Disney World Resort, you start to realize that this is like nothing else you’ve experienced.

What I’m getting at here is that the programs offer a tremendous growth opportunity for anyone accepted. Sure, there’s a bit of uncertainty involved here (just like any other new experience), but a literal world of opportunity awaits you- whether or not you’re looking to work for Disney in the future. The transferable skills gained by participating in the program are great, and the prospect of having The Walt Disney Company on your resume makes you that much more of an attractive candidate when it comes to careers. Disney was recently rated the “Number One Best Place to Launch a Career” by BusinessWeek magazine, and I think that assertion is spot on. Working for Disney has opened my eyes in a couple of ways, and definitely has opened doors for me that I wouldn’t have imagined.

If you’re on the brink...

...of deciding whether or not this is for you, or perhaps having a bit of post-interview remorse, consider what this could do for your future. Yes, for many of you this means taking off an entire semester from school, but where else can you have such a rewarding experience and opportunity for personal growth? From my experience, you can’t go wrong.

Coming up next week: Inside the Roles I, The Large Envelope

Note: The photo above is by Flickr user hyku, used under the “CC By/SA” license.

Labels: Background Info • College and CareerStart Programs •

...and you thought the time leading up to the interview was agonizing. Tick-tock-tick-tock, where’s Disney’s response? ...and why is it taking so long!

It should be no surprise that the waiting game, the time between your interview and the mailed response from Disney, is probably going be filled with anticipation, anxiousness and perhaps a bit of angst. It’s not that it’s a particularly painful experience waiting, just not overly pleasant. Even if you nailed your interview, there’s no guarantees in any sense of the word.

Disney’s response times for the College and CareerStart programs are typically within two to three weeks of your phone interview, but sometimes can be up to four weeks- especially when factoring the shear load of applicants and the slowness of the mail system. Unfortunately that’s the way of the game, and unlike many other games, there’s no cheating. You can’t necessarily call recruiting or casting to find out your status (at least not within the first four weeks, they’ll tell you a response is coming or in the mail), and peaking at the website’s acceptance module is a no-no that won’t yield you much good either. The ultimate reality is that you’ll have to sit this one through.

In the meantime, I’d suggest checking out a couple great community resources on these programs, including DISboards College Forum, WDWMagic’s Employment Board and the WDWCP Info Board. Most of these online communities have previous participants fielding questions, and offer perspectives on various elements of the program. For news on Disney Parks, check out MousePlanet.com. Until next time, happy waiting!

Programming note: this blog will be published every Tuesday and Thursday.

Coming up on Thursday: “The Big Blue World”
Coming up next week: Inside the Roles I, The Large Envelope

Labels:

...and you’re about to be interviewed. The anticipation surrounds you, but the nervousness encapsulates you. For a moment, you seem frozen in time.

In my last post, I talked about my own interview experience. This time, I’m going to let you in on some tips could make your interview a little easier, and perhaps help you to be a bit more prepared for what’s up ahead of you. Having interviewed twice for the program, I have some inclination of what works, what doesn’t, and what you should expect to be asked.

Being Prepared

A lot of people I know have talked about physically “being prepared” for interviews. In a sense, your preparation need only be basic. For starters, you’ll want to have a copy of your application handy, as you’ll be reviewing it at some point during your interview. It also doesn’t hurt to have a list of talking points already prepared that outline your strengths, particularly in guest service: after all, Disney is a company known around the world for its service excellence. To go along with this, you should also have a copy of your resume handy (or at least some recollection of your previous work experience), just in case you are asked about your previous employment elsewhere.

Finally, clear your room of distractions. If for whatever reason you aren’t able to clear your mind or your enviornment, you should be given an opportunity to reschedule your interview- just ask your interviewer.

Interview Time

The interview time is upon you. What should you do now, actually during your interview? You should definitely smile: even though your interviewer won’t see it physically, it will help you to put a positive tone on your voice, which won’t go unnoticed. When you’re asked a question, don’t immediately fire back answers, instead, take the time to think about and hone your responses. In doing this, you avoid the nervous ticks, the “uhm” and “uh” immediate responses. Finally, be mindful that the interviewer just wants to know a little more about you, so be mindful of your responses: they shouldn’t be long winded, but at the same-time, they should adequately answer the question. Even with this, do expect to receive follow up questions. Don’t interrupt your interviewer to clarify a point. This should, afterall, be a polite discussion.

Where’s the beef!

You’re probably thinking right now that while the tips above might help, what is it that you’re actually going to be asked? While far from being an all-inclusive list, my friends and myself have come up with this list of things we’ve been asked before.

• You’ll likely start by reviewing your application and your right to work in the US. Pretty simple, you’re just reading back whatever you indicated on your application, making sure it is factually correct.

• After this, the real discussion begins. Expect to field a couple questions at first, pertaining to your interest in working at the Walt Disney World Resort. You’ll be asked why you want to participate in the program, and how flexible you can be (which involves both hours and locations worked). You also might be asked what motivates you when you encounter conflict, and how you’ve resolved such a situation before.

• You will probably be asked about your previous work experience. No one, especially prospective employers, wants to hear you be overly negative. It makes you less attractive of a candidate, so be honest, but avoid any disparaging remarks about previous employers. You may also be asked about guest service experience: this is the place where you really want to shine if you do have any previous experience.

• The questions will probably now focus to specific roles. There are a lot of possible questions, but in any case, err on the side of making the guests as happy as possible. Some examples of what you may be asked includes: how would you handle a guest waiting in line if an attraction has unexpected technical difficulties, how would you handle a situation with a guest who is too short to ride a particular attraction, and how you would handle a situation where you do not have what the guest desires (be it a merchandise option, a room type or otherwise). You will also probably be asked about the best guest service (whether Disney or otherwise) you’ve ever experienced.

• You’ll finally be asked about how receptive you are to living with others. Disney has company-sponsored apartments that can accommodate anywhere between two and eight people. You should be receptive to any and all of the above. You may also be asked how you would deal with conflict within your apartment.

• After the interviewer concludes their questioning, this is the time for you to ask any questions you haven’t had the opportunity yet to ask. After this, you should thank the interviewer for his or her time.

That pretty much covers the bases. There are specialized questions that pertain to each particular role, but they generally mimic the questions you’ll find above. It is very important, like I said before, to be thorough when providing responses. Remain upbeat and satisfied with the answers you provide. Even if you stumble when answering a particular question, as long as you keep the pace going and remain positive, the interview will probably go very well. Above all else though- don’t be nervous! Disney interviews a large number of candidates, and they’re very understanding of varying levels of experience. People who aim to provide an exceptional experience for guests have a high likelihood of being extended a role offer.

You’ll be informed that you should hear a response in about two-to three weeks. Which brings us to our next topic of conversation: the waiting game. Until next week though, good luck with your interviews! Just remain confident and relaxed, and you’ll do just fine!

Coming up next week: The Waiting Game, “The Big Blue World”

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • The Interview •

What probably puts people on the edge the most, at least initially, is the telephone interview. It’s the make or break moment of one’s candidacy in the program.

I’ve been through this process twice, and today I’ll be talking about my recent interview, just this past Friday. I think a lot of people worry unnecessarily about the interview process- even though it is a pretty informal and pleasant one. There are a lot of little nuances that I’m sure Disney interviewers pick up on, but ultimately speaking, it’s just a way to evaluate two things: one, whether or not you can provide good guest service and conflict resolution, and two, whether or not you will stick to the commitments you make if you are offered a role in the program (ie: arrive for and stay the duration of the program- through thick and thin).

I feel my interview on Friday went very well. It took about twenty-five minutes to complete, and was pretty painless (the most painful part was the timing- the interview was scheduled for 10:30 PM EST). Having done it once before, I was a little more prepared and knew what all would transpire. The first part of interview was just reviewing my application and my current status. After that the interviewer, Jamie, started our conversation. We talked about my previous experience with Disney and other employers, what I hope to get out of the program by doing it once again, and some role-specific questions. It was actually a bit funny, since I mentioned my previous location at one point during the interview, and she immediately remembered that the college recruiting team had eaten there this past summer, probably while I was on duty- we likely crossed paths! We both had a laugh on that one.

Needless to say, I left with a pretty good feeling of my standing with Disney and had some inclination that I (hopefully) will be offered the role of my choice this coming term- Full Service Food and Beverage back at my old location. Despite my status and like anyone else though, I get to play the waiting game, and have to wait for a packet to come in the mail, hopefully receiving a role offer where I want to be.

Now that you’ve heard about my interview, you might be wondering what could increase your odds of having a successful interview. On Friday, I’ll be posting some tips that should help anyone in the process of interviewing for the program.

Coming on Friday: Interview Tips
Coming up next week: The Waiting Game, “The Big Blue World”

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • The Interview •

The Disney College Program is quite potentially one of the most exciting experiences of a lifetime. People who remember visiting the Disney Theme Parks when they were young, those who follow the Disney Company religiously and those who are just looking for a change of pace from their college careers spend several months in a living, learning and earning internship program at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Of course, it’s quite likely you already know all of this. Introducing an offshoot blog on ChrisSaribay.com: Irrelevant Ramblings, Disney Edition. It focuses on the Walt Disney World College Program (and its own offshoot, the Disney CareerStart Program), and my participation in 2008. It’s available on ChrisSaribay.com/disney-blog, and is also syndicated on Facebook and elsewhere.

To begin, I should probably introduce myself. Like many who embark on this journey, I have had a (healthy) fascination with Disney since I was little. I had found out about the program shortly before graduating high school, and knew that this was something I had to do. As they say- the rest is history. My experience started in the spring of 2007, as a restaurant host at a popular full-service dining location at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, ‘Ohana. By the time I left in January 2008, I was a Disney Trainer for our front of house operations, and was also a Disney Facilitator delivering the orientation classes for new Polynesian Resort Cast Members. It’s my plan head back and complete one more program this fall.

The Disney College Program is truly an experience like none other, and I have some stories, tips and information that I’ll be sharing about my experiences and what I’ve learned after spending almost a year on the program. I can’t make any guarantees on how regularly I will post, but I’ll contribute as much as I can. Finally, in the interest of full disclosure, I am still currently a Cast Member of the Walt Disney World Company, and any views I express on this blog are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Disney.

Having said all that, the journey of a lifetime begins now.

Labels: College and CareerStart Programs • Introductions • This Blog •