Originally Posted By piratebrittany About a month ago I applied for a role at the Disneyland Resort. I just heard back from them today and I now have a "Casting Call" for the morning of August 27th! I am both extremely excited and extremely nervous. What is the interviewing process like? What did you wear? What are some good interview skills or tidbits of advice? I've only ever had an interview once and it was absolutely horrible. I think the guy decided I wasnt right for the job before the interview started. The job I'm at now didn't require an interview. I work with momma HAUNTS and my boss hired me out of good faith because momma HAUNTS is an excellent worker. Please, HELLLLLLLP!!!!! haha. I apologize if there's already a thread like this but I am too excited to look for it.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb (nothing to say of use) but... Ooh how exciting! Congratulations and good luck!
Originally Posted By Ursula ^ Best advice, like, ever. Dress nicely. Wear navy or darker professional colors. Wear nice dress shoes. Wear a little bit of make-up but not too much. Have your hair styled nicely, like in back in combs, or even a ponytail with your bangs styled over your forehead. (You're going for a Disney look, here.) Smile. Make eye contact with the receptionist and be nice to them. When meeting your interviewer, reach out and shake their hand and say it is nice to meet you. Smile. For heaven's sake, smile. Bring several copies of your resume. Bring cover letters. Have your current boss write a letter of recommendation. Offer these up during the interview. They might have a faxed or photo-copy or a print-out, but having a nice resume on nice paper brings you to the top of the pile. Don't answer any question with, "I don't know." If you don't know the answer, make sure you know the answer or make one up. For example: What are your interests outside of Disney? Say you enjoy travel and photography. What do you want to be, or where do you see yourself in three years? I'd love to be in the field of imagineering or photography, or at least on my way to follow these careers paths. Don't be afraid of Disney buzz-words: action, create, passion, safety, guests, cast members (never say employee, never say visitor or customer). NEVER say customer. Do you know what position you are going to try for yet?
Originally Posted By piratebrittany Oi. I'll get so nervous. I'll probably smile too much and they'll think I'm mental. lol I applied for "Guest Service/Guest Enjoyment" at Disney 365 on Downtown Disney cause that was the only opening they had at the moment. But I was told I could be put anywhere (if hired) based on availability.
Originally Posted By Ursula Okay, are you open to any place they put you? Or is there ONE place you don't want to work.
Originally Posted By Ursula Oh, and you can't be nervous. I'm your aunt and we don't get nervous. We do, however, make the interviewee feel as if that hiring us would be the best move they've made in ages.
Originally Posted By disney pete oh very excited for ya all my fingers and toes are crossed for you here.
Originally Posted By piratebrittany I'm open to anything really. And I'll try to oooooooze confidence and "you should hire me because I'm amazing"-ness. haha.
Originally Posted By iamsally This sounds so exciting. You have been given excellent advice. Good luck!!!
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 I'm keeping my fingers crossed, PB!! Good luck with the interview! Ursula is spot on with her comments! You'll do great!
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 I've had a LOT of experience interviewing lately so I feel I can be of service. Check out the Disney dress code and make sure you're adhering to it (short nails with nude or pink polish only, not too much jewelry). Eye contact and smiling is great. Try not to say "Um" or "Like" a lot. I have such trouble with this! It used to throw me off when people asked me what I liked to do for fun in interviews and I never had an answer so be sure to think of a couple hobbies. I use reading, cooking, Dodger games, and Disneyland as mine. I would wear closed-toed shoes. Since it's summer I wouldn't worry too much about wearing a nice jacket but like Ursula said, wear professional colors. Also if they mention how many interviews they've had to do or if they're doing more I always say "Good luck with your interviews!" when I leave and people seem to like that. Most people hate interviewing tons of people and it shows you have sympathy for them and aren't just thinking about yourself. Just a few tips. I think I may have gotten the gig I had a 2nd interview for yesterday. If I did I'll let you know so you can take my advise. If not, I'll let you know so you can ignore it completely.
Originally Posted By HRM If I'm not mistaken, isn't this interview a group interview? I think they want to see how you interact in a team setting. Acknowledge your fellow cast member candidates. Smile, but don't act "goofy" - no pun intended. Have a favorite Disney memory, and them back that up how you would create such memories for DL Giests. And be specific, witout saying I just wNt to make them happy' Have a SHORT story ready how someone provided good "Guest Service" for you. And just as important, have a story where you witnessed bad "Guest Service", (try not to use a DL example), and how you would handle the situation, or provide a "Good Show". Know who your favorite Disney character is, and why... Be ready to explain which Disney Charater best resembles you, and why... Be sure to know the difference between Disney characters and the "other guys". It's okay to be a Disney fan, just don't go overboard and come across as Disney fanatic... remember, it's about exceeding the Guest's Experience. Have several options for Cast Rolls that you would like, and why... AND be open to learning new experiences. This demonstrates initiative and direction, AND shows your flexible and trainable. Know your best strengths, (relate them to a Disney Character if you can); AND be ready to state your best areas of opportunities for growth. Smile. Say thank you. Ask at least one question of the Cast Member interviewing you, but don't ask about pay, benefits, or breaks. A better question would be what makes working at Disney special for him or her? Pay attention to the answer, and acknowledge similar themes in your answers. I try to prepare for most interviews in the sa e way as above, (without relating the answers to a Disney Chatacter of course). I think it shows I've really given some thought to pursuing opportunities for a specific company.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 Agood interview tip...when they ask you what your weakness is, make it something that wll sound like an asset for them. For example: I am perfectionist. I will not stop working on a project until it is absolutely right. or I do not know when to quit working. I am alsway at work early and leave late. Stuff like that. Good luck!!!
Originally Posted By lesmisfan Yeah disney look is very important, very professional. Make eye contact, smile, be nice and courteous. When I was interviewed they asked my why i wanted to work at disneyland, they also asked me about past work experiances. and when they asked me if there was a role i was not open to, i was really honest. they asked me about custodial and i told them, probably not, and then followed up by saying, i dont mind the cleaning and the sweeping and standing on your feet all day, but i said if had to clean up someone's ummmmm..... mess, i wouldn't be able to handle that. They also asked me some questions like, if you worked in say stores and saw someone loose their balloon what would you do?
Originally Posted By Westsider Great advice here. Things are VERY competitive in Casting now, not trying to freak you out, but you should be aware of that. Most important thing you can do that you have direct impact over is your appearance. Dress nicely and conservatively, not casually or too trendy. You need to put on a SHOW and prove to them that you can represent Disneyland very well if you are hired, and a very important part of that is how you look. Your personality and skills will also be on display, but those are things that have been crafted over years and it isn't wise to try and present yourself as something you are not. But your appearance is something that can change from one hour to the next, so you need to make sure you look your best and most profesional when you go in to meet them. And by dressing up and looking good, you will feel more confident. Good luck!
Originally Posted By HRM "Agood interview tip...when they ask you what your weakness is, make it something that wll sound like an asset for them." When you do this, be sure to also say how you want to improve... For example, perfection may be a good ideal, but in the real world an employer wants a task finished in a timely manner. There are just TOO MANY fires and priorities to complete in a given day, a supervisor wants people who will complete tasks to the best of their abilities in a proficient manner with a sense of urgency. A person who always takes too long because he or she is a perfectionist, will quickly lose favor.
