Originally Posted By piratebrittany Wow! There's so much to remember. Oi! I better have Mr PB and momma HAUNTS start doing practice interviews with me. HRM, from reading my email and confirmation I was under the impression my interview was a single person. They're given in 15 minute and 30 minute time slots, and the email read that I would know upon walking out of there if I was wanted for the job. They ask every single perspective cast member to alot 15 minutes to two hours for their appointment, including the interview process and the paperwork that must be filled out and filed in the event of being hired. So I just assumed it was an individual kind of thing. But maybe I'm mistaken?
Originally Posted By Ursula Mind you, I worked there in the 1980's. My interview started out with myself and two other candidates. We were briefly interviewed and at the end, I was asked to stay and the others were dismissed. I was then interviewed in detail, about my college schedule, if I minded weekends, where I'd like to work, where I'd hate to work.
Originally Posted By Ursula and others here have given some GREAT advice. Have some prepared answers. If you find yourself short for an answer, go back to my wedding (It is a Disney thing for our family. Even my aunt got married here!) I'm sure the thing that got me attention was saying that Grandpa John drove the trucks that delivered material to build DL. I have NO idea at the time if that is true, but that's what dad told me the night before my interview so I used it.
Originally Posted By piratebrittany Would anoyone like to help me out and ask me an interview question? I'll answer it and you can tell me if I'm going to sink or swim! Thanks for the advice though. Momma HAUNTS has helped plenty, but I thought it would help to hear from people who've gone through Disney interviews.
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 Here are a couple that I have been asked lately: -Why do you think you'd be a good fit here? -Tell me about a weakness of yours (P.S. I agree with HRM, employers want a real answer. Not something like "I sleep with my eyes open so I can get the job done." But don't say like, "I have a habit of murdering people" either. LOL.) -Describe you ideal work environment. What do you like you co-workers to be like? -What do you look for in a manager?
Originally Posted By HRM Which Disney character best represents you? Pleese give me an example of a time you provided great Guest Service? How would you handle a parent who was upset about a Very Long Line at an attraction whose child suddenly had to go to the bathroom just as they got to the front of the line? What would you do if someone just lost his/ her balloon?
Originally Posted By piratebrittany -Why do you think you'd be a good fit here? I grew up coming to Disney. I work best in a team setting. I love talking to people and I love to help people as well. It would thrill me to know that a guest's experience at the resort was that much better because of me helping them. -Tell me about a weakness of yours. When presented with a new task I take it a little slow at first to know that I'm doing the best job I possibly can. But once I know exactly what I'm doing I pick up the pace and I'm able to execute the task to the best of my ability and in a timely manner. -Describe your ideal work environment. What do you like you co-workers to be like? My ideal work environment would be in a team setting. I would like my co-workers to be kind and helpful. I would want my co-workers to be team players. -What do you look for in a manager? I like my managers to be fair and helpful. I like to know I can look to my manager for guidance when I'm unsure of something. -Which Disney character best represents you? Belle. She's strong and adventurous. She's a loyal daughter and friend. She loves to read. I believe she mirrors many of my traits. -Please give me an example of a time you provided great Guest Service? (just a question, do you mean when I'VE PROVIDED great guset service or when I'VE BEEN PROVIDED great guest service?) I'VE PROV: There was one hectic night when I was waitressing. A homeless man came into the restaurant and began to harass our customers. My co-worker and I tried to calm him down but he just kept screaming. We asked him to leave and he just refused. I made a decision to call the police and have him escorted off the premises. After the situation was over I went to all the tables and personally apologized for the evenings events and I offered each table a complimentary dessert. No one took me up on the offer but they politely thanked me. A couple of days later my manager thanked me and said that she had received notes praising my actions in the situation. I'VE BEEN PROV: My boyfriend lost his galsses on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the cast members did a thourough search of the ride and returned them to us via Lost and Found. We were very thankful that he was able to get them back. -How would you handle a parent who was upset about a Very Long Line at an attraction whose child suddenly had to go to the bathroom just as they got to the front of the line? (someone please help me with this one because I have no idea how to answer this one) -What would you do if someone just lost his/ her balloon? I would get them another balloon. [[how'd I do?]]
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 Pretty good! In regards to the long line question, I might say something like "I don't know the protocol for that situation. If I am allowed to give them a front-of-the-line pass so they child could be taken to the restroom and come right back then I would do so." I would say something about how you work well under pressure or in stressful situations. Chances are there are going to be some of those during busy times at the resort.
Originally Posted By Ursula Someone newer than me correct me if I'm wrong, lemisfan? <-How would you handle a parent who was upset about a Very Long Line at an attraction whose child suddenly had to go to the bathroom just as they got to the front of the line? (someone please help me with this one because I have no idea how to answer this one)> Back when dinosaurs were around, we would give the mommy a front of line pass. I think Disney still uses them but I don't know what they are called now. They were good for up to 6 people. If you get a guest service question like this in the interview and you don't know the answer, the answer is, "I'd adhere to my training and follow whatever procedures dictate, but I would want to make sure the guest has a positive experience."
Originally Posted By piratebrittany Yeah, that line question throws me a bit. If I got out of line for my kid who had to pee I would just get back in line afterwards. I wouldn't expect that to be Disney's issue so I didn't even know how to begin to answer that. But following training and protocol seems to be an obvious solution.
Originally Posted By HRM Good answers! and great coaching!! Be careful with answers such as "I like being part of a team, with great teammates who are happy" or "I am a people person". Of course you are. Almost every job involves interacting with another person in some manner. And the real world is full of wonderful and happy teams, with equally happy bosses... that give HORRIBLE service!! Not at DL of course. Try something more in tune with, "I would work well with a supervisor who explains the expectations of the role, and provides opportunities for me to be successful in providing a magical experience for the Guest." or "I work well with supervisors who create a fun and positive work environment that is consistent and supports the overall goal of the company, in this case - Disney.
Originally Posted By HRM ...more questions... Who is your favorite Villain? (careful) Is there a role you wouldn't like to do, can't do, or even prefer not doing at DL? What would you do if a fellow Cast Member, someone who has been nice and helpful to you, did something against protocol and asked you not to say anything? Or a similar question, have you ever been in a situation where a co-worker did something against the rules and asked you not to say anything? Do you have any outside obligations or interests that limit your availability to work at DL? ie school, job, upcoming trip?
Originally Posted By lesmisfan ok so I have had that bathroom happen to me so many times. What i have been able to do plus other cast members have done as well is give them a parent switch pass so they can come back. it makes their day that much more pleasent knowing that they do not have to wait in the long line again just because their child had to go to the bathroom.
Originally Posted By HRM ^^^ #35 ^^^ WoW! Now that is great Disney Service!! You see, it's not about what I may do if it were my kid, or my expectations of other behavior... Rather, it's about exceeding the expectations of the Guest and creating a memorable positive experience for that specific Guest. Kids will always do kids' things: cry, complain, and want to go to the bathroom at the most inopportune time. And parents will usually feel frustrated, tired, and exasperated. Recognizing this and allowing this behavior to be ok within within a Disney experience should be the guideline for all Guest interactions... individualized to what is appropriate at the time. You can bet this family will return to DL, AND convince other families as well... No matter how much ticket prices increase or how bad the economy becomes. Better than any commercial, are those magical moments created by CM's for something as simple as waiting in line to a special blown kiss from a character in a parade.
Originally Posted By HRM ^^ This is why Disney service is legendary, and also why it is such a challenge to provide every time to every Guest.
Originally Posted By Moondoggie My experiences were more along the lines of Ursula's. I hired in at the end of 1983, and it was pretty tough to get a job at Disneyland at that time too. It wasn't like the economy was bad necessarily. They were just very particular. In some ways I think they were almost looking more for a look and a personality, knowing that you would be trained in your given role. And I didn't have much work experience at the time as I had just turned 18. Apparently that didn't hurt my chance at getting hired though. I interviewed with two other people. I remember being asked something about schedule flexibility and reliable transportation. We were then told about the process of being cast into a role, and we were asked where we could see ourselves working in the park. I really don't remember any specific, technical, or job-related questions (one of those "how would you handle" questions). We must have had something along those lines, but I don't remember it being a major component of the interview. Of course that was over 25 years ago now. I basically said I was willing to work wherever they felt I would be an asset to the show. I told the interviewer that I just wanted to work at Disneyland, and always had wanted to do so. I told her it really didn't matter where I started my journey with the park. I just wanted to work there. Now I know some interviewers might want a more definitive answer (and that might be more prevalent now), but apparently my response was okay with my interviewer. I was placed in Tomorrowland Attractions. For the interview, I wore business attire, including slacks, sport coat and tie. And I smiled and presented with an easy-going demeanor. I don't think I came off as phony or contrived. When I talked about always wanting to work at the park, I wasn't gushy or over the top. I was just myself, and spoke from the heart. And I think my sincerity came through in an honest way. Just be yourself. Good luck.
Originally Posted By HRM ^^^ Moondoggie ^^^ you really gave the best advice... Just be yourself, sincere and honest, without overdoing it. 1983, huh... +25 years ago... was it worth it? Looking back, what was the one thing you wish you knew going into the whole thing?
