Originally Posted By monorailblue ^^^ Do you mean good CM role models? They are very easy to find. They wear properly fitting, clean costumes. They smile a lot and make eye contact a lot. They pick up litter around them in the Park (even when they are off). They maintain safety positions. They are consitently back from breaks and lunches on time. They can laugh with everyone. They don't join in the fray of in-park politics very much. They are upbeat, friendly, hard working, and don't act like they are too good to help someone, including other CMs. If you're in a bit of a jam, they are happy to be able to help you. When I was in DL, we had a particular manager who was incredible. She was helpful, uplifting and friendly with EVERYONE, but also not afraid to get her hands dirty or jump into rotation to help out. She exuded safety, courtesy, show and efficiency. She smiled a lot. She has since been statched and re-snatched by other departments because she is so great. (Oh, and she hired me. ) We had another manager. He avoided the actual attractions like the plague, instead preferring the office or being out in the queue area. He rarely smiled. He wasn't friendly. He avoided Guest interaction as well. He never stepped into rotation (probably couldn't remember how to do anything). One night in particular when Autopia nearly suffered a mutiny, he was not only nowhere to be found, but, when he was found (after closing), his answer to everyone was, "work it out yourselves--I'm not your babysitter" and then to walk away. Thanks, Mr. Manager! Next time we'll just have a fistfight! It isn't hard at all to figure whose example to follow.
Originally Posted By HRM ^^^ Very Good Example. Thank You. I also mean, how does a NEW and maybe, not-so-new, CM find a Mentor. Role Models are indeed easy to find, once a person has figured out who's who. Sometimes in the beginning though, everyone looks the same in the costume and it may not be so easy to tell the good role models from others. Maybe some of the CM's here wouldn't mind being a support to CM's? I guess just like in any employment environment, if someone really wants to achieve and succeed, s/he will find a way. But it would be so much easier without the drama...
Originally Posted By monorailblue The easy answers are: Which CMs consider Safety to be most important? And after that Courtesy not only to Guests, but to the Cast (think: Disneyland Code of Guest Service)? And after that Show (including all dress and grooming standards)? And after that, Efficiency? And which CMs after all that, and ONLY after all that, worry about other things? These are the CMs to follow. Those that consider the Four Keys, the Code of Guest Service and the dress and grooming standards to be mostly advisory, and who push every envelope to its limit, well, these are not good role models. The best CMs do not walk along the edge of acceptable behavior---they walk squarely down the the center of the Disneyland path. In my experience, it usually took only one shift to figure out another CMs level of committment, drive and willingness to work hard for the overall Show experience. Find a great one, and emulate him or her; the others, well, find a way to work well with them, but don't adopt their habits. ;o)
Originally Posted By disneylandj1sy Good luck it took 3 interviews and 1 month of my time to get hired.
Originally Posted By John_CM Wow, I got hired at a job fair and had 1 interview. I started a couple of weeks later.
Originally Posted By PirateChick When I applied I went on my interview and filled out my paperwork the same day. I did Traditions that same week and was on the attraction by the weekend.
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland I did my paperwork and application in the same day but had to wait a few weeks until Orientation. While I was told I had recieved a position in May, my ID states that I hired-in June, 2003.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I had three interviews but they were all in the same week and I was learning my Tour Guide spiel by the next week.
Originally Posted By HRM imadisneygal... I thought Tour Guide CM Roles were not available to new hires, in other words, I thought a person had to be a CM for a while and then be recommended for an available position?
Originally Posted By HRM Posted 10/13 @ "Focusing on the POSITIVE" Topic, PastKnight >>As a future CM I love this topic. DL is my favorite place on earth, and while there I am easily moved to tears, however two special occasions jump to mind. The first time I took my son to the park he was 4, holding him during "Believe, theres magic in the stars" wo those emotions were incredible watching his face my heart almost pound through my chest. The second was a trip last month, my partner and I sat in the hub after all the crowds were gone, it was our chance to be romantic and enjoy the castle and her gold finery. We stayed WELL after closing, and the security gentlemen stayed across the street, he didnt ask us to leave. When we were ready he just followed us half way down mainstreet. My favorite person in my favorite place, here I am tearing up again.<< PastKnight, I hope you don't mind me copying and printing your post here also. You are indeed lucky to get the opportunity to chase your dream of working at Disneyland. Congradulations and Good Luck, and never forget the Magic (even during the trying times with difficult Guests). ºoº
Originally Posted By PastKnight thank you HRM and thank you all for your advice and encouragment. It just so happens that last evening my partner received a call form casting and he now has a job awaiting him as well, wishing upon a star can work
Originally Posted By tiggertoo So, do you know exactly what you will be doing for Disney PastKnight? Maybe I missed it be thus far all I got was that you'll be working in Travel. <<However, in other cases, better to have the person leave during Probation rather than stay and have to go through a prolonged counseling and Human Relations documentation process to terminate a non-performing CM.>> Everyone has the potential to be a good CM. All you need to do is focus on what you are supposed to be doing like being friendly to guests, keeping the safety standards set for you and other guests, being on time, et cetera. The true pity is so few are able to make the transition from high school to work environment. At the same time, it chases away those good CMs who tire of the drama very fast. You are correct in that Disney should fire these slackers but I still think it’s sad that so many drop out very soon after they are hired because, if they would but try, I’m sure they would do a fantastic job. <<How does a person find those good role-models for support and advice?>> First, look to your leads. Although there are many leads who do a poor job, generally they are pretty good if not great CMs. But down brownnose. =) Also, look for spirit pins if anyone on your attraction has them. These CMs ARE good and have been officially recognized for it. Other tricks I’ve found are look for the people who don’t complain about logging in after a break/lunch or complain about positions they get, who don’t lackadaisically walk to their positions, stopping to talk with four friends along the way, etc… There are many little things to look for. It will take some time assess all the CMs in you area but you should be able to find at least a couple your first day that seems pretty good looking for these little cues.
Originally Posted By PastKnight tigertoo, I get to start my career over, being on the phones for WDTC. Some would say I am a bit old to start over, not to mention giving up my current gtreat position, but its DL and if i want 25-30 years there I need to get in now. I should have done this 15 years ago, but your never to old to chase a dream
Originally Posted By tiggertoo WHen you you start training? And will you be working on location in the park or elsewhere? As far as starting over, as long as you don't have too many family obligations such as kids to feed, etc... then by all means, follow away. =)
Originally Posted By PastKnight I begin training on 12/16 and I will be of property at WDTC. north of the park on Harbor
Originally Posted By HRM Boy CSR Phone Work.... that will definitely be a challenge!! But keep your head up and remember why you wanted to be there in the first place... Demographic studies show that people now have two or three careers of 10 to 15 years each in a working lifetime, so you are right on track!! Again Good Luck PastKnight!! ºoº
Originally Posted By HRM >>Everyone has the potential to be a good CM.<< The key work is potential. Drive, desire, interest, temperament, and maturity are other key factors. Not everybody has the right combination of all of these factors to be a successful CM. >>Although there are many leads who do a poor job, generally they are pretty good if not great CMs.<< This statement in and of itself, shows why there is another Topic on these board entitled "Another Rant about CM behavior". And also why ManaByte probably chose not to continue her probationary period as a DLR CM. Leads are the first step in management; supervising people is different than simply providing good Guest Service. IT is unfortunate that DL doesn't provide supervisorial training for first time supervisors - it would make all the difference in CM Performance. ºoº
Originally Posted By SpoonCM For a while, they have been trying to make the Working Lead Program mandatory for leads. Right now, it's just an option for the current leads. There are a variety of resources through Disney University that many times managers overlook to train their cast members. I'm lucky I am currently in a department that has managers that care about my growth and encouraged us to take various classes at DU to help us. If not, it was often forced...hehe, but we didn't mind. When I was in Foods, the only time I'd see my managers down in the kitchen was when it was lunch time...bleh.
Originally Posted By TheBellCaptain PastKnight - you'll be at WDTC, where on Harbor? I know of the WDTC office there in Downtown Disney. Is the office you'll be at solely for customer support(no public allowed)? Just curious! Congrats on all you've done! You're gonna do great!
