Tips for the Phone Interview from an Alumni!

Wishes Count

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 10, 2009
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Hey, I know many people are nervous about their Phone interview. I posted this on the Facebook group but will post it here for others as well! Here are my tips for the phone interview! :thumbsup2

1. Schedule it during a time that works best for you! If you aren't a morning person don't schedule it before your 9 am class! I think it is best to find a time where you will have at least an hour before hand to relax and unwind, you don't want to have to sprint back from class to your room to do the phone interview. They may call from a "Blocked" number so be prepared for that. Also don't panic if they call late, each time mine was 15 mins late.

2. Find a quiet location. Tell your roommates/suitemates you are doing a phone interview ahead of time and cannot be bothered, maybe ask that they let you have the room to yourself so you wont feel self conscious. My first phone interview I did sitting in my car because I wanted no distractions. My other I did alone in my room. If you can't find a space to be alone, check out career services at your campus, they may have a conference room you can reserve to use.

3. Practice some of the potential interview questions! Try to think of answers that elaborate a little bit, don't be tempted to just give answers like "Yeah that is fine" or "No I never had to do that". You need to give examples and elaborate your answers.

4. Relax and SMILE! Your interviewer will usually be very friendly and upbeat because they want to put you at ease! They know you are nervous, but when you smile they can really hear it in your voice.

5. Don't panic if the interviewer is very quiet. They have to type everything you say, don't worry about the awkward silence when you finish your answer, you don't need to keep talking to fill the silence.

6. If you find yourself stumbling over your words or forget the question, just take a deep breath, maybe say something like "I'm sorry I've said all this in hopes of answering your question, which I have now forgotten!" and try to laugh it off. The interviewer knows that you are nervous and will repeat the question for you!

7. Most important is to be honest and be yourself! This is your chance to really sell yourself and let your personality shine through!

8. At the end they will ask you if there is anything else you would like to add or have any questions. This is the time to make location requests, if you are unsure of how to phrase this you can say "While I would glady work anywhere, If I got attractions I would really love to work at Tower or Terror". They will make a note of it in your file. I also think for any interview you should have at least one question at the end! If you really don't have any you can say something like "I don't think I have any questions because I have done a lot of research on the program and talked with former participants"

I hope this helps and calms some of your nerves! Good Luck!! :cheer2:
 
Thanks for all of your tips! I have an interview on Valentines Day at 7:15 pm and am applying for the DL CP. This will be my third time and my first interview went very well, she offered lots of advice and asked questions about my fav role, my preferred living situation (studio or shared room) and when I had questions at the end, she was very patient in answering them. My second interview was much shorter, she said since I didn't choose roles other than hospitality type ones that my chances would be slimmer and I def felt less prepared and it showed. Both times I was waitlisted and denied the last week. Hopefully I'll get in this time (I'm MUCH older than other hopeful CP'ers but the first recruiter said that age was not an issue, they had ones on the program in ranging in ages up to 70!)

I do have a question for you though - you mentioned the files section of this page in your post. Where is that at? I would like to practice some interview questions. Thanks!
 
Thanks for all of your tips! I have an interview on Valentines Day at 7:15 pm and am applying for the DL CP. This will be my third time and my first interview went very well, she offered lots of advice and asked questions about my fav role, my preferred living situation (studio or shared room) and when I had questions at the end, she was very patient in answering them. My second interview was much shorter, she said since I didn't choose roles other than hospitality type ones that my chances would be slimmer and I def felt less prepared and it showed. Both times I was waitlisted and denied the last week. Hopefully I'll get in this time (I'm MUCH older than other hopeful CP'ers but the first recruiter said that age was not an issue, they had ones on the program in ranging in ages up to 70!)

I do have a question for you though - you mentioned the files section of this page in your post. Where is that at? I would like to practice some interview questions. Thanks!

Sorry I copied this from where I posted on Facebook. The files section is there! Here is a list of potential questions (I did not compile this list, I found it on the internet somewhere):

NOTE: This is NOT an all-inclusive list.

Why do you want to work for Disney?

How do you deal with repetitive work days?

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?

Do you have any piercings?

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 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.

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?

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.

How would you handle a roommate disagreement?

What is your major and what do you plan on doing when you graduate?

How would a previous manager describe you?

Do you mind working mornings, evenings, overnight, weekends, and holidays?

How do you keep interested in doing a repetitive task?

What are 3 negative qualities about yourself?

What is your favorite Disney (movie, ride, park, character), and why?

What are your top 3 roles?

How would you handle an emergency?

Are you open to the QSFB or Custodial roles?

Why are these your top 3 roles?



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?

How do you feel about selling tickets to the parks?

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?

What would you do if a guest was looking for a specific item, but you are out or don’t sell this item?

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?

Are you comfortable handling large amounts of money and achieving monthly sales goals?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Do you have any experience handling cash, including foreign currency, and travelers checks?

How do you feel about being trained on a computer system?
 

WIshes Count - my son is currently at his first CP and he's considering applying for the Fall (he's Spring Advantage). Will he get a different email about applying to stay for the Fall or should he just apply in the general open CP application that is now online?

Thanks.
 
Thank you so much for posting your tips! So helpful!! :worship:
I'm starting to get nervous and my phone interview isn't until Friday, yikes!! I'm still mostly excited though! I will definitely start practicing answers for these questions. Also, I appreciate the heads up for the silence that may happen, I'm a person who hates awkward silences, so I'll know to just keep my mouth shut rather than keep talking! Thanks again!!
 
WIshes Count - my son is currently at his first CP and he's considering applying for the Fall (he's Spring Advantage). Will he get a different email about applying to stay for the Fall or should he just apply in the general open CP application that is now online?

Thanks.

I am not sure. I think he may need to wait to apply for an extension. They will let him know about it in a program email, when that application is open. He needs to keep his record card clean though if he wants to extend. He can check with someone at the Programs Office though. The phone number should be in the program guide he was given on the first day.
 
Thanks so much for this. I passed my WBI and literally almost fell out of my chair.

And Is there any way I can be added to this facebook group or join it?
 
Excellent list of questions and tips! I'd honestly add if you feel like you're stumbling over your words or just speaking too fast, take a deep breath, and reassess the situation picking up where you last left off. You typically have 15-20 minutes, so absolutely no rush whatsoever.

NOTE: This is NOT an all-inclusive list.
Great emphasis on this. There are a possibility of a deviation/mix of several questions. I've also had a recruiter make a question up on the spot given a specific situation.

I'd definitely have a few more specific ones to add, but it's never going to be all-inclusive.

Have a Magnificently Magical Day! :smickey:
 












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