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View Full Version : Attention Anaheim Disney CM's (interview questions needed.)



mikotorocks714
05-03-2007, 07:29 PM
OK, I wasn't sure on where I could post this, so I decided to post it here since I would like to apply to work at Anaheim Disney (obviously since I live here.) :D

If there are any current cast members that post here, can you please tell me the most common Disney interview questions they ask during the group interview? See, the thing is that I really want to score this job, so I would love to know what they ask exactly so I can then practice my answers, and hopefully increase my chances of getting hired.

Thanks in advance!

PanFan
05-03-2007, 09:47 PM
I just went through the process in December. Let's see what I remember. They first have you fill out a paper application (no long answers, just basic stuff--job history, references, that sort of thing). Then you go into a room and watch a video on the Disney Look. If you're cool with their requirements, then you go into a room with a bunch of computers and fill out an online interview. The type where you have to answer quickly with your first impression. Nothing difficult, though there are a couple where you're like, "what do they want?" Don't worry about it. Just answer honestly.

Then I interviewed with one other person. The interviewer asked us some basic questions first. The ones I remember are "Why do you want to work for Disney?" and then some housekeeping things (again confirming that the Disney Look was okay for you, checking your availability, making sure you have reliable transportation, that sort of thing). Then they sent one person out of the room to do individual interviews. Gosh, I'm trying so hard to remember what they asked me! They asked my preferences as to position and had me tell a little about why I would be interested in each one (I think--maybe I just did that on my own when I told her where I wanted to be?). The main thing I remember is being enthusiastic and actually rather calm during the whole thing. Now if only I could remember what was actually said! There was nothing I can think of now that totally threw me for a loop or anything.

When I came back for a Guest Relations specific interview, they asked me if I was knowledgeable about the park, if I was okay with people being rude or even downright mean to me, again I'm drawing a blank. When I didn't get that and I went in for an Attractions interview, they basically went through this huge list of questions like "Can you swim?" "Are you afraid of heights?" "Do you have trouble in the dark?" Very simple yes or no answers. That was the definite majority of that interview.

Let me say now, though, if you are going for Attractions and you have a preference as to where you will be, tell them that now! When I did it, I didn't say anything and almost wound up in Paradise Pier. Thankfully I was able to persuade the recruiter within a couple of days to move me to Fantasyland, but it would really save a lot of trouble if you let them know your preference as early as possible, even if they don't ask you straight up.

One more tip that I got from another CM was to make it clear that you love Disneyland, but still keep in mind that this is a professional interview and you need to treat it as such. Smile and be enthusiastic, but remain professional and show them that this is something you take seriously.

I promise if I remember more questions I'll let you know. You're going to do great! Let us know how it goes!!

shna
05-03-2007, 10:41 PM
Not that I know anything about working for Disney -- but please be sure to wear something professional-looking to your interview. No torn clothes, no flip-flops, no denim, no t-shirt. If they can tell you put effort into your appearance when you came in for the interview, it will definitely make the right kind of impression.

mikotorocks714
05-04-2007, 12:38 AM
Ah, yes good info! So I'm guessing that it's not that much of a group interview as it used to be since they added the computer personality test, and other small individual interviews? Also, the position that I want to apply for is custodial or 3rd shift custodial. I already work as a substitute custodian for the Santa Ana Unified School District, so I have experience doing that. Only reason why I want to work there is because I LOVE Disneyland and I would be so happy and glad working for them even though I’d be getting paid less, so I'd love to make sure that I can ace this job by practicing the answers to their questions.

When you applied it was for Cast Place in Anaheim, right? ‘Cause it sounds so different than from what I last heard a couple years ago.

Anyone else care to chime in on more of the questions they ask? :)

Thanks!

mikotorocks714
05-04-2007, 01:10 PM
Any other CM's? :)

PanFan
05-05-2007, 08:13 PM
Hi again! Sorry--I didn't remember any more questions. But think of something along the lines of how you can make magic. Use the Year of a Million Dreams to your advantage (it's your dream to work there, etc.). BTW, I love the custodians I see every day. They are some of the most fun people to be around! And though I don't get to hang out with the 3rd shifters much, they do get to do walkthroughs of the attractions!

Yes, I did apply at Cast Place over at TDA. Have fun and good luck!

someimagination
05-06-2007, 09:31 AM
I believe two of the other questions they might ask are:

*Describe an experience you had with an upset/angry customer, and how you handled it

*A time where you worked in a team to accomplish something and how you were involved

There's a good experience posted on MousePlanet here (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=cp040902sl) it gives you a detailed description of an individuals interview process, and nothing has really changed since then... [I think :D ]

mikotorocks714
05-06-2007, 12:11 PM
Oh, awesome! Thanks guys!

mikotorocks714
05-23-2007, 06:46 PM
OK, I might finally apply in a few days. Anyone have any other interview questions or tips on how to remain calm? LOL; thanks and wish me luck!

Exitx
05-23-2007, 09:47 PM
I dont work for Disneyland, nor have I gone through the interview process with them, but I retail store manager and can give you some generic tips for an interview:

-Dress for the interview, like it said above, no torn close, dont look like you just took your clothes from the dryer. Business casual is almost always appropriate.

-Show a lot of interest in what you are applying for.

-Disneyland is going to be a place that will ask you questions about service and guest relations. Best way to answer these types of questions is to tell them it would be your goal to make everyones visit to the park enjoyable and make them want to return in the future.

-Also, ask questions about the job! When it is appropriate in the interview, usually at the end. Ask the interviewer what their favorite part about working at Disneyland is, and things like this, it helps show that you are applying because you WANT to work there not because you just NEED a job.

Hope these help!

Niwel
05-23-2007, 11:36 PM
You also might want to read some stories from our Cast Place section (link in my sig line). You might find some helpful info there. :)
Good luck!

mikotorocks714
05-24-2007, 02:01 AM
Thanks! :)

mikotorocks714
05-29-2007, 11:20 AM
Well, I had my interview today and I don't know if I'm hired yet or not, but now I have to wait to go to my 3rd shift custodial interview at 2:00 AM.

Does anyone know if this means that I am still going to be considered to be hired, or is this a for sure hire and just a simple interview? I'm confused LOL. Also, if 3rd shift doesn't want me, will I still be able to work somewhere else since I did good in my first interview? Or if they don't get me does that mean I'm out completely? :/

Gilesmt
05-29-2007, 12:43 PM
I don't know if there is much difference between jobs for everyone and jobs for the college students who get to go to classes, but my daughter went to an interview at college and went through everything explained here and less than 2 weeks later she got an invite to work at WDW as a hostess, like she wanted. My daughter looks the part of a hostess, long dark beautiful hair, cute young body, gorgous features, and evidentally does a good job holding her attitude back when she is at work, because she had been a hostess for a year now, although I live with her and she can be a -----? Anyway her friend applied for the same work at the same interview and she waited and waited to hear back. She is a pretty girl but over weight and after about 6 or 7 weeks she finally got her invite but to work in the restaraunt not as a hostess but something else, she also did not have any work experience.

So I think that if you do not get what you want that does not mean you are out, both girls said they were asked to write down three areas they would work in, my daughter wrote hostess, food prep and life guard. (Which surprised me because she is going to college for hotel management), she said she will work in this for 5 months and then next year when she goes to take more classes she will get an intern into guest relations and hotel management. She wants to start slow and show them she is not afraid to work. She just wants to learn from a fortune 500 company and they are paying for her classes.

Hope that helps.

Niwel
05-29-2007, 12:51 PM
Both parks have college programs (http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/disneycollegeprogram/).... the one at WDW is more established and most of the students in it are from out of state -- whereas the students in the one at Disneyland are almost all locals who participate while in college (for WDW they take off a semester). Hope that helps. :)

snappy
05-29-2007, 03:28 PM
If you didn't blow the interview I'm pretty sure you're in! Basically if you're willing to work, have a positive attitude, flexible, have the Disney look, appear dependable, sincere, and most of all HONEST I think you got it!
A little note:
Back in 2004 my interview was with 5 other's and one by one they dropped off. Not being flexible, unable to work weekends, unable to work past alloted time (being extended) and other reasons. When I was interviewed I was just honest and was hired right then and there. I think they were desperate for CM at the time, so I think that helped. Anyways good luck!

PanFan
05-29-2007, 03:35 PM
Glad to hear you got the second interview! I don't know how custodial works, but the Guest Relations interview was a real one (and I didn't get the position afterwards) whereas the Attractions one seemed more a formality (and I showed up to complete hiring paperwork two days later). Regardless, do just like you did in the first one and be yourself and show them how excited you are at the prospect of working at DLR. Good luck!

PanFan
05-29-2007, 03:49 PM
Sorry, forgot to add that even if you don't get 3rd shift, I don't think that means you're out. Guest Relations didn't hire me, but my second choice, Attractions, did. So if they give you a no, just talk to the people at the front counter about going for your second choice. BTW, it took a long time for GR to get back to me after the interview. When I hadn't heard back for a couple of weeks, I went down there and talked to the people at the counter. It was then that I was informed that they had "moved forward with other candidates" and was asked if I was still interested in Attractions. After an enthusiastic "YES!" I was escorted to an office and given the "formality interview" and walked out of there with a hiring packet. I thought it was rather unprofessional of GR not to tell me when they decided not to hire me, but if the same thing happens to you, go down there and pester the people at the front desk until you get something. Again, good luck!

Gilesmt
05-29-2007, 05:57 PM
Just as Pan Fan was stating if you do not hear go in and ask yourself. I am a career coach and job seeker in Washington and I tell all my clients to check with the companies about a week after the interview. I know it is rather frustrating that companies do not tell you for months sometimes if you did not get the job but usually they know. And here in my area for a general entry level job they may have over 100 applications, and 20 interviews and sometimes they do not tell because after a week they are looking again. Some restaraunts actually will not ever call you, you have to call them, it is there way of knowing if you are serious. Not saying Disney is like that but it does not hurt to inquire after 7 to 10 days, you could miss out if you don't and they are waiting for you to. Good Luck. And if you don't get first choice take second and when your first choice come available in the future see if you can move over. I always tell clients to take what is offered and move later because sometimes it is a matter of letting them see how you work, or a matter of giving someone with more experience the job at the time, so my clients are told to take it, even if part time and then work on moving because it is easier to move once in the business than to wait on the outside with little to do until they call again.

mikotorocks714
05-29-2007, 06:29 PM
Sorry, forgot to add that even if you don't get 3rd shift, I don't think that means you're out. Guest Relations didn't hire me, but my second choice, Attractions, did. So if they give you a no, just talk to the people at the front counter about going for your second choice. BTW, it took a long time for GR to get back to me after the interview. When I hadn't heard back for a couple of weeks, I went down there and talked to the people at the counter. It was then that I was informed that they had "moved forward with other candidates" and was asked if I was still interested in Attractions. After an enthusiastic "YES!" I was escorted to an office and given the "formality interview" and walked out of there with a hiring packet. I thought it was rather unprofessional of GR not to tell me when they decided not to hire me, but if the same thing happens to you, go down there and pester the people at the front desk until you get something. Again, good luck!

Ha, ha thanks PanFan. I will be sure to do that, and then some! :P