The Phone Interview

Step 3: The Phone Interview

If you've made it here, congrats! You're in the home stretch, baby.

This is what you'll see on your dashboard/your inbox!

Now, there are so many different ways to prepare for this phone interview. You should do whatever suits your personal style best. If you're the kind of person that likes to ignore things until the last minute and wing it because thinking about it gets you stressed, go ahead and do it live. If you're like me and you over-prepare for everything, study up on interview questions!

There are so many sites that have collected interview questions from past DCP phone interviews. You have a wealth of information at your fingertips- use it!

 After your phone interview, you will receive an e-mail late that night (no matter when your interview was, the e-mail will always come after the last interview of the day). This e-mail will say "thank you for interviewing, here's the general time-frame you can expect to hear back from us".

This is what it'll look like

For Spring 2015, that meant that most applicants will hear back by mid-late October, with the latest possible date being November 17th.

Tips: SMILE :)  I know everyone says it, but that's because it's true. When you smile, they can hear it in your voice. Cast Members are always smiling, so get a head start and do it too!

-If you're going to prepare some answers, don't recite them word for word during the interview. What I did, and seemed to work for me, was I wrote down some key phrases that I made sure I wanted to mention, and that would allow me to remember the important parts of the answer. From these phrases, I could have a full answer that was candid, but also contained what I thought was important to mention!

-If you want to request a work location, the phone interview is the only time to do so. If you really want to be an Attractions CP at the Great Movie Ride, make sure to say so in your phone interview! They can't guarantee anything, but will make a note of it in your file.


I also have a page where I discuss the types of questions you might find during a phone interview. To view it, click here! Or keep scrolling below for questions I've compiled from the internet.

What's coming up? I'll talk about the waiting game!

'Til next time!

RECRUITER NAME: _______________________

Preferred Roles:

Merchandise- High

Attractions-High

Vacation Planner- High

Hospitality- High

Character Attendant- Moderate

Recreation- Moderate

Concierge- Moderate

PhotoPass- Moderate

M.E. Ops.- Moderate

Costuming- Low

Lifeguarding- Low

QSFB- Low

BBB- Low

FSFB- Low

Character Performer- Low

Transportation- None

Bell Services- None

Custodial- None

Housekeeping- None

Hopper- None

Questions marked with a ** are questions I was asked during my interview.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

**What are your Top 5 roles, and how are you qualified for them/why do you want them?

What are you most looking forward to?

Why should you be accepted into the program?

**Do you understand the Disney Look/do you follow it?

**Why do you want to work for Disney? Why Now?

**Would you prefer a group setting or individual work?

**Would you prefer a fast pace or slow pace?

**Would you prefer working indoors or outdoors?

Would you prefer working in warm environment or cool environment?

What would you look for in a CP applicant?

**What is the most difficult/best part of your current job?

3 words that your co-workers/managers might describe you as:

**How would you handle moving to Florida, leaving behind friends and family?

**Describe your previous job experience

Which part of Disney Housing is the most exciting to you?

Give 3 positive and 3 negative qualities about yourself.

How would you handle an emergency at the park?

**How would you help a guest that doesn’t speak your language?

**What was my favorite job and why?

If you’re doing repetitive tasks, how do you keep yourself interested?

**How do you feel about living with people of diverse cultural backgrounds?

Define good guest service.

What is your favorite part of Walt Disney World?

Describe a good memory/experience from your past work?

How would you deal with being interrupted multiple times?

SCENARIOS

Describe a magical moment you had while at Disney.

Describe a situation where you had to multi-task, how did it affect the end result?

What would you do if you’re helping a customer, and the phone rings?

**Have you ever been in a situation with a difficult person/boss? How did you handle it?

Describe a time when you made a customer’s day.

**Tell me about a time when you had to handle an emergency?

Tell me about a time when you were a team player?

**Tell me about a time when you had a huge task and how you were able to complete it.

Tell me about a time you had a conflict in the workplace and how you handled it.

ROLES

ATTRACTIONS

What would you do if you messed up your spiel?

Attractions is a role where you take control. How have you exhibited leadership in your life?

What would you do if a guest wanted to go on a ride, but it was out of service?

How would you feel about operating a ride?

How would you handle a 4yo who is too short to ride an attraction?

How would you handle someone who was scared to ride?

**How do you feel about speaking in front of people?

How do you feel about memorizing long scripts?

BELL SERVICES/DISPATCH

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?

BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOUTIQUE

Do you have any salon experience?

Do you have any childcare experience?

How would you react if a little girl was shy or scared?

Have you had experience doing makeup and hair?

CHARACTER ATTENDANT

How would you handle a child being rough with a character?

How would you define character integrity?

How would you handle a child being afraid of a character?

How would you turn guests away from a line because it is closed?

How would you say ___ has to leave?

What would you say if someone asked why fur characters don’t talk?

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?

What do you expect when you stay at a Disney Resort?

COSTUMING

How do you feel about working a checkout system?

How do you feel about working at a job with little to no guest interaction?

Are you willing and able to carry heavy (up to 50lbs+) costumes to different locations?

Would you be comfortable working independently?

Are you willing to operate basic laundry equipment?

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?

Have you ever had experience cleaning?  

Are you allergic to any chemicals, cleaning supplies, or latex?

Can you handle talking to multiple people and multi-tasking?

Can you handle working outside for up to 8 hours a day?

FSFB

**What would you do if a guest ever dropped their food?

How would you handle a guest/party that wants a specific table/location, not available?

How would you handle it if a guest has no reservation, but the restaurant is full?

What do you think the main responsibility of a seating hostess is?

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?

HOSPITALITY

How would you handle a guest wanting a non-smoking, pool view, but there are none available?

Would you be comfortable training on a computer reservation system?

**If a guest asks a question and you don’t know the answer, how can you help them?

**How would you act if you had an upset guest in your face?

Describe a time when you experienced great customer service.

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?

MAIN ENTRANCE OPS.

**How would you promote a good atmosphere?

Are you comfortable delivering long speeches on a microphone?

Are you willing to drive a large parking tram?

Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades and park openings?

MERCHANDISE

How would you deal with a challenging customer?

**What would you do if someone wanted an item, and your store was out of stock?

**How do you feel about handling money and making change?

What would you do if a guest wanted a specific item that you did not carry anywhere in your park?

You will have to be able to pin trade with customers, will you be comfortable with children touching your lanyard and asking to trade?

If your phone is ringing, you are checking a person out, and someone in the store needs help with an item… what do you do first, second, and last?

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 table?

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?

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 $$ and achieving sales goals?

How do you feel about working in multiple parks, potentially all 4 in one week?

Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades?

**Are you comfortable working with a computerized ticketing system offering over 128 possible combos?

How do you work while under pressure?

TIPS FOR PHONE INTERVIEW

Have enthusiasm, emphasize strengths
Smile! 
WRITE DOWN THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS THEM BY IT
Talk about teamwork
FOUR KEYS BASICS: Safety, Courtesy, Show, Efficiency

QUESTIONS TO ASK RECRUITER

How did you get your start with Disney?
Roughly how many hours per week would be the standard?
Of the classes offered at Disney, which would you recommend to take?
Can I make a request for work location?
What are you looking for in an ideal candidate for the Disney College Program?
Would you view the Disney College Program as a good way to network and prepare for the ‘real world?