Happy Halloween-Still Waiting

According to the Facebook page, applications closed yesterday, which makes me really happy however it just reminds me how late in the game I applied-not how I pictured my application process going when I saw myself applying!

In my desperate state I figured I'd reach out and get some thoughts from the Facebook page. As each day goes by, I'm trying to learn to calm down about the whole situation and just let what is supposed to happen, happen.

I need to start learning to make myself busy in a productive way, not just scouring Google to see how long others waited to get accepted. Deep breaths.

Reason For Being So Antsy

Two days since my phone interview and like everyone else out there who has been waiting, I'm getting antsy. I shouldn't be complaining. According to the Facebook group, there are people who have been waiting since September, they haven't gotten pended, no updates, they're just waiting.

The reason why I'm getting so antsy is because I have another offer I'll hear about on Sunday and I have to decline or accept it on that day. Granted, I might not even get the other offer, however I would hate to turn it down if I got it and then not get accepted to the Disney College Program as well.

Suddenly I'm feeling not so special. I mean, really, who am I to hear back so soon while others have been waiting weeks? I know I'm being ultra negative right now, but I'm just trying to be realistic about my circumstances.

 

The Waiting Game

It has been 26 hours since my phone interview. I know I'm not going to hear a day later, however I can't help but jump every time my phone vibrates. It makes it really hard to focus on anything else, which of course isn't helpful because I am, first and foremost, a student.

Post Phone Interview

Well I just got done with my phone interview! I had scheduled my phone interview for  Monday, October 28th at 2:45pm Arizona Time. At 2:30pm I went into my room to get into the zone. I had all my notes on my computer and an extra piece of paper and pen for any additional notes.

At 2:41pm my phone rang and showed "No Caller ID." I was interviewed by a guy named Ian and because I had prepared so much, it was everything I expected. Most of the questions I was asked were even in the same order as I had them in my notes. At the end I made sure to ask him a couple questions as well.

My phone interview lasted for 21 minutes, one minute more than Ian said it would take. I thanked him profusely and that was it. It was a strange feeling having it be over. I had a big weight lifted off my shoulders from the stress of the actual phone interview, however it was replaced by the stress of the impending wait I knew I had ahead of me.

At 7:08pm that evening I received the following email thanking me for the phone interview. It said that I could expect to hear back in 2-3 weeks. However I know I lot of people that hear back 1-4 days after! With how speedy my process has been so far, I really hope that the trend continues and that I will hear back by the end of the week!

Phone Interview

I was surprised to hear back from the Disney College Program so soon! Only five hours after I completed my Web-Based Interview I received an email inviting me to set up a phone interview, the final step before receiving an offer from the Disney College Program.

The link I was given lead me to a page with lots of available interview times. However, I forgot to put in my time zone so after I had chosen a time I wasn't allowed to submit until I entered my time zone, which changed all the interview times by three hours.

I finally settled on Monday, October 28th at 2:45pm. And after submitting my phone interview time, received the following email:

The email also included the following information:

Your phone interview may begin up to 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time or up to 15 minutes after your scheduled interview time. Your interview will last about 20-30 minutes. Therefore, we recommend you block 1 hour for your interview starting 15 minutes prior to your scheduled interview time. 

If you're using a cell phone for the phone interview, make sure the phone is fully charged. With the safety of all candidates in mind, we have a stringent policy with regard to cell phone use during interviews. Candidates will not be permitted to participate in a phone interview while operating a motor vehicle. Please plan ahead and be sure to take the call in a quiet location that has good phone reception. 

Prior to the interview, make sure you have thought about why you're interested in the Disney College Program. We want to know what sets you apart from other candidates.
The phone interview is also an opportunity for you to discuss work location and role requests. 

Your Caller ID display may show our call as "Blocked" or "Unknown Caller" when the interviewer calls you.

So now all I have to do is play the waiting game! In the mean time I have been trying to do my best to prepare for the interview and research potential interviews. Click here to see a list!

Web-Based Interview (WBI)

Less than thirty minutes after I applied I received an email requesting that I participate in the Web-Based Interview. Naturally I immediately logged on to take it. Before starting it, they recommend giving yourself forty minutes to take it. In addition this is what the email said about the contents of the WBI:

There are two (2) sections to the interview. You will be asked two types of questions. Some are multiple-choice and some ask you to rate items on a 1-to-5 scale. 

The interview is timed. If you do not answer a question in the allotted time, the interview will proceed to the next question. Choose the response that best describes you. Do not hurry through the questions.

The interview actually took a lot less than forty minutes considering the questions weren't very lengthy and were pretty easy to honestly answer.

From all the blogs I've read and vlogs I've watched, everyone offers the advice: answer your questions honestly. I'd have to agree with them. If you're not being honest with the company, you're not being honest with yourself on working alongside the values of the Disney company.

 

Application

So I just applied to the Disney College Program and I have to admit I'm a little shocked I did. I have been planning on participating in this program for three years now but just haven't been able to decide on when. Up until, well, today, I had planned on doing it after college. I am so involved on my campus and with my university that it seems so difficult to just pick up and leave. Today I decided, "well why not, we'll cross bridges when we get there," and did it!

The application process was very simple, especially because I had applied to the Disney Store before so all my information was already in the system. I was asked about all my previous work experience, which program I preferred (Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort), and what roles I was interested in. They listed all the roles available and I was asked to rank them based on interest (None, Low, Moderate, or High).

Immediately after I received an email thanking me for applying (see above).