The Application Process

Hey everyone! So currently I'm working on so much homework that my brain is starting to turn to mush. So I figured it was time for a little break. I can't believe that my flight leaves six weeks from day! Crazy! I am so excited I don't even know how to express myself!!! Kinda like this...

Well now that that's out of the way, lets get down to business (to defeat the Huns...sorry) and discuss my application process. For those of you who don't know, there are 3 parts to the DCP interviewing process...Application, Web Based Interview, Phone Interview. I'm going to break down each one for you.

Application: I submitted my application on February 5th 2016. The application is pretty basic. It asks everything every other job application asks, your basic info, work experience, school experience, all that jazz. Once you submit this initial application, a couple things can happen to you. You could get an e-mail for the Web Based Interview (this is what you want) this e-mail can come at anytime really, some people get it as quickly as 10-15 minutes after submitting. The other thing that can happen is something called "In Submission". This is not ideal but you definitely shouldn't give up hope! In Submission means that your application has almost been put on hold and won't be looked at until later (maybe never). Not many people get out of submission but it definitely can happen! I've heard that if you get put in submission that the next time you apply you should add some more details to your work experience. Personally, I got my invitation for the WBI about an hour after I submitted my application.

Web Based Interview: Once you're accepted to the WBI, you have 3 days from when you receive the e-mail to complete the interview. I did mine right when I got the e-mail which was the same day I applied. The WBI consists of a lot of situational questions and questions about your personality. The most stressful part is that the WBI is timed. Personally, I was so freaked out about getting the questions done in time but looking back on it I should have just relaxed. Take a deep breath, be somewhere distraction free, have reliable internet, and you will be just fine! You get your results of the WBI right after you click submit, you'll either be told thanks for your interest try again next season OR you will be offered a phone interview! When I went to schedule my phone interview I was so disappointed that the earliest appointment was two weeks away! Between the long wait and my schedule I ended up picking 10:45 AM (Arizona time) on Sunday February 21st....16 days from when I scheduled it.

Phone Interview: The final and most intimidating stage of the process. Since I had 16 days to obsess prep for the interview I definitely did some research! There are so many resources out there that give you tips and sample questions if you want to "study" before your interview. I took so many notes and practiced so many times but honestly, I didn't look at those notes AT ALL during my interview, it all just came naturally. So the day of my interview finally came and I got in the mood by listening to Disney music all morning long. My interviewer ended up calling almost 10 minutes early. When you schedule your interview they warn you that they can call anywhere from 15 minutes before or after your scheduled time, so be prepared for that! My interviewers name was Toni and she was beyond amazing! We had such a great conversation that at some points I almost forgot I was interviewing. You are going to read so many tips telling you to take notes, don't pace around, ask good questions, and yes all of these ideas are great (except I paced my entire interview haha) but the BEST piece of advice I have is to take a breath and just be honest! Things are going to go great :) My interview lasted exactly 20 minutes. I work at a pre-school so we talked a lot about that, how I would handle emergencies, what kind of work environment I like, and then we talked about the following roles: Merchandise, Seater, Character Attendant, Children's Activities, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Attractions. At the end she asked me what 3 roles I was most suited for and why. I said Children's Activities, Character Attendant, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, mainly because of my experience with children. And that was it. My interview was over. The waiting game began.

My Acceptance: I got incredibly lucky, I had my interview on Sunday February 21st and I was accepted on Thursday February 25th. There are people who hear back a day after their interview and other people who interview on the first possible day and don't hear back until the last possible day, and there is absolutely no rhyme or reason! Even just waiting for those four days was soooo hard! I was checking my e-mail and dashboard like crazy! I actually got my e-mail while I was at work, I was only able to see the "Congratulations" part...I had to wait about 30 minutes before I could check my role and program. But seriously guys I was a mess! Running around my pre-school telling all my co-workers and dancing and crying. It was pretty awesome.


Well guys, that's it for my application process. Sorry for the incredibly long post but I thought it was all important stuff. I'll be back soon with my DCP Bucket List!

Have a magical day!
~Kristin