Doing It Face-to-Face

Having advanced to the next stage, I received an invitation from Yummy Jobs regarding my face-to-face interview with the following details:

Date: 10 December 2008

Time: 11.15am

Venue: Colchester Avenue, University of Wales Institute Cardiff (kept questioning myself about this given location as I told Lucca my uni is only an hour away from London but in the end I convinced myself it was part of the plan as it was such a coincidence that Wednesday’s a free day =D)

Documents checklist:

* 3 PHOTOCOPIES OF MAIN PASSPORT PAGE (picture page with passport no.)

* ACTUAL PASSPORT

* 1 PHOTOCOPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE

* ACTUAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE (and a translated certified copy)

* Proof of home address (bank statement)

* An up-to-date copy of CV

* The completed and signed PROOF OF STUDENT STATUS FORM (template provided)

* The completed UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION LETTER (template provided) printed on University letterhead with the relevant blank information completed and signed by a representative of the University (for example this can be a tutor or somebody in the Registry).

* 2 black ink pens

Given a month for preparation, I spent the days doing my homework – reading on interview tips, history on Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World, my favourite Disney character and movie (Belle, Beauty and the Beast).

On the eve of the interview, I sailed through my classes (counting down the clock) and took the evening train to Cardiff with my sister. We stayed at Premiere Inn, Roath which was about 10 mins walk to Colchester Avenue campus.

I woke up extra early the next morning to put on my formal suit, had breakfast and off I went to the campus by cab. Before the interview, there was a presentation by Roger and Jeff (both from Disney) and Jason (from Yummy Jobs) about the programme which lasted for about 30 mins or so with quizzes right after. I answered Donald Duck to the question ‘Name a Disney character’ and won a PEN! :) We then filled out two forms – one was the roles we’re interested in and the other on our personal details, dates available, education and work history etc. Once done, Lucca announced the interview time slots for all the applicants. Mine was 3.20pm with 3 other girls.

When I was called, I went in with my documents for Lucca to check and chatted away with my partner-in-interview (her name was Becca if I’m not mistaken) while waiting for our turn. Jeff interviewed both of us and ensured us that it’s gonna be the easiest thing we’d ever done……in his American accent which already gave me the feeling of being in Disney World.

Since the interview was done 2 by 2, we were asked questions alternately. If my memory serves correctly, here’s the questions on my bit:

* Why do you want to work at WDW?

* Which university and what course are you studying?

* Name three words to describe yourself.

* Which role are you interested in and why?

With all my nerves shaking, I was not well aware of what I was saying at that moment but I did know that I was a step closer to gaining a golden ticket to the Happiest Place on Earth. After our session, I had a mixed cocktail feeling of happiness and bummed out-ness. All the answers I had said kept replaying at the back of my mind giving me a mountain thoughts of ‘I could have done better by saying this and that’. Also I was slightly daunted but very impressed by my partner-in-interview as she handled the questions really well with no ‘umms’ and ‘uhhs’ from what I noticed.

So, I went back to my sister’s place on that very same day, thanking Him for His guidance while scooping away a bucket of Ben & Jerry’s.

Overall, I really had a great time despite the stupidity I felt after. Seeing it was my very first job interview, I count myself to be fortunate indeed to have travelled that far and the pleasure to meet lots of lovely people there was awesome! =D

Til then…have a magical day! *o*

The Call

A couple of days after my CV submission, I was extremely delighted when I got a call from Michele of Yummy Jobs to schedule a telephone interview for 27 October 2008, 11am.

I was interviewed by a lovely lady named Lucca (couldn’t make out her name until later) and the interview lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes. I did feel nervous before she called but immediately got into the waves when we spoke. I was asked questions such as:

• Confirmation of details - date of birth, e-mail address, nationality, passport
• Why do I want to work at WDW?
• Do I have body piercings?
• Will I be able to work in the heat?
• Which university am I in and what course am I doing?
• What do I think about sharing room with people from different countries?
• Which intake I prefer?

Well those were the questions I could remember being asked. Seems a bit too little for a 20-minute conversation but it could be due to my ‘poor’ hearing that I had to ask Lucca to repeat the questions.

At the end of the interview, I was told that I will be informed of the results in 6 weeks time however by God’s grace I received an email from Lucca about gaining to the next stage on that same evening. Honestly, I had a short-term dwelling after I hung up but I love how Lucca handled the interview as she replied ‘Excellent’ to almost all of my answers which really helped to ease myself and add some self-confidence.

The preparations I did the night before were not put to much use but it sure gave me a foretaste of the interview. I learned that this interview was basically done to allow the recruiters to get acquainted and screen out the legion of applicants. The one tip that helped me got through is the SMILE in my voice. I believe that a smile is the mirror to a person’s personality and sincerity – anytime anywhere anyhow.

Before I end, a great big thanks to all for their generosity in sharing many useful tips on the pre-screen interview! ♥ ♥ ♥

Have a magical day! *o*

ºoº Greetings! ºoº

In exactly a month time, I shall be on a magical carpeted ride to the Happiest Place on Earth – WALT DISNEYWORLD!

Way back in 2005, it was only a dream I envisaged to entertain the mind. Like any aimless 17 year-old kid, I was busy burning midnight oil for the national examination at the end of the year. I had a blur vision of which college to study and what major to pursue. With no exact map of where to go and what to do with my future, I made a search on Google one day to window shop for opportunities i.e Disney. It sure was a love at first sight for a veteran Disney fan like me when I stumbled upon the Disney College Program website, however it went to the archives with the rest of the pixie dusts.

I decided to pursue a diploma in E&E for two years in college and then a twinning programme to my current university for another two years. Somewhere along my college days, my sister opened up my archives of dreams by introducing me the Disney International College Program website. At the time, I did some research on it but I was already benumbed with my monotonic life – having a mindset of ‘Get a grip! You ain’t going no where!’ So I didn’t put much thought into it until I was certain that I’ll be continuing my studies in the UK.

Time ticked and tocked. The next thing I found myself in the UK – having offered the best opportunity of a lifetime i.e a 3-month summer work experience in WDW!!

Now that I have unofficially finished my second year of degree, I decided to chronicle this journey of mine as I go In Pursuit of Disney.

So do come fly with me in this magic carpet ride ~~~

Have a magical day! *o*