Hi there, Firstly, I apologise in advance if this topic has been discussed somewhere else. So, I want to apply for the CRP for next summer. I am in the UK and I believe the applications open again around August time. I would like some advice for first time applicants please. I really want to get accepted first time because I am thinking about giving up a place on a post graduate course to do this so it is really important I do my best at the interview. I am due to start university again in September, so I don't want to be turned down for the CRP and then be kicking myself thinking I could have went back to uni and applied to Disney for the year after uni, if that makes sense?! So anyway, I want to make the best impression possible and I would like some tips on this please, assuming you guys don't mind sharing I've had a lot of experience in retail and customer service. Although my passion doesn't lie in those sectors (I want to work in Education and with children and young people) I want the Disney experience! I have been thinking about doing this for a few years and have only just got the balls to do it! I'll be 24 when I apply and am currently the supervisor of a greetings card shop. I'm hoping this will all help? One problem - I have my lip pierced. I don't mind taking it out if I get accepted onto the programme, but do you suggest I take it out for any possible interviews I may secure? Basically, I want to make the best impression possible so I don't have to wait another year! Hope you guys don't mind giving me a few tips and pointers! Thanks in advance, Katie
Hi Katie It sounds like you've got really good experience which will definitely be a huge bonus. For the interview, I'd definitely recommend taking out your lip piercing. Try and show up already showing the Disney Look if possible because I do know someone who was rejected because they didn't do that. Once you get to face to face interview stage, the odds are much better for you so if you can make a good impression that should really help. The hardest part is actually getting from the initial application to the phone interviews- for my lot there were over 900 applications and only 300 phone interviews given out in the first instance so your CV is the most important thing! Luckily with your experience that should be a real help for you. As far as applications, maybe you should give yummy jobs a call or email. The reason I say that is that they changed the applications this year, and recruited for a whole year in one go. The 2011 recruitment season is ongoing at the moment, applications for which are now closed, and those are for dates throughout 2012. According to their website, they will be re-opening applications at the end of the year for the 2012 recruitment period, and I'd assume that's for dates in 2013. Hope that made sense- it's a round about way of saying you may be too late for next summer, unfortunately, but only yummy will know for sure. Hope some of that helped. Good luck
Hiya, first of all, good luck for when you apply! As far I know the applicants don't open until November? I think I read it on here somewhere, you'd be best off emailing Yummy Jobs to see when applications open so you can start getting prepared, and see when it would be best for you to apply with your time scale. I applied in June 2010 for the first time and I got through first time. It's incredibly nerve wracking and still to this day I wonder how I did it as I was a nervous wreck, and had never had an interview before the Face to Face with the Disney recruiters. I read on here that they look at your CV for about 10 seconds first time, so I'd recommend using the template on the Yummy Jobs website: http://www.yummyjobs.com/cvadvice. With the covering letter I'd say get to the point and wouldn't recommend making it longer than one A4 page. Also, don't use the default font, as this can come across as lazy, but use something professional and easy to read. There's a few videos on youtube that give help for the Phone Interview, although the questions vary. I'd recommend these videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/kimthecoolone (there's other videos that aren't just about the phone interview). If you get through to the Face to Face interview, you have to fill in some forms and state what position(s) you are interested in. I ticked Merch and Food and Beverage as I felt it gave me more of a chance. Within the Merch position I'm pretty sure you can work in Kid Cot (I may be wrong), so you could always emphasise on your career goals in your interview, too. I'd recommend you take you lip piercing out, then when they ask about tattoos and piercings, and you can say you have your lip pierced, but took it out to go by the Disney Look. This looks like you've done research and that you are willing to obey rules if you are successful. Good luck ;D
Hi if it helps I am a first time applicant and I have a large amount of retail experience too and I also have a lot of experience in the Education sector (Primary schools etc), so if I make it though I can advise you of the type of things they may say to you, to allow you to prepare some answers.
One of the lead cast members at the disney store I work at did the CRP in 06/07 and she had her tongue and 2 lip piercings - she took them out and got accepted no probs... you can still see the holes on her face but obviously she doesn't wear them anymore now she's still working for disney! So it's not a problem if you take them out
my first time round i took out my tongue and eyebrow studs and i got through. TBH it really is luck in the early stages as to whether you get through to the phone interview or not - people with amazing cvs/cover letters sometimes dont get through, people with no experience and a bare cv do. I would certainly make sure your cv is up to scratch, in a professional format, as for the cover letter well there doesnt seem to be any particular way to do it some people do it very professional and some do it fun and quirky, both types can lead to a phone interview. i agree with keeping it shortish an A4- page to 1 1/2 pages is long enough - they dont have time to read essays when they are trying to get through a billion applicants. I would suggest picking 2/3 reasns you want to do the programme and 2/3 things you could bring to the role / offer disney with some very short examples from your previous experience e.g. great communication skills - in current role you communicate at all levels both with colleagues and customers but obv a bit more in depth if that makes sense? i would say tho that lots of people dont make it through their first time round so i guess i would weigh up which is most important to you the post grad uni course or working for disney - afterall you ca always apply to disney once your course is done but can you get on the same course again as well?
Thanks for the advice so far guys! I have been in contact with yummy jobs about recruitment for next year and they said: "Many thanks for your email. We are still working to confirm the next recruitment season, but we would anticipate it to be later this year and will have more information on the Yummy Jobs website by August. Our next recruitment season would be for positions starting in mid to late 2012, with positions in May and later!" So, hopefully there will be something for next summer ??? disney-dude - YES that would be amazing and so much help, thank you so much! The only reason it is a choice between the two is money really. I will have to pay for the post grad course myself and it would probably wipe me out so I'm not sure I could afford to do Disney after it, well not for a few years and I'm not getting any younger! I could probably defer my course, maybe even for a few years. I don't mind doing the course a few years down the line, but would rather do Disney before I get too much older ;D I'm just worried about not getting in now, as it sounds like there is a lot of competition and it really is a lot to do with luck. SO I really do think that my best chance would be to go fully prepared, with an amazing CV/cover and with an appropriate look and outfit?!
Wow they do keep changing the plans don't they! That's great news for you though, I'm glad you haven't missed out. Good luck for your application.
i wouldnt be confident in their dates from may 2012 onwards statement - we were told dates from July 2011 onwards originally asd then dates through 2012 so they keep changing things
So it seems, but I really do hope I haven't missed out or I'll be a granny by the time I am able to apply! Ha, thank you!!
