The first stage of the six month process was an online application. You can apply on the Disney International Programs career page but you will be directed to apply with Yummy Jobs anyway so you might as well go straight to http://www.yummyjobs.com instead and find Disney J-1 Cultural Exchange Program Summer. Yummy Jobs are the UK recruiters for Disney – you don’t directly meet with Disney until the second interview. The applications for our intake opened on July 1st and stayed open until mid September, if I remember correctly!
The first thing the application asks for is a picture. I used this piccy right here from when I went to Rome. People will say “don’t use a selfie, it’s not professional, blah blah blah” but look at me now hunniez.
Mandatory things next: education history, personal details and contact info.
Then you get this mingin question: Why do you value cultural exchange and interaction?
For this I spoke a lot about a French exchange I did in college and how it gave me perspective on other cultures, how I like to travel and learn about other people, and how, as a journalism student, I’m motivated to find things out about people and learn what makes them tick and understanding other cultures is key to that etc etc.
Baaaasically, as much as this is a Disney summer program and I love DisneyWorld, they want to know you are interested in other people, this is the cultural exchange program, not just a summer job in their eyes and so they want to know you’re there for the right reasons – not just because you like the parks.
What is your motivation for the program?
Amazing opportunity working for an amazing company, learning so much about people and different nationalities in the happiest place on earth, how it will help with my degree, the fact I want to work for Disney in future and this would just be the first step on that career ladder for me… I think that’s pretty much it.
I’m sure Disney think it’s great that you like Cinderella and Toy Story but I’m not sure that’s a good enough reason for them to hire you. They want to know you’re there to learn and work hard, not just to watch the parades for free so make sure you display interest in the work/education side of it too!
Then you have to attach your CV and cover letter. It should go without saying that your cover letter should be one written specifically for this role. Outline things about YOU here. Your CV has all of your skills and work experience, now you should make it a personal experience.
I always hate online applications because I think I come across better in person – how can I be me through a formal application on the internet? The cover letter is where I did this best (I think?!). I focused on my performing arts background; how I feel as a guest there (always refer to customers as guests in Disney); how I want to make guests feel; again talked about my aims of a Disney career and my foreign exchange; and finally talked about how important it is for me to represent my home town internationally, that England is much more than just London, that I am so proud of where I’m from and I want to show the world that.
Being a journalist, I made a feature of it and wrote descriptive, flowery paragraphs and made it like the most poetic cover letter they’ve probably ever read – seems to have worked though doesn’t it haha?!
TIPS:
- Talk about the CULTURAL element
- Make sure your spelling and grammar is on point
- Check out some of the cheesy DCP/ICP videos online (mainly for Macarena – you’ll soon understand)
- Be passionate
- Include examples of times you’ve displayed whatever you chat about, don’t just chat shit and hope for the best, they’ll see right through you.
Mostly, make yourself look fabulous. Include Disneyisms and make yourself NEEDED, this program will not be right without you and I’m sure you’ll sail on through to the pre-screens!
It doesn’t matter when you submit your application, as long as it is before the closing day of course, however I actually got my confirmation of pre-screen interview email before the applications closed. People who hadn’t yet submitted were stupidly jealous of others finding out, so that might be something to consider when you come to choosing when to press that dreaded button!
GOOD LUCK!
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