Got a phone call about a professional position

[Fatshe Leso]

I've been trying to get a professional position at WDW for the longest time. Well finally this past Monday (February 27) I got a call from a professional recruiter and she said she received my resume against a specified position and to give her a call to schedule an interview. I immediately called first thing Tuesday and in her voicemail she said that she would be out of the office on both Tuesday and Wednesday and returning voicemails on Thursday and Friday. She left an emergency contact number (a colleague). Called the colleague and immediately got voicemail. To make a long story short all of this week I have tried calling both recruiters I have phone numbers for and I immediately get their voicemail. Today I left voicemail #2 for the recruiter that called me on Monday. At the time of this writing it is already quarter 'til 4 eastern time and I am still waiting for a call back.

Does anyone else have experience with professional recruiters not returning phone calls? I know it hasn't even been a full week but like I said I have been trying to get a professional position at WDW for quite some time so I want to make sure that I don't miss this opportunity. Getting a bit antsy here.

 

[mousermerf]

To be perfectly honest - and this i gonna kinda suck - often when Disney calls, if you don't answer, you don't get the job.

I've known several instances when they've been hiring and they've done "callbacks" for positions and the people who picked up the phone were scheduled to interview and hired, whereas people who had voicemail when they got home never got their subsequent calls returned.

It's like they fill the position or reach a quota and it's over. Same applies for if you can't make an interview date they've set up. I got luckey once because my resume was in the system twice (and they called twice - I missed the first call that day), and the woman literally told me my second resume was going to be her last if I answered the phone (she recognized it from her folder earlier in the day, one recruiter from internal had chosen me, one from new-hires had chosen me).

 

[Fatshe Leso]

You've got to be kidding me. That's too unprofessional to believe. Why would the recruiter even bother leaving their phone number? And say they want to schedule an interview? Why even bother leaving a message? That's just crazy.

ETA: And from past experience when I was hired as an intern I remember talking to the recruiter on the phone and it definitely wasn't a case of me just happening to be by my phone at the right time.

 

[mkt]

You've got to be kidding me. That's too unprofessional to believe. Why would the recruiter even bother leaving their phone number? And say they want to schedule an interview? Why even bother leaving a message? That's just crazy.

That's sad but true... it's due to the sheer volume of resume's they receive.

If you want a shot, call obsessively, but do NOT leave a voicemail message. Use *67 if you must. Don't stop until you get an answer from the person you need to speak to. Once you do, ask to schedule your interview and take the earliest time/date available.

WDW strives to give the appearance of professionalism to guests, but professionalism is lacking in most aspects of that company that I've experienced first hand.

 

[Fatshe Leso]

I'm pretty disillusioned on the whole thing now. I can understand needing to fill a quota for positions that are in the parks and/or the college program but a professional position is considerably different (or at least should be). There are a number of requirements you have to meet in order to qualify for the position just like a corporate position at any other fortune 500 company. I would think that Disney would want to make sure they get the best person for these kinds of jobs and not just whoever happens to answer the phone as that person may or may not be the best qualified.

The job posting is still listed at disneycareers.com so I'll still leave room for hope and will keep on trying. If it is meant to be it will and if it's not it's not. What can I say?

Really appreciate the responses.

 

[mkt]

Like I said, call obsessively from Tuesday at 9am Eastern Time, until you get a person. Don't leave voicemails. Unfortunately, when me and other people I know need to get a hold of someone in WDW, that's the surefire way to geta hold of them

 

[mousermerf]

What it really comes down to, is that any position other than CEO, CFO, etc.. (the biggies) actually has a large pool of qualified candidates and often at Disney - several nearly identicle positions.

Casting at WDW is Casting at WDW. My first time being hired for a park role I was interviewed by a profesional recruiter who was helping because they (the little people recruiters) were busy that day.

I think it really comes down to is that there are very few positions at WDW where a single person could be the only qualified and desirable candidate.

 

[Fatshe Leso]

Like I said, call obsessively from Tuesday at 9am Eastern Time, until you get a person.

Thanks, I'll do just that.

 

[PaisleyMF]

Maybe the recruiters were really really busy since there were like 15 of them down Puerto Rico doing some recruiting for entry levels and Casting for Caracter Performers. (i know i was recruited) but good luck on your journey.

 

[mkt]

Maybe the recruiters were really really busy since there were like 15 of them down Puerto Rico doing some recruiting for entry levels and Casting for Caracter Performers. (i know i was recruited) but good luck on your journey.

There are more than 15 recruiters

 

[Fatshe Leso]

So great news, guys!

I got in touch with another recruiter there and she sent an e-mail to the recruiter that called me telling her to give me a call. I waited several hours and kept on thinking how it was stated here that I shouldn't leave messages until I get ahold of someone. Well I was FINALLY able to get in contact with the recruiter that called me. She apologized for not returning my phone calls and said she was out of town for part of last week (maybe she was in Puerto Rico after all?) and that another day she was in a conference all day at work. Anyways we scheduled an interview for this Wednesday morning!!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Now comes the interview. Anybody have tips to share? I of course realize the obvious ones will come up (i.e. Tell us about yourself, Why do you want to work at WDW, etc., etc.) but any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, guys.

 

[mkt]

The tips will vary by the type of professional position you are being considered for. PM it to me if you're uncomfortable saying it publicly.

Some generic ones... SELL your love of Disney and how much you love to serve others

 

[Fatshe Leso]

Well so I had the interview yesterday ... well interviews actually.

In the morning the professional recruiter interviewed me for about a half hour. She asked some generic questions like why I wanted to work at Disney and what my career goals are and whatnot. The interview went pretty well. After it was over the next thing she did was schedule me for the second phase of the interview which would be with the organization where the position is located. I decided to take the first available slot which was that afternoon. So that interview was with two people and it went fairly well as well. I don't know for sure as it's hard to gauge these things but I was pretty happy with it. At one point the interviewer remarked that what I was talking about (i.e. my experience here at work) sounded pretty similar to what they do there. Great!

The recruiter told me that the whole process takes from four to six weeks but she also said that she would be calling me next week (early part). I'm assuming that as soon as then they make their choice but that the start date for the position wouldn't be until sometime in April at the very earliest.

So now I wait. The position sounds great and it is Disney. So I'm REALLY hoping this will turn out in my favor.

 

[burbur]

I am very, very jealous. I graduated in December 2004, so over a year ago, and have been trying to interview with WDW ever since. Feel lucky you got a call-back!

I did two internships at Disney and miss it more than anything.

 

[Fatshe Leso]

Just don't lose hope. If this is what you really want don't lose hope. I graduated in December of 2002 and have been trying to get a job at Disney ever since then. I also had an internship (just one though -- am jealous of your two!) and while I was an intern I foolishly thought it would be pretty easy to get a professional job once I got my degree. That wasn't the case as here I am several years later trying to get back at Disney.

Ultimately I think your previous experience at Disney is going to really benefit you. There were definitely questions about my internship there. Do you by any chance still have contacts there? Definitely take advantage if you do.

So don't worry about not getting call backs as this is the first time I've gotten a call after applying to NUMEROUS positions over the years.

 

[DisneySaint]

I'm in the same boat, too. I applied back at the beginning of January and haven't heard a peep. I'd do anything for a callback, heh.

 

[burbur]

I still have a few contacts. None in managment, though. You see, it has been over three years since I've worked. And nearly that long since I've even been down there (last time was May 2003). So I have lost touch with most of the people I knew that had an "in".

<SIGH>

 

[MKFan]

Fatshe, may I ask which position you're trying for?

just curious

 

[Fatshe Leso]

Sorry for the late response but it is a job in IT (information technology).

Today marks two weeks since the interview and am still waiting to hear back. Last week I called on Thursday and got voicemail again indicating that she would be out of the office Wednesday through Friday. This Monday that just passed I called again, the phone rang four times, then voicemail. Tuesday I called and it was just one ring, then voicemail. I have her e-mail address now so I decided to send her an e-mail. She had e-mailed me after the interview and said that she would let me know once decisions are made.

So, I wait. :brick:

 

[MKFan]

Playing the Waiting Game Also

The Casting Professional Recruiter wanted me to call him back the day after my interview, but I got a voicemail that he would be gone for the rest of the week. So, I too wait.
Good luck to you. Let me know if you hear anything.
:hammer: