Professional Career Help

[Lissydog]

I am seeking a professional position with WDW and wondered if anyone could give me some tips. I have theme park experience as a full time Marketing Rep. with SeaWorld Ohio for three years, I worked for the Disney Stores for two years while in college, and have two years as a studnet union/marketing manager with a major university. I plan to relocate to Orlando, but want to wait to make my move until I have secured a position. I have sent my resume to their casting office, and get the auto-response that it will be kept on file. Can anyone offer me suggestions on what I can do to imporve my chances of getting an interview, taking into account what experience I have. I appreciate it so much! Thanks!

 

[KevinPage]

Lissydog,

My wife and I just moved to the Orlando area last month. Getting a job at Disney is very tough it seems so far.

Even if you get a job, from all the people we know who work there, they usually just accepted anything they were offered initially, to get in, and then posted for job openings interally.

Disney is REAL big on hiring from within, which is a good thing. BUT unless you have some really kick butt experience or a niche talent, you might have to take a food and beverage or hotel position at first.

Our friends who moved from CA, she is a Marketing rep and has dang good experience (somewhere in 6+ years range) for a major company and she didn't as much even get a call back from Disney to this day (well over 6 months after submitting resume).

My wife has specific experience on a new computer system Disney is transfering over to, we faxed in her resume AND gave a copy to someone we know who works in the department that was actually hiring, and she still didn't get a call (over 2 weeks so far) and we were told they were hiring about 14 positions for what she does.

I'm not trying to burst your bubble or anything, just figured you'd like to know the real deal as to what is going on down here in the job market and Disney's mentality.

Kevin Page

 

[Lissydog]

Kevin,

Your information is much appreciated. At least I have a better idea of what I am up against.

Best of luck to you and your wife!

Jennifer Gunnoe

 

[RobFL]

You don't have to start in Food and Beverage! There's always Attractions!

-Rob

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by RobFL
You don't have to start in Food and Beverage! There's always Attractions!

-Rob

I think he was trying to point out the worst that could happen! :lol:
:lookaroun :zipit:

hehe :animwink:

 

[cm1988]

Suggestions from left field

Originally posted by Lissydog
...seeking a professional position with WDW...have theme park experience as a full time Marketing Rep. with SeaWorld Ohio for three years... worked for the Disney Stores for two years...plan to relocate to Orlando, but want to wait to make my move until I have secured a position.... have sent my resume...suggestions on what I can do to improve my chances of getting an interview...

You've got some good experience there. Sounds like you need a specific opening to apply for. Even, with that, keep in mind there's an amazing amount of competition for salaried roles at WDW... competition from both inside and outside the company.

Where are the openings posted? Some, only internally, but most find their way to the Orlando Sentinal and/or Monster.com. You can set as many as five 'agents' on Monster to watch for such things as 'Disney' and 'Marketing'... Monster will then send an email as the position is posted.

Would you be willing to start in an "Office and Technical" role (e.g. Administrative, Secretarial, Finance Statistical Specialist...)? Those pay quite a bit more than other hourly roles, and most are 40 hours per week, every week. If you're at all interested in those, you might want to call the JobLine to see what's available. Again, check the Monster board for those listings as well.

Another thought... do you belong to a professional organization through which you might seek contacts? Maybe that organization has a national directory, and some of its members live in the Orlando area?

And do any of your former managers at the Disney Store still work in the area? Could one of them search those company postings on your behalf?

Best of luck to you!

 

[Lissydog]

WDW career

CM1988 -

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I would be willing to start just about anywhere for the opportunity to be a Cast Member at WDW.

I do frequent Monster.com and Flipdog.com, as well as the Disney career Web pages. I guess it will take a bit of time, but I am in it for the long haul.

Thanks again!

 

[cm1988]

Re: WDW career

Originally posted by Lissydog
CM1988 -

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I would be willing to start just about anywhere for the opportunity to be a Cast Member at WDW.

I do frequent Monster.com and Flipdog.com, as well as the Disney career Web pages. I guess it will take a bit of time, but I am in it for the long haul.

Thanks again!

You're surely welcome.

re. "...willing to start just about anywhere for the opportunity to be a Cast Member at WDW..."

I started with exactly that sentiment, and don't regret the decision at all. It has been wonderful to be associated with that cast of 43+ thousand making the magic. Still, in your best interests, please be sure you count all costs and do a careful budget before making any move. One can give one's net worth a heck of a whack and it can be a long recovery.

 

[MKingdom25]

Re: Suggestions from left field

Originally posted by cm1988


Would you be willing to start in an "Office and Technical" role (e.g. Administrative, Secretarial, Finance Statistical Specialist...)? Those pay quite a bit more than other hourly roles, and most are 40 hours per week, every week. If you're at all interested in those, you might want to call the JobLine to see what's available. Again, check the Monster board for those listings as well.

Do you know how much per hour O&T people make? I don't mind starting low at WDW but I wanna make a hourly wage that I can live decently on.

Also, does working on a office job help with getting a job in/related to the actual parks? I was just wondering if having a job that is unrelated to the parks will help you get a park-related job.

Thanks!

 

[cm1988]

O & T

Originally posted by MKingdom25

...Do you know how much per hour O&T people make?...

No... I'll guess in the $13-18 range for most. But rather than rely on my guess, please check this US Bureau of Labor statistics link. Wages of all types at WDW are competitive with the local market. The link will take you to a 2001 survey and from personal observation, I'm guessing 2002 wages are about the same.

*** sighs, though grateful to be employed in these challenging times ***

Also, does working on a office job help with getting a job in/related to the actual parks? I was just wondering if having a job that is unrelated to the parks will help you get a park-related job.

Thanks!

Well, wherever you work at WDW you have access to cast-member only postings (though most are advertised somewhere ) else as well - Orlando Sentinal, web, wherever! Winning whatever role will still be highly competitive... but your company-specific experience will help.

Unsolicited advice alert: unsolicited advice follows.:snore:

It's usually a risky practice to take one job (job A) with hopes it will lead to another (job B). Unless you're sure A as well as B are right for you.