Working at Disney World is a dream for many lifelong Mouse House fans.
For these Disney die-hards, recruiters are like genies. One such dream-maker is Jason Gibson, a lifelong Disney fan who’s worked at the parks for over 27 years, including nearly two decades as a recruiter.
In an interview with Business Insider, Gibson outlined how to get a job at Disney World. He discussed topics like the types of questions applicants are asked and how they should prepare for an interview.
“Our recruiters are incredibly transparent,” Gibson said.
In fact, he said Disney recruiters tell many applicants whether they’re getting a job offer before they end their interview.
How to apply to and interview at Disney World
Disney World hopefuls who find an open role on the Mouse House’s job board should first carefully review the job description and responsibilities to make sure they’re a fit, Gibson said. If so, they should apply and indicate their potential availability. Those who can’t, or won’t, work on nights and weekends probably won’t be a good fit.
If selected for an interview, applicants should be ready to answer questions about themselves and the specific role they applied for. They should also be prepared to explain any significant gaps in their work history, if they have any, since that otherwise could be a red flag.
Disney applicants can win over the recruiter by sharing their life story in a concise yet compelling way, Gibson said. Besides charming the interviewer, presenting a strong personal narrative shows that an applicant can communicate clearly and effectively with guests.
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“The best advice I could give a candidate is: tell your story,” Gibson said. After all, he said that storytelling is Disney’s backbone.
Applicants should also be prepared to answer open-ended hypothetical questions based on scenarios they may face if hired, Gibson said. Those questions vary based on the role, though they could include scenarios about dealing with difficult guests or issues with coworkers.
What Disney World recruiters want
Disney World recruiters are looking for people who make an “immediate positive impression,” Gibson said, adding that successful employees are interactive, highly engaged, and enthusiastic about the Disney brand. You don’t need to be a superfan, however. Gibson said that isn’t a dealbreaker.
Many Disney cast members, as parks employees are called internally, are outgoing extroverts who seem like the life of the party. But Gibson said he and his colleagues look for all types of personalities to work at the parks, though strong communication and interpersonal skills are key.
Gibson said the ideal Disney World employee “is willing to be trained” and wants to learn “the Disney way of how we do things.”
Disney recruiters also value consistency and a positive attitude. They’re looking for people who align with Disney World’s core tenets: safety, courtesy, efficiency, inclusion, and “show,” which Gibson described as “the art of that immersive storytelling,” or being in character at Disney.
