Roles & The Role Checklist

When you receive you email about your interview, you should also get a second email about completing you Role Checklist.  The Role Checklist is a list of the different roles that are available on the program and you get indicate your preferences for each role.

The email has a link that takes you to the Role Checklist.  You will find each role listed with a brief description of what the role involves and a short video montage type thingy of people doing that role.  After the description for each role, there is a little drop down menu where you can choose your level of interest for that role.  For each role you choose one of four options.  They are:

1. High Interest
2. Moderate Interest
3. Low Interest
4. No Interest

There are thirteen Roles currently offered on the J1 Australia/New Zealand Cultural Exchange which I've listed below.  Click on each role to see more details.

• Operations
• Character Performer
• Character Attendant
• Merchandise
• Recreation
• Lifeguard
• Resort Hospitality/Front Desk
• Concierge
• Quick Service Food and Beverage
• Full Service Food and Beverage
• Vacation Planner
• Costuming
• Custodial

Whilst there are a lot of great opportunities when it comes to roles on the DICP,  some of the positions offered on the American College Program are unfortunately not offered on the Australia/New Zealand program, so keep that in mind when you're reading blogs by American CP's.

Obviously Disney want their Cast Members to be happy, so they will take your preferences into account as much as they are able to; however, it is really important to know that you can be considered for and offered a position in any role you have indicated interest in.  The only way you won't be considered for a role is to mark it as 'No Interest'.  

There are a lot of theories about how you should indicate your preferences.  Some people will tell you to put everything as High Interest because it makes you look eager and enthusiastic.  Some say you shouldn't put anything as No Interest because it lowers your chances.  Some say you should just pick one or two roles and put the majority as No Interest in order to create a niche for yourself.  Everyone has an idea about the best way to fill out the Role Checklist.

So what's my theory?  Well I say you just need to be honest and go with your instincts.  You need to think about the roles, research them a bit and then indicate your level of interest based on how you really feel.  As for the 'No Interest' option - I don't think there's anything wrong with it.  In fact I think it shows the recruiters that you've spent time seriously considering where you would best fit in the company.  It's also important to remember that if you put anything other than 'No Interest' for a role, you can be offered that role; and once a role is offered there is no trading or transferring or "No thanks, have you got something better?".  So if there is a role you really don't want to do for 6-12 months, then it might be best to put it as No Interest.

Keep in mind that some roles are 'high volume' roles whilst others are more competitive.  The two roles that require the most Cast Members seem to be Quick Service Food and Beverage (QSFB) and Merchandise, because they are both entry level positions that don't require previous experience and there are QSFB and Merchandise locations everywhere at WDW.  This makes them easier to get accepted into than something much more competitive like Character Performer or Attractions. 

I strongly encourage you to research all of the roles before you make your decisions.  Read some blogs and watch some vlogs by people doing each of the roles because it will help you to get a better perspective.  I even went so far as to make a little table of all the roles with my preferences so that when the Role Checklist email came through I knew exactly what I wanted to put for each role preference.  

Lastly, Remember to be open-minded about your role choices and don't forget that whatever role you get, you will still be working in Walt Disney World!

Up next we will look at Preparing for the Interview or you can return to the Masterlist.