Web-Based Interview Walkthrough

Applications for the 2019 Fall Program drop TOMORROW (and I get my Spring 2019 Itinerary/find out my role!), so what better way to celebrate than with a new post?

The web-based interview is, in my opinion, the easiest part of the application process. There aren't any real surprises to it, but here are a few things to keep in mind as you take it! Keep reading for a quick summary of what it is, and my tips to do your best on it!

So, what is the WBI?

The Web-Based Interview (aka the WBI) is the second stage of the application process for the Disney College Program. You may get a WBI immediately after applying, within a few hours, days, or even months, if you're like me! (I hope you're not. Being stuck in applied isn't something I would wish on anyone!) It's a timed electronic interview, with a combination of multiple-choice and ranking questions divided into two sections. The questions seemed to revolve more around your personal habits and beliefs and not so much job experience.

WBIs can be sent out individually or in waves, but it's most common to receive them as a part of an 'applied wave' or 'applied tide' that the recruiters announce on Twitter. This is when they send out large batches. There is some sort of secret method used by the recruiters to determine who gets it when, because it's not necessarily determined by when you applied. Getting a WBI is one of the best feelings in the process since that means you officially are no longer stuck in applied on your dashboard! Your dashboard progress bar will shift to "in consideration".

How do I know if I get a WBI?

You should receive two emails: the first one should be the same "Thank You For Applying" email you got when you initially applied. The second one will have a subject line that has something along the lines of "Immediate Action Required: Web-Based Interview". This might pop up on your dashboard before your email, so I recommend checking that at least once every day or two.

After a month and a half of waiting and watching my friends move forward, I almost burst into tears when I got this email.

Tips + Tricks for the Web-Based Interview

• FOCUS. Go somewhere quiet with good internet, whether that's your house, the library on campus, etc. As tempting as it is to immediately take your WBI, take the time to get to an ideal location.

• BE PREPARED. This isn't in reference to WBI prep (which you can do I guess, I didn't and did fine!), but more in regards to setting aside time to take your WBI. Make sure wherever/whenever you take it you won't be interrupted.

• READ CAREFULLY. I can't stress on this one enough!! While the WBI has a time limit, you have enough time to read the question and process it. There are questions where the wording may be intended to trip you up a bit so keep that in mind.

• SELECT THE ANSWER THAT BEST FITS YOU. You will waste precious time fretting over what Disney might want to hear, don't let yourself fall into that trap! Be honest in your answers. If you lie, get accepted, and hate the program, it's on you.

• STAY CONSISTENT. There may be multiple similar questions that all cover the same topic, and you don't want to give conflicting answers. For example, don't say 'I am a team player' in one question, and then a few later identify yourself as wanting to work alone, or vice versa.

• MAKE SURE YOUR TECH IS FULLY FUNCTIONING. This sounds stupid, but if you're working on a laptop, make sure it's charged, or have it on a charger. Having it die in the middle of the WBI is about the worst thing that could probably happen. Close out of all of your other tabs, windows, and applications so nothing is causing a lag.

• DON'T PANIC! Focus on one question at a time and don't psych yourself out.

CONGRATS on getting a web-based interview, and good luck! Stay tuned for the next installment of my tips series: the phone interview!