Different roles available for UK CRP

Thought I would talk a bit about the different roles available to people who are applying for the UK Cultural Representative Program (CRP).

If you are wanting to do the year long program (CRP) then the roles available are in Food & Beverage, Merchandise (Merch) and working at the Historical Research Centre (HRC). These are all based at the UK Pavillion on the World Showcase at Epcot. You cannot work anywhere else as the terms of your visa say so.

If you are wanting to do the summer program for students, the International College Program (ICP) then there are a lot of different roles available. These can be anywhere in the parks and there's all sorts of options - ie; working in a quick service or full service restaurant, working in merchandise, working in attractions (operating the rides), custodial, lifeguard, and working in the quick service kitchens. You get to list your preferences at the interviews but won't necessarily get your first choice so you need to be flexible! 
I'm not a huge expert on this program but more information about the different roles can be found here!

Sooo... I'll put down some information now and will update/edit when I need to. It could be of use now as the CRP applications are open now :)

Food & Beverage

• There is a range of roles available, but you need to start at the bottom and work your way up - if you choose to. Some people are happy to not go into tipped roles.
• Tipped v's non tipped - When you start, you receive an hourly wage but no tips/gratuity. Certain roles such as podium host are not allowed to receive tips. If you do go on to a tipped position then you earn less money hourly (and by quite a bit) but do have the opportunity to earn tips.
• Non tipped positions where you would expect to start your work/training are in the chippy, serving customers and making orders. Or at the podium where you take reservations and check people into the restaurant. 
• Before you can go on to actually serving tables or behind the bar then you need to study and take part in assessments.
• There are also roles in rotation such as at the beer cart or as a stocker. 
• If you want to work in F&B then you need to be prepared to do chores such as using tills/reservation systems, taking orders and serving guests (who may or may not speak English), emptying trash, changing kegs, clearing and resetting tables, cleaning down at the end of the night. You have to also be prepared to work outside or inside.
• Authentically representing your country and be willing to share your culture with others.

Merchandise

(I know less of this role, because I have always wanted to work in F&B but this is what I can tell you)

• Merch involves working in the variety of shops or outdoor carts that are in the UK pavilion.
• You need to be able to demonstrate or help people with buying merchandise.
• You will use a till and need to be confident in taking different types of payment and speaking to people from all sorts of countries (you will be selling British merchandise, so you can expect to be serving a lot of non-Brits).
• Merch is a non tipped position.
• You need to be able to stock shelves and carts and maintain the cleanliness of both.
• Merchandise also involves working in Kidcot. There is a Kidcot at each pavilion, and children (and some excited adults) come in and do small crafts with a cut-out of a Duffy bear. They then take their Duffy bear to the next kidcot and add another little bit onto it. The role of the CM here is to organise crafts, interact with the guests and keep the place in a state of cleanliness.
• And as expected... authentically representing your country and be willing to share your culture with others.

Historical Research Centre

• This role is a bit different from the others. It is run by a non-Disney company that operates on WDW property at the merchandise/heraldry store at the UK Pavilion.
• It is like Merch as you will work in a shop, use a till and perform similar tasks but you receive different benefits and pay a slighter higher rate of rent.
• Some people dis-regard this role because of less company benefits, but if you are interested in a future job that involves British history, then it could be a good point for your CV. 
• If you make it to the second interviews then you will be given a separate form to fill in to state your interest and the recruiters will talk to you about it and can answer all/any questions you may have

With anything in life, it's what you make of your situation. So if you want to work in any of these roles then don't let anyone else's opinion get you down. Some work days are good, some bad but this is true of any job! 

CRP Applications are open!

Crazy shock today when Yummy Jobs opened up applications for next years CRP!

Before, the website had said that they wouldn't be opening until November until January, like last year. But today they announced on facebook that they had opened. So there's a very good chance that these new applicants will be coming with me on my arrival date as at the moment there is only two of us with this date.

I got seriously butterflies in my tummy when I saw this, I think my brain may have finally registered that the application process is over for me and I am actually going!

More on the Pre Selection Event (for CRP/ ICP)

I've decided to write a bit more on the pre selection for the Cultural Representative Program (CRP) as its been discovered that the International College Program (ICP) is also going to do a pre screening event now instead of the telephone interview.

A lot of people are getting themselves in a pickle over it and it does not have to be that stressful. I had so much fun on mines and all that travelling about has got me feeling like I can do the big flight to Florida (although its more likely going to be a bunch of stopovers) by myself. I met so many people and it's really reassuring to know that they will be out there with me. All of the girls that met for lunch before the pre selection have now got dates.. there's defo something to be said for making friends!

So my advice for the pre screening would be:

• Get yourself added to the Facebook page for applicants, as soon as interview dates are given out then  your page will tend to go a bit crazy with posts.
• If you have a date then either make an event for that specific interview (there will be different dates and times) or get added into the correct one and make sure people are joining.
• You can then organise with others to meet up before or go for dinner after, pick travel buddies or someone to share accommodation with to keep costs down.
• Do a bit of research on what is appropriate to wear - the Disney look, etc and if you need to change your hair colour, etc then plan on how to do this.
• Have a good think about the sort of questions they will ask, do your research. Also research on what not to answer! The main question will obviously be something about "why the ICP/CRP?" This answer  is an important one so make note cards, get yourself familiar with answering the question. Have family members or friends ask you questions until you feel comfortable about it. Break that question down - why do you want to be part of the International College Program or Cultural Representative Program? And if its because you really love Florida and want to move to the States then this might not be right for you. These programs are a lot of hard work so its going to take a lot of dedication.
• If your a bit awkward around strangers then try working on getting out of your comfort zone. I've spoke in previous posts about handshakes... small things can matter. You don't have to grin like a mental Cheshire cat all the time, but looking genuinely interested and approachable is a good way to be.
• Remember your manners! And be on time!
• The interviewer asks questions, one at a time and everyone has a chance to answer. Don't feel like you have to jump in first, if you want to something then you will get your chance! Its better to give yourself a minute to go over the answer in your head than coming out with word vomit. 
• Be interested in other peoples answers.. everyone is different and can have some interesting stories to tell (this is especially true with people that have completed a program before)
• Don't be put off by those that have done a program before or feel intimidated, in my experience they have some good stories and can be really helpful.

It's a really good opportunity to show YJ the best of yourself so make the most of it. But if your properly prepared then you won't need to overly stress and can just enjoy it! :)

7 weeks down, 34 to go!

So seven weeks have gone by and still no Disney pack or confirmation of date! But there could be good reasoning for this as today another group of people that were still waiting, got an arrival date! There have been a couple of people that had phone calls already but today there was a significant sized group that got the answer they were looking for.

When the last couple of days have been a bit crappy, this sort of thing really cheers me up! My Facebook and my phone alerts start going crazy whenever there's some Disney related news, even my brother was laughing at the amount of times my phone went off! Still only two people with my arrival date and I cannot wait till I find out who else is coming with us! All of the girlies that went for lunch before the pre-screening interview have now got into the CRP so it was definitely a good thing!