Job Discussion Forums

[mcsam]

Recently I was supposed to have an interview with Disney but as I currently live in a very remote district with unreliable and slow internet I told them twice in separate emails that there could be a problem.
On the day of the interview there was a communication cut - all phone and internet was off for 9 hours, not unusual here. As soon as the internet came back on I sent an apologetic email explaining what happened and asked if I could reschedule the interview. They duly sent me an email to select a time to do the rescheduled interview.

THEY DIDN'T SHOW UP!!!

Neither have they sent me any explanation as to why, several hours after my scheduled time.

I waited over an hour, thinking that maybe I got the time wrong or I got the time zone wrong but I hadn't.

I would not recommend anyone applying to work for them if this is the petty way they treat people.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[mcsam]

I figured that they would send an email explaining why, if they'd had a problem, but still nothing.....I'll keep you posted, if they ever get back to me

[muffintop]

Don't sweat it. Check out some of the posts here and elsewhere about Disney English. I'm fairly certain you'd do far better without them.

[mcsam]

Hey Muffintop

I agree, and under ordinary circumstances I wouldn't have even applied but, I found out a few days ago that I'm having to leave my current job without my final salary or bonus because of a c**k-up by the tax man so I need money.....FAST!!!

[Javelin of Radiance]

[mcsam]

Ok maybe I'm being a bit of a drama queen.

I will get paid eventually but no-one knows exactly when as the bureaucracy is dragging it's feet, sorting out final taxes etc. and the company isn't allowed to pay us until all the taxes have been sorted out.

As I used most of my salary every month to try to pay off some bills I'm now leaving with very little instead of the 3 month "money cushion" I had been counting on!

Gotta hate the tax man!!

[Non Sequitur]

Is the Disney outlet you in 'contact' with a company-owned place or a franchise?
When I last looked at them, they had very ambitious expansion plans which would be hard to pull off without local capital.
Seems to be axiomatic in China, that once local entrepreneurs get involved, standards fall.
That said, I hope it has been a misunderstanding and that you get the interview.

[parnett]

I had the extreme misfortune of interviewing with Disney for a manager's position back in May of this year. I had a total of five interviews with various people including the recruiter. I was told that I was the strongest candidate they had ever had the pleasure of interviewing (I have an MA and 30 years of teaching experience at all levels). A day after my last interview, I was told I was no longer an acceptable candidate for the position.
I was upset to say the least. Why? Many reasons:
- the three interviewers from Disney (on Skype) were all females
( I learned this a week later from a former employee of theirs who told me that the company prefers females for their management positions). They were completely unprofessional. The questions they asked were mostly borderline absurd. It was obvious from the get-go that they had no idea how to conduct an interview.
- I was never given a reason why I was no longer an acceptable candidate
- the entire process took more than three weeks. I'm positive Disney knew from the start that I was not going to be hired.
- they told me that my age (59) was not a problem. I'm sure I wasn't hired for that reason (and because I'm not female).
I have spoken with lots of people who either worked or are still working for Disney. They all hate(d) it for various reasons- disorganization, contractual lies, long hours, no holidays, and worst of all, dominating and dishonest Chinese managers.
The best advice I can give you is stay away from the place.

[BlueBlood]

Were interviewers Chinese or Western?

I think everyone over 30 has horror stories about job hunting. I've a couple of my own as well.

On the "bright" side, at least you were interviewed, although it sounds like they may have actually just used you to practice their own interviewing skills.

This age discrimination bs in China is absurd. Even from the school's perspective, it makes no sense to me whatsoever.

My first Chinese professor was an elderly man in his late 60's--he was amazing. Among the best teachers I have had, and I've had many excellent ones in my time.

[mcsam]

Applying to Disney was an act of desperation but I think I have escaped lightly by not being interviewed. Still no word from them about that either.

UNPROFESSIONAL!!! There is not much else to say.

[parnett]

The recruiter was Taiwanese. The Disney interviewers were American females in their early twenties. Each interview started late and had to end abruptly because the interviewer had to leave.

[Non Sequitur]

'Nouveau riche' describes people suddenly come into money.
This is the admin or management equivalent.
Bravado and cockiness without expertise are the hallmarks.
Add in a bit of East v West score settling and its a heady mixture.
I would really like to know if the experience(s) are at Disney-owned schools or franchises.

[Bolt]

Some of their locations are blacklisted so maybe fate was on your side friend.

[choudoufu]