Chasing the China Dream: How to Find a Good Job in China

Chasing the China Dream: How to Find a Good Job in China
Jun 27, 2016 By Louise Levicky , eChinacities.com

The Chinese government is about to release its thirteenth and final “Five-Year Plan” for in-demand sectors in business. As the country continues to open up to international trade, jobs are a-plenty for foreigners in many different fields. Here we list some tips and tricks for finding a good job in your field in China.

Don’t underestimate the importance of your networks

I interviewed several people for this article – a translator, a business development expert and a sales manager, all of them hailing from outside of China. They all agreed on one point: do not underestimate the importance of any contacts you may have in the country, even before arriving. Did a former boss hold an interesting job in China? Does someone you work with know someone here? Whatever the connection, do like the Chinese and work your network. With one exception, everyone interviewed found their current job through someone they knew – either a personal connection, someone they went to school with, or a friend of a friend. Start before you leave home; as soon as you start thinking about living and working in China, think about who you might know in your home country who could give you a hand. Once you’ve arrived, that goes double. China is, generally speaking, an easy place to network in – everyone’s looking to make useful connections, and as the saying goes, “It only takes one.”

Finding a position online

Opinion is divided on the usefulness of LinkedIn, but regional sales manager Rogelio* found his job in Shanghai on the business networking site. Keeping your profile up to date is essential, and as with all job applications, make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored to the position you’re applying for.

In China, local online job listings like 51job.com or zhaopin.com can also be used – just sign up and post your resume. Be warned, though, that Chinese websites can be hard to navigate for those unfamiliar with the layout and many are tailored for Chinese jobseekers. Another, easier option for those looking in the bigger cities are local expat websites and magazines, like our very own job section of course! Be aware, though, that the job ads listed on these sites usually require you to be located in the city your job hunt is targeting, in order to ensure you are available for an in-person interview on short notice. If you want to secure a position before moving to China, LinkedIn is a better bet.

Finding jobs in China from abroad

While the websites mentioned above are more general, many countries have specific ties with China and a website to go along with it. Check out your country’s Chamber of Commerce in China as well as the job ads on your consulate’s website – or, indeed, the consulates for countries where your language is spoken. Spanish speakers with strong English skills have a particular advantage, and anyone with good Mandarin (written and spoken) stands twice the chance of someone who has yet to acquire a working knowledge of Chinese. Business development manager Amy* was hired by a talent recruitment firm in Shanghai without any prior experience in the field in China, mainly, she says, due to her HSK4 level Mandarin. If English isn’t your first language, taking a refresher course can also be a good way of boosting your chances of finding a job in your field.

Language is of course the touchstone of any of the writing professions – and the demand for translators working with Chinese (usually out of Chinese into their mother tongue) is on the rise in China. Anna*, who works for a local telecommunications company in Shanghai, says she works mainly on legal and technical texts, and is the office’s unofficial interpreter and cultural mediator when questions arise. For those with a passion for communication and excellent Chinese skills (HSK6 is usually required for those working in the translation field), this kind of job can be a good option.

Pros and cons of Chinese management

All our interviewees agreed on one point: flexibility is essential when working for Chinese management, and that can be both a curse and a blessing. If you’re looking for work in China, most of the opportunities are with Chinese-run companies, unless you work in STEM or the automotive industry. This means adapting to a different business culture. Rogelio mentioned the difficulties that can sometimes arise from being the only foreigner in the office, feeling isolated in the workplace. Chinese companies are also notorious for the red tape involved in almost any process, though they are hardly alone in this. The pros of working in China varied: some cite the travel opportunities that come along with working in the sales and import-export industry, others said it was gratifying and rewarding to facilitate communication between different cultures. Everyone agreed that their work experience in China was a valuable addition to their CV.

Whether you search online or work your network, if you do your homework finding a job in China is easy enough. Make sure you double check the company’s reputation and run any job offers you get by someone with a bit more experience in your field. If you follow these simple steps, it will all be plain sailing.

For more useful tips and advice on finding a job in China, check out our Career Advice section here.

*Names have been changed

Warning:The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: jobs in china find good job in China

25 Comments

All comments are subject to moderation by eChinacities.com staff. Because we wish to encourage healthy and productive dialogue we ask that all comments remain polite, free of profanity or name calling, and relevant to the original post and subsequent discussion. Comments will not be deleted because of the viewpoints they express, only if the mode of expression itself is inappropriate.

Guest2089234

Flexibility is important.

Jan 12, 2017 23:01 Report Abuse

EduGI

Don't Go Harbridge Educational schools. Like so many others they sell and tell you all this good things and then they force you to work illegally in other cities if not they won't pay you all your bonus or end of contract salary. Before you sign anything make sure they can't make you work in other places or that they don't make you come with a tourist VISa and change it... They keep your papers so you are not able to go back.

Jul 29, 2016 11:44 Report Abuse

wei63017

I just started looking for a job in Beijing and found this site and this article. I felt lucky that I found this site since it seems this site provides a lot of helpful information. Thank you!

Jul 06, 2016 20:08 Report Abuse

beijing101

Great article actually and really will help in the future for when I will return back to China. Ideal for people who needs direction in getting a non- teaching position i think... it doesn't give all the answers but certainly good points are made.

Jul 02, 2016 04:09 Report Abuse

Guest14432028

The only jobs you LBH expats can get are English teaching jobs. You guys can't speak, write, listen, and read Chinese. What are you good for? How are you going to communicate with Chinese people and co-workers? Many expats claim to be fluent, but they really aren't fluent at all. They're fluent in bullsh!t.

Jun 30, 2016 00:28 Report Abuse

jsals

It's interesting to notice the article date is June 27, 2016. Yet the first comment is Feb 26, 2015. I guess that guy had a time machine and went back a year and a half before the article was written to make sure he was the first commentor.

Jun 27, 2016 23:03 Report Abuse

Guest2709144

I think a job with eChinacities would be awesome.

Jun 27, 2016 17:52 Report Abuse

Englteachted

yeah they do absolutely nothing.

Jun 27, 2016 18:00 Report Abuse

shroq

Most of us on this site already work in china

Sep 29, 2015 01:08 Report Abuse

beijing101

Really pointless comment. Just think about it, if it's not applicable to you... don't continue to read or comment. This has been extremely helpful to me who's living in England and want to return back soon.

Jul 02, 2016 04:14 Report Abuse

ek_col

Im bilingual, English-Spanish, hope that can help me, we will see.

Mar 07, 2015 00:10 Report Abuse

Guest14432028

To get a job in a Spanish speaking country? Yes. To get a job in China? HELL NO! You need to take your yo hablo espanol azz to South America.

Jun 30, 2016 17:47 Report Abuse

pantoufelle

yes, guanxi is very important!!! if you want to get perfect job

Mar 01, 2015 21:43 Report Abuse

pantoufelle

And if you're an English native speaker, you are guaranteed can to find a job in China ... at least - an English teacher:)

Mar 01, 2015 21:32 Report Abuse

NguyenTrang

You are right....what they need for English teacher: if you not white just need to look like foreingers, no degree is ok :))

Jun 28, 2016 11:10 Report Abuse

a5403895

great article

Mar 01, 2015 02:28 Report Abuse

Guest2627350

Any suggestion on job search website other than what mentioned in the article? Thanks

Feb 28, 2015 16:20 Report Abuse

linfei

Any local expat blogs (eg. ShanghaiExpat, Beijinger) have comprehensive employment classifieds, usually.

Mar 03, 2015 11:23 Report Abuse

tommlsek

What's on xiamen is good. Not sure of the address but if you baidu those words you will find it.

Jul 09, 2016 07:19 Report Abuse

Chairman_Cow

Writing pointless articles for echinacities cities is a great job.

Feb 27, 2015 08:20 Report Abuse

Guest2781358

Just operate

Feb 27, 2015 08:07 Report Abuse

kuntmans

The only two things a foreigner needs to be successful in china are a) high alcohol tolerance and b) ability to talk out of both sides of the mouth at the same time. After that it's plain sailing. Appreciation of top down management culture is a bonus. Always follow orders, tow the line, and above all know your place in the pecking order.

Feb 26, 2015 20:33 Report Abuse

DrMonkey

Step #1 of a good job in China is : get a good (at least Master) degree in something China have a demand that local job market can not satisfy. Flexibility means "We don't have actual plans, just wishes, make it happen".

Feb 26, 2015 09:53 Report Abuse

Guest2781358

This article is sorta redundant. Most of us on this site already work in china

Feb 26, 2015 03:34 Report Abuse