Protecting Your Future: Secure Expat Jobs in China

Protecting Your Future: Secure Expat Jobs in China
Dec 01, 2014 By Louise Levicky , eChinacities.com

A flurry of recent articles has pointed to the demise of accessible jobs for expats in China. Experts say locals who have studied and worked internationally bring more to the table in terms of language skills and cultural competence. But there’s still a thriving job market in China for qualified expats that can’t be so easily replaced by talented Chinese applicants. We underline a few of them here.

Protecting Your Future: Secure Expat Jobs in China
Source: IAOP

1) Language teaching
While myths surrounding ESL teachers in China abound, language teaching can be a valuable way to gain insight into Chinese culture and language. While English teaching remains at the forefront, there is also high demand for other languages such as French, Spanish, German and Russian. While the majority of teachers teach children, there is also a growing demand from adults. The native requirement means that these jobs will always be open to qualified teachers.

2) Technical specializations
The job market for foreigners in China varies depending on where you are in the country, as tends to be the case. In smaller cities and the surroundings of Tier 1 cities like Shanghai and Beijing, there is high demand for engineering graduates who can bring foreign expertise to local manufacturing companies. In Shanghai and Beijing themselves, the thriving financial services industry is a good place to look for those with a relevant background in finance or economics. For those with a technical specialization, speaking Chinese is often not a requirement, though this is changing as more locals leave the country to study and return with experience from overseas.

3) Language requirements
What of the jobs that do require proficiency in Mandarin? It’s no secret: strong Chinese skills will land you jobs that wouldn’t be open to you otherwise – in marketing, sales, or PR, to name but a few. Chinese companies gain face by hiring expats (as discussed here), and many companies consider that their foreign staff will liaise better with foreign clients.

There is one sector that will always require foreigners with strong language skills – the translation and editing, and, more broadly, writing industry. The demand for foreigners with excellent Mandarin and a feel for their own native language is increasing, as the Middle Kingdom continues to open up and expand. While many companies require a degree in translation or communications, many translator/reviser and editing positions are also open to native speakers of foreign languages with some work experience in the translation field. Some companies based abroad will even help you complete your translation training while here.

4) The food and beverage industry
While big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have a plethora of options for those wishing to dine out or hit the bars, many smaller Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities are just beginning to expand when it comes to Western restaurant options. While starting and running a business represents a significant time and financial commitment, it can also be extremely fulfilling – not to mention a good money-making enterprise.

Local Chinese are curious to explore the myriad of cuisines from the West, and savvy foreigners with experience in the sector and a good Chinese business partner have ample opportunity to open a successful restaurant or bar. As with all things entrepreneurial, the opportunity is there to be seized, and this industry is no exception.

5) Top-level management
For foreigners with extensive work experience at the senior management level, a move to China can mean hitting pay dirt. Senior executives hired on a so-called “expat package” often make extremely high salaries, as well as benefiting from a range of generous extras such as housing, health insurance, living allowance and tax equalization. As one BBC Capital article states: “Despite increasing competition from seasoned local talent … in the future many top multinationals will continue to hire expat C-Suite executives because they feel more comfortable working with people from their home country”. Over 50% of top level management in multinational companies in China is foreign. For those who have already carved out a good career at home, China can be a good option.

While opportunities are still open to many foreigners in China, there is no doubt that the niche for foreign generalists in China is narrowing. What has emerged over the past few years as the country continues to boom is that getting ahead in the Asian giant requires more than just soft skills and a foreign face? Many companies are increasingly on the lookout for foreigners with work experience in China and language skills they can put to good use at work. For foreign candidates, putting in the time and effort to get to grips with the language and culture can make all the difference.

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Keywords: foreigners working in China Expats

7 Comments

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bill8899

Learn Chinese?

Dec 29, 2014 22:08 Report Abuse

tostada_halex

Spanish???? what? it is quite underdeveloped that market... and the article, as mentioned before, is quite weak. The competence of Chinese is fierce and they don't know a visa which is not easy to get.

Dec 07, 2014 20:52 Report Abuse

kuntmans

Forgot to mention 'creative industry'. Chinese are currently still not very creative minded. The presents immense opportunities to foreigners to offer some inspiration, guidance and support.

Dec 06, 2014 09:50 Report Abuse

Guest2643582

Go China!

Dec 04, 2014 07:43 Report Abuse

Robk

Not a bad article but is it certainly just for people new to China. People that have been here a while already know all of these points. The "Top-Level Management" packages are very far and few inbetween now as "sea turtles" (Chinese that have studies and worked a little abroad and returning to China) are taking those jobs with much lower pay. Also, the website fails to address that a foreigner can make a good living on just doing modelling, attending new business openings and doing ads. I will add one of my own for those who have been here for years and want something else. You can learn a skill that is marketable online, like coding, graphic design, project management, writing etc. Then sell that skill online to Western companies that would have to pay a lot higher for someone back in their country. Local joe charges them $40.00 - 50.00 per hour. You charge say $20.00 - 30.00. The company gets a competent Western educated worker at a lower charge. Your cost of living is lower so you can take the lower wage and save in China while working online. And after getting in good with the company and you decide to return back to your country, you can almost be certain they will be willing to hire you full-time as you have proven yourself and contributed to their success.

Dec 01, 2014 12:10 Report Abuse

Robk

About the visa, you just can just opt for a student visa while you work. If you are married, you can just a spousal visa. Or if you make enough, you can just pay a local company or "persuade" the local official to provide one for you. I use the spousal visa and have been for a few years now.

Dec 01, 2014 12:13 Report Abuse

Guest2278378

Pretty weak article. It could use some more substance. It also failed to address the abundance of companies that exploit their "local higher expats" through false expectations, deception, and lack of respect. It would be interesting to see an article on what red flags to look for or questions to ask when just starting or interviewing at companies.

Dec 01, 2014 08:39 Report Abuse