China’s economy has become a driver of growth for the global economy as of late, which in turn has made China an increasingly attractive place to work for expats. Salaries are still lower than Western countries for equivalent jobs, but the enormous growth prospect is what drives many to China. Some expats come with many years of related industry or functional expertise; some come with a couple of internships under their belts. Some expats have studied Chinese extensively and are fluent; some have a basic understanding that’s enough to direct taxis, order food and so on. Extensive functional expertise is important if one plans to stay in the same industry, and more proficient Mandarin Chinese is always helpful. However, the majority of those who come to China do not have several years of solid work experience, nor do they speak Chinese fluently. So what value do expats in China offer to employers?
Photo: John Lavanen
This is an important question that needs to be answered for those who come to China hoping to make a career for themselves. Our (expats) value proposition lies mostly in our cultural upbringing, our education and our linguistic ability, and we would do well to pursue jobs that are able to take advantage of what we have to offer. Foreign language teaching is probably the most obvious and commonly seen occupation for expats in China, and this is not only limited to English. Being a native speaker of a foreign language has benefits beyond just language teaching, specifically in editorial work or journalism. Growing up in a country outside of China and going through a different education system, we tend to have a different way of thinking compared to local Chinese. Our cultural background also gives us a tremendous advantage over local Chinese when it comes to expanding into foreign markets, particularly our home market.
Another way of thinking
Going through the North American education system means we are taught to think critically and question the reasons behind why things are done. This approach can offer employers a different way of thinking and a new perspective. This is in contrast to the Chinese education system, which tends to focus more on rote memorization and less on questioning why things happen the way they do. A more critical way of thinking can help to identify the root of the problem and addressing that problem head on. Additionally, the Chinese way of thinking tends to be very holistic, and can contribute to a lot of time wasted on considering unrelated factors before making a decision. This is also associated with the Chinese communication style of being more indirect.
It’s important that companies do not only hire people who think like each other, otherwise they run the risk of herd mentality. Herd mentality can be very risky and having an outside opinion from someone who didn’t grow up in the local culture can be tremendously helpful in just hitting the pause button and getting everyone to think about the problem in a new way. Herd mentality is most commonly cited in the financial industry, but can also be extended to businesses.
Editorial and written work
Foreign language (not only English, but Spanish, French, German, Hindi etc.) editorial work is another area where expats have a natural advantage over the local Chinese. Many Chinese companies are now expanding into other markets around the world. These Chinese companies will need help developing foreign language content for these respective markets or target customers. This content can range from simple event write-ups to news articles to copywriting to website text. Relying on local Chinese talent to write this content is possible, but often the results and efficiency of staff leave a lot to be desired. Native speakers can easily pick out social or cultural faux-pas that a non-native speaker wouldn’t pick up on (remember when the People’s Daily believed The Onion’s article about Kim Jong-un being the sexiest man alive?). These cultural faux-pas can be quite embarrassing for the company if not quickly identified and removed.
Understand foreign markets
Understanding their home market is probably the most compelling value proposition expats in China can offer to employers. Staying with the theme of Chinese companies looking to expand overseas, these companies will need local talent to help execute their strategies. To access local talent overseas, most companies do their hiring locally, but there is one big issue with this: local [foreign] talent does not understand Chinese culture or how Chinese companies operate. This is a major issue for many Chinese companies who have expanded into North America – they experience high local staff turnover rates because of cultural differences between management and their staff.
Expats based in China can help to serve as that bridge between 100% local foreign staff and Chinese headquarters. Expats in China understand how difficult bureaucracy in China is, what the “Chinese way” is, which ‘rules’ are guidelines and which ‘rules’ are not to be broken, how the decision making process is done and so on. China based expats can also help to develop solutions that the local foreign staff can accept, and that does not make their superiors lose too much face. Beyond just acting as a bridge, these expats still have their roots in their home countries, which means that they are more willing to be re-located to their home countries and do not need to be given expensive expatriation pay packages. This demographic of China based expats can be an invaluable resource for Chinese companies wishing to make their overseas operations smoother.
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Keywords: Expats in China employers in China
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"Salaries are still lower than Western countries for equivalent jobs" Most foreigners in China don't qualify for these 'equivalent jobs' back home, so the argument doesn't hold up. You can't land a job in ESL or any other content area without a degree in that discipline. And is it any surprise that real teachers make more than fake teachers? I only feel sorry for the 2 or 3 real ESL teachers in China.
May 14, 2016 09:02 Report Abuse
Your comments are valuable for understanding the behaviour of foreigners here in China and Chinese relationship with foreigners. But its reality, Sometimes Chinese worship the foreigners by ignoring their qualification.
May 13, 2016 18:53 Report Abuse
What the...? I've seen this article appear for the THIRD time on the front page now, with the same comments as last time. Are you running out of ideas, echinacities?
May 11, 2016 13:07 Report Abuse
Who the f**k is the editor here? Do your job and secure some content that isn't mind numbingly retarded or rehashed and warmed over for the umpteenth time.
May 11, 2016 12:45 Report Abuse
Thanks for the encouragement, although I was mining for some deeper insights into Chinese psychological disposition.
Mar 25, 2016 09:39 Report Abuse
"LBH" is still a thing? You nongs know it's 2016, right? It must be tough living in a culture that still does arranged marriages and incest while us "LBH" white guys get to walk around not giving a fuck or taking the assfucking from the PRC that you guys get on the daily. Losers back home? Sure beats being a nong loser who never left.
Mar 18, 2016 09:08 Report Abuse
http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1883520/why-hong-kong-nightlife-hubs-african-drug-dealers-do-what?page=all
Feb 26, 2016 19:17 Report Abuse
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1694898/hong-kong-police-arrest-six-african-asylum-seekers-seize-illegal
Feb 26, 2016 19:14 Report Abuse
Foreigners are, at best, tolerated. At worst, despised. And yet, envied. What do you call that?
Feb 23, 2016 18:18 Report Abuse
my opinion of chinese exactly, except the last part. I dont envy them, I pity them.
Feb 24, 2016 16:20 Report Abuse
Foreigners in the office are just window dressing. Chinese are now well educated and work much harder.
Feb 23, 2016 18:12 Report Abuse
Work much harder at doing things in an inefficient manner. Or work much harder at fulfilling their own agenda. Yes, and yes.
Feb 23, 2016 18:20 Report Abuse
Chinese work much harder at double crossing their employer and using the company's resources to run their own little secret business. Chinese need to be micromanaged like little kids to ensure efficiency. You can't trust Chinese with client lists, they will use them to their own benefits.
Feb 23, 2016 23:26 Report Abuse
Come to my work...observe and take notes. let me know if you are up to it, and ill PM you the address. I await your acceptance of my challenge.
Feb 24, 2016 16:22 Report Abuse
There's a typo in the title. It should be, "Expats in China: How Worthless Are They to Employers "
Feb 23, 2016 15:53 Report Abuse
BUSTED: 50 foreigners detained after police raid drug-fueled rave under Shenzhen bridge "On Weibo, netizens were unsympathetic to those caught up in the raid, calling those present "foreign trash" and wondering if information about their employers will be released." http://shanghaiist.com/2016/02/23/busted_50_foreigners_detained_shenzhen_rave_raid.php
Feb 23, 2016 15:21 Report Abuse
@ 14480640 Lol....Wow you caught us..well i officially declare i am a LBH....happy now??...but if you are chinese then i guess you are a LAH (Looser At Home)....and if you are an expat you are just as much LBH as me...or else you would be doing something useful with your life than to troll on this piece of shit website which has 6 classified ads and steals news from other places...since i certified myself as a Looser, thats what i do..waste my time and others aswell...but the question is what are you doing here Warren Buffet??
Feb 26, 2016 18:24 Report Abuse
MY family co-founded a north east NJ city. MY family has assets in mid six figures with marginal liabilities. Dont make me laugh to tears, son. Good Day!
Mar 10, 2016 08:51 Report Abuse