Job Hunting in China

2010

INTERNATIONALISATION TASK GROUP

Today:

Some Hot SectorsWhere to workTypes of employersHow to find jobsMarketing yourselfTop tips from AlumniUseful resources

What do you think are the growth sectors in China?

Hot Sectors: FMCG

Fast Moving Consumer Goods7TH largest consumer market in the

World45% of top retailers are hypermarket

or supermarkets.Dramatic increase in Wholly-Foreign-

Owned retail companiesCompanies expanding into 2nd or 3rd

tier urban and semi-rural areas.Tesco: China specific graduate

training scheme

Hot Sectors: IT Software

Sector exports risen by 740% since 2001

China’s software outsourcing companies raised US$1.4bn in revenue in 2007 – 40% higher than previous year.

Four million jobs are expected to be generated in China by the IT services outsourcing industry by 2015.

Benefit from increased costs of software development in India.

However – increase in skilled workers raises competition for jobs.

Hot Sectors: Environment There are significant opportunities in China for exporting and/or direct

investment in waste management, water and wastewater treatment, as well as in low carbon energy generation capacity and renewable energy.

China has become a global leader in renewable energy – both in terms of investment and industry development. Investment in new renewables capacity (excluding large hydropower) exceeded US$12 billion in 2007, most of which was for wind, small hydro and solar hot water projects.

Carbon finance is a key opportunity as China is the biggest player in the world in Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs), generating the largest volume of carbon credits (CERs).

Source: Market opportunities in environmental goods and services, renewable energy, carbon finance and CATs Country report: China October 2008

Graduate Entrepreneurship

A range of schemes available from the Government to encourage entrepreneurship.

Schemes available in a number of regional citiesSupport services include:

Shanghai Overseas Talent CentreKnow about BusinessChina Britain Business Council

Considerations for Employment

Major established centres (Shanghai, Beijing & Guangzhou ) vs. growing cities (Shenzen, Dalian & Chengdu)

Differences in requirement of state, private and multinational employers.

Residency PermitsCost of living / salaries

Beijing

Political & cultural capital16.8 billion direct investment and post Olympics 1.82

million new jobsThe government predicts GDP will grow 9% until 2010Known for IT & Telecommunications: Motorola, Nokia,

Microsoft, Cisco & SAP headquarters18 Foreign Bank branches and home to China’s central

bank – The People’s Bank of China

Shanghai

Commercial & financial centre of ChinaBarclays, PWC, Nomura, McKinsey and KPMG all have

headquarters in ShanghaiKey port of entry for MNCs to gain foothold in China –

Shanghai Expo 20102006 Shanghai attracted $7 billion of foreign investmentShanghai has recorded a double-digit growth for 15

consecutive years since 1992. In 2008, Shanghai's nominal GDP posted a 9.7% growth to 1.37 trillion yuan.

Guangzhou

Benefited from proximity to Hong KongFirst to open economy to foreign investmentExport-focused manufacturing accounts for 74% of GDP Since 2002 growth in SMEsKey industries: IT, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals,

electronics, FMCGs and petrochemical

Growing Cities

Government incentives ‘Go West’ Preferential tax policies has opened up foreign investment in

Western China Chengdu: Alcatel, Coca-Cola, Intel & ToyotaDalian: Accenture, GE & PanasonicTianjin: Hyundai, Samsung & YamahaNanjing: Ericsson, Fiat & ToshibaChingqing: Ford, Honda & MetroHangzhou: Bayer, IBM & Danone Electrolux

Less competitive and lower cost of living

Employer Requirements

State companiesAttitudeValuesJob related degreePaid ExperienceGuanxiJob related skills

MNCSTransferable skills

QualificationsEnglish Language

Work experienceUK ExperienceForeign culture

Privately owned companies

Recruitment concerns of companies

No idea about British universities or degreesJob hoppingChinese graduates not working in teamsEnglish language skills lackingUnrealistic expectation of salaryReverse culture shock e.g. Hierarchical organisations

Where to find jobs International JobOnline www.careers.lon.ac.uk/ijo China Job websites e.g.

www.51job.com www.chinahr.comwww.zhaopin.com

UK companies in China Multinational companies online

China specific recruitment schemes e.g. PWC, KPMG, ICI Trade press in UK Local newspapers in China UK Careers Fairs Government agencies in China Sector specific websites

Activity to Maintain NetworkCindy Liu is an economics master’s student considering a

career in banking. She has three month’s internship experience with Bank of China. She went to university in Shanghai for her undergraduate degree and was active in her students’ union where she raised funds for several events. She also used the Careers Service and became an alumnus when she left.

How would you advise Cindy to maintain and develop her contacts to ensure she achieves her career goal?

Networking toolsIn ChinaJoin UG university alumni

associationKeep in touch through

friends, family, tutors etcSocial networking and

information e.g. BBSUse vacations to network

In the UKJoin British Council

Alumni NetworkChinese alumni from

current universityBusiness online

networking e.g. LinkedInJoin CSSA and university

societies

Advice from Alumni Indicate university rankRealistic expectations (first job, salary and location)Gain relevant experience (China & UK)Taylor your CV and handwrite in Characters where appropriateExcellent English language skills International outlook, awareness and acceptance of foreign

cultureCommercial awarenessGain work experienceTeam-working spiritMaintain network