Working Abroad Career Guide for China

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Country Profile
China is one of the world's great civilizations, with a written history going back 3,500 years and a tradition of leading the world in the arts and sciences since ancient times. Today, after a tumultuous 20th century, China has the world's second largest GDP, and economic power has been disseminated.

China is home to about 1,262,000,000 people, 20 percent of the world's population. It's ethnically homogenous, with 91.9 residents of Chinese Han descent and Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities making up the remaining 8.1 percent. China has strictly controlled its population growth since the 1970s, but the sheer number of people living there still results in a large annual population growth. There are seven major Chinese dialects and many sub-dialects. The predominant dialect is Mandarin, and it is the official language of government.

China has experienced more than 20 years of unprecedented economic growth, during which the economy has grown faster than any other in history. China is among the world's largest producers of many agricultural products, including rice, potatoes, and sorghum. Other important industries in China include iron, steel, coal, armaments, and textiles. In the coming decade, the automobile and petrochemical industries are expected to grow rapidly.

Professional Resources
Almost every major country has established business councils or associations for conducting business in China. The American Chamber of Commerce, for instance, has a membership of more than 1,400 individuals. Networking organizations offering assistance to foreigners living in China are groups such as Expats in China and Foreign Executive Women.

MOFTEC, the m\Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, administers China's foreign trade and economic cooperation, a task that includes formulating policies, laws and regulations for foreign trade, submitting plans for import and exporting strategies, and oversees the establishment of foreign trade enterprises. Several publicationsof interest to businessmen are available from MOFTEC:

The Almanac of China's Foreign Economic Relations and Trade is available in Chinese and English and is a comprehensive source of foreign trade statistics, practical information on business startup, government organization contacts, and other economic data on China. International Business is MOFTEC's official daily newspaper.

International Trade News is another business newspaper that covers foreign trade news including world trade fair events. The Bulletin is a bi-minthly Cinese/English magazine covering foreign economic relations and trade. Foreign Investment in China is a monthly publication that covers news on the utilization of foreign investment and foreign-funded enterprises in China. In addition to MOFTEC's publications, the site has links to China companies, business opportunities, exhibition and fairs and other business related information.

Job Resources
To get a job in China, you'll need marketable skills, personal contacts, a very strong command of a Chinese dialect (usually Mandarin), and luck. Networking is particularly important for foreigners, as employers rely very heavily on referrals for candidates from abroad. If you have a few personal contacts in the country, your best approach may be to apply directly to the companies in which you are interested.

Recently, executive search firms and online job sites have surpassed traditional print media as the most prevalent forms of securing employment in China, and the Internet is now the most commonly used resource for foreign job-seekers. Another highly effective way of entering the Chinese workforce is by working in China for a year or two as an English teacher, then applying for employment in other capacities.

Popular job sites in China that offer services in both Chinese and English include zhaopin.com, which is China's leading recruitment website, offering a vast amount of information for both Chinese and foreign job-seekers, including a professional resume center, resources on career development. Since its founding in 1997, 8,000 companies have posted more than 180,000 jobs on the website. China's national English-language newspaper, China Daily, includes job advertisements. Staffing agencies are also becoming more widely used in China.

Financial Considerations
The recent improvement in China's living standards is evidenced by the dramatic increase in average life expectancy, rising from 32 years in 1949 to 62.3 in 2000, but China's standard of living continues to be lower than in the more industrialized countries.

Since the early 1990s, Chinese incomes have been on the rise. An employee's total compensation (wages, benefits, and official and unofficial perks) is determined by membership in a particular work unit, and these vary widely. Although the wage structure is quite egalitarian when compared with those of other countries, wages are only part of the picture. Many limited goods in China cannot be bought for money, but are available only to certain work units. Housing is one example of this.

China's standard work week is 40 hours long, with a mandated 24-hour rest period each week. There are seven paid public holidays, and employees usually get 7 to 14 days of vacation each year.

Employment Trends
China is a huge country, covering more than 9.6 million square kilometers, with a population of 1.3 billion. Economic developments and social and cultural conditions can vary widely from one region to another, but overall, China's economy has reached a fairly mature high-tech stage.

As the economy has become market-driven and industry has become more developed, it has shifted away from state-owned enterprises, which means that the expanding private industry, particularly the small and medium-sized companies, offer the best opportunities for finding jobs.

Many industries in China are currently experiencing a manpower shortage, including agriculture, construction and building, engineering, hotel and services, IT, shipbuilding, oil and mining, and textiles. There is a great demand for skilled applicants, and foreigners with marketable talents and a command of Mandarin are well suited for employment.

In terms of social and economic fundamentals, China has what it takes to support a high-tech economy. Chinese consumers adopt new technologies rapidly, and thanks to deregulation, the telecommunications industry is blossoming. With its tremendous marketing base, China is the third-largest IT producer in the world. The purchasing power of 1.3 billion people presents a massive foundation on which to build industries.

Resume/CV's
Now in the midst of major economic growth and reform, China has attracted many foreign-owned companies, and there is a shortage of middle-management executives and those who are multilingual. Before applying for a position, research the company thoroughly and tailor your resume to the job requirements. Tightly construct your resume so that it is to the point, and use action verbs to make a positive impression.

Under "Personal Information," list your name, address, all electronic contacts, date and place of birth, sex, marital status and children. Then briefly state your job objective.

Describe your education or employment history, whichever is most relevant should be listed first. Under "Education," list schools attended with the most recent first. For each, include name, location, degree(s), and dates of attendance. Follow this with a section on Specialized Training, and list such relevant items as: extra courses, language competencies, hard and software computer training, and your strengths and achievements.

In the "Work Experience" category, list the company, its location and focus, dates of employment, your job title(s). List your responsibilities, starting with the most important, and emphasize those related to the job you are seeking. All information should be listed in reverse-chronological order, so that your most recent experience is listed first.

At the end, simply state: "References are available on request."

Information Technology
Since 1978, China's electronic information industry has been quickly advancing. Computers, software, and telecommunications are the three major components of the country's IT industry. So far, China has 8.9 million Internet users. Because of the industry's rapid development, there is a serious shortage of IT specialists. Thousands of job openings in the IT sector and related fields cannot be filled.

The advancement of IT Is becoming a national priority. In July 2001, China's president, Jiang Zemin, restated his commitment to speeding up development of information and network technologies and applying them to endeavors in the economic, social, scientific, national defense, educational, cultural, and legal fields.

For most IT-related jobs, applicants need bachelor's degrees or software certification, along with work experience.

Resources that may be of interest to foreigners who want to work in IT in China include AsiaInternet.com, one of the leading sources on the latest trends and opportunities in the industry.

Interviewing Advice
Dress conservatively for your interview (dark business suits for the men, and suits or formal dresses for the women), and arrive on time; to be late is a serious insult. In the larger Chinese cities, a light handshake is the customary greeting, but it also may be a nod, or a bow. Follow the lead of the interviewer on the proper greeting. Often those present exchange business cards at the beginning. Have your card printed on both sides, with English or your native language on one side, and Chinese "simplified" (not "classical") characters on the other. Offer and receive cards with both hands.

During the interview, be modest and respectful, keep your eyes lowered, maintain good posture and a quiet voice, and respect the frequent long moments of silence. Also, avoid boasting or exaggerating--for your claims will be investigated. Find out if you will need an interpreter, for the interview will probably be in Chinese.

Engineering
China is always looking for skilled engineers, and employment in this field is expected to increase with the growth of the economy. Employment opportunities in engineering fields include architectural, electrical, electronic, mechanical, structural, automotive, fabrication, instrumentation, civil, welding, production, and material handling.

A bachelor's degree in the related engineering field is the minimum requirement for getting a job, and certain positions require a higher level of education.

Organizations for engineers include the China Association of Engineering Construction Standardization, which fosters technical and information exchange with engineering construction organizations in other countries. Founded in 1979, the association currently has 3,000 members.

Other resources that offer information and assistance to engineers in China, and those who aspire to join their ranks, include publications, such as The Chinese Academic Journal , and information provided by the national research centers.

Work Permits
There are strict procedures for foreigners who wish to obtain visas to live and work in China. The most important visa classes for foreign workers are the Business/Official Visit Visa, the Employment/Work Visa, and the Resident Visa. There are other classes of visas for airline pilots, mariners, diplomats, tourists, family visits, students, and journalists.

Business and Work Visas must be obtained prior to entry into China, and numerous documents are required for visa application. If a foreigner works without the proper employment permit, public security officials are authorized to terminate the employment and impose a fine on the worker. In serious cases, the public security officials will force the expatriate to leave the country.

Keep in mind, that the Chinese government does not recognize dual nationality and that visa requirements for Hong Kong are different than those for the People's Republic of China. Foreigners staying in China longer than one year must submit a notarized health certificate.

Accounting & Finance
The growing Chinese economy means abundant employment opportunities for accounting and finance professionals. Businesses require not just accounting, but information gathering, recording, and auditing, as well as strategic financial analysis.

Accounting jobs require applicants to have a university education, three to four years' experience in their field, and the ability to perform all relevant functions. An MBA or finance background is a plus, as is familiarity with software applications related to finance and accounting and a familiarity with China and Chinese.

The Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants promotes the accounting industry, represents members' interests, and fosters exchange between members about work and training experiences. It also disseminates information, establishes ethical standards for the industry, and provides a forum for cooperation with accounting
organizations in other countries.

There are also useful magazines that cover finance, accounting, taxes, auditing, and other money-related issues. Another resource that may be useful to the foreign job seeker is the Chinese Finance Association, a non-profit group that aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information related to finance between the U.S. and
China.

Cultural Advice
China's history dates back thousands and thousands of years, and Confucian traditions of conformity, obedience, humility, and self-sacrifice are still present in modern China. People in general do not openly express themselves or aggressively pursue their own interests. This influence is also seen in the hierarchical structures of many government and business organizations.

While Western values are becoming more prevalent with the increase in multinational influence in the Chinese business world, traditional values still dominate the society as a whole. Foreigners doing business in China should keep a low profile and avoid overt ambition or aggression.

Dress is fairly formal in the Chinese business world. Modest clothes in conservative colors and patterns are generally acceptable. In business meetings, there is little small talk. Colleagues greet each other with handshakes, nods, or bows, and when you're first introduced to a Chinese group, they may applaud you--the appropriate response is to applaud back.

Observing seniority and rank are extremely important in business, as is the status of the person who makes the initial contact with the Chinese. They may consider it an insult if you send someone with a low rank to meet them first.

Do not maintain direct eye contact when in conversation, and remember to respect the host's personal space. Avoid conversations that may lead to your host "losing face." Avoid pointing with your index finger and discussing delicate political topics.

Sales & Marketing
Employment opportunities in sales and marketing are expected to be high in the coming years. Sales managers will primarily concentrate on handling sales for corporate clients, but they will also be in charge of running sales teams. Marketing managers need experience in their field, including in the creation and execution of marketing plans. A thorough understanding of Chinese business customs and etiquette is necessary for success in this industry.

For many sales and marketing jobs, applicants are required to have a minimum of five years of relevant experience, including one or two in a managerial function. Sales and marketing jobs also require organizational abilities.

Professional associations for the sales and marketing industries include the World Trade Centers in Beijing, TianJin, and Shanghai, all of which have the goal of encouraging international trade by providing the latest information on new markets and products. Magazines covering these fields include Huanqiu Shichang Xinxi Daobao, a monthly magazine that features market studies, investment guides, and interviews with prominent figures in various industries.

General Business
Businesses in China are focusing on cost-effectiveness and meeting long-term goals. Hiring trends tend to favor local professionals who have both the language skills and work experience, but they tend to lack the desired international exposure. The demand is high for applicants with realistic salary expectations and critical skills such as leadership and team-building, and the ability to deliver high-end services such as IT consulting, applications implementation, and expertise in supply-chain and ERP.

Many general business and management consulting jobs require a master's or doctorate in management, four or more years of managerial experience, two or more years of management consultant experience, and excellent communication skills.

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the China Chamber of International Commerce help Chinese enterprises with international market expansion and participation in international competition. Other business-related resources useful to foreign job seekers include publications and websites.

This is just a small part of what is available in the 75+ information packed pages of the Going Global Career Guide for China:

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Country Career Guides Table of Contents

I. COUNTRY PROFILE

II. JOB-SEARCH RESOURCES
1.Online Job Sites
2.Government-Sponsored Employment Offices
3.Job Fairs/Career Events
4.Staffing Agencies/Temporary Help Firms
5.Newspapers that Publish Job Advertisements
6.Other Resources

III. EMPLOYMENT TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

General Trends
Information Technology
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Engineering
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Accounting and Finance
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Sales and Marketing
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
General Business
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources

IV. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
1.Business Organizations/Trade Councils
2.Chambers of Commerce
3.Telephone Directories
4.Publications
5.Other Resources

VI. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ( Cost of living, salaries, health insurance, taxes, vacation/leave, benefits, etc)

VII. WORK PERMITS/VISAS

VIII. JOB APPLICATION GUIDELINES
1.Cover Letter Guidelines and Sample
2.Resume/CV Guidelines and Samples

IX. INTERVIEWING ADVICE

X. CULTURAL ADVICE

XI. COUNTRY RESOURCE BOOKS