My 10 survival tips for young foreigners looking for jobs in China

This morning, a soon-to-be MBA graduate from my former Business school CEIBS contacted me for advice on a job application in my former company. After giving him some tips, he mentioned how hard it is to find a job here for a foreigner while in Germany, his native country, it is much easier and he can get a high salary. It would be an understatement to say he is perfectly right! Even with a good resume (and he has!) foreign companies tend not to hire foreigners,  why?

1- HR managers are mainly Chinese, so they hire Chinese staff; there is no foreign HR manager dedicated to them except probably Headhunter firms (This also can be discussed!).

2-Budget control: Local foreign entities have a budget plan to fulfill. Cut on Foreign labor costs is a primary target of a financial director.

3- Expats are mainly paid by the HQ. (I tend not to include the halfpat in my definition of expats!)

By acknowledging that, I can give you my 10 tips or so:
- China is not the dream country for youngsters looking for jobs, even with 10% or plus economic growth
- Go back to your native country to look for jobs sending you to China.
- Acknowledge if you find a local job (even well-paid!), you will have no medical insurance or fund for your retirement pension. 
- Always ask for a labor contract to your employer.  Even a foreigner  is protected  by  Chinese labor laws. The  Chinese courts enforce labor decisions (even for foreigners!).
-Don't believe your boss when he tells you "start with a local package and if you work well, you can have an expat one" Pure lie! Decisions for expats are made at HQ and you have no connexion there.
- Don't forget in case of localization you are in the front row.
- You have no chance of survival if you do not speak Chinese. Mastering the language shall be your competitive advantge against your boss who represent here the company HQ.
- Even if you like China as a halfpat and benefit from the economic miracle, stay your eyes opened; you may have chance to find an expat package in another country when you have had your China experience.

- Color fade, it is not because you are the little white guy that you are more competitive than the local guy. (I say that because I see too often youngsters think they deserve a well-paid job because they are westerners! Untrue!)
-Strengthen your personnal skills in order to beat the competition (Foreign or Chinese)!

PS: I think China bloggers will finish by calling me Mr 10 tips!

Comments

[chriswaugh_bj]

Well, Mr 10 Tips, you have provided excellent advice as always. I would add: Avoid employment agents like the plague (unless you absolutely need something they offer- and that's a rare situation). I've seen too many people thoroughly screwed over by such agents.

[China and I]

Hi Chris,

Once, I was contacted by such kind of agency. I felt it was a lost of time; I didn't even sent my resume to them.
As the German guy who contacted me this mrning said: "if you look for a job from China you have 5% chance to find one while in Germany you have 90% chance".
PS: Thanks to the South Africans! I think you will understand me, Chris.

[alessnicole]

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