Job Hunting in China

1. Job Hunting in China 2010 INTERNATIONALISATION TASK GROUP

2. Today: • Some Hot Sectors • Where to work • Types of employers • How to find jobs • Marketing yourself • Top tips from Alumni • Useful resources

3. What do you think are the growth sectors in China?

4. Hot Sectors: FMCG • Fast Moving Consumer Goods • 7TH largest consumer market in the World • 45% of top retailers are hypermarket or supermarkets. • Dramatic increase in Wholly-Foreign-Owned retail companies • Companies expanding into 2nd or 3rd tier urban and semi-rural areas. • Tesco: China specific graduate training scheme

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Graduate Entrepreneurship • A range of schemes available from the Government to encourage entrepreneurship. • Schemes available in a number of regional cities • Support services include: • Shanghai Overseas Talent Centre • Know about Business • China Britain Business Council

8. 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 Permits • Cost of living / salaries

9. Beijing • Political & cultural capital • 16.8 billion direct investment and post Olympics 1.82 million new jobs • The government predicts GDP will grow 9% until 2010 • Known for IT & Telecommunications: Motorola, Nokia, Microsoft, Cisco & SAP headquarters • 18 Foreign Bank branches and home to China’s central bank – The People’s Bank of China

10. Shanghai • Commercial & financial centre of China • Barclays, PWC, Nomura, McKinsey and KPMG all have headquarters in Shanghai • Key port of entry for MNCs to gain foothold in China – Shanghai Expo 2010 • 2006 Shanghai attracted $7 billion of foreign investment • Shanghai 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.

11. Guangzhou • Benefited from proximity to Hong Kong • First to open economy to foreign investment • Export-focused manufacturing accounts for 74% of GDP • Since 2002 growth in SMEs • Key industries: IT, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, electronics, FMCGs and petrochemical

12. Growing Cities • Government incentives ‘Go West’ • Preferential tax policies has opened up foreign investment in Western China • Chengdu: Alcatel, Coca-Cola, Intel & Toyota • Dalian: Accenture, GE & Panasonic • Tianjin: Hyundai, Samsung & Yamaha • Nanjing: Ericsson, Fiat & Toshiba • Chingqing: Ford, Honda & Metro • Hangzhou: Bayer, IBM & Danone Electrolux • Less competitive and lower cost of living

13. Employer Requirements Privately owned companies State companies Attitude Values Job related degree Paid Experience Guanxi Job related skills MNCS Transferable skills Qualifications English Language Work experience UK Experience Foreign culture

14. Recruitment concerns of companies • No idea about British universities or degrees • Job hopping • Chinese graduates not working in teams • English language skills lacking • Unrealistic expectation of salary • Reverse culture shock e.g. Hierarchical organisations

15. Where to find jobs • International JobOnline www.careers.lon.ac.uk/ijo • China Job websites e.g. • www.51job.com • www.chinahr.com • www.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

16. Activity to Maintain Network Cindy 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?

17. In China Join UG university alumni association Keep in touch through friends, family, tutors etc Social networking and information e.g. BBS Use vacations to network In the UK Join British Council Alumni Network Chinese alumni from current university Business online networking e.g. LinkedIn Join CSSA and university societies Networking tools

18. Advice from Alumni • Indicate university rank • Realistic expectations (first job, salary and location) • Gain relevant experience (China & UK) • Taylor your CV and handwrite in Characters where appropriate • Excellent English language skills • International outlook, awareness and acceptance of foreign culture • Commercial awareness • Gain work experience • Team-working spirit • Maintain network