Finding work in China

• MyCareerHub advertises jobs and internships in China. Filter results by using the location function:

MyCareerHub Opportunities (UoE login required)

• The following platform provides graduate job-hunting advice:

Chinese Government Job Search Engine

• GradLink China is a free careers website aimed at UK-educated Chinese students and graduates, although it can be used by anyone interested in working in China. Search for graduate opportunities: 

GradLink China 

• ChinaJOB - this website, aimed at expats, lists government jobs in China:

ChinaJOB

• EOL - This platform has links to the University Graduates Employment Information Network in different provenances. This is not an official government website but it leads to official graduate employment websites from different provenances:

EOL

• YingjieSheng - Public job vacancy website targeted at university graduates:

YingjieSheng

• Prospects - This graduate careers website has advice on finding jobs in China for all students (English language):

Prospects

• Chinese University Student Employment website by the Ministry of Education - provides information on returning to China, including where to look for work:

Chinese University Student Employment

• NCSS - Portal for graduate jobs and internships in international organisations:

NCSS

• Beijing Foreign Enterprise Human Resource Service Co. Ltd. - a Chinese jobs website:

FESCO

• GUCCU - Job portal specifically tailored to the University of Edinburgh by LockinChina

GUCCU

• Job1001.com - Public vacancy platform for university graduates:

job1001.com

• Daije.com - A popular public vacancy platform (needs a Chinese mobile number to sign up):

Daije

Social media, e.g. Weibo (Chinese version of Twitter), is very active and may be useful for developing networks and potential job opportunities.

• Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice before booking travel:

     GOV.UK - Foreign travel advice

• Familiarise yourself with any visa requirements and contact the relevant Chinese embassy for further advice: 

     Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 

• Get involved with the China Futures Society at the University of Edinburgh. It brings students interested on China-related careers together through presentations and networking opportunities: 

     China Futures Society

     Facebook - China Futures Society

• Make connections through the British Council Alumni UK Network which supports China’s UK alumni. Register for free to gain access to networking events: 

     British Council - Alumni UK

Job application timing in Chinese job market

Overseas graduates can attend Chinese universities campus recruitment for two years after graduation. There are opportunities advertised on job vacancy websites all year around. The peak recruitment season for Chinese graduates are ‘Autumn Enrolment’ (September-November) and ‘Spring Enrolment’ (February-May). The ‘Autumn Enrolment’ is the main recruitment season and has more and better opportunities compared to other recruitment seasons.

With increasing numbers of overseas graduates returning to China, many Chinese companies are targeting them by opening up opportunities in December and January. This is not the main recruiting season, but it's getting popular.

It is always a good idea to undertake internships while doing job applications if securing a graduate job is difficult.

PGT students

For PGT students, university coursework can be very intense, which can leave little time to apply to jobs during the semester. Most Chinese companies require face-to-face interviews or attendance to assessment centres, which can also be difficult.

It's a good idea to start applying for jobs during ‘Spring Enrolment’. This would allow you to get into jobs by September (after finishing your dissertation). The time limitations in the second semester may make it difficult to apply for jobs and you may not be able to go back to China to attend interviews and assessment centres, especially under short notice.

Alternatively, you may have more time to do job research and preparation in the summer while working on your dissertation. You can then apply for jobs during ‘Autumn Enrolment’ from September. During this time, you may have more freedom to go back to China to attend interviews, and get into jobs around December. Our advice is to start looking for jobs before graduation/going back to China.

Different types of employers in China

State-owned companies 

The recruitment process for state-owned companies is more old fashioned, with aptitude tests and interviews done by HR. These companies look for people who are very loyal to the company. Recruiters in these more traditional Chinese organisations may find the assertive/confident UK-western approach to interviews off-putting. Surveys in China have shown such candidates projected an arrogant attitude which did not demonstrate respect for others and did not make them good team players.

The state-owned companies generally have very good welfare and job security. But the promotion route can be slow, based on working relationships and length of service. All new staff will start working at the lowest level for a few years before having the opportunity to move to a more managerial role.

Private-owned companies 

Private companies can be very different from one another. Generally, their recruitment process is somewhere between foreign companies and state-owned companies.

Private companies have more flexibility in terms of recruitment. They don’t normally have a yearly recruitment plan (especially for smaller firms), as they would recruit when the company needs specific people/skills, and they prefer to hire people who can start working straight away. The recruitment process is normally shorter than the other two types of companies.

Joint foreign/local ventures (JV); wholly owned foreign companies; multinational corporations (MNC)

Employment processes for these are similar to western countries. Depending on which country the company is originated, it will carry characteristics of its parent company. There are a lot of American companies in the first-tier cities in China. Foreign-owned enterprises and joint ventures are more likely to value and appreciate autonomous thinkers with outgoing communication styles.

Foreign and JV companies are still valued most highly, but there are likely to be more openings in local companies and Government-owned organisations.

CVs

For most graduate roles, you must complete an application form in addition to a CV. The application form will include all your basic information, so the CV should show more of the individual – skills, character, abilities, etc. A good Chinese CV is similar to a UK one. It needs to be tailored for the specific role and show the employer your skills and motivation. Personal statements are not usual. 

Tips for your CV:

• Font: Use the same font throughout the document - ‘宋体’ is a safe option. The size should be size 5 (Chinese character size).
• Use a one or two page CV depending on experience.
• Given the lack of knowledge about UK institutions, include the university and programme ranking on the CV.
• There is no strict rule on whether to include a photo or not. It depends on the role.
• CVs for local employment should be in Chinese. CVs for joint ventures (JV), wholly owned foreign companies (WOFE) or multinational corporations (MNC) are recommended to be bilingual.

CV templates can be found on the following website:

CV templates

For more advice on writing your CV visit our Careers Service resources:

CVs and Applications

Cover letters

Good cover letters for Chinese roles are very similar to UK ones. Your cover letter should be limited to one page and tailored to the specific role. The following link contains a number of example cover letters in Chinese for different roles:

Cover letter help for different industries

For more advice on writing your cover letter visit our Careers Service resources:

How to write a cover letter

Selection tests

The most common selection tests in the UK are logic tests (verbal and numerical), aptitude and personality questionnaires. Most of the tests are done online.

Chinese selection tests differ in the following ways:

• Greater variety: professional knowledge tests, psychological and logic tests (similar to UK selection tests), general ability tests.
• Many selection tests are essay-based. Candidates need to come to a certain location and sit the exam like in university.
• In most cases, candidates need to bring stationery for the tests – make sure to bring back-up pens.
• The Chinese education system places more emphasis on remembering facts. Candidates need to do thorough preparation into the area they are applying for (similar to preparing for university exams).
• UoE students need to bear in mind that they may need to go back to China for selection tests and interviews when doing job applications.

For further information on selection tests visit our Careers Service resources:

Selection tests

Face-to-face interviews

Interview advice for the Chinese job market (especially for foreign companies in China) is very similar to the UK job market. Our website has plenty of good advice that is applicable. There are, however, some differences when applying for Chinese companies (especially state-owned companies):

• Hierarchy in Chinese companies is more rigid. Candidates are expected to show more respect to the leader and don’t question or argue with the interviewer.
• Chinese companies value employees’ loyalty very highly.
• Students should consider different ways to present themselves to different employers - some local companies don’t appreciate very assertive and confident candidates, but like reliable ones.

Assessment centres

Assessment centres are not widely used in China in comparison to the UK, but they are getting more popular. The most used exercises are group discussion and case studies. For example, you may be part of a group which is given a case study and has to discuss and present on it.

For further information on assessment centres visit our Careers Service resources:

Interviews and Assessment centres