Applying For A Job In China
By Ken Cheong, Thu Dec 8th
b>Working in China Working in China is very common now. Either you are sent toChina by your company or you apply for a job to be stationed inChina. Applying for a job in China is very common today as Chinagradually becomes a economic powerhouse. In fact, many HongKongers and Taiwanese feel that it is important to have good jobexperience in China. It is also very common to be posted for short working trips toChina as a technical expert or co-ordinator as China is a bigconsumer of modern technology. Many companies sent theirtechnical staff on short assignments to familiarize theirChinese counterpart on new technology.
Job Hunt Many people are fascinated with China and desire to work inChina. You can apply from your home country, or like many,purchase a ticket, land in China and start looking! The best source of jobs is on the internet. There are many jobsites that specialises in China jobs. Alternately, pick up anEnglish expatriate magazine that you can find in most 4 or 5star hotels and there are likely to be job opportunities inthere. Many of these magazines also run expatriate internetforums where you can place your resume. At this moment, the biggest job opportunities for foreigners areas English teachers in schools as China raced to get itselfready for the Olympics in Year 2008. Similarly, jobs in Food andBeverage and the Hospitality trade is also in high demandespecially for English speaking staff. Entry Visa For business or short working trips, it is advisable to applyfor the Business Visa. A business visa allows multiple trips ofup to 30 days per trip for a period of three or six monthsdepending on the visa applied. An invitation letter from theChinese office is needed for the application. For long working trips, a Z Visa is required. This allow you tostay in China for up to one year. You will need a work permitand a letter from your Chinese Office before a Z Visa can beissued. Accomodation For those lucky to be on job assignments, the company willlikely put you up in a hotel or a service apartment. China has awide range of hotels and are likely to be clean and comfortableeven if in the lower classes. When travelling to smaller towns,you
may be unable to find a hotel higher than 3-stars! For those on their own, renting a local apartment will be thecheapest way to go in the long run. For those really on a tightbudget, look for a apartment in a local area and not in one ofthose expatriate enclave. Rent leases in China normally runs for a minimum of 6 months butit is not uncommon to find 3 months leases nowadays. Whenrenting apartments, remember that it is a requirement to informthe nearest police station of your new place of residence. Work style This can be a interesting area. Depending on the industry, thehistory, the culture and management, working with the Chinesecan be a pleasure or a pain. If you are working in a MNC, where the Chinese has been exposedto western management concept, you may indeed find the workingstyle very familiar with that at home. For others, work can be a nightmare in a entirely Chineseenvironment. Many state enterprises or Chinese company may runwith a working culture reminiscent of the iron bowl concept ofthe early 60s and 70s. Business culture Again, business culture in dependent on the industry, company oreven the geographical location of the company. For example, inthe North, business is seldom discussed unless there has been afair amount of socializing at the restaurant while in the South,business may come before social interaction. Overall, the business culture of China is more of humaninteraction than anything else. There must be a fair amount ofsocialisation and familiarisation before real discussions of anyform can proceed. Do not jump or insist on a serious discussionon your first meeting. Please see Chinese Business Culture forfurther information. Language Requirements It is almost impossible to work or do business in China withoutsome understanding of the Chinese language. It is useful toattend Chinese classes before or after seeking work in China.Please see Chinese Phrases page for further basic understandingof Chinese. About the author:The author, Ken Cheong, worked, lived and travelled in China forthe last 7 years. He has more articles about Chinese culture,people, business and customs to share at his websites. Pleasefeel free to redistribute this article as long as reference ismade back to http://www.chinese-culture.net andhttp://www.quick-pain-relief.com |
