Tag Archives: Asia Employment

Internet changing shape of the job market – RMG on China Daily

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The e-commerce boom in China has generated a need for talent in the first quarter of this year and created more job opportunities for graduates, according to a survey by one of the country’s biggest recruitment websites.

The survey of 16,978 businesses across 61 industries was conducted by 51job.com from September to December. It found that the job market was quite active this year. 82.3 percent companies plan to recruit more employees than the same period of last year.

Employers in e-commerce, computer software and finance showed the biggest need for talent in the job market.

Three-quarters of the surveyed employers said they had job openings for applicants with less than two years’ seniority, a higher figure than ever before in the website’s surveys.

As usual, a recruitment peak followed the end of Spring Festival this year. The labor-intensive manufacturers in the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta used to be the biggest recruiters in previous years. However, the demand for talent in Internet marketing, technology support and creative design for eCommerce has been growing fast since last year, according to Feng Lijuan, chief consultant at 51job.com.

“On one hand, many enterprises have to adapt the way they do business to the tide of e-commerce and want professionals to pursue the new business,” Feng said.

“On the other, small and medium-sized start-ups that provide professional services in advertising, creative design and IT research and development for e-commerce are springing up and have become a major recruiter in the jobs market.”

The retail trade is undergoing an evident transformation of the way of doing business, she said. Big retail chains are shifting their focus from brick-and-mortar business to online sales, closing some of their physical stores.

“From marketing to the display of goods, running an online mall is quite different from running a physical store. The retail chains also need to recruit plenty of man power to build a widespread delivery network and ensure prompt online customer service,” Feng said.

Jenny Chen, a senior HR manager at the China office of a European clothing retailer, said her company will see a year-on-year growth of 15 percent in recruitment in the first quarter of this year.

The clothing retailer has nearly 400 direct-sale stores and more than 300 agencies in China and is going to open more this year, but the year-on-year growth in recruitment for the online business in this year’s first quarter is bigger than that for the offline business.

“We want to build a stable e-commerce team in the coming three years, so we have a lot of job openings for those who can help promote our online shop and launch our business on social media and mobile apps,” Chen said.

As for the start-up bandwagon, it is expected to keep on rolling for another three to five years and bring abundant job opportunities, especially to young people, according to Li Tongjinna, a recruitment consultant in the Internet industry at the Beijing office of RMG Selection, an international human resources and recruitment consultancy.

“Traditional IT enterprises such as IBM and Oracle have been significantly cutting their head counts since the second half of 2013, while start-ups specializing in e-commerce and mobile Internet pour onto the jobs market,” Li said.

“About half of the job openings that I’m seeking employees for are emerging professions such as building online payment platforms and marketing through social media,” she added.

“Young people have an edge in competing for these jobs because they shop online often and know the consumer psychology in e-commerce well,” Li said.

“Besides, they are familiar with social media like WeChat and Weibo.”

Read the original article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2015-03/31/content_19957671.htm

Career Builder – Beijing Recruiter Views of Different Company Cultures

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  1. Does company culture are varies from different countries?
Yes, it does. However there are more similarities than differences says CEO of Beijing recruiter RMG Selection. The essence is that there aren’t so many differences in companies’ background but they are in the backgrounds of the people at work in the companies. The world is flat now.
  1. Can you tell us about the difference between Britain Company and Asia Company? Are there any unique characters in Chinese Company?
  2. What are the behaviors that Britain Companies will like? What are the behaviors that Britain Companies won’t like?
Asian companies seem to be more traditional than Britain companies. And workers in British companies are less diligent and much less hard working compared to those in Asian companies. Moreover, labor load is larger in Asia. Chinese companies have certain unique characters. Unlike Japanese companies, Chinese companies are westernized. The working atmosphere there is equal and liberal.
  1. What are the behaviors that Chinese Companies will like? What are the behaviors that Chinese Companies won’t like?
Actually, Chinese companies are quite similar to Britain Companies. They all appreciate politeness and hard work. However, too much confrontation is not   welcomed. Further, they do not expect workers to challenge the seniors or upper generation.  

Listen to the original radio, please click: http://english.cri.cn/7146/2015/04/30/3262s876646.htm

Career Builder – Wonderful Time to Work in China? Analysis of China Jobs

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Recruiter’s Analysis of market for China jobs: The Chinese government has introduced some polices to attract more talent from different cultural backgrounds. Robert Parkinson, the founder and CEO of RMG Selection, gave his advice for expats who wanted to find jobs in China. Here are some key points expats should know about finding China jobs.

(This episode on China jobs is part of a series called “Career Builder” where RMG Selection  is invited to talk topics such as China jobs and many related topics every other Wednesday at 3:20pm China Standard time. Further episiodes can be found at https://www.rmgselection.com/category/radio/ or other topics can be found at https://www.rmgselection.com/news – to register with RMG please go to https://www.rmgselection.com/register)

The Chinese government has introduced some polices to attract more talent from different cultural backgrounds. But how an expat who knows nothing about Chinese job market successfully start his career here? What industries nowadays are in strong demand of expats? And how can China improve the current situation to attract more top talents overseas. Robert gave his advice for expats who want to find jobs in China. Here are some key points expats should know about finding China jobs.

  1. For an expat who are blank-minded about Chinese job market, what is he going to do first if he wants a job here? How are you going to advise him?
  • We have just done a quarterly survey. What we find strongly is that there are tremendous demands for foreigners with experiences in the service industry.
  • Compared to the UK, it is fair to say that in China the general service industry requires a lot of development. And it is probably one of the key areas for advancements.
  • So for a foreigner looking for a job in the Chinese market, if he has experience in the service industry or if he is a service-minded person, then that should be the key thing.
  1. You just suggested that service is the sector. Specifically, what kind of service?
  • The legal service industry, the accounting service industry or simple training business are all included in the service sector.
  • Another finding from the survey is that western ways of doing things are nothing new because nowadays a lot of Chinese are brought up overseas or are educated overseas. Thus naturally they expect higher standards for foreigners.
  • Another interesting thing that the survey brought up is that there is strong demand for foreigners particularly in the scientific area, like bio-technology and healthcare.
  1. Medical degree is so expensive and so hard to get. Also people in this field are desperately needed elsewhere too. Why should China be attractive to them?
  • Hospitals in China, I happen to know, offer a higher salary, about 20% to 30% above what doctors may receive.
  • Also there is a strong demand in certain specialty like cancer or psychiatry.
  1. Top foreign talents still don’t want to come to China. What can we do to improve the situation?
  • Income tax here is less attractive than that in Hong Kong and Singapore. In Beijing, foreigners need to pay welfare, pensions, housing fund…
  • Hong Kong real estate is cheaper than Beijing real estate. It is a really an issue.
  • I suppose it would be better to have cleaner air in China. Smog here is one of main reasons why foreigners choose to leave.
  1. What are the attractions that China has for talents?
  • Countries across the Euro zone are still in a terrific mess. China has more opportunities as an emerging economy.
  1. Do you think people overseas find it difficult to adapt to China?
  • From the business perspective, I’ve learned far more about business in China that I did in the previous years. Chinese are excellent business people.
  • If expats keep liberal mind and be open, you can embrace different cultures and deal with different people.
  • You need spend more years in China to gain in-depth understanding in this country.

Listen to the original radio show:http://english.cri.cn/7146/2015/04/16/3262s874610.htm

Days of the expats are far from over

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Debate continues about value of non-Chinese over returnees

The fact is, if you ask a thousand professionals in China whether or not expats are still valuable, you will get at least a thousand different answers, possibly more. In 10 years of living in Beijing and commuting between Shanghai and other cities, and after talking to hundreds of people about the role of the expat, particularly the role of the expat versus returnee, I have come to some conclusions, which I share with you here.

Let us first analyze the returnee’s role in Chinese business. Returnees (those of Chinese descent who have been brought up or at least studied overseas) usually straddle both sides of the cultural hemispheres: On the one hand they look and speak Chinese, they have (usually) been bought up by Chinese parents and therefore have fairly strong Chinese values, yet they have also been immersed in Western culture, usually American, Australian or British. You might think therefore that these people prove to be excellent candidates for general management positions because of a dual understanding of cultures and behaviors of Chinese and non-Chinese alike.

Second, of course returnees quite often need no temptation to come to China: it is not some midlife adventure for them, it is often a homecoming to family members and distant memories that they actively want to become re-acquainted with. Naturally then, it is not quite as necessary to entice them with ego-bolstering salaries and attractive package increments, making the returnee a more appealing financial proposition for the employer.

Practically speaking the returnee also has the benefit of being bilingual, and, in a country that despite the efforts to rebalance, has an economy still largely based on foreign trade and export, the returnee has a much easier time of it communicating with the folks overseas who are buying the goods made in China.

Of course the most important issue, when we are talking general manager or senior management level expatriates is that still the packages are vast, almost beyond belief. Someone I know well, who for the sake of this we’ll just call Very Lucky, has a travel budget back to his home country of 600,000 yuan per year ( $90,000; 85,600 euros) for a family of five to travel business class. It is not unusual for an accommodation budget to be 100,000 yuan a month. That is much more than a million yuan a year just to put a roof over your head. Then of course there is the expectation of a base salary (depending on industry sector) of between one and two million yuan a year plus bonus, plus car. If you add all of that up, you would not want to be the HR person who has to justify that cost.

So, there are some very compelling reasons to look at returnees as general manager candidates: culturally fit, desire, cost and practicality. Let us examine then why on earth there are any expats left.

First, if we dip in to recent history we should not forget that until very recent years China was a great unknown. When I was five years old, China to me was Hong Kong. The point, of course, that I am making is that although on the one hand China is still a very exciting market for business, and even in the new normal of 7 percent growth, you just have to be here, many companies are still very cautious of China, and want their own nationals on the ground.

There are also many industries and business sectors in which China lacks homegrown knowledge. Pollution management is a relevant example, and other areas, including information technology. So it is strategically sensible of China to encourage foreigners with the know-how in these sectors to remain in the country.

One of the most important reasons that us foreigners are still an asset in China is that the investment pendulum has swung dramatically from inbound into China to outbound investment of Chinese companies in the West. Westerners are familiar with the way things are done in China and in their home nations to facilitate further expansion overseas. You only have got to walk into an electronics store in the UK and half of the fridges on display proudly bear Chinese badges. If this is to continue there is an undoubted need for Western know-how. Just today I read an article saying that a Chinese firm has taken a 5 percent stake in a major UK holiday firm to encourage the Chinese middle classes to go and sun themselves (with umbrellas of course) in Spain and Greece.

So, I think it is fair to say that China is not done with the expat quite yet, but roles are changing, faster than we realize. It is also worth noting that some so-called returnees, although perhaps oriental in appearance, can be so far removed from their Asian roots that they know as little as I did about China when I first landed in Beijing.

My verdict is this: look at the numbers. China is not managing to master domestic consumption nearly as quickly as it would like, and, frankly, the economy is still heavily reliant on consumers in Europe and North America, and even though there is an up-skilling of the Chinese workforce, it does not mean that Vietnam and Indonesia have completely taken over yet. Similarly, as a society, China may have advanced rapidly in wealth and disposable income, but has the heart of society caught up with the pace of commercial growth? I think not.

Finally, let’s take a lightning fast look at trends. The US is a country built by foreigners. The UK gets more multicultural as every month passes, so as China becomes more hooked on Western preoccupations of earning, spending and general openness, why would society do the opposite and become less inclusive of non-PRC nationals? It simply does not follow.

The author is CEO & Founder of RMG Selection.

Read the orginal article: China Daily European Weekly 03/13/2015 page9

Career Builder – Interview Preparation Part I

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Everybody knows to prepare for your interview. Why? The preparation can increase your possibility to win the position. The reality is, more reality you know, the better possibility you will get. Here in our studio is Robert Parkinson, Founder and CEO of RMG Selection – a leading Asia focused executive search business. He’s going to tell us how to prepare a job interview today.

Listen to the original program

1. Does appearance really matter?

I wouldn’t give a second chance to someone in jeans. Of course the appearance in a face to face interview does matter. The appearance includes everything that you bring with you. Not only the cloths, but also your hair style, your cell-phone, bag and so on. ? A navy blue, dark gray or black suit is appropriate for most positions. Be sure it’s cleaned and pressed. Shirts should be freshly laundered and well pressed ? Shoes that are black and freshly polished are a safe choice for an interview. Socks should be black or blue and worn over the calf. Ladies, avoid open-toed shoes. ? Fingernails should be short, clean, and freshly manicured if possible. Hair should be well-groomed and freshly trimmed. Avoid combing or brushing hair with your jacket on ? Jewelry should be limited and subtle. Avoid colognes or fragrances completely.

2. What is the “Must Have” in an interview?

? Printed directions to the interview, as well as (the recruiter’s) phone number and the client’s phone number ? A pad of paper and pen ? Three copies of your resume (make sure the resume is identical to the one supplied to the interviewer) ? Gum or mint – Prior to entering the building, chew mint gum or a breath mint, but do not chew gum during the interview ? If women, some products for freshen up. ? If you are applying some design/project, you could bring an album. Or even better, you build up a website to show your projects

3. I have known the company name and location, what else should I know before go there?

There are a lot! The more you know today, the better chance you will get tomorrow! Things to search: ? What’s the company? History, products, recent news, culture ? What’s the industry? Main competitors, features, future developments ? Who is the CEO or Founder? Name, bio and famous affaires ? What is the position doing? ? What’s the process of interview? How many rounds it will have? Do I need to prepare for paper test? How many interviewees? Way to search: ? At least company website – but not only the home page ? Baidu & Google – see any interesting news ? Everything is on Social Media – it’s a good place the find CEO or staffs of the company. Linked in is a very professional website where you can find career of CEO or the line manager. ? Search on your own networks, especially your headhunter friends. With them you can know the process of interview or main content of interview

4. Are there any special tips from headhunter?

? Plan your schedule for the interview day, leave double time to the interview. You don’t know what will happen. So you will be nervous if anything suddenly happen and you don’t have time to do. ? Go to the company one day before if you have time. Then you can have better control to time. And also, it helps you to be more relax when interview ? Make sure you arrive there 5 – 15 minutes before the interview time

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