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老外如何在上海找工作

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老外如何在上海找工作

teamed up with Career Engine to bring you a brand new Job search tool that’ll allow you to use your City Weekend account to look for jobs, submit applications and receive email alerts for incoming jobs. We’ve also rounded up some tips and advice on networking and finding a job in this town to ease the daunting task at hand.

Before You Start...

Last year we put out the same article and spoke with Sarah Jones of Antal International Asia. While her answers are still relevant today, we chatted further with Jonathan Edwards, Partner at Antal International China (Shanghai office) for some extra advice.

How do you see the job market for foreigners developing over the next five years?

The job market for foreigners is in a state of change; whilst most foreign MNCs are continuing to localize talent, more and more opportunities are opening up within domestic companies or in new industries. Without a doubt, most senior foreigners are sent here for a fixed term by their current employers, as opposed to finding a job on the ground and that will still be the case going forward. A logical viewpoint is that it is therefore that the more senior position you are looking for, the more difficult it will be for you.

However, Shanghai still remains to be a place of incredible opportunities for entrepreneurial people. Antal International is getting more and more requests from domestic companies for foreign staff, particularly in sales and marketing roles. Traditionally these companies had a domestic client base but they are increasingly looking overseas for business opportunities and consequently need hungry talent to help them sell products in new markets. Additionally, companies in new industries in which China has lagged behind in the past are investing hard to catch up and this means investing in the talent that can get them there; tech, healthcare, automotive and luxury are all experiencing massive demand for talent.

What resources and websites in Shanghai do you recommend for finding a job?

The biggest resource you have in any job search is you. Shanghai is full of opportunities, but you have to be proactive to find them and choose the right one. In order to find work in the 10 years Ive been here, Ive started a company with angel investors, used a headhunter, used Linkedin and my personal contacts. So there are many different resources available to you. My advice would be to think clearly about what skills and experience you have, be realistic with your salary requirement (why should a company pay you more just because you are foreign?) and be flexible with your demands. Meet as many people as you can tHRough events (the paid ones tend to be of more value than the free ones) and follow up with any leads in a professional way.

Do you foresee stricter visa regulations hindering job opportunities for foreigners?

That purely depends upon what you plan to do. If you are teaching part time whilst on a tourist or business visa then now is definitely the time to get your affairs in order because the net is closing in. Additionally, if your current employer is asking you to work without giving you the correct Z Visa, then you need to question that with them, because you are leaving yourself open to a fine and even deportation. However, assuming you are a skilled professional with work experience there is no reason to fear the changes. Also remember that if you have a Z Visa, then do all you can to hold onto it because transferring it to a new employer is much, much easier than applying for a new one.

Check out our article about how to get a Z visa in China

Once you are in Shanghai, how can you find a job?

1. Expand your Network

What is networking? It is an event where a bunch of people gather together to make connections and mingle. In a city like Shanghai, networking events are a good way to build connections for business and career opportunities. Here are some of the best networking events in Shanghai.

Best for Serious Job Hunters:

FC Club:

Fortune Connection Club, a powerful global networking organization of nine years, is one of the best known names in Shanghai. It is also one of the most serious and high-level networking event with different industry specific gatherings held at different hotels every month. Usually you receive a coloured name tag sticker at the door indicating your professional background or interest. For example, orange indicates you are interested in business to make more business contacts, green indicates you are interested in making friends. They charge between RMB100-140 for members and RMB140-240 for non-members, which usually includes a drink and finger food.

Shanghai Connector:

Shanghai Connector, a marketing and communications company, also hosts weekly networking events at different bars and restaurants in Shanghai featuring a “young professionals series” with 30-200 guests at each event. Sometimes they invite guest speakers to the event. They charge from RMB50 to RMB120 as an entrance fee, which includes a drink and finger food.

Best for New Kids in Town:

OK, Deal! Club

OK, Deal! Club, another familiar name in Shanghais networking scene, also organizes business mixers at different locations in Shanghai on a regular basis. Each event attracts around 100 Chinese and foreign young professionals. Its a more relaxed environment for networking. Usually they charge between RMB100-150, which includes a drink.

Shanghai Expat Mixer

Shanghai Expat Mixer, a weekly Wednesday night social event hosted by Shanghai Expat, has been in Shanghai for six years. It is a causal networking event for expats to get together and meet people. They change the venue every 4-5 months and manage to get good drink deals with the bar without charging any cover. Thats also why it attracts 50-100 foreign and Chinese business professionals every week. The current venue is Soniksky.

Internations

For jet-setters who are continually on the move, Internations connects expats living in Shanghai among 300-plus other cities. Gatherings take place every few weeks with forums and events that allow you to meet other socially-minded expats around the area. A free, basic membership includes access to online forums and a couple of free activities, and an Albatross membership (?3.95 per month) covers full access to all facilities.

Best for Entrepreneurs:

NextStep

NextStep hosts entrepreneurial events that focus on helping business and industry leaders take that "next step." Every two or three weeks on a Tuesday, they bring speakers from all backgrounds to share their stories and knowledge. Presenters range from serial investors such as Marc van der Chijs to more local entrepreneurs who are just sprouting their businesses here in Shanghai. Each event attracts 75 to 125 professionals in their late 20s and 30s who are in the process of starting their own ventures or are thinking about doing so. They dont charge cover, nor do they offer special drinks. Usually people can just show up and network in an "un-networking" environment.

Oriented

Founded in 2002, Oriented is a global network of international professionals who share a passion of Asian business and partnerships. They aim of their organizations is to provide high-quality networking for its members. Their signature service is their monthly Happy Hours which bring professionals together in face-to-face settings to promote the role of guanzi in Asian business culture. The majority of members are bilingual, bicultural, upwardly mobile, mid-career professionals. Over 1,000 happy hours have taken place since 2002. General admission fee is $10 with discounted rates with advanced RSVP.

Best for Expatriate Professional Women:

EPWS

The Expatriate Professional Women’s Society is a non-profit organization who helps create bridges between working women in Shanghai. Through weekly events featuring professional leaders, such as breakfasts, lunches, mixers or panels of discussion, they help business women share experiences and professional contacts. The events take place at different restaurants and cafes in Shanghai with a RMB150-200 entry fee, including canapés and drinks.

Best for Just Making Friends:

BEAN

Launched in Shanghai in 2008, BEAN is a charity organization for young professionals. Their events combine charity work and meeting new people together. Their monthly networking night (free entry), featuring documentary films, usually attracts 50 people aged between 25 to 35 with half of them local and half foreigners. They usually rotate the venue so members get to try different drinks at new places.

Best for your Fellow Expats:

Connecting with expats from your home country is another effective way of finding out about job opportunities in Shanghai. Most Chamber of Commerce organizations in Shanghai throw their own weekly mixers for members. Check out some of the more active groups below.

AustCham Shanghai

American Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

French Chamber of Commerce

British Chamber of Commerce

German Chamber of Commerce

Spanish Chamber of Commerce

Good For Everyone:

Alma Mater’s Organizations

If you went to university abroad, check to see if you have an alumni group in Shanghai. Tons of schools have chapters here and they are a great starting point to connect in a friendly way, stroll down memory lane and bask in the glory days.

Your Industry’s Organization

Connect with your industry’s organizations and groups directly. For example, supply chain industries have a Supply Chain Council in Shanghai. They can help provide contacts and resources within your sector.

2. Know Where to Search Online

Besides networking and references from your connections, online websites are a more direct way for serious job hunters to find their new career. Weve listed some good job websites below. While these websites offer comprehensive job listings, they also differ from each other in the types of jobs offered.

Best for Teachers and Engineers:

eChinacities

ForeignHR

Best for Media and Creative Industries:

Danwei Jobs

Creative Hunt

Best for Comprehensive Hunting:

City Weekend Jobs

Career Engine

Craigslist

MatchDragon

Best for Internships:

Abroad China

AIESEC

3. Have Your Job Find You

If you are not actively looking for a job but open for better career opportunities, getting in touch with recruitment companies might be a good choice, especially for management level jobs. Besides well-known social network websites such as LinkedIn, here are some good headhunting companies:

Best for Comprehensive Positions:

Access People

Antal International Asia

China Team

P-Infinity

Consult Group

Best for Legal Talents:

Best Talent

Best for Management Talents:

Wang Li & Asia Resources

Best Positions at Multinational Companies:

Monster HK

4. Go The Extra Mile

In a job market where the notoriety of being a foreigner is losing some steam, take the extra steps to separate yourself from the crowd. While these tips may not be exclusively networking or job-hunting; they may make all the difference.

Do Your Research

Stay up to date on your industry and be aware of any ongoing changes. These changes might spell out new employment. Relate the developments to opportunities. For example, companies that are planning expansions, introducing new products, relocating or reorganization may have potential openings. Keep watch for rising sales, capital, and profits as well. Sign up for newsletters from Shanghai Business Review and others to keep yourself informed.

Follow Up

The exchange of business cards is a standard practiec in Shanghai. If they usual collect cobwebs on your desk corner, try to make use of them. Follow up after youve met someone. It is possible that nothing may come from the supplemented meet-and-greet but it sets you apart and you are more likely to be remembered this way.

In addition to following up with new contacts, make sure to send thank you letters to people who have you helped you during your search. People like to be appreciated - it shows your respect and will help build and maintain relationships for the future.

Master Your Public Speak and Networking Skills

When you are job hunting, you are the product. It is important to present and market yourself the best you can. First impressions can be everything so be sure to brand your properly with a confident introduction and personal pitch. Consider joining a club or group that will help you master these skills. Shanghai Leadership Toastmasters Club is a good place to start.

Get Creative

In addition to branding yourself in person, work on marketing yourself on paper (or computer screen) as blish a profressional, creative online portfolio to showcase your work to potential onMade is a highly popular one along with Benhance.