How to look for a job
Finding a position in China is similar to a job search anywhere. All you need is a resume, a positive attitude, and an organisation. Be prepared with these necessities and you will lose no time.
Many foreigners are looking for internship in China. Indeed, living and working in China and taking part in its daily life is very exciting. Many just come as students and then get internships at companies or from embassies' commercial sections.
Adding work on top of study experience in China demonstrates to employers that one can function professionally in a foreign environment.
If you speak no Chinese and have no special skill, you will probably find an internship in a service job, or teaching English. If you are fulfilling a requirement for general work experience, you will probably find such an internship interesting. If you expect English to be enough to get you an internship managing a project in a famous company, you will probably be disappointed. These firms have very specific profiles that they look for and speaking at least some Chinese is almost always a requirement.
However, there can be some positions in multinational organizations in China that do not require a knowledge of the language.
Finally, let's talk about money. If you do an internship at home or in a rich country, you can usually finance yourself with your internship salary. Not in China. The salary levels are low and you will want to maintain a quality lifestyle rather than living in a worker's dormitory and taking the bus across town. Internships pay pocket money; they won't usually pay for your housing. It is better to look at your internship as an investment: you get relevant industry experience which can add great value to your resume. Don’t forget: internships can often lead to good job offers…
If you're looking for a job, it's best to turn up in Beijing and Shanghai and trawl around offices. Even foreign firms in China use the Chinese system of guanxi (connections) more than they would at home, and getting to know the right people is even more important here. If you want to write to companies, find out the name of the personnel manager - a letter without a name at the top won't get opened.
Internet
The Internet is the most commonly used resource for foreign job-seekers. Here is a selection of websites where to look for jobs listing.
Job search engines:
www.chinasplash.com
www.51job.com
english.zhaopin.com
www.chinajob.com
www.corneroffice.cn see English section
www.monster.com
Shanghai Asia Expat: shanghai.asiaxpat.com/careers/
Work in the hospitality industry: jobs.accor.com
Expat Publications:
Look in the Job classifieds section of the expat publications websites:
www.cityweekend.com.cn/en/shanghai
www.thatssh.com
www.8days.sh
Foreign chambers of commerce
It is usually a good launching point for networking and researching companies. Each chamber of commerce publishes a directory of all home country companies operating in China and usually hosts a monthly networking event. Networking is a good way to meet foreign companies.
It is particularly important for foreigners, as employers rely very heavily on referrals for candidates from abroad. If you have a few personal contacts in the country, your best approach may be to apply directly to these companies.
Generally, each foreign chambers of commerce offer a career section and a resume service in which you can advertise to companies in China.
USA: www.amcham-shanghai.org
FRANCE: www.ccifc.org/fr/jobs/browsejobs.php
GERMANY: www.china.ahk.de/gic/biznews/jobmarket/default.asp
UK: www.sha.britcham.org
AUSTRALIA: www.austchamshanghai.com
CANADA: www.ccbc.com
Magazines and Newspapers
Consult the classified pages of the expat mags in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou for a listing of work opportunities. In Shanghai, you should look for magazines like That’s Shanghai, SH, City Weekend, Shanghai Talk. These are free magazines that you can usually find in foreign restaurants, bars or Starbucks. Look also in the job classifieds section of English newspapers like Shanghai Daily or China Daily.