| Author |
Message |
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
  Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 08:43 PM |
 
|
| Post subject: How did you find your jobs in shanghai?PLS help |
Hi everyone... Hope you are enjoying your life in shanghai...
Me and my husband are currently in the UK. Having lived here for a good few years, I feel I desperately need a change of environment. We are thinking about moving to shanghai. However, it hasn't been easy looking for a job.
The main problem is my husband's job. My husband is british. He works as an electrical system engineer in england. In the past 3 months or so, we have sent out numerous CVs and job applications out for him to Shanghai and Beijing. However, we haven't received ANY replies. No yes or no, just nothing! It's getting so frustrating. He is even thinking about teaching English and he has done a TEFL Certificate course online. However, I feel really sorry for him. It's not that I have any prejudice towards being an english teacher in China, it's just I know that how much he loves his job as an electrical system engineer. He has always been doing well in his job. I really hope he can continue doing something he is truly interested in in china. And teaching is certainly not his thing.
What shall we do? How did you find your jobs in China? I think there is a market there for what he does - engineering stuff. But how come no companies has got back to us??
Any advice would be really appreciated. |
|
|
|
|
condesa
Raver
Joined: Aug 02, 2009
Posts: 402
Location: JingAn Hood
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 09:03 PM |
|
| Post subject: Re: How did you find your jobs in shanghai?PLS help |
| petite_vivian wrote: |
What shall we do? How did you find your jobs in China? I think there is a market there for what he does - engineering stuff. But how come no companies has got back to us??
Any advice would be really appreciated. |
This is not my field, but from the top of my head there must recruiting companies he can contact that specialize in engineering, there must be some kind of engineers association in the UK, if it is well enough known chances are that companies from outside the UK will be advertising for jobs. Last but not least your husband must now companies that he would like to work for, he can always apply directly to them, even if they are not specifically advertising. Other option is teaching in the University?, chances are that is better paid that teaching english.
Last but not least, HR people move in a completely different time table than the rest of the world, so you still got a chance that they will call......, remember they got a job so they are not inn a really hurry (trust me, I know this by experience).
Good luck in your endeavors. |
|
|
|
|
|
CoffeeHawk_0
Board Deity
Joined: July 14, 2005
Posts: 18976
|
| Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 09:19 PM |
|
|
get a job in the UK with a company that has offices in China, then look for a transfer. Or, send the UK offices the resume with a proper cover letter explaining the desire to work in China. |
|
|
 |
|
Andreas
Board Legend
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 10109
Location: s/v Waratah
|
| Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 09:43 PM |
|
|
I put my CV/profile on www.linkedin.com and found two jobs in China (including my present one), because I was approached by companies who read my profile. Great professional networking tool. |
_________________
Time is the very substance of life; its golden minutes are the only stones we have with which to build. That spiritual building, not made with hands. |
|
 
 |
|
Chris_S_UK
Reacher
Joined: June 02, 2009
Posts: 207
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 10:23 PM |
|
|
| CoffeeHawk_0 wrote: |
| get a job in the UK with a company that has offices in China, then look for a transfer. |
This is how I came to be working in Shanghai. If you can get out here on a "western" salary + any benefits then you will be able to enjoy the place infinitely more, IMHO.
There are numerous western engineering companies with a presence in Shanghai - most, if not all, will have westerners strategically placed within the Chinese office. If not long term, then certainly during important project work.
The reason companies may have not got back to you is difficult to answer - it really depends what jobs you've been applying for. Unless you're bringing something to the table a Chinese graduate can't, they're not going to entertain the idea. Higher salary expectations, less likely to do follow instructions like a robot etc etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
bigroh73
Reacher
Joined: July 13, 2003
Posts: 343
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 11:27 PM |
|
|
All good advice above that should be followed. Most international HR companies also have offices in China.
Another issue - your husband should be learning Chinese if he doesn't already. While it may not be 100% necessary for such a job, it certainly will increase his chances of getting a job. Many companies like foreign staff to be capable of basic Chinese communication. |
|
|
|
|
|
plattling32
Lurker
Joined: Aug 23, 2009
Posts: 22
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 11:28 PM |
|
|
the reason why companies don't even answer your emails is possibly the salary of your husband. the salaries in the uk are too high for the chinese market. of course foregneirs are needed in china, I wish I could hire some too for the company i work fir, but they simply cost too much.
I am sure your husband can do more than most locals, no need to worry about this, but if he costs like 20 chinese engineers than it is difficult.
companies abroad always want some people from the headquarters, in china like everywhere else so there plenty of jobs here for foregneirs |
|
|
|
|
|
root
SuperStar
Joined: Oct 06, 2008
Posts: 1300
|
| Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 - 11:29 PM |
|
| Post subject: Re: How did you find your jobs in shanghai?PLS help |
|
|
|
|
vesper
Barker
Joined: Sep 25, 2008
Posts: 162
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 12:31 AM |
|
|
I've been told to include salary expectations when writing to Chinese companies or risk seeming too expensive to hire. It seems like there should be more than enough engineering positions available though.
I've been looking for a new job for months and it is tough, even when you're here. Frustrating to see so many jobs listed on expat websites that want a Chinese national only. :/ |
|
|
|
|
|
victorinchina
Board Royalty
Joined: Jan 17, 2009
Posts: 7759
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 12:57 AM |
|
|
I was originally send here by a foreign company.
Recently I've changed job. Found it through a friend in the industry. Network is important.
Andreas' suggestion with Linkedin is a good idea!
What's important for your husband IMO, is he gets a job with a foreign company here.
Foreign as in NOT Chinese, Taiwanese or anything remotely the same...
And as others have said, being able to communicate in Mandarin is most def a plus. |
|
|
|
|
|
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 04:53 AM |
|
| Post subject: Thank you |
WOW so many replies already. You are such nice kind people. Thank you all for your replies and valuable advice.. Thank you. Hope we can get to Shanghai soon. I would then like to invite all of you to my house for some home cooked chinese as a thank you lol.
A few of you have mentioned about getting a job in the UK that has offices in China then get an internal transfer. Well that was actually our original plan. I thought it would be easy, as my husband works for a big German engineering company here that has hundreds of offices in China. However, at the moment, they haven't got any major projects in China that need people 
Condesa, I have been searching online in the hope of finding some recruitment agencies in shanghai that specilise in engineering. No luck yet. Anyone knows any, pls pls let me know.
Andreas, Linkedin sounds like a useful website. I will definitely tell my husband to have a look!
He can only say several words in chinese...Language is just not his thing. I love learning foreign languages. but that is a very good point. I will let him know!
Vesper, good suggestion. I will tell him to include his salary expection in his CV as well as the fact that he is available for interviews in shanghai.
Victorinchina, you are so lucky. Yeah I know network is so needed in this situation, but we don't know anyone in shanghai somebody help us..
Plattling32, you would like to hire some westerners for your company? What kind of industry are you in? My husband is not that expensive:-D |
|
|
|
|
|
CoffeeHawk_0
Board Deity
Joined: July 14, 2005
Posts: 18976
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 05:49 AM |
|
|
| Quote: |
| big German engineering company here that has hundreds of offices in China. However, at the moment, they haven't got any major projects in China that need people |
China is still growing at 10%, even in the automotive industry which is in such dire straits in the rest of the world. In parallel with the job search, I'd suggest reviewing the resume for relevent experience, salary expectations, etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
karen99
Lurker
Joined: Aug 09, 2009
Posts: 24
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 06:24 AM |
|
|
The language skill will be a big plus.
You can contact hiring company (headhunter), which have branch offices in China, and some globale companies headquarted in UK, which have big investment in China.
Offer from your country will be better than the local hire.
Besides, for the local hire, the local experience is your weak point while more local professionals are getting more training on English sponsored by their companies.
You may also try something new, engineering consulting oriented, or combined with trading oriented. |
|
|
|
|
|
crying_freeman
Barker
Joined: Dec 31, 2004
Posts: 155
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 07:43 AM |
|
|
1 GBP = 11.1 rmb.
Average salary in UK = 3000GBP to 8000GBP?????
Or 2000GBP to 3500GBP...
Engineer (3 years exp) = 5000rmb to 7000rmb. Project Engineer/Management with 12 years experience = 17000rmb to 23000rmb.
Depends on your expectation, 20000rmb or 2000GBP is not bad in China.
There are many ways to make extra cash, undertable ringing $$$ is much better if you are working for a MNC. Life is much interesting in Shanghai than UK, but the quality of life is lower. |
|
|
|
|
|
ProcrastiNation
Reacher
Joined: Oct 21, 2008
Posts: 298
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 09:34 AM |
|
|
As an expat working in the engineering industry I must say that now is not a good time to apply for work in China. This year a lot of major construction projects were put on hold due to the GFC.
The biggest expense to most companies in China is their foreign staff, so we are usually the last to be hired and first to be let off in a downturn. If I were you I would sit it out in the UK for another 6 months or so until things start to improve (there are signs that they are). But keep sending out your husbands resume. Two recruitment companies I know over here are Swann Group and Antal. I believe antal is based out of the UK, not sure about Swann but I'm sure they have offices over in the UK. |
|
|
|
|
|
bleepingbleeper
Raver
Joined: June 18, 2009
Posts: 461
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 09:41 AM |
|
| Post subject: Re: Thank you |
| petite_vivian wrote: |
...my husband works for a big German engineering company here that has hundreds of offices in China. However, at the moment, they haven't got any major projects in China that need people
|
It's not Siemens, is it? I am applying there for a job too (although not engineering).
I am working in China by way of internal transfer from my US office. I got bounced around between a few locations. However, i finally got stuck in Shandong (near N. Korea), and am trying to find my way back to Shanghai. |
|
|
|
|
|
ruud_niklas
Barker
Joined: June 03, 2009
Posts: 148
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 04:15 PM |
|
|
Transfers sucks, even if many here have been transfered it still sucks in my opinion in the way it'll take longer time to get a job in that way. Have a friend in my country he's dreaming of work in china been working in ericsson for 3 years, still they dont transfer him, l just moved down here, study chinese a semester and looked for job during that period and find plenty *during the crisis*
l'm also in the engineering business, automotive tho.
l suggest you to register on alot of online job sites ex www.jobsdb.com
and call the embassy to give you a list of companies in china......
GOOD LUCK!
/NIK |
|
|
|
|
|
drllau
Seeker
Joined: June 15, 2009
Posts: 43
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 06:52 PM |
|
| Post subject: Re: How did you find your jobs in shanghai?PLS help |
| petite_vivian wrote: |
Me and my husband are currently in the UK. Having lived here for a good few years, I feel I desperately need a change of environment. We are thinking about moving to shanghai. However, it hasn't been easy looking for a job.
|
Shifting to Asia from UK is a pretty radical change, I hope the culture shock won't be too radical. It's a big mental commitment to stay in a such an environment so perhaps you might want to test the waters a bit first.
There have been others that come to Shanghai on a wing and prayer to find a career for themselves (http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php?name=MDForum&file=viewtopic&t= 97018&postdays=0&postorder=asc) but have you ever thought about doing a few language/culture courses in UK first, then taking a trip out (not just an air/con gee-whiz flyby). for an extended period?
It would be a shame to switch jobs, relocating, re-establishing a household then after a year finding out that China is not your cup of tea. One thing I notice about mainland Chinese is that they have inner/outer circle of friends. If you are "in" then they would move heaven and earth to help (OK maybe just the small patch of dirt they know about). So why not make friends with chinese in UK first? That way you also get a better idea of what to expect, and perhaps even some contacts?
Lawrence |
|
|
|
|
|
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 07:57 PM |
|
|
Hi guys...thanks a lot for your comments. Your comments have been more than helpful... |
|
|
|
|
|
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 08:00 PM |
|
|
| karen99 wrote: |
The language skill will be a big plus.
You can contact hiring company (headhunter), which have branch offices in China, and some globale companies headquarted in UK, which have big investment in China.
Offer from your country will be better than the local hire.
Besides, for the local hire, the local experience is your weak point while more local professionals are getting more training on English sponsored by their companies.
|
True. Looks like we need to switch our focus to looking for offers from the UK.. |
|
|
|
|
|
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 08:04 PM |
|
|
| ProcrastiNation wrote: |
As an expat working in the engineering industry I must say that now is not a good time to apply for work in China. This year a lot of major construction projects were put on hold due to the GFC.
The biggest expense to most companies in China is their foreign staff, so we are usually the last to be hired and first to be let off in a downturn. If I were you I would sit it out in the UK for another 6 months or so until things start to improve (there are signs that they are). But keep sending out your husbands resume. Two recruitment companies I know over here are Swann Group and Antal. I believe antal is based out of the UK, not sure about Swann but I'm sure they have offices over in the UK. |
Very useful to actually hear from someone working in the industry. I guess that's true, as a lot of engineers from our company have been sent back to the UK from China actually. And thank you very much for the recruitment companies info. |
|
|
|
|
|
jasonnoguchi
PopStar
Joined: Mar 05, 2005
Posts: 1013
Location: From Singapore
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 08:05 PM |
|
|
Job market's still hard here although there are signs of recovery. Try registering with some chinese recruitment websites. I am sure they have plenty of english teacher positions. The golden rule is this: DON'T come UNTIL you have a job offer. |
_________________
CEO, Optiontradingpedia.com, Futurestradingpedia.com |
|
|
|
|
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 08:07 PM |
|
| Post subject: Re: Thank you |
[/quote]It's not Siemens, is it? I am applying there for a job too (although not engineering).
I am working in China by way of internal transfer from my US office. I got bounced around between a few locations. However, i finally got stuck in Shandong (near N. Korea), and am trying to find my way back to Shanghai.[/quote]
Yes it's actually siemens. Both me and my husband work for them. An internal transfer is not looking likely at the moment. We have been trying to apply by ourselves, but its been no good so far.
Sorry to hear you are stuck there. Do you mean Dandong or Shandong? |
|
|
|
|
|
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 08:13 PM |
|
|
| ruud_niklas wrote: |
Transfers sucks, even if many here have been transfered it still sucks in my opinion in the way it'll take longer time to get a job in that way. Have a friend in my country he's dreaming of work in china been working in ericsson for 3 years, still they dont transfer him, l just moved down here, study chinese a semester and looked for job during that period and find plenty *during the crisis*
l'm also in the engineering business, automotive tho.
l suggest you to register on alot of online job sites ex www.jobsdb.com
and call the embassy to give you a list of companies in china......
GOOD LUCK!
/NIK |
Wow I admire your courage. So you moved there first and looked for a job. Did it help your jobhunting actually being there? |
|
|
|
|
|
petite_vivian
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 - 08:15 PM |
|
|
| jasonnoguchi wrote: |
| Job market's still hard here although there are signs of recovery. Try registering with some chinese recruitment websites. I am sure they have plenty of english teacher positions. The golden rule is this: DON'T come UNTIL you have a job offer. |
Thanks. I will remember that. How much money on average can we expect to get as an english teacher in shanghai? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Preferences
Watched Topics
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
