How to Spice up Your China Resume

Once upon a time, all you needed to get a high-paying job in China was a foreign countenance and a few middling abilities. Those days are long gone, and it takes a lot more to get a dream job in the Middle Kingdom nowadays. The "de-foreignerzation" of China's workforce is influenced by a number of factors, including rising competition in the labor market, a slowing economy, and stricter visa requirements implemented by the government. Even so, if you have what it takes, there's no reason you can't thrive in a Chinese business; you simply need to spice up your China CV and adapt it to the expectations of Chinese employers.

Some resume-altering tips are provided below:

Mandarin

If you want to work in China, the first thing you need to do is study Mandarin. Depending on the nature of the job, you may not require any Mandarin at all, simply conversational Mandarin, or a command of the written language. The HSK exams are the gold standard for measuring language skills. Be sure to put your HSK 6 certification front and center on your resume if you've reached expert status. You should be honest about your current proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and say if you're at a lower level, but also that you're actively learning to improve, ideally with a private tutor or at a Mandarin language school. In order to impress potential employers, you should demonstrate that you are actively working to enhance your language skills.

Having Worked Before

Experience working in the same field, or even better, for a rival, can increase your attractiveness to Chinese employers. More popular in China than in the West, job hopping may be beneficial to your career since it exposes you to new ideas and practices in the workplace. It is important to disclose any connections you have to Chinese businesses or rival firms when submitting a CV.

Before you start applying for your ideal career in China, you should aim to get an internship in your desired field. You'll need to buckle down if you want to break into the Chinese market and earn that essential expertise, since many internships don't pay and won't grant an official work visa. If you are looking for an internship, you may either contact firms directly or internship placement agencies. Internships may be found on job boards such as eChinacities (plug, plug).

A Look at China From the Inside

Working experience in a Chinese firm or extensive travel around China is highly valued by employers. They want guarantees that you'll fit in well with the local workforce and have experience working in China. So, document all you can about your time in China. Include everything relevant to China on your resume, from job to study abroad to internships to travel to Mandarin courses to membership in Chinese-related groups in your own country (such Confucius Institutes).

Not only that, but keep in mind that being physically present in China will make the hiring process much smoother for them. This will likely work against you if you're applying from a long distance. Face and look are very important in China, therefore the employer will want to know they can see you in person before moving further. If you're not already in China at the time of your application, mention that you'll be relocating to the area soon.

Don't Break the Bank

Volunteer experience and extracurricular activities help Western employers get to know potential employees better. Unfortunately, Chinese businesses aren't among them. Human resources managers in China are increasingly focused on data. Your professional experience is more important than your college service trip to Guatemala, and your status as an amateur chess champion is irrelevant.

It's natural to pause and wonder, "Didn't you just say list everything China??? Of course, if you're a Shaolin Kung Fu master or a volunteer in Southern Sichuan, you're in a different league. If that's the case, you should tell your prospective employer.

Visa

It's a good idea to mention on your resume or in the first interview if you have a work visa (or another type of visa) that is valid for three to six months. The recruiter may opt to hire a foreign national on a trial basis for a few months before deciding whether to keep him or her on board permanently because of the hassle involved in obtaining a work visa for a non-U.S. citizen. If you and another candidate are otherwise equally qualified, HR may give preference to the one who already has a visa that allows them to stay for several months.

As you can see, there are a number of things you can do to your resume to increase your chances of getting hired in China. Making your skills more appealing to a Chinese employer can improve your job prospects without requiring you to lie. Have fun!

Let the right job find you!

Job search function
Recruitment function

Global job opportunities for Chinese companies

GEOR provides 100,000+ jobs for foreigners in China and around the world.
Employment Solutions
Free legal advice
Get professional foreign-related legal advice

Worldwide Talent Acquisition

GEOR provides a global human resource labor management platform tailored to your requirements. We will connect you with top-notch international talent while ensuring your hiring processes align with local labor regulations. Access Talent Globally through our International Recruitment Solutions.
img

Explore Chinese Job Vacancies

As a top-tier provider of recruitment outsourcing services, we offer expat job opportunities in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, whether you're in Asia Pacific, Europe, or the Americas. For additional career opportunities and job listings in China, please log in or register to access more detailed information.
GEOR Global Recruitment is an industry-leading recruitment outsourcing service provider, we are committed to achieving compliant and efficient global recruitment for all kinds of companies around the world. We provide one-stop human resource solutions for digital global employee recruitment and management for Chinese overseas enterprises with our technology platform and professional services, and aspire to become a global human resource labor management platform, which mainly provides foreigner recruitment, foreign talent recruitment, overseas talent recruitment, foreigner job search, foreign talent network, foreigner recruitment network in China, foreign talent recruitment platform, foreign talent job search platform, foreigner talent Recruitment in China, Overseas Foreign Talent Recruitment, Foreign Talent Job Hunting in China, Foreign Talent Headhunting Service, Overseas Foreign Talent Job Hunting, Foreign Talent Intermediary Service, Foreign Talent Recruitment Platform, Foreign Talent Job Hunting Platform and so on. The company has branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Suzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin, Ningbo, Qingdao and Changsha. Our global market experts provide a range of customized recruitment solutions based on your needs. Whether in Asia Pacific, Europe or the Americas, we will match you with the best international talent and ensure that your recruitment practices comply with local labor laws. Our experts have a unique insight into all aspects and every step of the overseas recruitment process. We offer our experience and expertise in everything from inquiring about interviews and developing offer letters to onboarding employees. By leaving the complex hassles of overseas recruiting in our hands, you can save more time and focus on your company goals of global expansion success.

Overseas Employment Agencies and International Recruitment

Whether you're looking for job opportunities abroad or planning to hire foreign talent, our guide has all the information you need. Explore the latest job openings, receive expert agency recommendations, and learn how to secure employment overseas. Don't miss out on global career opportunities; discover trustworthy international employment services right here.
Jobs
Candidates
Blog
Me