I’m interested in getting a job in Hong Kong, but I don’t know where to start. What sorts of jobs are available for foreigners in Hong Kong, and how can I find them?
Why not try the Chinese Embassy web site, in particular, Guidance Notes Application for an Entry Visa for Hong Kong
Try the South China Morning Post Classifieds.
Or Hong Kong Ads.
You better think about it pretty hard. While some people seem to be getting sent over by their companies and getting a good deal, the situation for people looking for work here is pretty much the pits. Now admittedly, I’m coming from a background with less education and experience than many expats over here. There are a number of factors working against you:
1)You can’t speak Chinese, can you? Because while honkies who can’t speak a lick of Chinese have more opportunities than in the opposite situation in the US, it still takes you instantly out of the running on a lot of things. Generally, not speaking Chinese leaves you with English teaching, American companies or specialized work for which they can’t hire locals for some reason.
2)The level of competition here is ferocious. Most jobs are filled because somebody knows somebody, and if you don’t know anybody, you’re already at a disadvantage.
3)Relatively low-level jobs are going to be out because you can’t speak Chinese, and also because you they won’t give you a work visa. First, the application process is a pain for your employer, and they would rather not go through it when there are probably plenty of other candidates for whom they don’t have to apply. Even if they do want to- because they like you or whatever- the Immigration Department is quite strict about who they give visas to, at least officially. Now I’ve heard a lot of different stories about who can get visas, some encouraging, some not- but keep in mind that those from Australia or New Zealand apparently have it easier due to deals with their government. As an American, if you are not backed by an American company you will probably have to have SERIOUS education and experience to support your application for a work visa. The standard that they officially adhere to is something like they have to be reasonably convinced that nobody local could be hired. Now like I said, I don’t know just how 100% firm on that, but it would be best to take them more or less at their word.
If you decide to try come on a tourist visa and try to get work, you better be sure that you have SOLID qualifications in something that’s in demand, enough money to support yourself for several months, and some serious chutzpah. Although I would maintain that the treatment of western workers is still ridiculously good here (it makes me sick to see people bilittling $15000 a month when lots of college-educated locals are getting hired for $5000 or $6000) it’s not easy to get in there. This is a very, very business-oriented city. If you’re not a “businessman” or woman it’s gonna be tough.
Also, even those thankless but high-pay, low-qualifications English-teaching jobs can be hard to get as many places only want British women.
Just in case somebody’s wondering, that’s in Hong Kong dollars, not US dollars (you wish!).
God, I’m so sorry about all those typos. Chinese ++ English --.
I’m gonna give this a bump in the hopes that someone has something more encouraging to say.
Nope. No Chinese, no go. This is particularly true that now the government has been localising.
Sorry Space. Hong Kong is a rough place to look for work unless you’re bringing something special to the table. Think about it this way, there are plenty of Hong Kongese that speak english and will work for a lot less money than you would need to live a barely middle class lifestyle in HK. In addition, getting you a visa is a pain for the employer. Plus there is high unemployment. If a company wants to spend the money, then they want a proven heavy hitter.
You may get lucky, but realistically that is a very long shot.
Huh, me? I’m not bitter about the job market, I’m bitter about the government. I’d just like to not lose too much money on my studies, but the government appears to have neglected to consider that there might be those who have legit reasons to study in Hong Kong and, while not the kind of undesirable deadbeats they don’t want hanging around, aren’t necessarily so wealthy that they can reasonably support themselves the whole time on no income. I would be quite happy to work for a salary similar to a local’s. I could at least pay my rent off.
Yeah the situation sucks here, I wouldn’t bother at the moment. Have you considered Shanghai, ricksummon?
It’s a good idea to hunt a job in Hong Kong if you have some capability or special working experience. But just consider the expending SARS in HongKong or in east Asia.
You can visit http://www.jobsdb.com/HK/EN/V6HTML/Home/default.htm?17355 for job opportunities in Hong Kong. The website is in english.
Paging hemlock.