Applying to Jobs in Hong Kong
Applying to jobs in Hong Kong is an easier task than what most think. It is most definitely a fierce market with a lot of competition, but in my experience you need to have an online presence to get the jobs that you desire.
I came to Hong Kong in 2016 and had no set plan. I didn’t know what industry I wanted to enter and I didn’t know how to tap into the market. it was hard to decide how to approach an entirely different market, as most jobs in Hong Kong require language diversity. Initially teaching was my backup plan as I couldn’t speak or read Chinese.
Table of Contents
Online Presence
I never had a Linkedin account and never saw the benefits. I I was working in the hospitality industry in Scotland and I thought Linkedin was a social media website used by top professionals. When I socialised in Hong Kong, I realised EVERYBODY had a Linkedin account. The reason why they had one was simple, networking. It was a platform that they could upload their credentials and get targeted by other firms. I didn’t need a second thought, I created a Linkedin account straight away.
I have recommended Linkedin to many, especially to those who are new teaching. Even if your Linkedin doesn’t have much on it compared to your competitors, use that as a motivation to better yourself. I get a considerable amount of teaching opportunities through Linkedin without doing anything! All I do is simply update my profile once a month and make more connections.
Linkedin will take some time to set up. Don’t rush it. Your profile is essentially an advertisement of yourself to others. Take pride in your work and people will take notice of you! Networking is a powerful tool when executed correctly.
You can find my Linkedin profile here! https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregor-smith-2b4957123/
Job Portals
Job portals are simply websites that list a whole bunch of jobs. They allow you to create a profile that fills in personal details and attach files like a CV, cover letter and so on. I have tried out many job portals but only two I found great success with. JobsDB and CPJobs.
Many job responses I get are from these two sites. They are easy to use, with an efficient method of applying once you have created your profile. CPJobs is a personal favourite as mine as once you apply to one job, it gives you a list of recommendations that you can forward your CV to with just one click. I definitely recommend using these two sites to find jobs in Hong Kong as they host most of the market.
Glassdoor is a new site that came to my attention only a couple months ago when I had to search for a new job. It is not nearly as popular as the other two websites that I mentioned, however it has one unique offering. Every company has a profile that ex-employees can leave a review. This can give you a good indication of what you are applying to. Now I only use them a reference but it is always beneficial to get an insight by somebody who has been in that company. I believe that everyone should go to the interview regardless of what they read online and go with their gut feeling. Never trust internet opinions!
https://www.glassdoor.com.hk/index.htm
Filtering
It is different for me as a teacher when I apply to posts, as many only require to be proficient in one language. For those who applying to other industries, ensure that you filter down your results.
When approaching any job posting, you should clearly check the companies requirements. Countless times I have seen people apply for posts that requires to be multilingual and they end up wasting their and the companies time. Be sure to read the job description and gather information on whether the company is applicable for you or not. You can try your luck and apply anyway, but you will get caught out quickly for not being able to speak their desired languages. Many industries in Hong Kong require you to be multilingual because of their clientele.
Know the job position you are applying for. When you search for a specific field rather than job title, you get an array of postings that have many different kinds of roles. Picking a specific job title, like ‘Native English Teacher’ will allow you to filter the jobs that meet your requirements.
Sponsorship
Luckily for myself, I hold permanent residency in Hong Kong (thanks Mum!). For those who don’t, this is a very important factor when it comes to applying to jobs. You need sponsorship.
What is sponsorship? In a nutshell, it is a company that is sponsoring your working visa and you need a working visa to work in Hong Kong. You cannot work on a tourist visa and some companies do not sponsor. When applying for jobs in Hong Kong, carefully look for the companies that do sponsor.
A piece of advice. I have heard many stories of teachers coming to Hong Kong having visa complications. Ensure that your company applies for your visa and don’t start work until it is granted and in your passport. It is up to the company at the end of the day to sort it!
For more information on Hong Kong visas: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/index.html
Final Tips
- Like your CV, make sure your profiles are professional and steers away from personal content
- Don’t judge companies based on their online reputation, at the very least go in and talk to them and judge them on your gut instinct
- Networking is key to building up your image and reputation in the industry
- Be consistent. Make sure your profiles are up to date and check for new postings everyday.
Need some more advice on applying to jobs in Hong Kong? You can contact me here: http://www.mrgregenglish.com/contact/
