Basic guide to look for work in China
Are you thinking of China to look for work ? The truth is that it is currently a country full of possibilities. A great economic strength as well as the presence of international companies make it emerge as a country with great possibilities of employment for foreigners, both in the business sector, such as tourism or even education.
On many occasions, work options for foreigners in China go through large multinationals, something to keep in mind. Likewise, it is also worth knowing that, although it is possible to find a job in any corner of the country, the main economic centers are Shanghai, Guangzhou or Beijing. These three urban centers are, therefore, the most recommended when focusing a job search in China.
The cultural contrast can be the most shocking. Westerners see a lot of difference between the way of life in China and its cities. However, in these cities you may find winks a little closer to the west.
Get a work visa
The work visa is absolutely essential to enter the Chinese labor market. When processing it, the first thing you should know is that it is a long process. Although there are people who have achieved it in less than 3 months, the thing can be extended up to 4 or 5 months. Therefore, you should prepare it with enough time. Also, if your request matches specific dates such as the Chinese New Year, you may encounter even more delays.
The type of visa you must apply for is the one for employment, which is the Z Visa, as for the price, it would be around 130 euros. You can go to the consulate in your country or do the paperwork by mail. In addition, from the consulate page they offer you a lot of information that will suit you in this process.
How much will I charge in China?
It is difficult to answer this question, because wages in China are very variable. In the case of finding work in a multinational, negotiated salaries will be from 1,000 euros. Taking into account that the average salary is about 600 euros, this ensures a very interesting quality of life. In addition, most large companies will offer accommodation, something that will also allow you to save a little more.
Job portals
Finding a job in China does not necessarily have to be complicated if you know how to use the right tools. In this, the Internet makes it easy for you. There are endless specialized portals in this type of searches that will present you with an infinite number of offers, with all the details. Portals such as China Job or eChina Cities and LinkdIn Jobs in China, are some examples that can be very useful.
CV and motivation letter
When you apply for a position, consider the topic of the CV and the cover letter. You must present it in English (or in the language in which they work in that particular company). In addition, note that it is fully customized and find out about the standards for international employment in terms of formats.
Is it necessary to speak Chinese to find a job?
If we focus the search on international companies with a presence in China, the language requirement may not be as important to work abroad. However, it is worth knowing that many companies ask for minimum notions. Also, keep in mind that living in another country can be complicated if you don't speak their language. The experience will not be as complete nor will you feel completely integrated into your company, no matter how much you work internationally.
Studying Chinese in the months prior to our trip will therefore be a highly recommended decision. You may not have much time, but fortunately there are options. Learn Chinese with 8Belts, an online learning method that guarantees learning Chinese in 8 months. This method has been developed by the businessman and writer Anxo Pérez and it will be very helpful if you want to start looking for work in this country.
Remember the importance of language go to the country you go, but in one so absolutely different culturally speaking to ours, everything must start with your language. Knowing Chinese, no doubt, you will have a lot of progress.