Project Managers needed in Hong Kong?

[gevollman]

Hello Fellow Expats! I have recently relocated my education, experience and talents in Technology Project Management from the Bahamian Islands (Atlantis, Paradise Island) to Hong Kong and Asia as a whole to find my fame and fortune.

Yes, yes, I know it's not like a well-seasoned PM relocate or make changes without have a back-up plan but my conscience said "go for it". So here I am looking for that employer whose going to let me make it all happen for them.

I have returned from Shanghai recently and was amazed by its growth. It doesn't look like it's going to stop for many, many years to come. I see there's a lot of development still happening here in Hong Kong as well (at least in the financial world).

I have tirelessly filled out a multitude of online applications, applied for PM positions, and created employment profiles on literally hundreds of websites throughout Asia. However, the efforts are not paying off. I need the advice of an Expat who can point me in the right direction to finally get employment and begin my new, permanent life here in Hong Kong with my new wife and family (Chinese citizens).

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
All input/comments/advice/etc. is welcome!

Portfolio: http://hired.4jobs.com/GREGGVOLLMAN-CVL

[paulmears]

Check out the South China Morning Post Saturdays for Construction jobs, there is huge requirement for PM's in Macau for the Venetian, next Wynns and the main contractors working for the clients. May tie in with your resort type experience.

Not sure if it is possible to get roles based 1/2 days Macau, HK other days. For PM's in construction, Macau is where the activity is currently and probably for next 2/3 years when HK is expected to grow again with several projects, Tamar, Kwun Tong, Crusie Terminal etc

[gevollman]

Paul,

I just finished reading your advice related to locating a job here in Hong Kong or in the surrounding geographical locations. Macau is one of the places I have sent many resumes to. In fact, my credentials have been submitted to The Venetian Hotel by a recruiting company here in Hong Kong. However, I was given their "b.s." from the recruiter that I must wait until their contract between the recruiting company and The Venetian Hotel Corporation is completed.

I know it's not professional of me to do so but I have contacted the Director of Human Resources directly at The Venetian. I want to bypass their political business and get employed ASAP. I am literally at the end of my financial rope and cannot wait even another week for their business to be ironed out. I have left a message with the Director's secretary this morning as well as sent an email personally to him last Friday. (still waiting)

I have set a departure date of Monday, December 11, 2006 if I don't hear or receive an offer of employment from any recruiter or company here in Asia. I have spent over 5 months trying to find work and I get the same old story..."too much paperwork to fill out for Expats". (more "b.s."). I know I sound upset - because I am. It's too bad because I have a lot of education, background and experience to offer to many hotel corporations here as a Technology Project Manager.

It's also a shame because I can't even afford to take care of my part-time working wife (Chinese citizen). So she will have to remain in Hong Kong until I get back to the states, get employed, and send the proper immigration documents to the U.S. government to bring her to the U.S. The H.K. government said she cannot sponsor me because her salary is too low to justify supporting me as a dependent. They said that I should have no problem getting a working visa through an interested employer. So far, nothing.

You can view my credentials online at the following link: http://hired.4jobs.com/GREGGVOLLMAN-CVL or you can call me before I leave HK at 852-6183-1972. Call me and guide me further if you can.

Thanks,

Gregg E. Vollman, CAPM
Certified Associate Project Manager

[PDLM]

Let's be honest, CAPM is a fairly junior qualification - I imagine they would be a bit more interested in you if you were PMP; I know there are plenty of them around HK, so I'm not surprised at the lack of interest at the junior level. It is indeed true that the more junior the position the harder the paperwork is for the potential employer to justify the visa....

[ReverendJay]

Try the Sanderson Group in Macau. They did a lot of work on Fishermans Wharf. 853-750079

[philippe]

Hello Fellow Expats! I have recently relocated my education, experience and talents in Technology Project Management from the Bahamian Islands (Atlantis, Paradise Island) to Hong Kong and Asia as a whole to find my fame and fortune.

Yes, yes, I know it's not like a well-seasoned PM relocate or make changes without have a back-up plan but my conscience said "go for it". So here I am looking for that employer whose going to let me make it all happen for them.

I have returned from Shanghai recently and was amazed by its growth. It doesn't look like it's going to stop for many, many years to come. I see there's a lot of development still happening here in Hong Kong as well (at least in the financial world).

I have tirelessly filled out a multitude of online applications, applied for PM positions, and created employment profiles on literally hundreds of websites throughout Asia. However, the efforts are not paying off. I need the advice of an Expat who can point me in the right direction to finally get employment and begin my new, permanent life here in Hong Kong with my new wife and family (Chinese citizens).

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
All input/comments/advice/etc. is welcome!

Portfolio: http://hired.4jobs.com/GREGGVOLLMAN-CVL

Look like you are in the situation I was when I got here. In fact, my case was worse because I had no contact or friend when I migrated here.

The first year I spent here was one of the worse year in my life or at least it felt like it. I sent over 500 resumes the year I got here.

Still all the crap eventually paid off. When I have doubts about overcoming difficulties I think about the famous Winston Churchill's speech during WWII: "Never give up!"

Also there is something easy to create now that was not so easy to have when I arrived is to have a large network in a fairly short time something essential for finding a job quickly. Geoexpat, is one good "tool" for that. They are other ways to meet the right people.

Good luck!

[gevollman]

Everyone, thanks for 'all' your input.

PDLM: Yes, I am certain my "junior" status as a CAPM is less competitive in that respect however my experience speaks volumes. I have done more than just study for this piece of paper. I have seen the study materials as well as the questions/answers on the exams. This is a very generalized study but I understand the requirement for having this Masters Certification. Many of the PMP's I have met have never handled the scale of projects or the positions that I have held in my past 22 years of employment. However, I agree that the justification for a "work" visa for a CAPM versus a PMP is more difficult. When it is financially feasible I will return to ESI classes, finish my Project Management course studies, then go for my PMP.

**: Our first approach for my immigration was, in fact, through a government lobbyist whose attempts failed. Secondly, was our filling out all the HK Immigration forms, sitting with officers of the govt., etc. They said, we had a better chance of getting a "work" visa because of my expertise (career talents). But, of course, CAPM (Certified Associate Project Manager) is not the golden cup for being saught after first versus a PMP (Project Management Professional). My wife is looking for full-time work but because she has no formal education (college degree) her attempts hit shortcomings as well. However, we are not giving up this easily. I just thought you should know about our historical efforts in this matter.

My ongoing efforts have been through recruiters. I have one last attempt with a recruiter in Hong Kong. She called recently and stated that their contract discussions with my potential employer in Macau who is interested in interviewing me. I replied that as I do understand their contract issues and timeframe (many weeks to come); time is of the essense because of our financial situation hence my reason for going back to the U.S. for work. Hopefully, as I am typing this message to all of you, the recruiter is working diligently to get me hired before the contract is completed and they can work out her commission at a later time when the contract is signed, sealed and delivered. But I have been searching, researching, mingling, networking, calling, emailing, and so forth for too long to sit around waiting for a "maybe" from her. My priority is my wife and family.

Sylvesterjay: I have found the website for The Sanderson Group and will forward a set of my credentials to them. Thanks a lot for the tip.

Everyone: Thank you for your advice. It is invaluable to me and very support in all aspects. Please don't finish this message thinking that I am being argumentative or negative in my attitude. I am actually a realist at heart. I know, in the real world, we must play the government(s) game in order to live in society. However, the government officials can go home and sleep in their warm beds while we (my family and yours) are left out in the cold waiting for contracts, paperwork, visas, etc. to be worked out and/or approved. I am a survivor and will continue to be no matter what country I (we) live in.

All the best to everyone (all my Expat brothers and sisters). Be safe and God bless all of you.

Gregg Vollman
([email protected])

[gevollman]

Everyone, thanks for 'all' your input.

PDLM: Yes, I am certain my "junior" status as a CAPM is less competitive in that respect however my experience speaks volumes. I have done more than just study for this piece of paper. I have seen the study materials as well as the questions/answers on the exams. This is a very generalized study but I understand the requirement for having this Masters Certification. Many of the PMP's I have met have never handled the scale of projects or the positions that I have held in my past 22 years of employment. However, I agree that the justification for a "work" visa for a CAPM versus a PMP is more difficult. When it is financially feasible I will return to ESI classes, finish my Project Management course studies, then go for my PMP.

**: Our first approach for my immigration was, in fact, through a government lobbyist whose attempts failed. Secondly, was our filling out all the HK Immigration forms, sitting with officers of the govt., etc. They said, we had a better chance of getting a "work" visa because of my expertise (career talents). But, of course, CAPM (Certified Associate Project Manager) is not the golden cup for being saught after first versus a PMP (Project Management Professional). My wife is looking for full-time work but because she has no formal education (college degree) her attempts hit shortcomings as well. However, we are not giving up this easily. I just thought you should know about our historical efforts in this matter.

My ongoing efforts have been through recruiters. I have one last attempt with a recruiter in Hong Kong. She called recently and stated that their contract discussions with my potential employer in Macau who is interested in interviewing me. I replied that as I do understand their contract issues and timeframe (many weeks to come); time is of the essense because of our financial situation hence my reason for going back to the U.S. for work. Hopefully, as I am typing this message to all of you, the recruiter is working diligently to get me hired before the contract is completed and they can work out her commission at a later time when the contract is signed, sealed and delivered. But I have been searching, researching, mingling, networking, calling, emailing, and so forth for too long to sit around waiting for a "maybe" from her. My priority is my wife and family.

Sylvesterjay: I have found the website for The Sanderson Group and will forward a set of my credentials to them. Thanks a lot for the tip.

Everyone: Thank you for your advice. It is invaluable to me and very support in all aspects. Please don't finish this message thinking that I am being argumentative or negative in my attitude. I am actually a realist at heart. I know, in the real world, we must play the government(s) game in order to live in society. However, the government officials can go home and sleep in their warm beds while we (my family and yours) are left out in the cold waiting for contracts, paperwork, visas, etc. to be worked out and/or approved. I am a survivor and will continue to be no matter what country I (we) live in.

All the best to everyone (all my Expat brothers and sisters). Be safe and God bless all of you.

Gregg Vollman
([email protected])

[ReverendJay]

are professional designations really that important? I don't have any, just my experience, and no ones turned me down for a job because of it. after all what do designations really prove? oooooh, you paid some money for a course, aren't you special! would you like a cookie? now...can you get the job jone?

[punk]

I think Pico built the Venetian in Macau. They're always hiring. Project Managers sometimes. The web site sucks, but it's being re-designed. Known for trade show fabrication, but gets into many other projects. Try contacting them through HR in HK.