Already overwhelemded by HK job search

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
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    Already overwhelemded by HK job search

    I've been to Hong Kong 4 times in the last few years and I am determined to get a job there this year.

    That said, I find the whole process a bit overwhelming. I just feel like I'm expecting the impossible since I'm in the States now.

    I am an editor in the healthcare industry and I have 14 years of business dev., electronic publishing, and IT experience. I've been in this editing job for 6 years but some of my earlier positions had editing as well.

    My current salary here is $58K US per year and I'm determined to find a job in HK that doesn't require me to take an enormous pay cut. I figure I could take a $5K US paycut and still live well in HK.

    I realize that housing in HK will eat up a significant portion of my salary no matter what job I get.

    Someone please give me some advice as just two weeks in and I feel overwhelmed.

    Thank you for any serious replies.


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    184

    It won't be easy since specialist English editing jobs don't come up often and tend not to be very high paying. If you are applying for such jobs from overseas, then I would say there is almost no chance that you would be considered. In your case it sounds like there is the additional hurdle of requiring visa sponsorship, so all the English-language educated locals and expat spouses will have a huge edge. You would be shocked at how low salaries for such positions can be in HK. The only exception I can think of is a financial research editor at an investment bank, but this is one area where you don't have relevant experience vs. any number of business journalists looking to step up to a living wage.

    Last edited by c1000; 23-01-2011 at 08:55 AM.

  3. #3

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    Jul 2010
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    Quote Originally Posted by c1000:
    It won't be easy since specialist English editing jobs don't come up often and tend not to be very high paying. If you are applying for such jobs from overseas, then I would say there is almost no chance that you would be considered. In your case it sounds like there is the additional hurdle of requiring visa sponsorship, so all the English-language educated locals and expat spouses will have a huge edge. You would be shocked at how low salaries for such positions can be in HK. The only exception I can think of is a financial research editor at an investment bank, but this is one area where you don't have relevant experience vs. any number of business journalists looking to step up to a living wage.
    Why don't you apply to be a proper teacher at a community college or University. You must have a master's degree I assume. I am not talking about teaching English either. You can earn quite good pay and a housing allowance. At least it will get your foot in the door. There are also many foreign universities with campuses in Hk as well.

  4. #4

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    Jan 2011
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    Great. Now I feel more dejected.

    Thanks for those responses.

    I am not wed to my field is what I was trying say. I have editing experience, database management experience, business dev., and so on. I think I have a good resume. No Master's so I doubt I can get a teaching job. I know someone in HK who just lost his teaching gig so not too sure about that avenue.

    What other resources do you recommend?


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Apr 2010
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    Taikoo
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    Hi There

    I had a quick look at JobsDB and found this Editor job for a Native English speaker:

    http://hk.jobsdb.com/HK/EN/Search/Jo...00003000507835

    Don't give up HK is a great place to live and work. Also don't be put off by the requirement for Cantonese and Mandarin as it is not always essential if you have the right experience.

    Hope it helps. Good luck.

    Last edited by Danish; 24-01-2011 at 01:42 PM.

  6. #6

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    The main issue I find here is that most (not all) recruiters/HR departments fail to think laterally. The best bet is to target a sector and speak to some people working in the sector directly.


  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
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    Thanks

    Quote Originally Posted by Danish:
    Hi There

    I had a quick look at JobsDB and found this Editor job for a Native English speaker:

    English Editor - HongKongRecruitment.com - Executive Division - Hong Kong - JobsDB.com

    Don't give up HK is a great place to live and work. Also don't be put off by the requirement for Cantonese and Mandarin as it is not always essential if you have the right experience.

    Hope it helps. Good luck.
    Thank you. I applied for that one this weekend actually.

    Still looking. I realize it may take months to do this.

    I'm using Jobsdb and the SCMP Classified Post almost exclusively -- Monster HK seems weak and I've been told it's not too good either. Any other job resources to search?

    Thanks