Best time to look for a job

[zane]

Hi all,

When do you guys reckon is the best time to look for a job?

Would after Chinese New Year be the best time? Or it doesn't matter the whole year round.

Thanks in advance.

[Alby]

Depends on what type of position/work you are seeking.

Personally I stick to a general rule that Late August to Mid September and the time surrounding Chinese New Year - if there is more than about 5 weeks between New Year's and CNY some companies begin the process before CNY and other's will wait till after CNY.

[banang]

I have to waited for my bonus before I took off. It wouldn't hurt to begin job search at the end of the year as a lot of companies pay out bonus at year end or just before Chinese New Year.

[zane]

Thanks for the replies...

My plan is to come after CNY, now, it seems that before and after would be a good time as well?

Do ppl resign after they get the bonus? Or they can resign earlier and still get the bonus during the notice period?

BTW, I'm in the engineering field.

[KnowItAll]

Keep in mind that supply AND demand come into play.

After chinese new year (or whenever the bonuses are given out), it is usually a case of musical chairs in Hong Kong. Head hunters win ... candidates win .. employers suffer....

[Alby]

Thanks for the replies...

My plan is to come after CNY, now, it seems that before and after would be a good time as well?

Do ppl resign after they get the bonus? Or they can resign earlier and still get the bonus during the notice period?

BTW, I'm in the engineering field.

Also, suggest that you arrive and hit the ground running - when you arrive you should have appointments set meaning that beforehand you should have done your researched and target various companies and people within the field and arranged informal professional knowledge building discussions. Several will tell you that their company has no opennings at present but hey you never know in reality of they have something pending in the pipeline!

As like KIA said "supply and demand" and a game of "musical chairs" and you will not be the only canididate better that people in the field know who you are before you arrive instead of after.

[banang]

Do ppl resign after they get the bonus? Or they can resign earlier and still get the bonus during the notice period?

Usually HR policies state that if you resign earlier, you don't get any bonus. That's one of the reason why ppl hand-in the resign letter after the bonus is paid out. That's what I did

[zane]

KIA,
Hopefully, I win this time.
I guess at the end of the day, if the employees are happy, they wouldn't leave that easily. There's more to a job than money. For me, I cannot imagine working in a place full of office politics. That would definitely make me dread going to work and work is like 5 days a week in my life. Of course, if the pay is totally amazing, that's another story or consideration. :P

Alby,
Ya, planned to apply 1 month before coming. However, don't really know anyone in this field in HK so have to do it the conventional way ( through job ads ).
That really sucks because you know your application will go to emails like [email protected] which will probably end up lost with thousands other applications or get dumped if they see non local address at first sight. sigh...

banang,
That's what I thought too... hehe... Just wondering... cos I left the last time before bonus was paid.

[ede559]

Not really a BEST time...just avoid mid-summer and christmas and new year times. Aslo maybe also avoid the time before CNY. People don't usually quit jobs at those time and company don't hire at those times.

[Alby]

KIA,
Ya, planned to apply 1 month before coming. However, don't really know anyone in this field in HK so have to do it the conventional way ( through job ads ).
That really sucks because you know your application will go to emails like [email protected] which will probably end up lost with thousands other applications or get dumped if they see non local address at first sight. sigh...

The "conventional" way is just one approach. Although, having several approaches are likely to increase your chances of securing a position. I personally believe and have had much success researching and speaking directly with people (and decision makers) who are already working in the field.

The web is a source of great information to find out who the players are in the field and what companies are involved in which existing projects or who may have stuff in the pipeline.

When you arrive to Hong Kong, you could have already had intial contact via email, telephone and/or postal letter and have schedule a knowledge base meeting with an objective "to gain a better understanding on what types of projects are worked on (etc.)" over tea/coffee or via telephone for just a few minutes can lead to a ton of possibilities plus, new set of professional contacts.

Meanwhile, you can also do research to find out which companies in your current location are working on projects in Hong Kong or the region surrounding Hong Kong - and establish contact and set an informational meeting with them as well.

Keep in mind that most positions that are publically advertise have already been filled or have a slew of potential canidiates before the posting has even been released to the public. These people are typically in the company or known by the company through former contact.