Seeking out a new job and life in Hong Kong!

[MandM!]

I can share some of my experiences, albeit in a different industry (I'm a management consultant with approx. 8 years experience).

I landed in Hong Kong without a job 5 months ago (I have a dependent visa through my wife). It has been a lot more challenging finding a job than anticipated (and I am still looking!).

I have a pretty strong CV, but I have previously worked across a variety of industries. Due to lack of local language skills, I am pretty much restricted to the financial services industry, and even then, within the largest blue-chip banks and insurers. The issue has been that I don't have much experience within that industry.

I have mainly being looking through LinkedIn and recruiters, as well as exploring opportunities with my network here. I've found LinkedIn to be pretty crap - it definitely helps to make recruitment contacts, as they can at least get you interviews, if they're impressed with you.

It is much much better to be on site here - I'd meet as many recruiters as possible, just so your name is out there. But I'd echo what's been said above - without contacts here, it may be harder than you expect, and Hong Kong is not a cheap place without a steady stream of income...

Feel free to ask more questions, but like I said, I'm in a different industry, so your experience may differ.

I would say the jobs in HK are different than the jobs in the west. It's easy to say that you did this and that in your previous role but fact is that role likely doesn't exist here (the title might but it's important to read between the lines to see what the prospective job really is). It's important to know your skills and abilities and the jobs available here along with the skills needed for the HK role, then rework your CV in HK terms. If the people here can't understand your CV, then you get the blank faces and feel like you got on, but at the end of the day they didn't understand one word of what you said and the result is you don't have a job.

In the west, there are a lot of very specific roles whereas I would say the roles in HK are more broad. Hence it's important not to dwell on your abilities as too focused, and don't be so general that people don't understand what you're saying. Cover the basics and your accomplishments in each relevant area, don't leave out important areas, and tie in your abilities to revenue. I would say a lot of western people fit that bill in being too generalist. It might work in the west but to come here cold turkey, you need to be able to effectively communicate your abilities, not trying to get by with pub talk per say. I would say HK roles are very revenue focused too.

Hiring from abroad or locally. Most roles are immediate needs, you want a job to start like now, right? Hence for those roles they will focus on locals. This is super easy to combat. Hi, I'm in town this week of Feb and available for interviews. Simple. Email is widely used so a local number isn't necessary. I would avoid putting information like age and address on your CV. I would think an overseas address or certain age could detour some people from reaching out to you.

Hiring from abroad. It's possible but personally I like to be there in person. Make sure that you like the environment and people.

[MandM!]

Recruiters work on KPI's and data mining. Often they have a preferred applicant and submit others not qualified for the role as it makes it easier for the one applicant to stand out. I've had a couple companies complain about the commission too. I don't care too much for recruiters.

[UK/HKboy]

I've found Linked In to be terrible. I guess it is a social network so you have to expect that.

From mine and other people's experience, it is just a Tinder for hiring. Those who are hot (i.e. already very senior, trendy background, etc.) will be chased for new roles. Those who are not (i.e. more junior, less certificates, more unique background) get nothing from it even if they are smart and capable.

Much like Tinder was criticised for making people more picky (i.e. it is easy to change partners), similarly, for employers, its easier for them to find someone better (on paper).

[markranson]

This is not entirely true. You can open a bank account without any HK status. In fact you can open a HK bank account without ever stepping foot in HK.

That may be true for people who’re cashed up but the average person applying for a job in HK needs to have the employment visa and HKID with proof of residential address in order to open an account. I managed the visa applications (all successful) for a number of specialists for the construction industry. Salaries were around HKD80K pm and the company provided housing. HSBC would not open accounts for them without HKID, employment contract, proof of residential address etc. If there are are special (less draconian) rules for financial industry applicants then fair enough, I’m unaware of this.

[Trebor]

There aren't, the only way you can open a bank account now without physically coming to Hong Kong is if you are at Private banking levels.

For personal and corporate accounts for retail banks they wont entertain the idea unless they meet you in person.

[DimSumBond]

Hi again,

Thanks for the interesting insights.
@MandM!
I guess your point in your detailed post was to make sure your CV is both focused on skills and numbers? Can I ask how long the typical HK CV is and whether there is a need to include a photo with the document?

One other thing, I have been researching pre-paid SIM cards. I have come across the China Mobile 4/3G SIM package. Looks decent to me. Would this be preferable over CSL? I expect I will top up over 200HKD, so will load sufficient credit and this credit will be valid for 180 days. How easy is it to top up online vs going to 7-11 and is there menu command simple to follow in terms of subscribing to services?

It's getting close to the date now. Thanks for your help people.

[MandM!]

LinkedIn has plenty of job postings and you can see the backgrounds of employees are particular companies. Then it's easy to see if there are many foreigners or staff from your uni. Then it's easier for you to get into if you match the general people profile at that company. So definitely not tailored just to senior staff. If you want to be hunted then yes maybe LinkedIn isn't a good fit for junior staff, but I'd likely never be interested in a role that they hunted me. I rather be somewhat keen in a new opportunity and have my eye out on that company.

I believe in the one page CV rule.

Re: phone plans. Any companies with China in it will work not as good as those without China in it. Coverage and reliability will be less.

Re: bank accounts. I don't think opening an account is directly related to how much money someone has. As long as you know the process you can do it.

[monomono]

For prepaid sims you can get better deals here: https://datasimstore.com

[Trebor]

Re: bank accounts. I don't think opening an account is directly related to how much money someone has. As long as you know the process you can do it.

It absolutely is when opening corporate accounts, the UBO has to physically come to Hong Kong unless that Company qualifies for a private bank and even then they still have to meet the bank except the private banker will usually fly to them instead.

I think for any personal accounts you will need to visit the bank also. I'm not aware of any banks that will open accounts for overseas individuals either online or over the phone,

[tf19]

It absolutely is when opening corporate accounts, the UBO has to physically come to Hong Kong unless that Company qualifies for a private bank and even then they still have to meet the bank except the private banker will usually fly to them instead.

I think for any personal accounts you will need to visit the bank also. I'm not aware of any banks that will open accounts for overseas individuals either online or over the phone,

that was the conclusion that I reached when I did similar research. I know for a fact that Citi and HSBC require customers to be physically in branch in order to present HKID or Passport as well as provide signature. I assume this is a HKMA rule for KYC purposes.