Working in Hong Kong
Expats working in Hong Kong have long found themselves in one of the more attractive relocation destinations, as far as employment is concerned. Multinational companies abound, and a laissez-faire capitalist economy left over from a British rule that only ended in 1997 still opens up opportunities for ambitious foreign nationals.
Though the region's return to Chinese sovereignty over a decade ago inspired a movement to localise jobs, and now mainland Chinese are allowed to work in Hong Kong as well, highly skilled expats, those expats who wish to teach English and volunteers can still find worthwhile and rewarding positions in the workplace. Degrees from American and British universities still garner much respect from the local population, and it’s generally thought to be a positive career move to begin working in Hong Kong.
Interestingly, the 2010 HSBC Expat Explorer report cited that those expats working in Hong Kong were high wage earners, were positive about the direction of the local economy and were likely to earn more than they did previously. Similarly, a 2011 survey by ECA International found that the average take home pay of expats in Hong Kong was €80,000 per year, with many foreigners earning over €140,000 per year.
That said, it’s important that expats recognise that the cost of living in Hong Kong is extremely high. Outlays for accommodation, real estate in Hong Kong is the third most expensive in the world, and education, for those with kids, are enormous. If accepting a job in Hong Kong, be sure to do some research beforehand so that you can negotiate an adequate salary package for yourself and your family.
As of late, immigration procedures have become more tedious, and now to get a work permit, which is legal requirement for foreigners who wish to work in Hong Kong, expats will need to find an employer sponsor; meaning it's necessary to solidify a job offer by proving exemplary qualification beforehand. Furthermore, the Immigration Department needs to be convinced that you'll contribute to the Hong Kong economy in a way that a local could not.
Most of the foreign workforce is still relegated to the financial sector, though increased integration into other areas of business are developing; like managerial postings and IT. With one of the largest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific, there's plenty of space for expats to find their niche.
Additionally, the industry sectors in which Chinese is not necessary and in which skill sets are in short supply include: advertising and communications, HR and legal.
Investment banks, in particular, continue to entice many abroad, though the lucrative expat packages of old are becoming rarer unless offered a seriously senior position.
If working for a Hong Kong based company, an understanding of Cantonese or Mandarin is beneficial, although most transnational companies will primarily use English.
Now that mainland Chinese are able to compete for the same type of jobs that previously enticed most expats, language skills are becoming more and more important.
Western expats working in Hong Kong will most likely experience some degree of culture shock initially. For starters, the working week is much longer - it is not unusual for this to run above 50 hours; the “work hard, play hard” ethos is a permanent fixture in this Asian special administration.
It is also important to be aware of the finer intricacies of doing business, for example, give and receive business cards with both hands and note that bosses must always foot the bill for staff during social occasions.
Many expats move to Hong Kong with a job contract already in place. The largest and most reputable companies tend to headhunt employees, and lure them abroad with high salaries and the promise of luxury living.
That said, even if you’re not one of the lucky international candidates recruited in advance, there’s an assortment of avenues that can lead to a well-landed job.
The Hong Kong Labour Department provides an interactive employment service on their web site in English that job seekers can consult, though, the majority of the positions listed require some knowledge of Cantonese.
Otherwise, recruitment agencies in Hong Kong are aplenty, and online job portals are also in no short supply.
Additionally, “The Standard”, the Hong Kong newspaper with the largest English circulation also has a designated “Careers” section.
Finally, companies tend to advertise positions directly on their web sites, by perusing a few targeted organisations regularly, opportunities for application may come to light.
Though the region's return to Chinese sovereignty over a decade ago inspired a movement to localise jobs, and now mainland Chinese are allowed to work in Hong Kong as well, highly skilled expats, those expats who wish to teach English and volunteers can still find worthwhile and rewarding positions in the workplace. Degrees from American and British universities still garner much respect from the local population, and it’s generally thought to be a positive career move to begin working in Hong Kong.Interestingly, the 2010 HSBC Expat Explorer report cited that those expats working in Hong Kong were high wage earners, were positive about the direction of the local economy and were likely to earn more than they did previously. Similarly, a 2011 survey by ECA International found that the average take home pay of expats in Hong Kong was €80,000 per year, with many foreigners earning over €140,000 per year.
That said, it’s important that expats recognise that the cost of living in Hong Kong is extremely high. Outlays for accommodation, real estate in Hong Kong is the third most expensive in the world, and education, for those with kids, are enormous. If accepting a job in Hong Kong, be sure to do some research beforehand so that you can negotiate an adequate salary package for yourself and your family.
As of late, immigration procedures have become more tedious, and now to get a work permit, which is legal requirement for foreigners who wish to work in Hong Kong, expats will need to find an employer sponsor; meaning it's necessary to solidify a job offer by proving exemplary qualification beforehand. Furthermore, the Immigration Department needs to be convinced that you'll contribute to the Hong Kong economy in a way that a local could not.
Job market in Hong Kong
Most of the foreign workforce is still relegated to the financial sector, though increased integration into other areas of business are developing; like managerial postings and IT. With one of the largest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific, there's plenty of space for expats to find their niche.
Additionally, the industry sectors in which Chinese is not necessary and in which skill sets are in short supply include: advertising and communications, HR and legal.
Investment banks, in particular, continue to entice many abroad, though the lucrative expat packages of old are becoming rarer unless offered a seriously senior position.
If working for a Hong Kong based company, an understanding of Cantonese or Mandarin is beneficial, although most transnational companies will primarily use English.
Now that mainland Chinese are able to compete for the same type of jobs that previously enticed most expats, language skills are becoming more and more important.
Western expats working in Hong Kong will most likely experience some degree of culture shock initially. For starters, the working week is much longer - it is not unusual for this to run above 50 hours; the “work hard, play hard” ethos is a permanent fixture in this Asian special administration.
It is also important to be aware of the finer intricacies of doing business, for example, give and receive business cards with both hands and note that bosses must always foot the bill for staff during social occasions.
Finding a job in Hong Kong
Many expats move to Hong Kong with a job contract already in place. The largest and most reputable companies tend to headhunt employees, and lure them abroad with high salaries and the promise of luxury living.
That said, even if you’re not one of the lucky international candidates recruited in advance, there’s an assortment of avenues that can lead to a well-landed job.
The Hong Kong Labour Department provides an interactive employment service on their web site in English that job seekers can consult, though, the majority of the positions listed require some knowledge of Cantonese.
Otherwise, recruitment agencies in Hong Kong are aplenty, and online job portals are also in no short supply.
Additionally, “The Standard”, the Hong Kong newspaper with the largest English circulation also has a designated “Careers” section.
Finally, companies tend to advertise positions directly on their web sites, by perusing a few targeted organisations regularly, opportunities for application may come to light.
