Get a job in Hong Kong-based on your personality
While Hong Kong has a reputation for being a tough place to do business, the city does offer its brand of charm. It’s an exciting place to live and work, living in Hong Kong can be like a life-changing adventure where you learn about yourself along the way. Here are some great tips on how to apply for job positions in Hong Kong:
- For job seekers, it’s important to have an open mind and be flexible. The city is full of opportunities; from working at home as a freelancer to getting involved with the community through volunteering or sports clubs.
- If you’re looking for work that offers a competitive pay scale, there are training programs in Hong Kong that will help you prepare for work (such as the Citizens Training Scheme). You can also learn the local language and culture so you can fully integrate with your new workplace.
- Whether it’s part-time or full-time jobs or temporary contract positions, find out what type of company you want to get into before applying. This will help your application stand out!
Make the most of your network
Hong Kong’s role in the global community is both prominent and diverse. From Pearl River Delta to a financial hub, we have become a gateway between the East and West, acting as an outlet for business and more.
If you’re looking to pursue internships or work opportunities in Hong Kong, there’s a certain skill set you’ll want to develop now that you’re aware of what kind of people are out there.
- Networking. You’ve got to be able to introduce yourself without sounding like a crazy person; make sure you don’t look like a crazy person either! A little awkwardness can go a long way when it comes to building relationships with people who could help provide internships or job opportunities down the road—you never know what might come from them! So remember, keep it real. Smile! Shake hands! But above all else: Be genuine. Be yourself. Keep your priorities straight—your reputation is at stake!
Put together a Hong Kong-style CV
Your Hong Kong CV should be around 1-2 pages long and follow a typical format. Include your details and education history, as well as a personal statement, core competencies, and work history. You should include your interests, relevant information about your career goals in Hong Kong, and your current salary.
Read up on how to answer tricky interview questions
A job interview is a little bit like a first date—it’s important to be yourself, but you also want to make sure you’re presenting the best version of yourself.
- Be honest in interviews. When asked “What is your greatest weakness?” answer honestly by giving an example of an area you’d like to improve upon professionally and what you’re doing (or have done) to work on that weakness. “I sometimes have trouble saying no when I have too many projects on my plate” is a good answer, as it shows that you can recognize your shortcomings and address them without being defensive or evasive.
- Don’t try too hard to impress. When asked “where do you see yourself in five years?” avoid vague answers like “the top.” Interviewers are looking for candidates who are self-aware and understand how their skill set will fit into the company’s plans for the future. You may not know exactly where life will take you within the next five years, but give a specific example of where your interests lie and how they might align with the job description (like wanting to lead teams or specialize in user experience).
- Be prepared with questions of your own. While it may seem counterintuitive, having some questions prepared beforehand can help demonstrate your interest in the position as well as show off your research skills. Job seekers have gotten creative with this one by asking questions about company culture or work-life balance instead of simply asking what kind of responsibilities they’d have if hired—in other words, things that go beyond what can be found in just any old job description online.
also read: The Tech Entrepreneurship Subsidies of Singapore & Hong Kong
Showcase the skills that employers want
In today’s competitive job market, ambitious individuals should consider the following skills as highly desirable:
- leadership skills
- time management skills
- ability to work on a team and thrive in a collaborative environment
- communication skills, both verbal and written
- problem-solving and decision-making skills–many employers look for people who are both capable of working independently but also comfortable interacting with others. While some may prefer more hands-on mechanics, others may have no problem delegating tasks to others (and have no interest in being personally involved).
Prepare some answers to common interview questions
The next step is to make sure you’re ready for the interview, and a good way to do that is to prepare some answers (and questions) in advance. If you can think of at least three things you love about Hong Kong, two of which relate specifically to your job as an ambassador, then go ahead and write them down on paper. Ditto if you’re excited to be part of the Hong Kong 2022 team. Don’t forget that it’s important not just to have prepared material but also to be genuinely enthusiastic about what you’ll be doing after the Olympic Games.
Consider visa options
You will need a visa to work in Hong Kong, and the rules can be strict. Depending on your country of origin, as well as other factors like language ability and education level, you may or may not need to obtain an employment visa. These are called “work visas” for short – but don’t worry about that.
If you have a job offer from a Hong Kong employer, they should be able to help sponsor your employment visa for you. Some types of jobs require special qualifications before employers can sponsor these visas. In this case, you may want to explore other visa options available to you (if any). For example, if you are moving with your spouse who already has an employment visa in Hong Kong, then his/her employer might be willing to sponsor your dependent visa so that you can also work there while living with them (as opposed to having to get married).
Finding a job in Hong Kong will require lots of research.
There is a huge amount of research that goes into finding the perfect job. This means that you need to do your research, and this can be done in two ways: company research, and industry research. You’ll have to figure out who you want to work for and what industry you want to work in, then do your homework on both fronts. Researching companies will mean looking at their websites, LinkedIn pages, annual reports – all the information they publish about themselves as an organization. Industry-focused research will involve learning trends and news within that space – this includes following relevant publications (both online & offline), joining relevant networks (online groups & real-world meetups) & reading anything else you can find on the topic.
Once you have a good sense of which companies or industries interest you most, it’s time to start researching which positions are available within them. You’ll also want to figure out how companies recruit for those roles. These days that’s much more likely to be online (through job boards like LinkedIn) but certainly won’t be limited only to that method of recruitment – so make sure you look at every possible option!
The most important part of any job search strategy is following up with contacts who can help get your foot through the door – either by referring you directly or over email / LinkedIn et cetera too.
