[Wes]

My soon-to-be wife is going to accept a position with her "big 4" accounting firm in HK this fall, and I'm coming along despite being apprehensive about quitting my job here in the US. I'm an electrical engineer with about 4 years experience in power and instrumentation in the oil & gas biz.

She has told me that she's willing to support me if I can't find a job, but I think this could be a great opportunity to get on with a firm that is doing business in the rapidly expanding economy in that part of the world.

I've searched the big HK job sites and have come across a couple listings that would be a good match for my skills. The big problem for me is that most want someone fluent in Chinese.

So, I have a few questions:

1) How easy would it be for me to move there and get work in my industry (without the language skills)?
2) Is there anything I can do in the five months before we move to improve my chances of getting a job (possible to learn enough Chinese that fast?)?
3) Would it be better to try to find a US firm that would hire me and send me to HK?
4) Is it going to be difficult to get a work visa?

Thanks in advance for any advice or leads!