[jimbo]

Originally Posted by JonnyC

Just wondering, but why the desperate need to go to HK to start your career? Surely you'd be better getting on a graduate scheme with a firm in London and getting a couple of years experience before you look at going to HK, wouldn't you?

Agreed, Its hard enough finding a suitable role with 17 years of corporate experience under my belt out here in HK as it is, Let alone finding something decent here with next to no experience.

Get a few years good experience in London and then try and get a transfer.

[Haakon Fan]

Originally Posted by JonnyC

Just wondering, but why the desperate need to go to HK to start your career? Surely you'd be better getting on a graduate scheme with a firm in London and getting a couple of years experience before you look at going to HK, wouldn't you?

I agree with you and Jimbo. I am going to get lower than a 2.1 so I can't really get onto a grad scheme in the UK and my dad is pestering me to and live with him in HK. I don't really want to go back to HK, I agree that it will be better if I get experience in the UK first. I hope I will be able to find a decent job and get up the ladder...

[Haakon Fan]

Originally Posted by wai_j

There's one thing i won't do and that's sales, especially in hong kong. There's a lot of opportunites in sales i kno, but i'm just not the type to sell things to people, i get tired explaining

I'm sure good things will happen once u get your foot in the door, tryna do the same thing myself. Just keep at it, be positive and you're efforts will eventually be rewarded!

Anyhoo, when u come over, don't forget to meet up for football!

Cheers Wai!

Good luck with the search and keep in touch!

[JonnyC]

Originally Posted by Haakon Fan

I agree with you and Jimbo. I am going to get lower than a 2.1 so I can't really get onto a grad scheme in the UK and my dad is pestering me to and live with him in HK. I don't really want to go back to HK, I agree that it will be better if I get experience in the UK first. I hope I will be able to find a decent job and get up the ladder...

Ok I understand now. However, don't be so quick to assume you can't get on a grad scheme without a 2.1. I got a 2.2 and got on a grad scheme with one of the UK's largest multinationals, and from there I've picked up the experience which has ended up with me taking a job in HK. You might be surprised what you can find, you just need to look hard.

But good luck with the move to HK if you go ahead, hope it works out

[z754103]

Why not try for a grad scheme in HK? Swire, Jardines, HSBC all do them, and I'm guessing other large companies should do so too. Whatever U you're at in the UK should have a careers office that can help with these. And if you try for a multinational that has an office in London, they may be happy to interview you there for a post in HK. McKinsey does that, for example.

And apply for the HK govt AO and EO exams?

[thetokyoproject]

Originally Posted by Haakon Fan

I agree with you and Jimbo. I am going to get lower than a 2.1 so I can't really get onto a grad scheme in the UK and my dad is pestering me to and live with him in HK. I don't really want to go back to HK, I agree that it will be better if I get experience in the UK first. I hope I will be able to find a decent job and get up the ladder...

grades are not as important as your ability in interviews and the rest of your work/life experiences.

if you have right of abode in both countries, then it doesn't matter where you'll look for a job, but if you require sponsorship, then i'd work in the country where you don't need it.

uk compared with hk in a similar role: more money for less expectation.

so it makes sense to start off in the uk. i think that it would be easier to land a better role in uk compared to hk.

the other thing to look at is your life outside work. do you prefer the hk lifestyle to the british?

some people have their hearts set on working in one country. fair enough. some people have given up a lot to go to hk and other countries in hope of finding work. those that want it badly, end up nailing something good just through sheer perserverence. others go home disappointed.

since you've not got a job anyway, you've got nothing to lose in either country and everything to gain!!!

good luck...hk will be a tough fcuker as you lack experience but as you have an open mind to all kinds of roles, it'll only be a matter of time...

unfortunately nowadays in both places, you are at the mercy of the ruthless recruitment agency .(another harsh factor to consider)

[thetokyoproject]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Agreed, Its hard enough finding a suitable role with 17 years of corporate experience under my belt out here in HK as it is, Let alone finding something decent here with next to no experience.

Get a few years good experience in London and then try and get a transfer.

hey dude, it's a common problem, but sometimes you can be over-qualified. maybe you should say you have less experience.

either that or hk seems a real b'stard of a place to job hunt.

[Haakon Fan]

Originally Posted by thetokyoproject

grades are not as important as your ability in interviews and the rest of your work/life experiences.

Thank you for the useful advice I know it is something I need to sit down and think about logically, step by step.

I totally agree about the grade thing. Unfortunately, since the Labour gov brought in their stupid targets of getting 50% of young people going to uni (whether the individuals aspire to it or not!) the Uk has seen huge increases in the no of grads.

Companies are getting so overwhelmed with the thousands upon thousands of applications they get that they are now setting very strict standards. A 2.1 is not negotitable, nor is 300 UCAS points. IMO, there are lots of people who have done very interesting things with their lives and can do a great job even though they don't have a 2.1 but the companies have closed the door.

I consider myself to have above average work experience compared to my peers, but unfortunately that means nothing because I am not going to get a 2.1.

Anyway, the big blue chips are not on the cards for me so I will looking for smaller and perhaps niche companies.

[Haakon Fan]

Originally Posted by z754103

And apply for the HK govt AO and EO exams?

What are these exams?

[Haakon Fan]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Agreed, Its hard enough finding a suitable role with 17 years of corporate experience under my belt out here in HK as it is, Let alone finding something decent here with next to no experience.

Get a few years good experience in London and then try and get a transfer.

I suppose one advantage I might have Jimbo is that I would be willing to work for $9000/month! Milk me dry!