[Kooleia]

Hi,

I am a Canadian Born Chinese with a university degree in Business Admin. I am trying to find a better job. I cannot read or write chinese but I can speak Cantonese fluently. I was wondering if anyone can tell me how to find a better job in HK. I am currently working as an Admin Assistant. I've been trying for a long time.......I get interviews but no replies afterwards. I even applied to english schools for any positions available but still nothing. If anyone has any ideas please tell me. Thanks

Kooleia

[greentea]

You should try your best to find a job but not ask for a help. Anyway, you have got chance to interview but fail. So you should try to enhance your interview skill, or well prepare yourself to attend an interview.

Also, if you are looking for an admin job in HK, the salary is not high; and most companies prefer to hire the local people, who can speak and write Chinese fluently.

[Kooleia]

But the uni degree i have is so broad that i can try anything but still no luck. I tried RECRUIT, SCMP, CareerTimes, JOBSDB but still nothing. Friends tell me how i should answer questions at the interview but still nothing. I had referrals but still no answers. It is still frustrasting

[Canadian Steve]

Hey fellow CBC,

I am a CBC from Toronto, been here for about 3.5 months now i am in the same shoe as you. I had lots of interviews, i even had a third interview with one of them but still no luck. So i very well know what you mean, it is getting frustrating now. Keep your head up.

Steve

[fly]

What's with the advice about not asking for help?

Anyways, there's tons of CBC's out here, so you need something to stand out from the crowd. Your best bet may be to make use of your (I assume to be) fluent English skills in a multi-national working environment, say in Customer Service, Sales, or Marketing. They usually need people who can communicate locally, yet don't ahve a "local" mindset. What industry is up to you exactly. From what I've heard, local English schools seem to hire on the basis of appearance rather than on actual language skills. I may be wrong here, this isn't my field.

[jimbo]

O.k then it looks like I need to organise another Daytime networking session for those of us that are between jobs so we can share experiences and maybe good referrals.

If you're interested then please reply. I'm provisionally looking at friday afternoon somewhere in central.

Yes Fly is correct that some language schools here tend to to hire solely on the basis of the colour of your skin even though you may well be a fluent english speaker. I'm getting the same problem too.

Oh and have you guys tried going to the canadian chamber of commerce cocktail evenings and trying to get yourself known there?

Oh and I just realised Kooleia, You're currently in a job so can't make daytime. Maybe I can arrange something for another time when you're free.

[z754103]

Hang in there! I'm told good administrators or business managers are well sought after in today's improving employment market, so I'm sure you'll find something soon.

[whong]

Kooleia,

Just keep trying and dont give up! Looking at the bright side, you are currently employed. I have been through that situation before.... it took me 5 months to land my first job here in HK.

Although the media keep on saying the job market has been improving, the competition for jobs is still intense. Beside, being an expat, we have a disadvantage because our chinese language proficiency level is not as high as the locals. Most local employers want qualified people... but they would still prefer give the chances to the locals who are fluent in chinese.

Jimbo! I would try to attend your next organized event...

[ange]

Originally Posted by jimbo

O.k then it looks like I need to organise another Daytime networking session for those of us that are between jobs so we can share experiences and maybe good referrals.

If you're interested then please reply. I'm provisionally looking at friday afternoon somewhere in central.

Yes Fly is correct that some language schools here tend to to hire solely on the basis of the colour of your skin even though you may well be a fluent english speaker. I'm getting the same problem too.

Oh and have you guys tried going to the canadian chamber of commerce cocktail evenings and trying to get yourself known there?

Oh and I just realised Kooleia, You're currently in a job so can't make daytime. Maybe I can arrange something for another time when you're free.

Hey Jimbo,

Great idea! I'm looking for work and have been solidly looking for several weeks now.

What time are you planning on meeting up?

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by ange

Hey Jimbo,

Great idea! I'm looking for work and have been solidly looking for several weeks now.

What time are you planning on meeting up?

Was thinking of around 2 p.m to avoid the big lunchtime crowds in central.

those of you that are available and interested then let yourselves known!