[shungy]

Hi,

I'm a little lost in going about this and hoping that someone on the board can give me a little guidance. I'm currently in the states and want to look for a position in HK to relocate there. I work in finance and while there are positions that I can internally transfer to, my company hasn't fully expanded in the HK market and it's probably not the best thing to do for my career. Secondly, I want to change my career from finance to do something more IT related (I have a IT background).

I've tried applying directly to the HK positions (UBS, GS, ML, and etc), but feel that only a little hopeless as companies probably don't want to pay for relocation and etc for someone they can't meet in person.

Anyone has any suggestions to going about doing this? I'm trying to look for a technology Business Analyst position in a banking company. I graduated with Information Systems and worked previously for technology support and now in backoffice finance. Btw, I can speak Cantonese and Mandarin fluently and read/write some Chinese.

Thanks for your help!

[cl198]

My suggestion would be to start with contacting the recruiters in HK such as Robert Walters, Hudson...etc. At least you can get some info from them about how/which companies do relocations, or what kind of skills that they look for so that you can position yourself better in the market.

Hope this helps.

[Jawni Hingh]

shungy: You can solve the problem of not meeting in person by, well, coming out to HK in person!

I also applied to jobs in HK from the US but in my note/cover letter to companies to which I applied, I mentioned that I would be in Hong Kong on specific dates and that it would be great to be able to meet in person during that time. I think if potential employers look at your resume and are interested, they'd be inclined to respond (maybe even more so because you're providing them with a specified window of opportunity!).

I imagine you're currently employed and can't just come to HK indefinitely so to alleviate the risk you can start applying to jobs now and tell them you'll be in HK in, say, two months' time for like two weeks. That way, if you start getting responses you can still plan to take that time off -- you can wait almost until last-minute to buy your plane ticket.

I started applying to jobs back in late Oct/early Nov, knowing I would be in HK for the first two weeks in Dec, and was able to interview with four companies and secure two offers in that two-week timespan while out here. My background -- in terms of language ability -- is similar to yours.

Last bit of advice is of course to network; the best way to land an interview is to go through your contacts -- whoever you know in those companies for which you want to work.

[shungy]

thanks for helping. I'm going to email the recruiting firm you have mentioned (I've tried to contact Hudson already, but will try Robert Walters). As for going to Hong Kong, I would love to go there to interview for a job, but because of my current work, I won't be able to travel until mid June and I want to find something before then.

[Jawni Hingh]

Originally Posted by shungy

thanks for helping. I'm going to email the recruiting firm you have mentioned (I've tried to contact Hudson already, but will try Robert Walters). As for going to Hong Kong, I would love to go there to interview for a job, but because of my current work, I won't be able to travel until mid June and I want to find something before then.

Good luck. I still think it's important to be here in person for the interview though.

I also contacted many recruiting/headhunting agencies and the only one I got a response from was Ambition. And only because I scheduled a face-to-face in HK.

[philippe]

Hey there,

I waisted nearly year trying to get a job anywhere in Asia except that I was in Europe.

One day I purchased a one way ticket to Hong Kong and I have been here ever since (more or less). Prior to that I came to Asia for a few weeks visiting various cities to get a feel of the local job markets.


I would recommend the following:

1. Know exactly what you wan to do (job)
2. Search who you will need to meet here (I went directly to speak with Country Managers, HR Managers and Department Heads I did not waiste time with headhunters during my "reckon trip").
3. Visit HK for 1-2 weeks (that should be enough)
4. Once you arrive go and see the people you need to see (it is quite easy because they will know you came all the way to find something suitable and that you are flying back soon). If you have time you may give some CVs to specific headhunters. Also, don't neglect the nightlife you may run into people who might just need your skills.
5. Once you are back in US do your follow up as usual.

I have seen (non Asian) people landing a job in Hong Kong in less than a week. I refused a few jobs when I arrived because I did not want to take a 50% paycut but later on I changed my mind and got back on the right (salary) track sooner than I had expected.

Good Luck.