[xuanxuan]

Hello,

I'm going to obtain a PhD in Computer Science at the end of this year. I intend to land a job in Hongkong. Without finding any vacancies in the universities, I decided to try industries or banks, but found it's really difficult. It seems nobody is recruiting PhD of my area (IT).

Can anyone give some useful information or hints? How is the chance for me to be employed? Where are the opportunities?

Thanks ahead for your helps!

Best Regards,
xuanxuan

[Cynthia]

Hi xuanxuan,

The IT industry is always expanding in Hong Kong. What I would suggest for you to do is check out some of the job sites (www.JobsDB.com, www.ClassifiedPost.com). In regards to working in Hong Kong, it all depends on where you are from. Should you need to get a working visa, you can always visit Emigra's website (www.emigra.com.hk).

Hope the information is helpful to you and good luck.

Cynthia

[KnowItAll]

A part of the problem might be where you're from. If you're from Mainland China .. you'll have a few more hurdles than candidates from other places.

The second issue is practical experience. A PhD does not mean a whole lot unless its a very relevant area.... there is very little research oriented work going on in Hong Kong. Most of the research seems to be moving north to China.

What area is your PhD in?

[xuanxuan]

Thanks a lot, Cynthia ane KnowItAll.

My nationality is China. But I have been in Singapore for more than 3 years, pursuing the PhD. My research has been focusing on Information Security and Database system. I think banks need people to work on these two areas, don't they? Do you have further suggestions, KnowItAll? Thanks!

[xuanxuan]

BTW, If anyone of you are working in the IT departments of Banks, can we have a private conversation?(e.g. through emails) Thanks so much!

[Mat]

Apart from the PhD do you have relevant experiences in that area?

[hiperlinx]

I also have the same intentions with XuanXuan of landing a job in HK and invite your comments, priv msg, etc. Came to HK recently, took a deep breath, then started my HK job hunt.

I've have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science backed with 6 years of professional software development experience in Cali, US. I've worked for an Investment Banking firm and intend to pursue that and similar industries.

First, I thank Cynthia for the post since I've been using monster.com.hk which pales in comparison.

Opinions?

Thx!
hiperlinx

[KnowItAll]

Hiperlinx, search around for Wall Street Associates and www.cyberspace.com.hk ... they're specialists in financial areas.

[xuanxuan]

Hi, Mat,
I'm a fresh graduate. Besides some R&D experience in my research lab and some internships, I do not have much experience in real business. What do you think of it?

[Mat]

Experience is always a +.
However we all have to start one day isn't it. Personally when I came here (I'm not in HK but Macao, maybe even worst to get a job) I really had no chances: IT sector is really poor, I'm french (I do not speak Mandarin or Cantonese) and I was also a fresh graduate.
Neverthless after 3 months of research I finally got a position on the IT field (SAP implementation). I cannot give you advise except the following one: if it is really what you want you will always find. It might take time but it is possible.
What I did was to mainly search on those 2 websites www.JobsDB.com and www.ClassifiedPost.com. Very useful.