[paulmears]

About to move to HK in next couple of weeks and am about to start the job hunt. Have been told by various friends who have lived in HK that it can be very difficult working in a 'local' company with very few westerners (mixture of communication problems and less social life after work with work colleagues) and it is preferable to try to get a job with a western owned multi national, or professional services firm.

I am English and have worked in USA, Canada, Amsterdam and London for the last 15 years or so as an accountant at Ernst Young and then for multinationals in the telco industry such as Equant/France Telecom.

Have recently been married to HK local so in a few/lot of months my cantonese should improve, but at moment is non existent.

Any comments, especially from people who are working in a local company with few westerners or if anybody can recommmend a recruitment consultant for the Telco companies.

thanks

[hbrand]

I am probably not qualified to answer this, but I started work here three weeks ago in a local company. At first I was a bit concerned, but after the first week everyone seemed to accept me more and I can really see the positives about working for a local company.. Everyone just does their work, not much socialising or talking - it is REALLY quiet in the office. Work life would be quite seperate to social life.

In the meantime I kept looking for other roles and now I start next week with a MNC. Yup I didn't last long....I want to go there for exactly the reasons you mention, I am new so a social life through work is appealing. So are the career opportunities. I think you will find positives and negatives about both.

Good luck though! I went through the same dilemma.....

[fly]

Paul, I'm working in the telco industry as well, and would always choose an MNC over a local company. Among the issues you listed, you may also be concerned with (generally) lower pay and longer hours/workweek.

[Expatriate]

I have generally no problem socializing with the locals, even I don't speak the language. Although, it is easier in the mainland than in Hong Kong. Many people in Hong Kong study besides their job, or they take care of their parents - there just isn't enough time (or money to go to those expat bars).

If you like cheap entertainment like sports, hiking or BBQ, socializing shouldn't be a problem.

I think 15 days annual leave are required by law. Everything else is open to negotiation.

Another issue might be that HK is about making money and competition. So it's easier to socialize with non-competitors.