[HenryJai]

Hey guys. im 19 male with A Levels. was planning on spending my gap yr in HK and maybe get some work experience. I can speak cantonese quite fluently, but cant read or write. Ive been looking up jobs on like monster and jdb and so on. but most of the jobs require like experience in the selected field and wot not. i dnt have ne experience or do i have ne speciallity. (dat sucks, really suda focus on one subject..arghh). so like do i really have to work in MC Donalds?? i dnt really wanna be a waiter or Sales. Apart from that, dnt mind trying nething out. what can i do?? cheerios guys.

oh, and btw, wots all this working visa about? do i need one? haha. sorry, dnt really have a clue

[cerberus]

yes you do need a visa for legal work but as anywhere under-the-table stuff goes on here as well. would recommend staying away from that. if you're not local then you won't get a job at mcd's, it doesn't work like that.

you're very young and of course exp is an issue, but HK's used to people starting their careers early. why not an internship if possible?

[shiphq]

Originally Posted by HenryJai

Hey guys. im 19 male with A Levels. was planning on spending my gap yr in HK and maybe get some work experience. I can speak cantonese quite fluently, but cant read or write. Ive been looking up jobs on like monster and jdb and so on. but most of the jobs require like experience in the selected field and wot not. i dnt have ne experience or do i have ne speciallity. (dat sucks, really suda focus on one subject..arghh). so like do i really have to work in MC Donalds?? i dnt really wanna be a waiter or Sales. Apart from that, dnt mind trying nething out. what can i do?? cheerios guys.

It's great you're spending time in Hong Kong and trying something new. It's an experience you will always remember.

But I think you're going into it with a bad attitude and a slight sense of entitlement. You're 19 years old without "specialty" skills and (presumably) without a university degree. You cannot expect top notch jobs or even half-decent jobs. So yes, you will have to take crap jobs and pay your dues like everybody else.

Good luck!

[tsuiwah]

I seriously hope your "slang" is not how you present yourself in e-mails and interviews. Your age is no excuse for giving me a headache.

As for your visa, I presume your folks are originally from Hong Kong, so you may qualify for a HKID card. Go to the HK Immigration Web site for more info.

[HenryJai]

Thanx guys for the help. ive got a Hong kong id already. so does that i mean i wnt need a working visa then??

ship hq, sorry if i came across as having a bad attitude. i didnt mean to sound as tho i want a good job without working for it. its just that like i kno ppl who have just done A levels like me, and they can get like normal office jobs and stuff. But internship sounds like a good idea. i mean im going bk to UK in July to start my motorsport engineering degree. So u guys think i can possible get like an internship with like a car company?? im not too sure on how intership exactly works tho, or how i can go about finding one. ne help pls?

tsuiwah. as for my "slang", i only use it on forums, emails, msn and so on. but if i was presenting myself for an interview or emails to a company, then no i dnt write like this. im just used to it cos like almost everyone in UK who uses SMS writes like this. Im sorry if it caused u a headache. but then again, u gettin a headache bcos reading this isnt really my fault. lol.

[cb1118]

oh...man...
you cannot read chinese...this is the main problem...(same thing happening to one of my friend)

[HenryJai]

^hey, maybe i sud meet up with ur friend. then we can both go looking for jobs together. lol.

[Alby]

I am assuming that you have some direction (idea) in what type of practical experience would like to gain and maybe you even have a particular sector in mind too. Even if somewhat vague you know what you would like to be doing.

A few suggestions on approach:

1.) Why don't you try to find companies/organizations where you currently are at which have offices and/or projects in an around the Pearl Delta Region then identify an individual within that company/organization for an approach on exactly what you are seeking to gain from your "Gap" year.

2.) Also, instead of looking for a "job" why don't you approach from the angle that you are seeking an internship with a stipend to cover basic cost of living. You will be amazed how many doors will open for you as companies/organizations.

3.) Instead of looking on Monster, Jobsdb and Classifiedpost for a posted position you also approach various Chamber of Commerce and Business Associations in Hong Kong with your CV/resume as they maybe able to assist you as well.

4.) Make sure you "fit" yourself to their needs - with the skills and abilities you presently have - such as resourceful, language, critical and analytical thinker, etc… while telling them what you hope to gain from them.

5.) Lastly, in a forum/discussion board when asking advice about jobs/ career you are "marketing" yourself as it is the first image many people have of you and will hold of you - even if it is anonymous.

Best of Luck!