[smudge]

I came to HK 2 years ago as an expat on a contract. My contract expires soon. Haven't been able to get any responses to many job applications! Seems that HK is a black hole when is comes to finding work. How do you get a job in HK! Recruiters seem to only waste my time. Its a completely exasperating experience. I'm a professional with University business administration qualifications and 15 years experience in professional services and large-scale IT management.

[PDLM]

If you haven't been networking in your business for the last two years then it is probably too late to start now... but that is the essence of finding nearly all "follow-on" jobs for expats here as far as I can see. I've never come across a expat who found a job here from a "blind" application... (that's not to say they don't exist, but they don't seem to be very common).

[smudge]

I've heard it mentioned that taking a posting in HK can be career suicide. I'm beginning to see why. Oh well the money was good while it lasted. As for networking... generally a waste of time as well.

[nation]

Originally Posted by smudge

I've heard it mentioned that taking a posting in HK can be career suicide. I'm beginning to see why. Oh well the money was good while it lasted. As for networking... generally a waste of time as well.

While I am one for networking, even more so here in the Asian region dealing with locals, I agree that to some extent it can be a waste of time particularly when it comes to hiring in foreign companies. I've found the expats in my industry to be too transitory to really know the region and lack the clout to be decision makers. I'm sure others will come on and tell me contrary but that unfortunately has been my experience to date.

[Mat]

How long have you been searching?
Agree with PDLM the few I know who switched from expat status to local one did it mainly thru networking...

[JAherbert]

Originally Posted by smudge

As for networking... generally a waste of time as well.

Nonsense, networking that is the only way to secure a position, unless your are seeking an entry level position applying to adverts in newspapers, etc is a waste of time. It doesn't matter what you know, it is who you know that really matters.

There are plenty of networking channels, better late than never.