Hi, I’d like to get some advice on seeking jobs in either Singapore or Hong Kong. I’m currently based in a 3rd world Asian country and seeking a career move to either one of the above place. I have sent in more than 300 applications these few years via career portals but I hardly get any calls for even an interview (<5). I have tried ways like:
Update LinkedIn
2))Submit my CV to databases of recruiters and Job portals like Efinancialcareers, michaelpage etc
Applied aggresively via Job Portal like JobsDB
However, those were unsucessfuly attempts. Can anybody suggest me other effective ways?
A little bit about my background, I have graduated 5 years ago from a decent university (not Ivies but top 50 globally), I speak Mandarin/Putonghua fluently, Passed CFA Level I. Have 4+ years of working experience but in different functions. I"m mostly looking for an opportunity as Analyst in fund management/buy-side.
How can I increase chances to get noticed by recruiters in Singapore or Hong Kong? Thanks.
You need personal introductions, mate. Dropping blind resumes doesn’t help much even in the U.S., but especially not in Hong Kong where the number of people looking for jobs so outpaces the supply of available openings. Think about it from a recruiter’s perspective – what incentive do they have to try to bring you on when there is so much local talent around?
Your chances of getting your foot in the door go up exponentially if you know someone to introduce you. Try mutual connections on LinkedIn, alumni network from your school, etc.
Did you graduate from a well-known business school? perhaps there is an alumni network there?
Try also meeting others (foreigners) in the city who are in similar shoes as you, perhaps not necessarily in your field, but more related the better, they make give you some pointers on where to go. Usually foreigners are more helpful as they have experienced the same.
If everything else fails, meet a local guy or girl! best was to get connection is to date a local!
Since you speak mandarin fluently, are you familiar with Chinese government policy, legal and financial system? Can you help bring a Hong Kong-based firm into mainland China?
If yes, you may be particularly marketable in Hong Kong’s job market.
On of my besties moved to Singapore last year to look for work. Eventually gave up after 6+ months of trying. Employers everywhere prefer to hire locals, over foreigners that they have to sponsor for a work visa.
IMO - Labor market is tough in both Singapore and HK. Even for those who would like to move within the country, there are limited options and unless you are bringin in rare skill which local labor market can’t fill - It’s unfortunately bit tough.
All the best!!! Drop me a personal line I’ll be happy to be of any help.
Is market really that tough? GF and I are planning to move to HK in the next year or 2, after getting married, so she can pop the babies out in HK and they get the ID card. My mandarin is intermediate, will probably have to learn canto as well.
Hong Kong is a pretty tough place to secure real finance jobs (I don’t mean sales and insurance jobs which are in abundance). It’s a very tough place even for locals with all the language advantage. With all the hype about opportunities in Hong Kong by recruiters, the hard truth is that the jobs are actually not there; the very few are hotly contested for by an abundance of well qualified locally skilled candidates, so like somebody rightly pointed out, most recruiters will just fall back on the local pool. I have local friends who could not land proper jobs even with impressive skills and experience many years after graduate studies. I had to run away to secure a nice job but wouldn’t mind to come back when the job market improves. For non-locals, the faster route is to get transferred by an offshore branch of the bank or company to Hong Kong.
