Getting a job 

You need marketable skills, personal contacts, a very strong command of a Chinese dialect (usually Mandarin), and luck. Networking is particularly important for foreigners, as employers rely very heavily on referrals for candidates from abroad. If you have a few personal contacts in the country, your best approach may be to apply directly to the companies in which you are interested. 

Recently, executive search firms and online job sites have surpassed traditional print media as the most prevalent forms of securing employment in China, and the Internet is now the most commonly used resource for foreign job-seekers. Another highly effective way of entering the Chinese workforce is by working in China for a year or two as an English teacher, then applying for employment in other capacities. Popular job sites in China offer services in both Chinese and English.

Applying for a job 

*Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume

In Asia, it is common to ask things like age, race, gender, marital status and salary. You can decide what you are comfortable answering. If they persist (which they rarely do), say it is part of your culture not to release this information. Many people ask you to send a CV instead of a resume. A resume is a brief account of your professional experience, education, skills and employment goals. A CV is more detailed account of your life, personal information and accomplishments.

They may also ask you to send your passport. Be reluctant to do this. Identity theft is a big problem, and passports, especially American passports, are big money on the black market. Usually, they simply want to a picture of you; offer to send this instead. If they insist on a scanned passport copy, block out all personal information, including your passport number and include text over your picture and over the rest of your passport that says, "Not for redistribution, Scanned copy, for authorized use only." Or simply don't deal with them.

Resume/CV's. 

Now in the midst of major economic growth and reform, China has attracted many foreign-owned companies, and there is a shortage of middle-management executives and those who are multilingual. Before applying for a position, research the company thoroughly and tailor your resume to the job requirements. Tightly construct your resume so that it is to the point, and use action verbs to make a positive impression. 

Under "Personal Information," list your name, address, all electronic contacts, date and place of birth, sex, marital status and children. Then briefly state your job objective. 

Describe your education or employment history, whichever is most relevant should be listed first. Under "Education," list schools attended with the most recent first. For each, include name, location, degree(s), and dates of attendance. Follow this with a section on Specialized Training, and list such relevant items as: extra courses, language competencies, hard and software computer training, and your strengths and achievements. 

In the "Work Experience" category, list the company, its location and focus, dates of employment, your job title(s). List your responsibilities, starting with the most important, and emphasize those related to the job you are seeking. All information should be listed in reverse-chronological order, so that your most recent experience is listed first.  

At the end, simply state: "References are available on request."

*The Interview
Dress conservatively for your interview (dark business suits for the men, and suits or formal dresses for the women), and arrive on time; to be late is a serious insult. In the larger Chinese cities, a light handshake is the customary greeting, but it also may be a nod, or a bow. Follow the lead of the interviewer on the proper greeting. Often those present exchange business cards at the beginning. Have your card printed on both sides, with English or your native language on one side, and Chinese "simplified" (not "classical") characters on the other. Offer and receive cards with both hands. 

During the interview, be modest and respectful, keep your eyes lowered, maintain good posture and a quiet voice, and respect the frequent long moments of silence. Also, avoid boasting or exaggerating--for your claims will be investigated. Find out if you will need an interpreter, for the interview will probably be in Chinese.

*Getting Employed

This may be the most difficult part: waiting for the call (or fax or email or any other way for the good news to reach you). Do NOT spend your time just waiting. Explore other opportunities or find something worthwhile that may either give you more savings or more knowledge and skills. You must always hope for the best but you must also prepare for the worst.