How to Find a Job in Hong Kong 2021 – 12 Best Tips

Trying to find a job in Hong Kong will likely take time, effort, and patience. We know the pain associated with finding a job in Hong Kong, and that’s why we have written this guide.

First, we want to tell you some good news: when you start to look for a job in Hong Kong, you might be surprised to find just how willing people are to help you with your job search. Don’t be afraid to ask people for help, we cover this more in the Networking section below.

In this article, we share with you our top 12 tips to help you in your job search in Hong Kong. These include;

• The importance of crafting a high-quality resume
• How to prepare for interviews
• Why using your network is so important.
• The importance of tracking your job-hunting progress
• Why you should  create a target list of companies you’d like to work for

12 tips for your job search in HK.

1. Update your LinkedIn profile

Before you start applying for jobs or reaching out to your network, you will first need to get prepared.  The first step is to update your LinkedIn profile.

Ensure that your profile is current and accurate and reflects the type of job you want. Many recruiters will do direct searches on LinkedIn in an effort to find new candidates.

A professional and up-to-date LinkedIn profile should put you on the top of this list. Be sure to tag relevant keywords to your profile as recruiters will often do keyword searches.

In addition, you can change your profile to indicate that you are interested in looking for work. Only recruiters will be able to see this.

2. Update your resume to help you find a job in Hong Kong

If you’ve been at your previous company for a while, the chances are that your resume will likely need updating and possibly even modernizing. The key information you will need to include in a resume are:

• Name
• Contact information
• Work experience with key achievements
• Education
• Language

For each job that you’ve done, focus on key achievements rather than job descriptions, and use concrete examples when possible. Click here to read more extensive tips on creating a resume.

In Hong Kong, resumes are generally written in a short and concise format, in reverse chronological order, and without a photo of the applicant.

If you’re finding it hard to make your own resume, consider hiring a professional such as Elissa C (Whatsapp: 9855-9845) to help you edit your resume. Elissa will be able to help you prepare a fantastic resume.

3. Prepare for interviews

There is a lot you can do to get ready for an interview, including:

• Write down a list of questions you think you will get asked and prepare draft answers.
• Research the company; have a good understanding of their products or services
• Research the interviewer and try to find something that you might be able to bond over. Same university? Lived in the same city?
• Carefully examine the job description and pay attention to the key skills required. Be sure to align your answers in the interview accordingly.
• Be ready to explain why you want the job and why you are a qualified candidate
• Be ready to convey your key strengths quickly and simply. For example, you might want to portray that you are detail-orientated, a problem solver, or an expert networker. Be ready to provide specific examples that highlight these key strengths.
• Be prepared to answer why you left your previous role. Keep this answer brief and neutral.

4. Use your network to help find a job in Hong Kong

Not all jobs are advertised. There is a huge hidden job market.

It’s suggested that as many as 80% of jobs aren’t advertised or posted online. People often have an idea that they want to hire someone but don’t formalize the job opening in the hope they can find a suitable candidate through their network.

To find hidden jobs you will need to both contact people within your own network as well as contact companies directly. If you manage to get introductions via your network or even if you contact strangers directly, you will instantly be viewed as a person and not just a piece of paper.

Securing an interview is key and networking and introductions are a great way to get an interview.

5. Consider hiring a career coach when finding a job in Hong Kong

Finding a job in Hong Kong or anywhere can be tough and demoralizing. Even if you end up landing the best job of your career, you can expect to experience some heartache. That’s why we love career coaches! When looking for a job, there are many benefits to working with a career coach including;

1. They are experts. They frequently help people find jobs, they should have up-to-date tangible knowledge to help find you a job. They can review your resume, practice interviewing skills and provide information on the most suitable recruitment firms for your sector.
2.  Accountability: They can help you devise a plan (e.g., tell you how many people you should be contacting each week), and then follow up with you regularly to check your progress.
3. Motivation: Career coaches are experts in motivating people. They are all too familiar with the rejection and anguish involved with trying to find a new job. As a result, they should know what to say to help lift your spirits.

6. Keep track of your progress

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

The quickest way to create a list of potential people to contact for help is to download all your LinkedIn contacts into a spreadsheet. Don’t know how to do that? Click here.

Next, you’ll need to sort this list according to the people most likely and most willing to help you. Be sure to keep this spreadsheet updated.

Consider using the following columns for your networking spreadsheet: name of contact, firm, date last spoken, general advice, name of the person they will introduce.

Be prepared to go back and gently remind people that they offered you help.

7. Create a target list of companies you’d like to join in Hong Kong

Develop a target list of companies that you would like to work for and use your network on Linkedin or personal friend groups to get introductions to these companies. You might be surprised at how many people are willing to help you.

Many people have switched jobs or experienced redundancies themselves, and therefore are happy to help. You should develop a target list of a broad range of companies based on your experience.

The list should include high-reach companies, medium reach, and lower reach (your safest options). Diversifying yourself will give you the best opportunity possible.

8. Use the best recruitment agencies in Hong Kong

There are many, many different recruiting firms in Hong Kong. The most important thing to remember about recruiters is that they tend to specialize in different areas.

First, you need to ensure that you are speaking to recruiters in your specific field. If you end up speaking to recruiters who don’t specialize in your field, you might become unnecessarily disheartened by their lack of interest.

If you want to find out which recruiters specialize in your field, ask your friends or do research online. If you’re talking to a recruiter, don’t be afraid to ask them if they’re the right person for you to be talking to or, if they suggest you speak to a different recruiting firm.

In the past, I was surprised to see how willing recruiters were to provide introductions to other more suitable recruiting firms.

9. Accept any help you are offered related to finding a job

Be ready to take any help that you get offered in relation to finding a job in Hong Kong. You might be surprised at all the different ways people may offer to help. Help make take many forms including offering to:

• Do a mock interview.
• Review your resume.
• Give you a recommendation on Linkedin.
• Connect you to someone within your industry.
• Review a cover letter

10. Post on job boards

Job Boards are a really good way of finding out about any new job postings. You can set alerts to be immediately notified of suitable positions. Some good job boards to try:

• LinkedIn
• Zapmeta.hk
• Monster.com.hk
• Glassdoor.com.hk
• hk.jobsdb.com

11. Try In-house Recruiters

One way to let relevant people know that you are looking for a job in Hong Kong is to use LinkedIn to find out the names of recruiters. Do a search on your target companies and find out who is working in HR/recruiting. Send these people a brief cover letter with your resume attached.

12. Be patient when finding a job in Hong Kong

While finding a new job might be all-consuming for you, keep in mind that most other people are busy with their day jobs. Securing a job in Hong Kong can easily take 4-6 months, but thanks to Hong Kong’s diverse industries, there should be a place for you and your skillsets.

Finally