| Country Profile On July 1, 1997, after more than a century of British rule, Hong Kong reverted to China, becoming a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy, with the exceptions of foreign and defense affairs. Hong Kong, under this law, will maintain its capitalist system for 50 years. Strategically located in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is considered the gateway to business opportunities in the PRC. With a total population of more than seven million people and land area of only 1,095 square kilometers, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world. There are two official languages in Hong Kong, English and Cantonese, both of which are used with equal status in many types of communications. Cantonese is spoken by most of the Chinese population, and English is widely used in commercial and financial circles. Hong Kong is a sophisticated banking and financial center with a free-trade economy and excellent infrastructure. The government intervenes very little in Hong Kong's economy, and it is highly dependent on international trade. Its major investment and trade ties, of course, are with China. Professional Resources Many foreign chambers of commerce have offices in Hong Kong. The American Chamber is the largest of these, and promotes and fosters commerce and trade in the Asia-Pacific region. AMCHAM's website contains links to a variety of business organizations and publications. Expatriates from every nation can find useful information at this website. Foreigners seeking work in Hong Kong will want to become well acquainted with the major telephone directories serving the country, such as YP.com.hk. Job seekers will also find it helpful to check out Hong Kong's major trade publications. Far Eastern Economic Review is a weekly publication covering financial and economic information as well as general news. Asia Week is a magazine with articles on a wide variety of business issues in the Asia Pacific region. Other resources that could be very helpful to the foreigner who wants to learn about the Hong Kong business scene include the websites Doing Business in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Business Encyclopedia. A few of the networking resources available to expatriates in Hong Kong are the American Club, the Foreign Correspondents Club, and the Hong Kong Management Association, which has liasons with other business clubs in the city. Under Hong Kong's Trade Union Ordinance, all trade unions must be registered. At the end of 1999 there were 626 unions: 583 employees' unions, 25 employers' associations, and 18 other organizations. There are five major labor organizations, including the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, with 200,000 members from several industries, and the similarly named Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, an affiliation of 53 unions with a combined membership of 150,000. Job Search Resources The most effective way to find a job in Hong Kong is by using online resources, local newspaper classifieds, and trade magazines. For job seekers located far from Hong Kong, Internet resources are by far the easiest to use, but printed media such as newspapers and trade publications are the traditional starting point. In Hong Kong, the Thursday and Saturday editions of newspapers often have expanded classified sections. There are many online job sites in Hong Kong. Mycv.hongkong.com, part of the well-known HongKong.com company; is one of Hong Kong's most comprehensive and useful job-search websites. It specializes in high-tech positions but also lists jobs in general fields such as accounting and customer service. Among other special features, it offers interview simulations and help with cover letters and resumes. Staffing agencies and recruiting firms can also help the foreigner find a job in Hong Kong. One of the leading recruitment companies is Gemini Personnel Group, which handles both temporary and permanent staffing. Ta Kung Pao is the oldest existing Chinese newspaper in the world and is highly recommended by the United Nations. It publishes job advertisements, as well as a series of magazines. Financial Considerations The cost of living in Hong Kong is pretty high. For instance, a basket of goods that cost $100 in the U.S. would cost $143 in Hong Kong. A one-bedroom apartment can run as high as $1,925 U.S. a month. Unlike in many U.S. cities, though, you don't need a car to live in Hong Kong; public transportation is efficient and accessible. Salaries can vary quite a bit. Just in the IT field, they can range from $1,025 to $3,850 U.S. a month; managers and department heads can expect $6,400-$10,250 U.S. monthly. Expatriates working for large corporations usually receive a host of extra benefits, including housing, car, and furniture allowances. Public health facilities in Hong Kong are generally good, offering comprehensive medical and specialist care. Larger companies usually offer their employees subsidized or free medical care. After being employed continuously for twelve months, an employee is entitled to vacation leave, usually ranging from seven to fourteen days per year. Senior staff and executives generally get four to six weeks off each year. The normal work week in Hong Kong is 44 to 48 hours and six days long. Employment Trends According to a government study, 43,360 jobs will be created in Hong Kong between 1999 and 2005. Finance, insurance, real estate, and business services will grow the fastest, increasing manpower by an average annual rate of 5.6 percent. Other industries experiencing high growth rates include transport, storage, communications, community services, wholesale, retail, import/export, and restaurants and hotels. Knowledge-based industries, such as computer equipment, telecommunications, and Internet services, will also see a rapid rate of growth. In near future, there will be a shift in demand in favor of high-skill, well educated, more experienced workers. On average, demand for managers, administrators, and professionals will grow at an average rate of 5.6 percent. The total number of IT personnel is expected to almost double. Resume/CV's The major languages in Hong Kong are Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (the official language of the PRC), and English. Most business people are multilingual; if you do not know Chinese, your resume may be English. The contents are quite similar to resumes in European countries. Personal information is listed at the top of the first page. This includes name, address, and all contact information, including cell phone and e-mail. Other personal details, such as age, marital status, etc., may not legally be requested, but are often included in the resume. List details of your education, in chronological order, with emphasis on your college and university studies. Add sections on extracurricular activities, special training, professional memberships, and honors or awards. Under "Experience," list the positions you have held, in chronological order, with an emphasis on responsibilities similar to those required in the job you are seeking. Cite your achievements with supporting data. Also list special skills, such as foreign language fluency and knowledge of computer languages and applications. Letters of reference do not have to be included, but are brought to the interview. If the employer gives an e-mail address in the advertisement, feel free to reply in a commonly used word-processing program. Information Technology Like many countries, Hong Kong is experiencing a shortage of information technology specialists. Those who can design, develop, implement, support, or manage computer-based information systems are needed in every sector in Hong Kong. Jobs in this field include networking, operations and support, systems development, and telecommunications. For most IT jobs, you'll need a degree or diploma in computer studies. Software certification and experience with networking, microcomputers, and operating systems can also be helpful. The Hong Kong Association for Computer Education, founded in 1981 with 250 current members, promotes increased computer literacy and seeks to advance teaching and learning through information technology. Foreigners seeking IT jobs should be sure to check out the many other tech-related professional associations in Hong Kong. A good way to keep up with the latest trends is to read regional IT publications, such as IT Asia. Interviewing Advice Before the interview, make your usual preparations. Study the company and its competition. Identify your strong and weak points. Prepare possible questions, and compose your responses. Have your business cards printed with Chinese on one side and English on the other. Learn the name of the interviewer and its correct pronunciation. Be sure to be punctual for the meeting. Be courteous and respectful to all, including secretaries and other staff members, and especially to older people. During the introductions, shake hands firmly; give and receive business cards with both hands. If you are acquainted with anyone connected with the company, mention it. Business in Hong Kong depends greatly on networking. During the meeting, be relaxed, but maintain good posture and be alert. Answer questions frankly and honestly, and do not hesitate to ask for clarification of a statement or question if you do not understand. Be ready to give examples of your handling of different situations, but careful not to boast or appear too aggressive. Take the opportunity to ask about the internal operations, lines of authority, colleagues, and responsibilities. Express interest, and show enthusiasm about the position. Engineering Engineers serve as a crucial link between science and commerce in Hong Kong, and there are many employment opportunities for engineers. Engineering in Hong Kong is a diversified discipline that can be classified into more than 25 specialties, such as aerospace engineering and plastics engineering. For most engineering jobs, you'll need a degree in engineering and work experience. Managerial or supervisory experience, computer and technical knowledge, project coordination skills, and language ability may also be required, depending on the position. Hong Kong has several trade and professional organizations for engineers. The Institute of Industrial Engineers, for instance, promotes advancement of the art and science of industrial engineering and encourages the continuing professional development of its members. The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) was founded in 1947 with the goal of bringing together engineers of different disciplines; today, membership in the HKIE is the primary qualification for employment as a professional engineer in Hong Kong.
Sales & Marketing Source: http://www.overseasdigest.com/country/HongKong.htm |