Video Conference Panel Shanghai

Video Conference Panel Shanghai-Nantes, November 15, 2012
Finding an internship / job in the China
Panel Participants:
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Quentin Duriez (GE 2009) - NewBridge Partners - EIM, Operations and Development Manager
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Wilfried Hary (EMP-MBA 2004) LunKuo, Entrepreneur en transition
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Vincent Diallo (GE 2002), Sinodis, CFO
Moderators:
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China: Quentin Duriez
Nantes: Shyla du Cosquer
Topical roadmap and timeline:
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Introduction: career path of each panel member
(1 minute each -> H:04)
Hiring trends in China?
(6 minutes -> H:10)
It is a country where you can start in a small position but grow very quickly if you’re good
Almost all sectors are hiring as the economy is booming
If you are working there as an intern, the market has become tougher, so really need to show
commitment and skills to get hired
Warning : China does not need foreigners anymore. Companies are not looking for expats unlike
10 years back. Level of skills of local Chinese students have grown tremendously.
Chinese language skills are mandatory - Chinese still remains the working language in many
companies. Even large MNC’s for eg L’Oreal in China wanted fluent Chinese language
What are the best ways to enter the Chinese internship and job market ? (10 minutes -> H:20)
One of the ways to enter the Chinese market is to take a course in a Chinese university as it
helps understand the Chinese culture, build your network and learn Chinese.
The market in China is closed, not so many ad’s / jobsites. A lot happens through word-of-mouth
and networking
Could look for opportunities in small companies too. Entrepreneurs who are looking to set up
global businesses
VIE is the best way to get to China. Their advice is do it right after graduation. For China the
application process is competitive but you need to challenge yourself and try it. If you find a
European company, you can propose to them the VIE option. There are 500 odd VIE applicants
in China. You can immediately join their network
Industries to look out for ?
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Yes, wine industry in China is growing. There is a need for market studies / market information
between France and China. Also the luxury could be a space that is open to French students
One of the current booming markets is e-business and internet technology
Chinese SME’s – is it an option ? Yes, good option but a little more difficult to find
Earlier China was a production site for foreign markets but now companies want to sell to the
local Chinese consumers. Only when Chinese don’t specialize in a product for eg wine, they need
a foreigner, if not they prefer a local person
Warning for marketing profiles – it is very hard to understand the trends of the Chinese market.
Even after 6 years in China, it is difficult to do marketing related activities as the culture is very
unique. You are always discovering new things about the society
How to prepare:
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(20 minutes -> H:40)
Visa related information : legal frameworks
Earlier it was possible to get a 6 month ‘Business F’ visa. Now the option is to get a 2 month visa
which is renewable. You need to go to Hong Kong or South Korea to renew it. Never do an
internship on a tourist visa. If caught, you will be deported
Best option if very serious of China – is to enroll in a university and you get a 1 year student visa,
where you can do a 6 month internship
The concept of internship does not technically exist in China. Youre either a trainee or an
employee, there is no official definition for internships. A trainee though can hold a full time
post and a challenging role
CV preparation:
1 page is better, since as a student you don’t have a lot of work experience
Don’t have any gap periods. For eg – for one year if you were not working, explain why or what
alternate task you did (eg – travel around Europe for 6 months etc). In China it is a rule that if an
company is going to hire you, they send your cv for verification to another official agency where
one of the stipulations is that your cv should state all of your activities
Always send cv and cover letter in English and not French, even if the manager is French
Cover letter should be in the content of your email
Make sure it is personalized, if you haven’t paid attention to the company that you are applying
to then it makes a negative impression. And no mass mailers
Recruitment firms in China:
Recruitment firms in China are not such a good option. They are not too open to foreigners, but
sometimes you have paid services for companies that offer language classes as well as help with
finding an internship
China Specificities - Cultural differences – how to deal with it ?
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Everything is different. You have to be open minded and respectful of their culture
Chinese people are very nice to foreigners but they don’t know how to intergrate them into
their culture. As a first step if you speak their language it helps to grow your network
If you are looking for local integration Shanghai is not the best option, try Beijing or more
remote areas, tier 2 cities, where you have a good mix of international and local people. In
Shanghai people are too used to having foreigners and therefore do not make an effort
Conclusion:
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(10 minutes-> H:50)
(10 minutes: H:60)
If you are looking at a career in China you need to invest thinking of it as a long term option.
China offers some opportunities but to students who "deserve" it which means be being ready
to adjust their initial expectations to be able to grow, to invest on the Chinese language to show
their commitment and to fight to get what you want
Chinese language skills are indispensable
The best way to get there is to enroll in a university (6 month studying, 6 month internship
option)
For French students VIE is a great way to get into the Chinese markets
Never do an internship on a tourist visa. If caught, you will be deported
Be open minded, there are no rules for China
One of the current booming markets is e-business and internet technology