Top jobs needed in China
Exactly a month ago, China.org.cn published a list called “The 10 Most Needed Jobs in China 2012” based on the frequency of posted positions on a recruitment website. The list shows just how commercialized and western-like corporate China is becoming.
10. Financial Manager
9. Store/Floor Manager
8. Internet Marketing
7. Financial/Investment Consultant
6. Purchasing Manager
5. Teacher
4. Sales Director
3. Mechanical Engineer
2. Designer
1. Software Engineer
It’s not surprising that super technical and analytical positions like software engineer and mechanical engineer are in the top 3, but I must admit, I was shocked to see such abstract-thinking related careers.
New school careers
The word is out – China is definitely not the old school iron-curtain having, censorship touting communist country it once was. While, yes censorship still exists in part (namely the media), long gone are the days of the government choosing your job for you. Modernity has ushered in a whole new mind-set of openness with the West and along with it the acceptance of new careers. These “new school careers” as I call them, highlight the extent of hierarchical management trends and capitalism-esque tendencies in China business today. Sixty percent of these most needed jobs are centered around sales, finance or consumerism in general.
Free thinkers
From a cultural standpoint, it is fascinating to see how many of these careers rely on left-brain, artistically inclined, free thinking. Unlike the skill sets heavily utilized by engineers; teachers, marketers, consultants and store managers rely equally (if not more so) on the human or inter-personal side of business. In a country where sales consultants in the 80s where paid to train Chinese sales people how to smile (it was once culturally taboo to smile showing teeth) in order connect with customers to drum up sales, now jobs requiring people skills are topping the list.
As more and more Westerns head abroad for job opportunities I, it’s important to keep lists like these in mind. You may be surprised to see what type of job opportunities await you overseas!
