I am not sure how to approach this issue but here goes. I am a US citizen currently back in the US. I previously stayed in HK back in 05 for a month or so and loved it, but found a job in the Philippines as an VP of HR for a major call center. In 2008 I needed to return to the US to take care of my ailing mother who has since passed.
I am now looking to return to the APAC region and would love to work in HK. My experience there with the culture has been great but as far as seeking work it has been really trying. I am african american, educated, (MA & BS in HR) and I'm not sure if its a cultural thing but I haven't seen too many black people working there in HK.
I have applied to quite a few companies with no/very little response. I also have very good references from top companies here in the US & Asia. I placed my professional photo on my resume (as is customary) and wonder if that's where the problem lays. Do companies in HK not hire black people? I am not trying to start a race issue but I just need to know if I'm wasting my time seeking work there.
Has anyone else experienced this issue? I'm wondering if I should keep trying to pursue a career there as I really loved HK and my wife would love to with me. Any feedback or help would be appreciated.
Xpat-
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Oski
14 yrs ago
I don't think race has much to do with the low response rate you are getting on your job applications. It is true there are very few black professionals in Hong Kong, and yes, there is a subtle amount of prejudice. However, I don't think that is hindering you. For starters, the only people who would be interested in your resume would be big multinationals. They are pretty good with diversity issues this day and age.
I think your problem is industry/specialty. HR mostly deals with local issues. I have worked with 4 employers in HK. (All are big, and 3 are foreign based multinationals.) Yet with all these employers, I have never met a single HR person who is not a Hong Kong local. I guess HR in Hong Kong is just not a field that hires many expats.
You may want to try another field that uses some of your skills.
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Ok, thank you very much for your advice. I think you may have a point there with the HR issue. Although I noticed in most ads they are looking for someone with "Best Practices" in HR from outside of HK so I'm a little confused by that statement if what you say is true. Would you have any suggestions as to what other options of employment I might qualify for there in HK? I have over 20 yrs in HR & Administration, MA & BS degrees, worked in the APAC region quite a few yrs also.
Again, thanks for your help.
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JinHK
14 yrs ago
I think Oski is mistaken when he/she says that there are no Expat HR people in HK. I know of three - all in multinational companies. One in Investment banking, another in the International hotel industry and the other in transport/logistics. All very senior people in their roles.
Xpatnsearchof.. I think you also need to speak to the 'executive search' people. And, remove your photo from your Resume and see if that improves your chances. Sad but true that there may be a 'subtle amount of prejudice' here in HK.
Good luck with your search.
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Oski
14 yrs ago
Well, JinHK you miss read my opinion. I said not many, I did not say none.
If you know for a fact that there are a lot, then, I'd be mistaken.
However, the fact you only know 3 is more evidence to support my original guess. (3 HR professional compare to how many in other fields, such as finance, legal, engineering, education, logistics and bar/restaurant, etc.) Low response rate to the OP's excellent resume is also strong evidence to that observation.
I wish the OP best luck on her search. However, branching out into other fields is a good alternative. I don't know much about the HR field, but "executive search" does sound logical. Based on personal knowledge, I would guess there are more opportunities in that field for expats. Again drawing on personal experience, I have met close to 10 expat headhunters here in HK. (vs. 0 in HR so far.)
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What is OP? Not sure if you are referring to me or someone else.
thanks.
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OP= Original Poster = you. Any luck so far? Don't forget it may just be a visa issue- unless you offer something no local does, they're not going to be able to get you a visa.
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HK companies prefer locals over expats because locals are cheaper. Race has nothing to do with it - money is bottom line here. Generally, most expts will be in more senior positions in multinational companies. You're in HR field therefore, you should know most of the headhunting firms and can get your name out to them.
Speaking of qualifications - HKers are more impressed with degrees and letters after names so your education should stand you in good stead. The reasons why there are not a lot of Blacks in HK is because not a lot of Blacks have multiple graduate degrees from good schools. That is what you are competing against, so unless you come armed with those degrees after your name, you're not even going to get into the interview. Luckily for you that does not appear to be an issue.
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Hi Xpatnsearchof,
-Have you had any luck in seeking employment in HR?
-What headhunting firms have you contacted?
I'm an HR Consultant based in Tokyo, considering the possibility of moving to Hong Kong. I've seen a lot of job ads that match my skills/experience (all in middle to senior level management), except that in the languages area most require Cantonese or Mandarin or both. I'm studying Mandarin at the moment but my level is still very basic.
What do other members think about trying to get a job in HR with basic Chinese skills? ...Possible?/ Not even worth trying???
Thanks in advance to all.
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the problem is "language proficiency requirement". i'm not a local and work in an international law firm but i've been trying out my luck by applying in other law firms for nearly a year now and they always reply saying "sorry, we need a cantonese/mandarin speaker".
kelly roper had a paper out on this indirect discrimination but guess hk government is not going to do much about it...well, i've got no other choice but stick to my current job....
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Kissy.missy, thank you for your post.
In fact it is somewhat similar in Japan; you'll need to be fluent in Japanese to apply to most managerial or specialist jobs. But still, there are foreigners who were able to land good jobs only with 2 years of work experience and a basic to intermediate level of the language (acceptable spoken Jp & insufficient writing skills). I would say this may be uncommon but not impossible at all, you just need to be lucky, know the right people, etc., so I was wondering if it was the same in HK.
Anyways... I'll continue doing some research and networking ;)
Good luck with your search!
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tokyo-xpat, have you registered with jobsdb.com? there are many jobs posted there and most are from agents so maybe you can try your luck there. target the international firms rather than the local ones.
good on you for taking up mandarin! :)
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kissy.missy, thanks for the advice! Will do :)
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