Working in Beijing

As a whole, China is considered a great economic success story, with the last 30 years seeing the country transform itself from traditional communism to a buoyant market economy. As a result of rapid industrialisation, China’s consumer market has flourished. The country is increasingly open to foreign investment, and foreigners who consider it to be a land of opportunity have flocked to China.

Both Hong Kong and Shanghai are better known for being economic centres, while Beijing has traditionally been China’s cultural and political centre. That said, Beijing has asserted itself as a fertile ground for start-up businesses and innovative entrepreneurs. If you thrive in a creative environment where resourcefulness flourishes rather than a corporate setting, then working in Beijing may be right for you. 

Job market in Beijing

As the local economy continues to develop, the open consumption of consumer and luxury goods is surging, attracting international investment to fill in the gaps left by Chinese businesses.

At the same time, the construction industry continues to boom throughout the country as the Chinese government pushes for continued major improvements to infrastructure, especially in the interior. Additionally, agriculture remains the backbone of the country and will be for the foreseeable future. With rapid urbanisation, a manpower shortage has emerged in certain sectors of the economy, meaning that employees with the right skills are in high demand.

Traditionally, a large financial sector has driven much of Beijing's economy, including many foreign banks with offices in the city. Beijing also has large electronics and computer industries, as well as retail and tourism industries. IT and the marketing and content creation spaces are also growing in Beijing. 

One indication of China’s desire to do business with the world is the number of English-language schools in the country. These institutions employ a large community of expat English teachers and are among the easiest places to find employment in Beijing. Teaching wages are, however, often lower than salaries for expat jobs in other sectors.

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Finding a job in Beijing

The test for whether you will be able to find a job in Beijing is to ask whether you have a special skillset that is unique from what the locals can offer. There are thousands of jobs for language teachers of all languages, although the highest demand is for English teachers, as well as in industries where a foreign language is necessary, such as broadcasting. Many jobs do, however, require a rudimentary knowledge of Mandarin.

Expats with work visas are typically called 'Foreign Experts', a phrase printed on their Alien Registration Card. You will also need a work permit in addition to your work visa when you're looking to work in Beijing. 

There is no problem with job mobility – switching jobs while living in Beijing is relatively easy. However, you will have to renew your visa with the support of your new employer – as an expat you cannot get a job, resign and still keep your Foreign Expert status.

There are many resources that you can use to find a job in Beijing. Online job and employment platforms such as EChinaCities and Zhaopin are common starting points for job seekers. If you're interested in a particular organisation, you may find postings on the respective website. Recruitment agencies are also beneficial.

Have a look at Visas for China and Work Permits for China for more on local processes. 

Useful links

• The Beijinger
• EChinaCities
• Zhaopin

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Work culture in Beijing

When moving to Beijing for work, you may need some time to adjust to the business culture. Working hours are usually long and there is a high demand for good quality work, which may put a lot of pressure on expats.

Of course, each company or organisation may favour a unique work culture, but several aspects of doing business are ubiquitous in China. These include guanxi, which emphasises networking, building personal relationships with business associates, and saving face. The concept of saving face refers to avoiding publicly embarrassing local colleagues and business associates. 

Doing Business in China