Beau Parrish, Author at TeamedUp China

Complete Guide to Salaries in China 2024

Our 2024 Complete Guide to Salaries in China

Beau Parrish / 2024-08-21

And so we’re in the thick of 2024, and boy has it been another interesting one in China! As it comes out of a long COVID winter, China’s business leaders are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the economy’s near-future growth. We’re thinking it’s a great time to compile the information we’ve amassed on salaries in China throughout 2023 & 2024! Hiring in China? We can help. Post open roles across China’s top job sites, classifieds, and networking platforms — lower hiring costs by over 80%. Edit Template 1) Average Salary in China, Country-wide In Q2 2023, the average salary across 38 Chinese cities was ¥10,266 RMB ($1,430 USD) per month. In Q2 2023, the average recruitment salary of enterprises in 38 Chinese cities was ¥10,266 RMB ($1,430 USD) per month. This average is up 1.6% since Q1 2023, but still down around 0.7% compared to the same time period last year Q2 2022. Breaking it down a bit further: The 25th percentile of recruitment salaries is ¥6,001 RMB ($836 USD)/month, The median is ¥8,001 RMB ($1,115 USD)/month, The 75th percentile is ¥12,001 RMB ($1,672 USD)/month. Related: Average Salary in China: Local Data 2023+2024 2) Average Salary in China by City Shanghai takes the #1 spot in 2023 with an average monthly salary of ¥13,486 RMB ($1,879 USD). Zhaopin monitored 38 core cities across China. Shanghai has held the top spot on this list for quite some time, and comes in at the #1 spot again with an average monthly salary of ¥13,486 RMB ($1,879 USD)/month. Beijing followed with an average monthly salary of ¥13,438 RMB ($1,872 USD)/month. Shenzhen ranked third with an average monthly salary of ¥12,774 RMB ($1,780 USD)/month. Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Guangzhou, and Ningbo round out the top 8. We also have median salary data here and can see the median salary of the top 3 cities – Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen – exceeded ¥10,000 RMB ($1,393 USD)/month. It’s also interesting to note that there is a 59% difference in the median salary between the first (Shanghai) and last (Harbin) cities on this list. Related: Top 10 Highest Paying Cities in China (2024) 3) Fastest Growing Wages in China by City Out of 38 Chinese cities, Wuxi ranked first with salary increasing by 6.1% year-on-year. Here we have the year-on-year salary growth rankings of the 38 Chinese cities. Wuxi ranked first, with salary increasing by 6.1% year-on-year. Lanzhou and Xiamen rounded out the top 3. Suzhou and Ningbo had year-on-year growth rates of 2.1% and 1.6%, respectively, ranking fourth and ninth. The salary of the Intelligent Manufacturing industry led to the rise in some key cities of the Yangtze River Delta. The monthly salary of enterprises in the electronic technology/semiconductor/integrated circuit industries in Wuxi, Suzhou, and Ningbo increased by 8.6%, 5.8% and 10.7% respectively compared with the same period last year. The instrumentation and industrial automation industries increased by 7.1%, 6.9%, and 15.3% respectively. This points to strong development in the regional Intelligent Manufacturing industry. In addition, cities such as Lanzhou, Xiamen, Kunming, Changchun, and Shijiazhuang also experienced relatively obvious growth rates in this quarter, mainly driven by the recovery of the consumer industry. The average recruitment salary in the fast-moving consumer goods industry increased by 18.3%, 5.8%, 17.7%, 8.8%, and 14.2% respectively compared with the same period last year. Related: How a Plastics Manufacturer Hired an Accountant in China How a Mining Equipment Manufacturer Hired an HR Manager in China How a Leading Apparel Manufacturer Successfully Hired an Apparel Developer in China 4) Highest Paying Job Sectors in China, Country-wide Coming in at #1 is the Securities & Investments Industry, with an average salary reaching ¥13,737 RMB ($1,912 USD)/month in 2023. Coming in at #1 is the fund/securities/futures/investment industry, with an average salary reaching ¥13,737 RMB ($1,912 USD)/month in Q2 2023. The average salary level of other financial industries such as banking at ¥11,841 RMB ($1,648 USD)/month and insurance at ¥11,269 RMB ($1,568 USD)/month also ranked high. As expected, technology-related industries also fared well here. The electronic technology/semiconductor/integrated circuit industry ranked second, with an average recruitment salary of ¥12,175 RMB ($1,694 USD)/month. Also in the top ten are computer software, IT services, and computer hardware. In the Internet & e-commerce industry, the average recruitment salary was ¥10,705 RMB ($1,490 USD)/month. This is a year-on-year decrease of 4% and drops the sector’s ranking out of the top 10, to 16th. Another insight to pull out of this is from two of the top industries: energy/minerals/mining and aviation/aerospace. The average salary of these industries ranks high, but the median salary ranks relatively low – showing that a small number of high-paying jobs drive the overall average salary of the industries. Related: Financial Analysts in China: Salary Data and Hiring Guide Average Salary at China’s ‘Big 3’ Tech Firms: Tencent, Alibaba, & Baidu 5) Fastest Growing Wages in China by Industry The average salary in the Semiconductor Industry led the rise in 2023, with a year-on-year increase of 5.9%. The average salary in the electronic technology/semiconductor/integrated circuit industry has continued to rise, with a year-on-year increase of 5.9%. Against the backdrop of an aging population, China’s residents’ demand for medical and medical services is increasing. This demand has led the way for supportive national policies and increased investment in research and development. Recruitment salaries in industries such as industrial automation, high-tech manufacturing, and new energy continued to rise, with a year-on-year growth rate of more than 3% in the second quarter. Related: Tech Salaries in China: What Top Companies are Paying Talent Mechanical Engineers in China: Salary Data and Hiring Guide Hardware Engineers in China: Salary Data and Hiring Guide 6) Highest Paying Jobs in China, Country-wide Chip Engineers top the list, earning an average monthly salary of ¥26,000 RMB ($3,617 USD)/month. Chip Engineers continue to be the highest-paying occupation, earning an average of ¥26,000 RMB ($3,617 USD)/month. Next up are Senior Managers and Artificial Intelligence Engineers – earning an average of ¥22,739 RMB ($3,164 USD)/month and ¥21,701 RMB ($3,019 USD)/month respectively. Rounding out

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Top Jobs to Outsource to China in 2024

Beau Parrish / 2024-03-02

A New Era of Jobs in China Let’s start with some fun context. China is the world’s 2nd biggest economy and the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter by a longshot. It is also the world’s fastest-growing consumer market and second-largest importer of goods [China economy]. The country is a peer to only the United States in terms of global economic importance. China also has a HUGE and skilled workforce. Having a great cohort of reliable staff in China is important for all types of businesses all over the world. Companies outsource jobs to China of all types. Here are 11 positions that can add the most impact when China-based in the modern era. For each position, we’ll cover a general Job Description, the China-specific attributes that add value, as well as a TL;DR summary of the job category as it relates to China. Having a great cohort of reliable staff in China is important for all types of businesses, all over the world. Table of Contents: High-Impact China-based Jobs Sourcing Specialist Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE) Digital Marketer Marketing Manager Professional / Virtual Assistant Software Developer Key Account Executive Customer Service Representative Sales Representative Business Development Manager Accountant 1) Sourcing Specialist / Sourcing Manager Sourcing Specialist: Job Description A sourcing specialist, often referred to as a procurement specialist or a sourcing manager, is a professional responsible for identifying and procuring goods, materials, or services for a company. They play a crucial role in the supply chain and procurement process, helping businesses obtain the necessary resources efficiently and cost-effectively. Sourcing Specialist: China-Specific Attributes In the context of China, a sourcing specialist focuses on sourcing products, components, or services from Chinese suppliers and manufacturers. There are several reasons why a company might choose to hire a sourcing specialist in China: Local Supply Chain Support: A sourcing specialist in China can tap into China’s vast local logistics network to find suitable suppliers and negotiate favorable terms. Cost savings: China is often associated with competitive manufacturing costs, and the country’s supply chain technologies are only getting better at a brisk pace. A sourcing specialist can help identify cost-effective suppliers and negotiate prices to maximize cost savings. Local expertise: A sourcing specialist in China possesses local market knowledge, understanding of regulations, and cultural insights that can be invaluable when navigating the Chinese business environment. They can help ensure compliance with local laws and regulations and establish strong relationships with Chinese suppliers. Quality control: Ensuring product quality is crucial for businesses, and a sourcing specialist can help implement quality control measures and inspections at various stages of the supply chain to maintain product quality standards. Supplier relationship management: Establishing and maintaining good relationships with Chinese suppliers is essential for long-term success. A sourcing specialist can work on building and managing these relationships to ensure a reliable and efficient supply chain. Language and communication: A sourcing specialist in China can bridge the language and communication gap that may exist between a foreign company and Chinese suppliers. Effective communication is crucial for a successful partnership. Risk management: They can help identify and mitigate risks, such as supply chain disruptions, quality issues, or changes in local regulations that may affect the company’s operations in China. Streamlined logistics and shipping: Sourcing specialists often have experience in logistics and can assist with the efficient movement of goods from China to their final destination, including handling customs and import/export documentation. China Sourcing Specialist: Summary In summary, a sourcing specialist in China helps companies streamline their procurement processes, reduce costs, ensure quality, and navigate the complexities of the Chinese market. They are valuable assets for companies looking to source products or services from China and establish successful business relationships with Chinese suppliers. 2) Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE) Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE): Job Description A Sourcing Engineer, also known as a Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE), is a professional who plays a critical role in the procurement and supply chain management process. They focus on ensuring the quality and reliability of products or components sourced from various suppliers, often with an emphasis on engineering and technical expertise. Sourcing Quality Engineer (SQE): China-Specific Attributes Here’s why a company might hire a Sourcing Engineer, particularly in China: Quality assurance: Sourcing Engineers are responsible for evaluating and ensuring the quality of components or products sourced from suppliers. They conduct inspections, quality audits, and testing to make sure that the goods meet the required specifications and standards. This is particularly important in industries where product quality is a priority, such as automotive, electronics, and aerospace. Technical expertise: Sourcing Engineers often have a strong background in engineering or a related technical field. Their technical knowledge allows them to understand the intricate details of products and materials, ensuring they meet the company’s technical requirements and specifications. Supplier qualification: Sourcing Engineers assess and qualify potential suppliers based on their technical capabilities, production processes, and quality control systems. They help the company select suppliers with the necessary technical capabilities to meet its specific needs. Process improvement: Sourcing Engineers work on process improvement with suppliers to optimize manufacturing and quality control processes. They may suggest changes to enhance product quality, reduce defects, and improve production efficiency. Risk management: They identify and mitigate risks related to product quality and supply chain disruptions. By addressing potential issues early in the sourcing process, Sourcing Engineers help reduce the likelihood of defects and production delays. Supplier relationship management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers is crucial. Sourcing Engineers work closely with suppliers to foster collaboration and understanding, ensuring that both parties are aligned on quality and technical requirements. Communication and translation: They facilitate effective communication between the company and Chinese suppliers, bridging language and cultural differences. This is particularly important when discussing technical specifications and quality requirements. Cost-effective sourcing: Sourcing Engineers may also focus on finding cost-effective solutions while maintaining product quality. They often negotiate pricing with suppliers to achieve the best balance between cost and quality. Compliance with regulations: They ensure that products sourced from China comply

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6 Ways to Attract Better Chinese Candidates (2023)

Beau Parrish / 2024-04-08

The working dynamic in China is changing. While the job market is getting increasingly competitive for young job-seekers, local and government-adjacent firm roles are still in the highest demand for the brightest of China’s professional youth. In order to attract top talent away from China’s local giants (in just about every industry), both international and local private firms are wise to offer more competitive and unique packages to great candidates. [Easy tip: Don’t require a cover letter] Here are six ways that companies can attract better Chinese candidates, supported by local data from HR Giant Liepin (猎聘): 1) Offer a Long Term Plan and Job Stability In a 2023 survey by Liepin, job stability and security ranked as the most important consideration for Chinese professionals. In fact, a resounding 81.1% of Chinese job seekers ranked job stability as the most important factor when considering a new position. This is no surprise given the recent economic environment in China. Years of COVID and economic uncertainties have certainly had a large influence here. Furthermore, a recent study by Chinese HR platform 51job found that only 36.9% of companies surveyed in China have formulated career plans for fresh graduates! This isn’t so reassuring for China’s young and bright, career-seeking hopefuls. What can a company do to promote job stability for Chinese candidates? Clearly state the company’s track record of success and a growth path. This doesn’t mean adding ‘growth opportunities available’ at the bottom of the JD (Job Description). Let them know about the successes the company has had in the past, as well as what kind of growth plan the company has in general and for China. While you’re at it, why not add what type of role(s) they could grow into if everything works out well? Proudly outline the factors keeping your firm strong. If you’re representing a Fortune 1000 firm, start with that! If not, substitute things like the strong partnerships with big companies, long-term contracts with clients, financial backing, or great cash flow/profitability you might have. It doesn’t need to be hyper-specific, share what your firm is comfortable with. 2) Provide a Plan or Program for Professional Learning and Growth In the same survey, ‘Interest in the professional & technical attributes’ and ‘Potential for growth’ came in #2 & #3 respectively. 46.3% of Chinese job seekers surveyed said ‘Interest in the professional & technical attributes’ was a very important consideration. 44.1% said the same for ‘Potential for growth’. Now that we have reassured top Chinese candidates that their employer will be stable, we can move into the benefits of the individual. If you are sourcing candidates well enough and/or work in a very desirable industry, you’ll find great candidates who are already super interested in your industry! Let them know about some of the more exciting things that you guys are working on or planning, the great training you have, or projects that they can both contribute to and learn from. Blending nicely into Industry interest is the Potential for growth. Once again, this doesn’t mean adding ‘growth opportunities available’ at the bottom of the JD (we think this line generally can be wiped and upgraded). Tell them what you can about the plan. If things go well, what type of role will they grow into in 1, 3, or 5 years? Modern top candidates in China want to know that there is a future in their next career move, so it’s helpful to give them something to go on. 3) Consider a Flexible Schedule and Hybrid/Remote Work (Hint: This is Still a Rare Find in Corporate China!) As of 2023, most firms are back to the office full-time in China. While many international firms across industries have moved white-collar jobs to a hybrid schedule, most of China’s professionals are back to commuting 5 days a week. The ‘9-9-6’ work culture (9 am – 9 pm, 6 days a week!) is considered not really legal but still a widely discussed topic. The category of ‘autonomy and flexibility’ ranked high in Liepin’s data as well as our own (much smaller sample size). In our experience as recruitment service providers in China for many years, we’ve seen a sizeable uptick in candidate quality for the same remuneration when companies offer a flexible option in work time and/or location. With family being a top priority in Chinese culture, many professionals are more recently attracted to schedules that work better around a healthy home life. The overall value of flexibility is no different than the rest of the world in the 2020s, the big difference is that the supply of remote and flexible positions is lower in China. Companies are wise to consider remote, hybrid, flex schedule work as an easy win to snag better candidates for the same compensation package. 4) Encourage Creativity in the Workplace Upfront Trust us when we say that China has some amazing creatives! Many quality Chinese candidates (29% of those surveyed) highly value creative challenges. When these types of things are promoted in a job description and interview upfront they will have a unique job quality that many Chinese firms will not. It also serves as a bonus filter in attracting candidates up for a challenge and a certain type of workplace experience! Let candidates know about the creative, collaborative projects at your firm. Tell them if trial and error is encouraged in the company culture. 5) Compensate Well (and Be Clear About it) While this may be near the bottom of this list, it should probably be the first thing you consider when budgeting a Chinese hire, and also the first to revisit when struggling to hire well here. Because they are not usually the first choice for Chinese candidates, international companies must really look at offering high-end or slightly above the local market salary and compensation rates (not sure what that is? We can help with that). And be clear about this upfront. China has a fast-moving job market and top local job sites receive

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Maimai: The Closest Thing to LinkedIn in China

Maimai (脉脉): The Closest Thing to LinkedIn in China

Beau Parrish / 2024-08-21

Let’s dive into MaiMai, the giant Chinese networking and jobs platform often compared to LinkedIn! In this article, we cover Maimai’s Company History, Service Offerings, Comparisons to LinkedIn, and User Info. Hiring in China? We can help. Post open roles across China’s top job sites, classifieds, and networking platforms — lower hiring costs by over 80%. Edit Template Maimai Team Celebrates ‘Unicorn Status’ After Raising a Series D Round in 2018 Maimai (脉脉): Company History In October 2013, Maimai was officially launched by founders Lin Fan (林帆) and Huang Wei (黄威) in Beijing, China. The firm raises Series A financing from Wuyuan Venture Capital. In August 2014, Maimai raised Series B financing from IDG and Wuyuan Capital (again). This year also saw the company start to focus on professional social media in addition to job services. In December 2016, just over 3 years after launching, Maimai achieved break-even. In November 2017, the firm received Series C financing, led by DCM, with IDG Capital and Wuyuan Capital continuing to invest. In addition, China’s leading career platform Zhaopin Recruitment was introduced as a strategic investor. In April 2018, Maimai raised Series D financing from a group including DST, IDG Capital, Wuyuan Capital, and DCM. The round values the company at over $1 billion USD, rendering it a Unicorn. In April 2019, Maimai’s registered users exceeded 80 million. In December of the same year, the ‘Colleague Circle’ function was launched, allowing co-workers a platform to share and discuss their work and companies. In March 2022, the number of registered users reached 120 million. The ‘Company Review’ model is also launched this year, aiming to provide transparent reviews and feedback from current and former employees. Maimai Ad: “Use Maimai to Connect with Work Friends” What Maimai (脉脉) Offers Maimai’s success can be attributed to its user-friendly interface and a wide array of features tailored nicely to the Chinese job market. Some of its key features include: Industry-focused Communities: Maimai operates through industry-based communities where professionals can connect, discuss trends, and build relationships with others in their field. Anonymous Job Search: Job seekers can discreetly search for opportunities without revealing their identity, giving them more control over their job search process. AI-driven Recommendations: Maimai’s AI algorithms offer personalized job recommendations to users based on their skills, experience, and preferences. More Than an Online Résumé: Users can create and showcase a comprehensive online presence and portfolio, ideally allowing employers to discover and connect with potential candidates more effectively. Talent Sourcing for Employers: While this is a given, it still needs to be said as it is the primary revenue driver for the platform. Maimai provides companies with a place to source and connect with talent. They aim to make recruitment more efficient for paid company clients. Integration of AI and Big Data: Like nearly all of the Unicorn tech companies in the modern age, Maimai has invested heavily in AI and big data technologies to enhance its services. With these technologies, the platform aims to better analyze user behavior and trends, optimize job recommendations, improve employer-candidate matching, and facilitate more efficient networking. Related: 10 Chinese Alternatives to LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Monster Here’s What Chinese Professionals Are Looking For In Their Next Job Maimai Founder Lin Fan Comparisons to LinkedIn Maimai has been bluntly referred to as the LinkedIn of China. From the beginning, Maimai has often garnered comparison due to its blend of both professional networking and career services into one platform. By 2014, founder Lin Fan was trying to separate Maimai from the comparison in interviews like this one: “我们从没说过我们是中国LinkedIn，我们认为自己是工作版的微信。” “Do not call us the LinkedIn of China. We position ourselves as ‘WeChat for Work’, WeChat solves personal needs and we solve working needs.” -Lin Fan, Founder of Maimai (脉脉) Interestingly, WeChat DID create a ‘Wechat Work’ product, now called ‘WeCom’, that is similar to Slack. We covered that platform a bit on our list of 10 Chinese Alternatives To LinkedIn. As for LinkedIn and Maimai in the China market, there is a clear winner. Since launching in 2013, Maimai has grown to over 110 million users (over twice that of the former LinkedIn China) and is thriving. LinkedIn China, on the other hand, has closed down operations completely in the country as of 8/2023. User Snapshot ‘Mid-to-high-end Talents’ From Maimai’s Website: “The Maimai platform has gathered a large number of ‘mid-to-high-end talents’. Its users come from many Fortune 500 and China’s Fortune 500 companies, and are mainly urban workplace elites with high education and high income. It currently covers IT Internet, artificial intelligence, new energy vehicles, chips, biomedicine, auditing, finance, cultural media, real estate, manufacturing, education and training and other industries.” Industries Covered While Maimai covers nearly all industries, it’s focus on ‘mid-to-high-end talents’ does concentrate around a few key ones: The ‘Internet & Technology’ and ‘Sales & Services’ industries cover 51% of Maimai users. The ‘Medical & Health’, ‘Automotive’, and ‘Finance & Real Estate’ industries each make up a solid amount of users as well, coming in at 12%, 12%, and 10% of users respectively. Related: Tech Salaries in China: What Top Companies are Paying Talent Salary Data for 8 of China’s Leading Tech Companies (2024) Highest Paying Job Sectors in China – Local Data 2023 MaiMai – a Wrap Up Maimai (脉脉) has emerged as a trailblazer in the Chinese HR industry, revolutionizing how professionals connect and employers recruit. The firm is growing at an outstanding pace, continuing investment in emerging technologies, and has even beaten out its international comparison and competitor, LinkedIn, in the Chinese market. While Maimai still has many strong competitors in the Chinese job services market, its unique position as both a networking AND jobs platform should continue to provide benefits. Hiring in China? We can help, and likely lower your hiring costs by over 80% We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014! Our China Candidate Sourcing Service helps companies post & promote open roles across top Chinese jobs & networking platforms. Let’s find your next great

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10 Chinese Alternatives to LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Monster

Beau Parrish / 2024-01-22

Most of the largest international job platforms are not widely used in China. Popular HR platforms like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Monster, and even LinkedIn have very small or no presence in the Middle Kingdom at all. In this article, we’ll go over 10 of the most popular Chinese platforms when it comes to HR functions like job search, recruiting, and networking. The Big Home-Grown Job & Networking Platforms in China… First, let’s divide LinkedIn’s uses into two types of platforms: A) Employment & career-focused platforms, and B) Professional networking & social media platforms. a) Employment & Career Focused Apps These are apps that have a primary focus on job placement and career services. Think LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, The Ladders, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. There are A LOT of job platform competitors in China. Here are some of the most dominant players that a majority of former LinkedIn users will likely move to (or have moved to!). These companies have a lot that overlap with each other, but a whole lot more that don’t. For that reason, we’ll be listing them out simply by year founded, oldest to newest. 1. Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘) Founded in 1997, Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘) is the oldest and arguably the biggest player of the job platforms in China. As of 2020, the company had over 200 million users and over 120 million monthly active users. The scope covers every type of job – think of this as the Indeed/Monster of China. A company that not only survived the Internet 1.0 era, but has continued to grow, thrive, and adapt to the times successfully for 25+ years. Zhilian Zhaopin is thriving and an easy choice for many professional job seekers and employers alike. 2. 51job (前程无忧) Founded in 1998, 51job (前程无忧) started in Beijing not long after Zhaopin did in Shanghai. As of 2021, the company had over 155 million users and ’51job’ is ubiquitous in the job search conversation. If Zhilian Zhaopin is Indeed, then 51job is Monster (or vice versa). The scope of this platform also covers every type of job and is certainly going to continue to pick up more user activity in China. 3. 58 Tongcheng (58同城), & 4. Ganji (赶集网) Both founded in 2005, 58 Tongcheng (58同城) & Ganji (赶集网) started out as classifieds websites, not unlike Craigslist in the US. In 2015, the companies merged and formed parent company 58 Ganji Co., Ltd. Unlike the trajectory of Craiglist, however, both of these companies have continued to offer new types of services and have held their spots as leading providers until this day. Standard classifieds, a full-functioning job/employment platform, managed services in sectors like maintenance/repairs/housekeeping, and targeted second-hand platforms are just some of the things the entity provides under many different brand names. Since a huge amount of China’s city dwellers have already used a 58/Ganji service in the past, there is little friction when it comes to trying out the massive jobs platform on offer here. 5. Liepin (猎聘) Founded in 2011, Liepin (猎聘) has been able to position itself successfully as a platform for high-end talent. A comparison could be made to The Ladders out of the US, a service that focuses on jobs starting at a certain salary threshold. Liepin has over 83.5 million users as of 2022 and has seen phenomenal growth in recent years. Many of the highly experienced & qualified former job seekers on LinkedIn China, as well as companies looking to hire them, will surely be looking to find value from Liepin (猎聘) in LinkedIn China’s wake. 6. Maimai (脉脉) Maimai has been bluntly referred to as the LinkedIn of China. Since launching in 2013, Maimai has grown to over 110 million users (over twice that of the former LinkedIn China) and found a way to blend both professional networking and career services into one platform. As of 2023, its user figures are lower than many of the other companies on this list, but growing at a brisk rate. Now that LinkedIn has left China (as of 8/2023), Maimai (脉脉) is poised to continue its strong growth. 7. BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘) Founded in 2014, BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘) has grown very fast to become one of the (or perhaps the) biggest HR platforms in China. In 2021, the platform passed 200 million users and is showing no signs of slowing down. While not a social media site, BOSS Zhipin has built its core features around connecting job seekers and employers as directly and transparently as possible. This goal of direct messaging and connections has some overlap with LinkedIn, and combined with everything else BOSS Zhipin has to offer it is easy to see why it has become so widely used across China. B. Professional Networking & Social Media Apps These are apps that have a primary focus on social media — networking, messaging/contacting, and content consumption. Think LinkedIn, Elon’s vision for X, Facebook, Instagram, and a pinch of Tiktok. 8. Wechat (微信) Wechat is the Everything app. While many users primarily use it for social contact and social media purposes, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone over 22 in China that doesn’t use it for work and professional networking purposes as well. The Wechat ID (via QR code) is the first thing exchanged between two people in all major business hubs throughout China. In most cases, nobody asks for anything but WeChat at professional networking events, with email or phone coming in at a distant second. 9. Wecom (企业微信) WeCom, formerly WeChat Work, gets a mention here because it integrates well with WeChat. It is Slack connected seamlessly with the Everything app. If colleagues formerly connected socially online via LinkedIn, this may become a place for more internal work groups and connection opportunities. 10. Weibo (微博) Anything compared to WeChat in terms of messaging/networking/connecting is tough. Weibo, formerly compared to Twitter years ago, is the most mature, by-the-book news and professional topic-based social media platform in China. They are the successful version of Yahoo!. Weibo is

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Here’s What Chinese Professionals Are Looking For In Their Next Job

Beau Parrish / 2024-04-08

One of China’s biggest job portals, Liepin (猎聘), recently released a report on ‘Talent Flow and Salary Trend Report for the First Half of 2023’. For reference, the original Chinese name of the report is ‘2023上半年人才流动与薪酬趋势报告’. One interesting section of the report revolves around worker values and preferences. Liepin’s report aimed to shed some light on what kind of companies they want to work for in 2023, and what they value most in employment. For convenience, I’ve run the original data through a translator and posted both the original and English versions here. Let’s take a look and see what Chinese professionals really want in their next role! Stability is the #1 Value for Chinese Employees in 2023 Participants were asked: Among the following occupational attributes and characteristics, what has the greatest impact on your choice of occupation? Perhaps it’s not too surprising, after years of a global pandemic and an array of economic uncertainties, that Chinese workers value Stability above all else in 2023. Here are the job attributes from greatest to least impact, according to respondents: 1. Stability 2. Interest in the professional & technical attributes 3. Potential for growth 4. Autonomy & flexibility 5. Creative attributes 6. Financial incentives/value 7. Identity & respect 8. Management attributes State-owned and Gov’t Agencies out front of Foreign companies & Joint-Ventures Liepin also asked participants an interesting related question: What type of companies do you prefer to look for in your job search? The resounding leader here was State Owned Enterprises, with 71.7% choosing the option. Government Agencies and Institutions came in next at 42.0%. With such a high value on job stability, State-owned and Government outfits make sense as long-term, sturdy, and steady paths. Third place in the survey, with 41.5%, was Foreign Owned-Enterprises. This is just under Government Agencies and far below State Owned Enterprises. It’s important for foreign companies to understand and strategize hiring around this point: Foreign companies are (generally) not the #1 choice for Chinese workers. In order to stay competitive in the Chinese job market, foreign employers should consider what values they provide to workers that can out-compete those of state-owned & government entities. A great place to start is the survey result from earlier in this article: Stability, Personal growth potential, Autonomy/flexibility, Creative outlets, and (of course!) Financial incentives are all ways to attract top talent. Oh and easy + related tip: Don’t require a cover letter in China. Rounding out the survey results were Private Chinese Companies (37.9%), Joint Ventures (34.8%), and Non-profits (only 3.6%!). Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget! We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014! Our China Recruiter Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese platforms just like Liepin. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch Let’s find your next great China-based team member today.

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Overtime in China: How Much Workers Are Actually Doing

Beau Parrish / 2024-05-16

One of China’s biggest job portals, Liepin (猎聘), recently released a report on ‘Talent Flow and Salary Trend Report for the First Half of 2023’. For reference, the original Chinese name of the report is ‘2023上半年人才流动与薪酬趋势报告’. One interesting section of the report revolves around overtime in China. While many in China have heard of or worked a grinding 9-9-6 schedule, Liepin’s report aimed to shed some light on actual overtime that surveyed workers are doing in 2023. For convenience, I’ve translated the original data into English and posted both the original and English versions here. Let’s take a look and learn a thing or two about OT in China! Nearly 43% Of Chinese Employees Work Overtime Regularly Around 1-2 Hours of Overtime Seems Standard 42.9% of respondents said that they work OT on a regular basis. If we break it down into how much overtime worked, the leading answer by a long shot is 1-2 hours per day. A relatively small amount of respondents who said they DO work overtime work less than 1 hour per day or more than 3 hours of OT per day (12.9% and 10.6% respectively). Workers in Top Tier Chinese Cities Do more Overtime About 10% more workers in first and second-tier cities in China work overtime, compared to smaller third and fourth-tier cities. Not a huge surprise here – big cities tend to be more competitive. Higher-Paid Professionals Work More Overtime About 20% fewer workers making under ¥10,000 RMB ($1,364 USD) have to work regular overtime than their higher-paid counterparts that between ¥10,000-20,000 RMB ($1,364-2,728 USD). Interestingly this trend ends at the top, with the least amount of workers in the highest earning category (¥20,000+ RMB / $2,728+ USD) putting in overtime. Higher earners may be able to explain this because they are often: more experienced, able to get the job done faster/more efficiently, and/or are at a management level that doesn’t require the amount of time-consuming tasks and individual output. Workers Cite the Current Job Market, Financial & Family Pressures for Doing So Liepin went as far as to ask why respondents work overtime! 62% of respondents cited the current economy and job market. It’s (perceived to be) difficult to land a better job out there now. 51.4% cited financial pressures — buying a house, car, and handling expenses. 48.6% cited parental pressures — the value of giving children a great education is very high in China. Other popular reasons for continuing to work overtime were: great benefits, a belief that overtime is ubiquitous in their industry, and the rising cost of living. A couple of interesting ‘outliers’ are: 23.5% of OT workers stick with it because they like their company or the company brand. 17.3% of OT workers stick with it because they like their job and mission, how about that! Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget! We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014! Our China Recruiter Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese platforms just like Liepin. Contact Us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch Let’s find your next great China-based team member today.

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Top 10 Highest Paying Cities in China (2024)

Beau Parrish / 2024-08-21

One of China’s biggest job portals, Zhilian Zhaopin, regularly releases their data on average monthly salaries in China. It’s important to note that the data reflects recruited salaries – the publicly listed salary information that companies advertise on the Zhaopin platform. The data we’re working with today is from 2023 (infographic) and 2024 (top 38 cities). Let’s dive into these highest paying cities in China! Hiring in China? We can help. Post open roles across China’s top job sites, classifieds, and networking platforms — lower hiring costs by over 80%. Edit Template China’s Highest Paying Cities Two River Deltas of Central and South East China dominate top salary levels China is a BIG country by most measurements, certainly including landmass and population. While there are plenty of regions doing well in China, two river delta regions on the East Coast stand out here. The first is the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) area in the Central Eastern part of the country. With bustling hubs like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Ningbo, the YRD may be the largest concentration of adjacent metropolitan areas in the world. Next up is the Pearl River Delta to the south. This electric economic zone not only contains Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Xiamen… but also includes Hong Kong and Macau. The full region is also referred to as the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and has historically been at the forefront of economic development and technological innovation for China. Top 10 Chinese Cities by Average Salary in 2023 1) Shanghai 上海: ¥13,486 RMB ($1,879 USD) 2) Beijing 北京: ¥13,438 RMB ($1,872 USD) 3) Shenzhen 深圳: ¥12,774 RMB ($1,780 USD) 4) Hangzhou 杭州: ¥11,796 RMB ($1,608 USD) 5) Nanjing 南京: ¥11,061 RMB ($1,508 USD) 6) Suzhou 苏州: ¥10,933 RMB ($1,491 USD) 7) Guangzhou 广州: ¥10,883 RMB ($1,484 USD) 8) Ningbo 宁波: ¥10,704 RMB ($1,459 USD) 9) Zhuhai 珠海: ¥10,425 RMB ($1,421 USD) 10) Xiamen 厦门: ¥10,403 RMB ($1,418 USD) Top 38 Chinese Cities by Average Salary in 2024 Here’s the full Q2 2024 list from Zhaopin in translated English and original Chinese. After getting out of the top 10, we can see more cities from other regions listed. The Central (Wuhan, Hefei, Changsha, Chongqing) and Northeast (Jinan, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, Shijiazhuang, Changchun) regions stand out here. Top-Tier City Salaries Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen emerged again as the top three cities for recruitment salaries. These metropolises boasted average monthly salaries of approximately 13,000 yuan, with median salaries exceeding 10,000 yuan. Hangzhou secured the fourth position, offering an average monthly salary of 11,909 yuan and a median of 9,904 yuan. As is to be expected, the overall order of cities did not change much from 2023, but the average city salary levels did increase a bit pretty much across the board. High-Tier City Salaries The next group of cities, including Nanjing, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Ningbo, Zhuhai, and Xiamen, all demonstrated competitive salary ranges. These locations reported average monthly salaries between 10,000 and 11,000 yuan, with median salaries ranging from 8,500 to 9,000 yuan. Regional Salary Patterns Higher salary levels further concentrate in these economically significant regions: Yangtze River Delta: Cities like Wuxi and Hefei maintained relatively high compensation levels. Pearl River Delta: Dongguan and Foshan showed strong salary performances. Central and Western Regions: Wuhan, Changsha, and Chengdu exhibited comparatively robust salary structures. Check out some of our related resources on salaries in China: Tech Salaries in China: What Top Companies are Paying Talent Average Salary Ranges for New University Graduates in China A Guide To The 13th Month Salary Bonus In China Average Software Engineer Salary in China: 14 Sources Compared Highest Paying Jobs in China – Local Data 2023 Average Salary in China: Local Data 2023+2024 Hiring in China? We can help, and likely lower your hiring costs by over 80% We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014! Our China Candidate Sourcing Service helps companies post & promote open roles across top Chinese jobs & networking platforms. Let’s find your next great China-based team member together. Book A Call Post a Job Contact us to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. New here? Get 26% off your first job post with us. Edit Template

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Average Software Engineer Salary in China: 14 Sources Compared

Beau Parrish / 2024-08-22

We looked at data from 14 leading sources, both local and international, to compare and find out what a reasonable salary range is for a software engineer in one of China’s first-tier cities. According to data from 14 leading sources: In 2023, the average salary for a software engineer in China was ¥406,549 RMB ($55,938 USD) per year. The median salary was ¥388,000 RMB ($53,386 USD) per year. Hiring in China? We can help. Post open roles across China’s top job sites, classifieds, and networking platforms — lower hiring costs by over 80%. Edit Template Infographic: Average Software Engineer Salary in China Red Shades = Local HR Companies Blue = International HR Companies Green = Data Aggregators It’s further interesting to note the big difference in averages once we break down the source type: Local HR companies average salary: ¥206,346 RMB ($28,392 USD) per year. International HR companies average salary: ¥487,500 RMB ($67,076 USD) per year. Data Aggregators average salary: ¥344,750 RMB ($47,435 USD) per year. Observations When we started recruiting for companies in China years ago, we noticed a huge range in recommended and listed salaries for similar roles. This is a first step to quantifying these big, perplexing differences and attempting to make sense of them. Local data sources reflected the lowest average salary for software engineers, as well as most other positions. Data aggregators, as expected, were mostly situated in the middle of the pack. The exception here is Payscale, reflecting salary figures closer to the local China providers. International data providers have the biggest range among them and are skewed a lot higher than other source types. Why such a Big Difference in Listed Salaries? Of the 14 sources listed, the lowest average software engineer salary listed is RMB ¥203,000 per year (USD $28,000), and the highest at RMB ¥650,000 per year (USD $89,000) – that’s a range of RMB ¥447,000 per year (USD $61,000). Different Target Audiences Simply put, each company listed put out its data for different reasons and different eyeballs. For example, the international firms releasing this type of information tend to have headhunting and/or executive search arms, and thus target their potential and existing client pool at multinational companies. Different Data Points While some of the salary listings are more generalized than others, all are based on some sort of data collected. The local sources, Zhilian Zhaopin & Liepin, are pulling from their own sets of data – which happen to be from hundreds of thousands of job listings across their platforms. It’s important to note that their data reflects recruited salaries, or the publicly listed salary information that companies advertise on the platforms, and not the final salary actually received on contract. Actual salaries received may be higher as 1) candidates negotiate, and 2) employers often have internal thresholds and benefits that they can offer above the advertised package. International sources are also likely to be pulling on some of their own data and experience. They are more likely to have higher requirements from clients for things like language (bilingual+ candidates only) and international working experience or education. Furthermore, a large portion of the data that these foreign HR firms have likely comes from larger multinationals (MNCs), which generally pay higher than local Chinese employers. In order to attract great talent in China, foreign companies (and any companies for that matter) are wise to budget a compensation package that is above the industry average. Related Resources: Tech Salaries in China: What Top Companies are Paying Talent How an Info Services Firm Hired a Java Developer in China Python Developers in China: Salary Data and Hiring Guide How Modern Chinese Workers Look for a Job in 2024 Average Salary Ranges for New University Graduates in China Average Salary in China: Local Data 2023+2024 Hiring in China? We can help, and likely lower your hiring costs by over 80% We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014! Our China Candidate Sourcing Service helps companies post & promote open roles across top Chinese jobs & networking platforms. Let’s find your next great China-based team member together. Book A Call Post a Job Contact us to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. New here? Get 26% off your first job post with us. Edit Template References & Further Reading: Zhilian Zhaopin: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/624693425 Liepin: https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_23851263 Payscale: https://www.payscale.com/research/CN/Job=Software_Engineer/Salary/9d44f18e/Shanghai Persol Kelly: https://www.persolkelly.com/salary-guides/ Michael Page: https://www.michaelpage.com.cn/en/salary-report/2023/thank-you-client Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/china-software-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,5_IN48_KO6,23.htm Salary Expert: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/software-developer/china Economic Research Institute: https://www.erieri.com/salary/job/computer-software-engineer/china JSC Group: https://appcdn.jingsocial.com/upload/material/1679392572/2023%20Hays%20Asia%20Salay%20Guide_CN_EN.pdf Morgan McKinley: https://email-assets.morganmckinley.com/salary-guide/2023/pdfs/china-en-salary-guide-2023.pdf Hays Group: https://appcdn.jingsocial.com/upload/material/1679392572/2023%20Hays%20Asia%20Salay%20Guide_CN_EN.pdf Robert Half: https://www.roberthalf.cn/en/salary-guide/home Robert Walters: https://engage.robertwalters.com/team-salary-benchmark-tool-2023/ Gemini Global: https://gemini-global.com/salary_guides/63ef5c35d4d14China%20Salary%20Guide%20Q1_2023_Final.pdf

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LinkedIn Has Left China. Here Are The Apps Chinese Users Will Shift To.

Beau Parrish / 2024-08-22

And so the date has come and gone, and LinkedIn has left China. On August 9th, 2023 the Microsoft-owned global HR giant closed down its China-based product, InCareer, after launching less than two years earlier at the end of 2021. LinkedIn has had quite a successful history in China compared to many of its US tech counterparts. It grew to over 50 million registered users in the country, all of whom will likely have to find (or have already found) other platforms to fill the LinkedIn void. Let’s walk through the highlights of LinkedIn’s history in China, then take a look at where we think most users are migrating (or have migrated!). Hiring in China? We can help. Post open roles across China’s top job sites, classifieds, and networking platforms — lower hiring costs by over 80%. Edit Template The History of LinkedIn in China A Timeline, 2014-2023 2014: February: LinkedIn officially launches its Chinese version, known as “领英” (Lingying), to cater to the Chinese market. …The Chinese version of LinkedIn complies with local censorship regulations, leading to some criticism and concerns about privacy and freedom of expression. 2017: June: LinkedIn announces that it has reached over 30 million users in China. The company continues to comply with Chinese censorship laws, which require certain sensitive content to be removed or restricted within the platform. 2018: January: LinkedIn’s Chinese user base reaches 40 million users. The company launches a new China-specific desktop design with improved translation and better user experience for its Chinese users. 2021: March: LinkedIn reaches 52 million users in China. October: Shuts down the full version of LinkedIn in China. Prepares to roll out a China-focused App, InCareer, targeted solely on employment services and excluding social media aspects of the platform. 2023: August: Final phase-out of InCareer and exit of China almost completely. LinkedIn Offices in Shanghai Now That LinkedIn Is Gone… What Will Chinese Job Seekers, Hiring Managers, and Networkers Use Instead? First, let’s divide LinkedIn’s uses into two types of platforms: A) Professional networking & social media platforms, and B) Employment & career-focused platforms. LinkedIn does a successful job of blending these. The job services benefit the professional networking, and vice-versa. Professional Networking & Social Media Apps These are apps that have a primary focus on social media — networking, messaging/contacting, and content consumption. Think LinkedIn, Elon’s vision for X, Facebook, Instagram, and a pinch of TikTok. Wechat (微信) Wechat is the Everything app. While many users primarily use it for social contact and social media purposes, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone over 22 in China that doesn’t use it for work and professional networking purposes as well. The Wechat ID (via QR code) is the first thing exchanged between two people in all major business hubs throughout China. In most cases, nobody asks for anything but WeChat at professional networking events, with email or phone coming in at a distant second. Wecom (企业微信) WeCom, formerly WeChat Work, gets a mention here because it integrates well with WeChat. It is Slack connected seamlessly with the Everything app. If colleagues formerly connected socially online via LinkedIn, this may become a place for more internal work groups and connection opportunities. Weibo (微博) Anything compared to WeChat in terms of messaging/networking/connecting is tough. Weibo, formerly compared to Twitter years ago, is the most mature, by-the-book news and professional topic-based social media platform in China. They are the successful version of Yahoo!. Weibo is still going strong and may be where professionals start looking more so to see relevant content. Maimai (脉脉) Maimai is the newest entrant in the discussion and has been bluntly referred to as the LinkedIn of China. Since launching in 2013, Maimai has grown to over 110 million users (over twice that of LinkedIn China) and found a way to blend both professional networking and career services into one platform. As of 2023, its user figures are lower than most of the other companies on this list, but growing at a brisk rate. Now that LinkedIn has left China, Maimai (脉脉) is poised to get a strong uptick in users. Employment & Career Focused Apps These are apps that have a primary focus on job placement and career services. Think Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, The Ladders, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. There are A LOT of job platform competitors in China. Here are some of the most dominant players that a majority of former LinkedIn users will likely move to (or have moved to!). These companies have a lot that overlap with each other, but a whole lot more that don’t. For that reason, we’ll be listing them out simply by year founded, oldest to newest. Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘) Founded in 1997, Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘) is the oldest and arguably the biggest player of the job platforms in China. As of 2020, the company had over 200 million users and over 120 million monthly active users. The scope covers every type of job – think of this as the Indeed/Monster of China. A company that not only survived the Internet 1.0 era, but has continued to grow, thrive, and adapt to the times successfully for 25+ years. Since LinkedIn has left China, Zhilian Zhaopin is an easy choice for many professional job seekers and employers to spend more time with. 51job (前程无忧) Founded in 1998, 51job (前程无忧) started in Beijing not long after Zhaopin did in Shanghai. As of 2021, the company had over 155 million users and ’51job’ is ubiquitous in the job search conversation. If Zhilian Zhaopin is Indeed, then 51job is Monster (or vice versa). The scope of this platform also covers every type of job and is certainly going to pick up more user activity with LinkedIn out of the picture in China. 58 Tongcheng (58同城) & Ganji (赶集网) Both founded in 2005, 58 Tongcheng (58同城) & Ganji (赶集网) started out as classifieds websites, not unlike Craigslist in the US. In 2015, the companies merged and formed parent company 58 Ganji Co., Ltd.

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