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E-commerce Jobs and Salaries in China - TeamedUp China

The State of E-commerce Jobs, Careers, and Salaries in China (2025)

/ 2025-05-13

A definitive guide for companies navigating China’s dynamic e-commerce talent landscape Executive Summary Dive into the world’s most formidable digital marketplace: China’s e-commerce sector. This report deciphers the immense opportunities and significant complexities facing international companies, offering a comprehensive analysis of current and future e-commerce jobs, careers, and salaries.[1], [2] The market’s expansion, while maturing from its historical peaks, continues unabated, fueled by remarkable digital adoption, sophisticated payment infrastructures, and groundbreaking models like social and live-streaming commerce.[3] Dynamic segments such as live commerce, cross-border e-commerce (CBEC), and B2B e-commerce are exhibiting particularly robust growth.[4] The competitive arena is dominated by established titans like Alibaba and JD.com, yet constantly challenged by disruptive forces such as Pinduoduo and the meteoric rise of social/live commerce platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou.[5] This fierce competition plays out against an evolving regulatory backdrop, featuring heightened scrutiny on anti-monopoly practices and data privacy under the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL).[6] Successfully navigating this landscape demands deep local expertise and strategic agility.[7] Talent remains the cornerstone of success. There’s persistent high demand for professionals skilled in digital marketing, platform operations (especially for Tmall, JD, Douyin), data analytics, AI and machine learning, cross-border operations, and live-stream management.[8] Salaries are competitive but vary significantly based on experience, location (with Tier 1 cities and Hangzhou commanding premiums), company type (MNCs often paying more), and specialized skills.[9] While overall salary increases might moderate with economic shifts, the intense competition for niche talent is driving substantial pay increments for those in high-demand roles.[10] Looking ahead, the future of e-commerce work in China will be profoundly shaped by: Deepening AI integration The potential emergence of immersive metaverse experiences The continued evolution of social and live commerce Ongoing automation impacting roles in logistics and beyond A growing emphasis on sustainability[11] For professionals, continuous learning, adaptability, and the development of hybrid skillsets (combining technical depth with strong soft skills) are not just beneficial, but imperative.[12] For international companies, strategic success hinges on developing localized expertise, adopting multi-platform and omnichannel strategies, investing heavily in technology and compliance, and implementing robust, market-tailored talent acquisition, development, and retention programs.[13] Ultimately, thriving in China’s e-commerce sector depends on adeptly navigating the intricate interplay of market dynamics, technological innovation, regulatory constraints, and human capital.[14] 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 Introduction China’s e-commerce sector is more than just a market; it’s a global phenomenon that dictates trends and influences digital commerce worldwide, accounting for nearly half of all global e-commerce transactions.[15] Its immense scale is paralleled only by its dynamism, characterized by lightning-fast innovation cycles, a deeply embedded mobile-first consumer culture, and the constant emergence of novel business models that seamlessly blend shopping with entertainment and social interaction.[3], [15] This report serves as a definitive guide for international companies striving to understand and navigate the multifaceted e-commerce talent market in China. It delves into the critical aspects of jobs, career pathways, salary benchmarks, essential skills, and the future trends shaping this vibrant sector.[16], [17] The goal is to arm business leaders and HR professionals with the actionable intelligence required to build triumphant teams and operations in this unique ecosystem. The Chinese e-commerce landscape is distinguished by several unique traits. Innovations such as: AI-driven hyper-personalization The meteoric ascent of live-streaming commerce The profound integration of social commerce The development of “New Retail” models merging online and offline experiences These are not distant concepts but present-day realities.[3], [18] Platform competition is exceptionally fierce, involving established giants, disruptive challengers, and specialized niche players.[5] Furthermore, the sector operates within a complex and actively evolving regulatory framework, particularly concerning anti-monopoly enforcement and data privacy, adding yet another layer of complexity.[7], [18] Grasping these nuances is paramount for any organization aiming to compete effectively. 1. China’s E-commerce Market Landscape: Scale, Segments, and Platforms 1.1. Unprecedented Market Scale and Growth Dynamics China’s undisputed global leadership in e-commerce remains secure, a result of its vast population, high digital penetration, and advanced infrastructure.[1], [19] The market’s sheer size is staggering. In 2024, online retail sales (primarily physical goods sold via internet platforms) soared to 15.23 trillion yuan (approximately $2.14 trillion USD), marking a 7.2% year-on-year increase.[20] While estimates for the total market size vary due to differing methodologies (e.g., IBISWorld’s $2.8 trillion “Online Shopping” industry revenue for 2024[21] vs. Mordor Intelligence’s $1.57 trillion projection for 2025[22]), the upward trajectory is clear. Although headline growth rates might seem moderate compared to previous explosive expansions (e.g., China’s projected retail e-commerce CAGR of 9.97% for 2024-2028[15]), the absolute growth in monetary terms remains immense. A projected 10.07% CAGR between 2025 and 2030 is anticipated to add nearly a trillion dollars to the market, reaching an estimated $2.54 trillion.[22] Crucially, this aggregate view masks the hyper-growth within specific segments. For instance, live commerce revenue is forecast to grow at an astonishing 32.8% CAGR between 2025 and 2030,[23] and B2B e-commerce is also set for significant expansion.[22] E-commerce forms a substantial and growing part of China’s total retail landscape, with online retail penetration potentially exceeding one-third of total retail value, far surpassing the global average.[24], [25] Key drivers underpinning this colossal market include: Digital Penetration: Over 1.09 billion internet users (around 77.5% of the population) as of late 2023 create a massive addressable market.[21], [26] Ubiquitous smartphone ownership is a key enabler of mobile commerce.[4] Rising Affluence: A large and expanding middle class, exceeding 700 million consumers, possesses increasing disposable income and a strong appetite for online shopping.[27], [26] Sophisticated Digital Payments: Systems like Alipay and WeChat Pay are dominant, utilized by approximately 90% of online payment users. Mobile payments are the norm for an overwhelming 88% of consumers, deeply integrated into daily life.[28], [26] Government Support: Initiatives under the “Digital China” strategy, policies favoring cross-border trade, and a national emphasis on innovation actively foster e-commerce development.[2], [29] Evolving Consumer Behavior: Chinese consumers increasingly demand personalized experiences, ultimate convenience, entertainment value (“shoppertainment”), and

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Digital Marketing Jobs and Salaries in China - TeamedUp China

The State of Digital Marketing Jobs, Careers, and Salaries in China (2025)

/ 2025-04-30

A definitive guide for companies navigating China’s dynamic digital marketing talent landscape Executive Summary China’s digital landscape presents a unique and rapidly evolving environment for marketers. Characterized by hyper-growth, dominant domestic platforms, and a deeply integrated mobile-first ecosystem, understanding the nuances of digital marketing in China is crucial for international businesses and professionals seeking opportunities. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of digital marketing in China, covering the market landscape, in-demand roles, competitive salaries, essential skills, key platforms and strategies, prevalent challenges, and future trends shaping this dynamic industry. 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. China’s Digital Marketing Landscape: Hyper-Growth and Innovation China’s advertising market is not only vast but also undergoing a profound digital transformation, setting it apart from global trends and establishing a unique ecosystem where digital channels reign supreme. 1.1 The Scale of China’s Advertising Market China’s overall advertising industry demonstrated significant strength in 2024, with total revenues surging past 1.5 trillion yuan (approximately $208.1 billion USD), marking a robust 17.9 percent year-on-year growth [1]. This expansion underscores the advertising sector’s strong connection to the real economy and domestic consumption growth [1]. On the global stage, China stands as the second-largest advertising market, trailing only the United States [2]. While total ad spend relative to GDP is significant, it remains slightly lower than rates seen in the US and UK [3]. Estimates of China’s total ad spend vary slightly by source, with figures around $179.7 billion USD cited for 2022 by one source [2] and $166.13 billion USD by another for the same year [4]. Regardless of minor variations, the sheer scale highlights the immense importance of advertising within the Chinese economy. 1.2 Digital Dominance: Market Size, Growth, and Forecasts Within the broader advertising industry, internet advertising is the undisputed leader in China. In 2024, revenues from internet advertising reached an impressive 891.91 billion yuan, reflecting a 24 percent year-on-year increase [1]. This segment claimed a staggering 86.5 percent share of the total advertising revenue across all media platforms in China [1]. This dominance is significantly higher than the global average, where digital channels accounted for approximately 72.7 percent of worldwide ad investment in 2024 [3], [29]. This accelerated shift suggests a unique market structure in China where digital is not merely a channel, but the primary ecosystem for communication, content consumption, and commerce. Estimates for the precise size of China’s digital advertising market vary. Grandview Research placed the market at $53.4 billion USD in 2024, forecasting a rise to $145.4 billion USD by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 percent between 2025 and 2030 [5]. Consultancy R3 reported a 15.5 percent growth in digital advertising revenue for 2023 [6]. Globally, digital ad spend saw double-digit growth, though forecasts suggest a slight deceleration in the coming years [7], [3]. The consistent theme across reports is the powerful, ongoing expansion of China’s digital advertising sector, far outpacing traditional media investment [6], [8]. By 2024, digital ad spend in China was projected to be more than twice as large as traditional media spend [4]. 1.3 Key Drivers: Mobile, E-commerce, and Platform Ecosystem Several core factors fuel China’s digital marketing boom: Mobile-First Reality: China operates fundamentally as a mobile-first nation. Official statistics indicated that as of June 2019, 99.1% of China’s internet users (then over 854 million) accessed the web via smartphones [9]. With over 1.3 billion internet users today [10], this mobile dependency remains absolute. Consequently, mobile advertising constitutes the largest and fastest-growing segment of digital ad spend, accounting for 55.6% in 2024 [5]. This aligns with the global trend where mobile captured nearly two-thirds of digital ad investments in 2024 [29]. This reality mandates that virtually all marketing strategies must be mobile-optimized from the ground up. Mobile payment is also ubiquitous, further cementing the smartphone’s central role in daily life and commerce [9]. E-commerce Integration: China hosts the world’s largest and most dynamic e-commerce market [11], [12], projected to reach approximately $2.31 trillion USD by 2029 [12]. Platforms like Alibaba’s Taobao/Tmall, JD.com, Pinduoduo, and increasingly social platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, seamlessly blend advertising, content, and shopping experiences [5], [13]. Livestreaming e-commerce has become a dominant force, turning product discovery into entertainment and driving massive sales volumes, with projections suggesting it could become a 1 trillion RMB market in 2025 [14], [15]. This deep integration means marketing efforts often lead directly to transactions within the same digital journey, blurring the lines between engagement and conversion. Platform Dominance: The digital landscape is controlled by a handful of powerful domestic platforms, often referred to as “super apps.” WeChat, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, and Weibo boast user bases ranging from hundreds of millions to over a billion monthly active users (MAU) [16], [17], [10]. These are not merely social networks; they are integrated ecosystems encompassing messaging, content consumption, social sharing, e-commerce, payments, and mini-programs (apps within apps) [16], [9], [13]. Success requires a nuanced understanding of each platform’s unique user base, content formats, and marketing capabilities. 1.4 Influencing Factors: Economy and Regulatory Landscape The digital marketing environment is also shaped by broader economic and regulatory forces: Economic Conditions: China’s economy continues to grow, with GDP growth reported at 5.2% in 2023 and 5.0% in 2024 [18], [19]. However, recent surveys indicate some weakening in consumer sentiment, potential deflationary pressures, and relatively high household savings rates, which could temper retail spending growth [20]. Despite these headwinds, the sheer size of China’s consumer base (over 1.4 billion people) and its expanding middle-income group (over 400 million) provide a foundation for sustained consumption in the medium to long term [20]. Marketing strategies may need to adapt, potentially emphasizing value, necessity, or emotionally resonant campaigns that align with more rational spending patterns [13]. Regulatory Environment (PIPL Focus): Navigating China’s complex and evolving regulatory landscape is paramount. Several laws impact data handling and marketing practices,

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AI Jobs, Careers, and Salaries in China - TeamedUp China

The State of AI Jobs, Careers, and Salaries in China (2025)

/ 2025-04-25

A definitive guide for international companies navigating China’s dynamic AI talent landscape Executive Summary China has rapidly evolved into a global AI powerhouse, with a thriving ecosystem fueled by government initiatives, massive corporate investments, and a growing talent pool. This report provides international companies with actionable insights into China’s AI job market, talent acquisition strategies, regional differences, and future trends to optimize hiring efforts in this competitive landscape. 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. China’s AI Industry: A Rising Global Force China’s ascendance as an AI leader is driven by strategic policy initiatives and unprecedented investment. The country’s AI market is projected to exceed $200 billion in annual revenue by 2030, representing a significant piece of the global total [1]. Government-Led Growth Initiatives The Chinese government has implemented ambitious policies propelling AI development: Next-Generation AI Development Plan: A comprehensive framework aimed at making China the world’s primary AI innovation center by 2030 [2]. Made in China 2025: Strategic initiative focusing on high-tech manufacturing independence, with AI as a core pillar [3]. These initiatives have catalyzed integration of AI across sectors including healthcare, transportation, smart cities, manufacturing, and surveillance systems. Investment Landscape Private and public investment in AI has reached unprecedented levels: Corporate Capital: Alibaba has committed $50 billion to AI infrastructure, while Bytedance has allocated $20 billion specifically for GPUs and data centers [4]. Government Funding: State-backed initiatives have directed billions into semiconductor projects, research facilities, and specialized AI industrial parks [5]. Academic Integration: Major universities have established dedicated AI research centers, often with joint corporate funding [6]. Economic Impact The AI sector is projected to boost China’s GDP by 0.2–0.3 percentage points annually through 2030, according to Goldman Sachs analysis [7]. This growth is fueled by productivity gains across manufacturing, healthcare, and service sectors. 2. In-Demand AI Roles and Competitive Salaries The Chinese AI talent market offers diverse opportunities across specializations, with salaries reflecting the intense demand for qualified professionals. All figures are presented in both RMB and USD (conversion rate: ¥7.15 = $1 USD) as of April 2025. Core Technical Roles Role Core Responsibilities Salary Range (RMB) Salary (USD) Primary Employers Machine Learning Engineer Develops algorithms and systems that learn from data, creates predictive models 300K–800K+ $42K–112K+ Baidu, Tencent, DeepSeek AI Research Scientist Conducts advanced R&D on novel algorithms and AI approaches 500K–1.2M+ $70K–168K+ Huawei, SenseTime, Microsoft Research Asia NLP Engineer Builds systems for language understanding, generation, and translation 400K–1.2M $56K–168K ByteDance, iFlytek, DeepSeek Computer Vision Engineer Develops algorithms for image/video analysis and interpretation 450K–1.5M $63K–210K SenseTime, DJI, Megvii Specialized AI Roles Role Core Responsibilities Salary Range (RMB) Salary (USD) Primary Employers AI Product Manager Bridges technical and business requirements for AI products 500K–1.5M $70K–210K Alibaba, Pinduoduo, Xiaomi Robotics Engineer (AI Focus) Integrates AI with physical systems for industrial applications 350K–1.2M $49K–168K Ubtech, Siasun, Geek+ Deep Learning Specialist Creates and optimizes neural network architectures 500K–1.5M $70K–210K ByteDance, DeepSeek, Baidu AI Architect Designs enterprise-scale AI infrastructure and frameworks 600K–2M+ $84K–280K+ Huawei, Alibaba Cloud, Inspur Salary Determinants and Progression Several factors influence compensation within China’s AI sector: Experience Level: Entry-level positions typically start at ¥200K–300K ($28K–42K), with significant increases after 3-5 years of experience [8]. Educational Background: PhD holders from top universities command premium salaries, often 30-50% higher than their master’s degree counterparts [9]. Regional Variation: Salaries in first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai) typically exceed those in emerging tech hubs by 15-25% [10]. Total Compensation: Base salary often represents 60-70% of total compensation, with performance bonuses, equity, and benefits comprising the remainder [11]. According to Page Executive’s 2025 Salary Report, top AI talent at premier companies like DeepSeek or Huawei can earn total compensation exceeding ¥2M ($280K) annually when including bonuses and equity [12]. 3. Regional AI Ecosystem: Major Hubs and Emerging Centers China’s AI landscape is geographically diverse, with distinct regional specializations and competitive advantages. Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted recruitment strategies. Established Innovation Centers City Specialization Major Players Talent Characteristics Beijing NLP, foundational AI research Baidu, ByteDance, Tsinghua University Research-oriented, strong theoretical background Shanghai Financial AI, enterprise solutions DeepSeek, Alibaba Cloud, SenseTime Business-focused, international exposure Shenzhen Hardware integration, robotics Huawei, Tencent, DJI Hardware expertise, rapid prototyping skills Hangzhou E-commerce AI, recommendation systems Alibaba, Netease, Hikvision Application-focused, consumer insights Guangzhou Automotive AI, logistics optimization Pony.ai, WeRide, XPeng Specialization in autonomous systems Emerging Tech Hubs Second-tier cities are rapidly developing specialized AI ecosystems, offering advantages in cost structure and retention: Chengdu: Gaming AI, simulation systems, 20-30% lower operational costs than Beijing [13]. Xi’an: Defense AI applications, computer vision, strong academic pipeline from local universities [14]. Wuhan: Medical AI, biosignal processing, government incentives for high-tech enterprises [15]. According to Roland Berger’s 2025 China Tech Cities Report, these emerging hubs offer 15-25% higher retention rates compared to first-tier cities, with average tenure extending to 3.2 years versus 2.1 years in Beijing or Shanghai [16]. 4. Leading AI Companies: Recruiting Practices and Value Propositions Understanding the hiring approaches and competitive advantages of China’s top AI firms provides valuable context for international companies developing their talent strategies. Organizational Profiles and Recruiting Focus Company Core Technology Focus Compensation Approach Distinctive Benefits Hiring Priorities Baidu Autonomous driving, NLP 10–20% above market for researchers Housing subsidies, research autonomy Algorithm optimization, multi-modal systems DeepSeek Generative AI, reasoning models Premium salaries for PhDs (¥1M+ base) International conference opportunities, publication support Large language models, reinforcement learning SenseTime Computer vision, surveillance Performance-based bonus structure Stock options, flexible work arrangements Computer vision, real-time processing Alibaba Cloud Enterprise AI solutions Moderate base with strong growth trajectory Global mobility programs, training allowances Distributed AI systems, cloud optimization ByteDance NLP, recommendation engines Product success-linked incentives Comprehensive wellness benefits, free meals Recommendation algorithms, content analysis Huawei Edge AI, telecommunications Structured advancement with loyalty bonuses Technical ladder advancement, research funding Edge computing, network optimization, security Emerging Competitive Advantages Beyond compensation, Chinese AI companies are developing distinctive value propositions: Research Freedom: Top firms increasingly

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A Guide to Job Descriptions in China - TeamedUp China

Our Guide to Job Descriptions in China

/ 2024-06-18

On Job Descriptions in China… Hey there! Today we’re going to break down some Job Descriptions in China. The Job Description, or JD, is the set of information that hiring companies prepare for open positions. Now if you’ve made it to this article, it’s preeeeeeeetty likely you know exactly what a JD is – so let’s get to the China specifics! In full China fashion – we’re playing the lucky number 8 today. We’ve selected 8 different roles from 8 of China’s leading companies. All posts were originally in Chinese and have been translated by technology far superior to this writer’s translation skills (although I did try to clean it up a bit). Sure it’s choppy in parts, but the intention comes across in just about every bullet point. Chinese business culture values succinct communication, and that really shines in the modern Chinese Job Description. You’ll notice that most Chinese JDs are divided into 3 sections: Tags, Job Responsibilities, and Candidate Requirements. Let’s check some out and learn from China’s biggest and brightest! Hiring in China? We can help. China Job Description Example #1: Sales Representative at Alibaba Tags: import and export trade Tele-marketing Face-to-face sales/cold call Software/Enterprise Service Products Sales experience to enterprises/institutions (ToB) Enterprise (ToB) Face-to-face sales/cold-call experience Telesales experience Exhibition Sales Internet/Technology E-commerce Location: Hangzhou Job Duties:  Represent Alibaba International Business Department to attract investment for the international platform, responsible for customer development in the Shanghai region, and provide customers with a complete set of cross-border trade solutions (websites, order information, finance, services, logistics supply chain, talents) in combination with Alibaba’s diversified products; Develop customers independently through the company’s CRM database, major recruitment websites, Qichacha, referrals, etc.; Responsible for full-link integration, efficient operation of various market resources related to Alibaba’s business, etc., to establish good customer relationships and promote experience sharing and common growth among customers. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or above; excellent candidates can lower their academic qualifications, excellent fresh graduates with internship experience: cross-border e-commerce, foreign trade, international stations, etc. internship experience; Like, love sales and eager to make money; Willing to challenge high salaries, passionate, confident, tough, motivated, and eager to realize self-worth; If you have relevant B-end enterprise investment, telemarketing/face-to-face sales experience (or foreign trade platform investment, Internet promotion, and sales-related experience is preferred). Related article(s): Average Salary at Alibaba (阿里巴巴) in China (2024) Key Account Reps in China: Average Salary and Job Description Our Guide to Understanding Cover Letters in China China Job Description Example #2: WeChat Developer at Tencent Tags: Front-end Development JavaScript HTML CSS Vue React Mobile Apps (iOS / Android) Location: ShenzhenJob Duties:  Dig deep into online and offline industry scenarios, and work on developing personal consumer finance systems such as credit consumption and committed consumption for WeChat Pay; Based on the WeChat ecosystem, be responsible for the development of technology selection, performance optimization, and full-link monitoring related to the front-end of WeChat Pay for different industries; Help merchants grow through technology, pursue the ultimate experience, and work on building a highly available, high-performance Web front-end system. Requirements: Familiar with Linux operating system, computer networks, database principles, common data structures and algorithms; Proficient in front-end development languages ​​such as HTML/CSS/JavaScript; Familiar with WeChat applets, and can skillfully use one of the frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue, and have an in-depth understanding of their principles; Professional, reliable, and well-planned, enthusiastic, eager to learn, and love to share, and those with background development experience are preferred. Related article(s): Android Developers in China: Average Salary and Job Description Average Salary at Tencent (腾讯) in China (2024) Average Software Engineer Salary in China: 14 Sources Compared China Job Description Example #3: Product Manager at Baidu Tags: Senior Product Manager Commercial Products Location: Beijing Department: Health Content BusinessJob Duties:  Responsible for non-advertising commercial products for private medical institutions, responsible for revenue and actual conversion, including CPA effect payment and content brand marketing. Multi-point registration: Multi-point registration is the core connection point between Baidu Health’s public ecology and private customers. Establish the commercial transformation of multi-point registration products, including the commercial rights design of doctor brands, hospital brands, and conversion channels, and the mechanism and pricing of landing effect payment; Heating products: Through content marketing and doctor marketing, realize the compliant commercialization of search popular science traffic, including content business orders, traffic heating, commercial recommendations, etc., to bring additional commercial scenarios to customers, accurately acquire customers and improve the overall conversion effect. Requirements: 3-5 years of Internet work experience, search and commercialization background is preferred;  Have experience in being responsible for medium and large complete projects, can complete solution design and implementation from 0 based on given goals, and continue to promote iteration; Those with experience as a mentor or team management are preferred. Related article(s): Average Salary at China’s ‘Big 3’ Tech Firms: Tencent, Alibaba, & Baidu Average Salary at Baidu (百度) in China (2024) China Job Description Example #4: Business Data Analyst at Meituan Tags: Business data analysis Business model/operation strategy optimization Location: BeijingJob Duties:  Based on the in-depth understanding of the business model and industry research, continue to conduct behavioral research such as user insights, identify key decision-making factors for business growth, and seek potential business growth opportunities; Responsible for the analysis of user retention improvement, and exploring opportunities for retention improvement from various angles such as reach, users, commodities, activities, and products; Responsible for the core indicator monitoring and abnormal analysis of platform users, timely discovery of business problems, and exploration of user growth opportunities. Requirements: 2 years or more of work experience in Internet business analysis or consulting companies; Sensitive to data, with good logical analysis ability and structured thinking ability, able to find business opportunities from multi-dimensional complex data. Experience in user growth analysis is preferred. Have a strong interest in retail business, and hope to achieve performance growth and realize their own value through data-driven; Strong goal orientation, strong pressure-bearing ability, and good cross-team communication skills; Solid basic skills, proficient in using data analysis tools, and proficient in

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Find Trustworthy Employees in China - TeamedUp China

How to Find Trustworthy Employees in China to Grow Your Business

/ 2024-05-25

Today we’re looking at ways to help with and organize hiring reliable, trustworthy employees in China! Sure, a lot of candidates look great on paper – so our main goal here is to find out if they can, in actuality, perform reliably and make a positive contribution to the company.  Our team here has helped loads of companies hire in China for nearly a decade now, so I’m going to bend the ear of some our our most senior recruiting pros for some experience-based insights. If interested, check out the past insights we pulled from our recruiting team regarding Resumes in China and Cover Letters in China. Make no mistake, China is full of world-class talent across most every job function out there – the tricky part can sometimes just be identifying these true talents. Here are some of the main tips we’ve found most useful at doing so.  Use Reliable Hiring Platforms & Sources When hiring in China, it’s important to start from legitimate places. There are a huge number of job sites similar to that of Indeed or Monster, but not all of them are created equal. Furthermore, most of the big global job sites are not available or not widely used – including the likes of HR behemoths like LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Monster.  Some of these sites require background checks and have steps for user screening, while others function much like Craigslist and allow for most anyone to apply with a simple account. We’ve spent a whole bunch of time breaking down the main players in the China Job Platforms space. Here’s a list of them, organized alphabetically, with links to explore our full coverage of each as your curiosity compels:  51job (前程无忧): A Look at the Leading Chinese Job Site 58.com (58同城): China’s Largest Classifieds Site and Much More BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘): The Most Active Job Portal in China Ganji (赶集网): A Look at the Giant Chinese Classifieds Platform Lagou (拉勾): The Jobs Portal Focused on China’s Tech Talent Liepin 猎聘: China’s Leading High-End Talent Platform Maimai (脉脉): The Closest Thing to LinkedIn in China Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘): An Overview of the Chinese Job Platform Outside of job platforms, social networks have become a much more popular place for professional networking and job information. According to data from 51job, this is especially true for younger generations of job seekers in China. Once again, the big global social media players are either not available or widely used in China. Some of China’s biggest social networks include the (super-app) Wechat, Douyin (Tiktok), Weibo, Red (XiaoHongShu), and the LinkedIn-esque Maimai.  When sourcing candidates from Social Media, classified sites, and even personal networks – it’s important to qualify every hopeful job seeker and stick to a vetting process (cue the rest of our tips below!).  Did you know? TeamedUp China uses our own talent pool along with a combination of the top Chinese job sites to source the most relevant and interested candidates. Our process filters out the non-serious applications early & swiftly (excuse us, and now back to the show)… Watch Out for Early Red Flags – Especially in Communication Pay attention to early communication: “The candidate’s responsiveness in communication and scheduling interviews is telling.” says Ms Zhu, a Recruiting Pro with 10 years of experience doing so in China. “Even the way they present their availability can be insightful – it can help tell us how much are they prioritizing the opportunity” she adds. Ms Chen, our Recruiting Lead based in Shanghai, elaborates that early email and text (WeChat) communication can also be a great window into the future working relationship with this person. Are they responsive? Clear in communication? If they can’t coordinate an interview process professionally, they probably won’t be able to do so with an important company project.    Validate References & Background There are a few key things that we believe can help out candidate filtering a whole bunch without too much of a hassle. Background Check A standard criminal background check is an easy one to obtain in China. It may be referred to as a Police Check or just a background check.  Our Recruitment Lead, Ms Chen, on the topic: “Be clear early on, that candidates are expected to submit [a police check] before starting. Anyone not OK with this request is probably not a good fit (…for us anyway).” She goes on to state that we don’t see much of a downside or hassle when companies have a police check required for all new hires. References Check & Contact References are a standard in any hiring process. We probably don’t need to tell you to check on some references provided by candidates. The tip here is to make sure the references themselves are legitimate. This point came up when our Hiring Pros Ms Chen & Ms Zhu reminded me of some of the things we’ve seen over the years: Friends & family members posing as a reference on the phone, References being a colleague in an entirely different department, Candidates hiring a service that provides “professional” references.  Now this is not a China-specific problem. A quick internet search will reveal entire guides devoted to spotting and dealing with fake references. The difference here is that many of these tactics don’t really work in China. That said, the general principles apply, but will just need that China-twist to prove effective: Locate the reference on a professional platform, and validate their credentials there. If they aren’t on LinkedIn – try China-focused professional networking platforms like Maimai. Communicate through a professional channel. While an introduction via Wechat is common in China, we suggest also asking for a business email – that means a format resembling ‘[email protected]’ instead of something like the QQ wall-of-random email ‘[email protected]’.  Double-check their information and qualifications directly. It may be helpful to prep a couple of industry or candidate-specific questions for the reference call to make sure the person on the other end is who they say they

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Most Popular Job Search Methods in China - TeamedUp China

How Modern Chinese Workers Look for a Job in 2024

/ 2024-04-08

So how do China’s skilled, bright, and young professionals find a job in the modern era of the 2020s?  We’re going to break down a 2023 data set from one of China’s largest HR companies: 51job. It is among China’s biggest job portals and has some of the largest amounts of local, first-hand, high-quality data points.  In this survey, recent graduates were asked to choose all of the main methods they have used to obtain recruitment and hiring information in their job search. The Job Search or Recruitment information sources were divided into 6 categories. Let’s dive into some data! Most Popular Job Search Tools Used by Chinese Job-Seekers Is Guānxì (关系) still king? Taking the #1 spot in a 2023 survey by 51job, 74.8% of new graduates claimed Recruitment Websites/Apps as a main source of recruitment information. Interestingly, the least chosen method for obtaining job & recruitment information was via networking, with only 14.1% of those surveyed utilizing the method.  Here’s the full results: Recruitment Websites / Apps / Platforms: 74.8% Attending Online Presentations / Seminars: 56.1% Job Fairs / Offline Recruitment Events: 33.4% Social Media: 31.1% University Employment Services: 25.7% Personal / Professional Networks: 14.1% Highlights from the Data #1. Recruitment Websites / Apps / Platforms It’s no surprise that in today internet-first, post-COVID environment that Job Platforms are thriving. The major Job Search Apps in China have extensive features for job seekers and the most opportunities for young professionals listed in one place. There are quite a few successful job and classifieds platforms in China. We’ve covered most of the alternatives in this discussion – Chinese HR firms that you may think of as similar to LinkedIn or Indeed. Check out our deeper look here: 10 Chinese Alternatives to LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Monster #4. Social Media It’s interesting to see how far social media has come in the professional world. That holds true for China especially. The country’s most popular super-app, Wechat, has grown to become the #1 communication tool in both the personal and professional spaces.  Companies are able to promote themselves in a professional way not only on WeChat, but also on other social media platforms including Weibo, Douyin (Tiktok), Red (Xiaohongshu), and the LinkedIn-esque hybrid platform, Maimai. We took a deeper look at the social and professional platforms that Chinese professionals use in the wake of LinkedIn leaving China here: LinkedIn Has Left China. Here Are The Apps Chinese Users Will Shift To.  #6. Personal & Professional Networks Only 14.1% of those surveyed reported using their own networks to seek out job opportunity information. Networking, often referred to robustly as Guanxi (关系 Guānxì) in China, has long been a popular backbone of the country’s business culture.  While I have no doubt that Guanxi is still a big part of business in China, it is interesting to see such a low number in this poll from, essentially, the next generation of workers in the Middle Kingdom.  And since it is indeed a pool of the next generation, these job-seekers are young and most likely to have yet to establish a useful professional network. Deep and beneficial Guanxi comes from long-term relationships – so this may all add up just like that.  That being said, technology is enabling the way job-seekers gather and process information at an astounding rate, and it’s no surprise that China’s youngest working generation is using all of these convenient, modern tools they have.  Survey Bias It is important to note that this survey came from a leading Chinese Job Platform, 51job. Because of this, the results may be skewed towards the winning option ‘Recruitment Websites’. Allow room for bias here by adjusting this result down.  Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget!  The TeamedUp China Recruiting Pros are at it again! Our China Candidate Sourcing Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese platforms just like 51job and its peers such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and 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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Special Working Days in China

What Are ‘Special Working Days’ in China? (中国特殊工作日)

/ 2024-04-08

Special Working Days! If you’re new to Chinese work culture, I’m sorry to break this news to you – China has nationally scheduled make-up days around holidays… on the weekends. That’s right, every year there are a handful of Saturdays and Sundays, right around bigger national holidays, that convert over to workdays. There are 8 special working days scheduled in 2024, a number that can vary slightly year by year and is announced right from Beijing. Check out our super simple 2024 China Public Holidays & Special Working Days Calendar: 1999: The Beginning of Special Work Days in China In an effort to boost domestic travel and consumer spending, the supervising government agency passed an extension of some holidays: The three-day Spring Festival holiday remained the same. Labor Day holiday extended from one day to three days. National Day holiday extended from one day to three days. Essentially the plan was to give workers two extra weekdays off for two major holidays and thus, with one weekend included, a full seven-day stretch of time off. To balance the extra days, the policy makers added ‘special working days’ on weekend days before and after the holidays. The plan to boost spending and travel has generally worked out well, and this trend has continued through 2023.  2007: More Public Holidays Added to the Calendar 2007 further expanded public holidays, adding The Qing Ming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival to the list. Here’s the list of changes made with the policy update: The Qing Ming Festival added as a one-day holiday. The Dragon Boat Festival added as a one-day holiday. Mid-Autumn Festival added as a one-day holiday. Labor Day holiday reduced from three days to one day. A note to add here is that the three new holidays added are all traditional festivals and are celebrated according to the lunar calendar.  2019: May 1st Labor Day Holiday Scheduling Update In 2019, Beijing once again extended the May 1st holiday back to 3 days. The target schedule is 4-5 days off in a row, with 2 make-up working days. To be clear, 3 days off with 2 make-up workdays actually nets in 1 day off. Special Working Day Scheduling Rules Scheduling gets interesting! When it comes to deciding how the holidays are scheduled and which days will be special ‘make-up’ work days, there is a general system… One-Day Holidays For the one days holidays, that is – Qing Ming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. Below is a breakdown of how things are [usually] scheduled the lunar calendar holiday falls on each day of the week: Monday: The holiday naturally becomes a 3-day weekend. (In our mind) A nice, simple scenario – a long weekend with no weekend work!  Tuesday: If the holiday falls on a Tuesday, the preceding Monday and Sunday are off, forming 3 consecutive days off. This creates a special workday on one weekend day. It is often (but not always) the Saturday right before the 3-day holiday. Wednesday: One day off in the middle of the week. No make up work days. Not bad all. Thursday: Much like Tuesday, if the holiday falls on a Thursday, the following Friday and Saturday are off, forming 3 consecutive days off. This creates a special workday on one weekend day. It is often (but not always) the Sunday right after the 3-day holiday. Friday: Like Monday, the holiday naturally becomes a 3-day weekend. A long weekend with no weekend work!  Saturday: A Friday or Monday is given off. No extra workdays, with a 3 days weekend. Sunday: A Friday or Monday is given off. No extra workdays, with a 3 days weekend. Week-Long Holidays Chinese New Year: When scheduling holiday leave for Chinese New Year, administrators look for at least seven consecutive days off. Two special working days are added before and/or after the holiday. Here’s the schedule for CNY 2024 as a reference, with holidays in teal and special workdays in red: Example of Chinese New Year schedule in 2024:8 days off in a row, with 2 special working days creating 6 day work-weeks on either side of this. National Day: Always October 1st-7th (not lunar based). Two make up special working days added before and/or after the holiday. Again, here’s the 2024 calendar as an example. Notice the special working days split before (September 24th) and after (October 12th) the holiday week: May 1st Labor Day Holiday The Labor Day holiday schedule is somewhat unique. The scheduling optimizes 4-5 days off in a row to encourage travel and spending. The downside is that 2 make-up days come in tow with this. Here’s the 2024 schedule as an example of this in action: Example of Labor Day schedule in 2024:5 days off in a row, with 2 special working days on either side of this stretch (April 28th and May 11th). Should Managers Enforce Special Working Days? As someone responsible, such as the HR manager, business manager, or business owner – you don’t have to make your staff work, but it’s understood and expected. Moreover, these days are paid regardless. In our experience hiring in China, most companies are fully operational on these special days. Within your business, this especially relates to outside-facing roles such as logistics or sourcing, as well as client-facing roles. Both will likely still be receiving inbound communication on special working days.  In the end, it’s he individual organization’s decision on how to specifically treat special working days, if not just like a normal workday. Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget!  The TeamedUp China Recruiting Pros are on the scene!  Our China Recruiter Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese job platforms such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and 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

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Items on Resumes in China

11 Unique Things On Resumes in China

/ 2025-04-16

The Chinese Resume! While it shares a lot with the international resume, it has a decidedly different set of standards as well. Today we dive into 11 unique differences that you’ll find on most Chinese CVs. If you happen to be the chosen one on your team combing through these CVs, check out our related coverage on tips for choosing the most reliable candidates in China.   Working on your own Resume and job applications? Check out our friends over at Resume Captain.  The Chinese CV – loaded with everything you need! ⛩ 1) Professional Photo The vast majority of Chinese CVs contain a professional photo. This photo is most often on the top line of the CV – on the left or right, and sometimes center position.  When possible, this photo is taken in a more professional manner, with the candidate dressed up in business attire and the photo taken by a pro photographer. Job hopefuls in China across industries and career paths have professional photos taken every several years, at most career stages. In every step of a China-based career, from new College graduates to the CEO level, professionals have this photo ready to go. A Shanghai professional, professionally holding her professional-photo adorned Resume! 2) Gender CVs in China most often contain a line for gender. The Chinese word for ‘gender’ is: 性别 (xìngbié).  Male: 男 (nán) Female: 女 (nǚ) Note: While this field is seen a lot, it is not required and is just as often seen left out. 3) Relationship/Marital Status Another line commonly seen on a Resume in China is ‘Marital Status’. In Mandarin, Marital Status: 婚姻状况 (Hūnyīn zhuàngkuàng)Married: 已婚 (yǐ hūn)Single: 单身 (dānshēn)Divorced: 离婚 (líhūn) Again, this field is also optional. If the candidate feels comfortable displaying this information, they do so.  4) Height Interesting one! This writer is making a note to do a poll on why height is included on Chinese CVs. I’ll be back with some (hopefully) interesting feedback on the why. In the meantime – here’s how it’s displayed in Mandarin: Height: 身高 (Shēngāo) The listing is traditionally written out in centimeters. For example: ‘175cm’. 5) Identification Number (Shēnfèn zhèng) The ‘ol national ID number, every country has them! This number is displayed most commonly in government-related industries. In China, this category also includes State-owned Enterprises across most sectors and public-facing positions.  Identification Number: 身份证号 (Shēnfèn zhèng hào) For non-Chinese citizens, a passport number will do fine! Passport Number: 护照号 (Hùzhào hào) …in this case, one may also include – Nationality: 国籍 (Guójí) 6) Age Another personal item to add to the list, and one that commonly uses the Chinese date format we just looked at (see #7!). Many candidates choose to list their age on their CV in China. The line is usually as so in Mandarin: Date of birth: 出生日期 (Chūshēng rìqí) Followed by that lovely date format ~ YYYY年MM月DD日   or   YYYY年MM月.  7) Target Salary Chinese CVs can be quite direct! Many candidates choose to include a target salary range to set expectations upfront. This writer is personally a proponent of both employers and candidates setting a clear salary range in Job Descriptions and CVs, respectively.  We have seen firsthand how much time this simple line can save.  Expected Salary: 期望薪资 (qīwàng xīnzī) The salary can be listed as a monthly or annual amount. Wade quickly through the sea of candidates with target salary expectations! 8) Wechat ID We saved a big one for number 8, the king of all numbers in China. Wechat!  We’ve taken a look at the importance of Wechat in the professional spaces of China. Wechat is so prominent in modern professional exchanges that it has practically replaced email, even in the recruiting process! Even our own recruiting pros accept CVs via Wechat on a daily basis, as it is such a primary form of communication for life in China. Armed with nothing but an empty briefcase and a crisp Wechat QR code,the new graduate bravely faces the job market! 9) Date Format yyyy/mm/dd The most common date format in China is the yyyy/mm/dd  or yyyy/mm format. Dates listed on a Chinese CV are most likely going to be in this format. In the Chinese language, this format can be written quite clearly by only adding 2-3 characters: YYYY年MM月DD日   or   YYYY年MM月.  Which is kind of like doing this in English: YYYYyear MMmonth DDday   or   YYYYyear MMmonth.  While it may not be what all international parties are used to, the date format is admittedly clean and logical. Fair warning – once you begin to use it, it may be tough to go back! 10) Beefed up Education Section Education is one of the cornerstones of modern Chinese society. The Chinese CV often reflects this by being a section that is emphasized greatly. Degrees and certifications are highly valued in this society, so why not emphasize them on an application Resume? Education sections can be placed above Work Experience on many Resumes. The industry and career path do matter here. Some careers in China, much like that of anywhere else, have expected educational paths to take and hurdles to surpass.  Great educational accomplishments, furthermore, are simply a great way for candidates to stand out amongst peers.  11) Underlying Humble Presentation and Language Save this as bonus one when revisiting. 11) Statement of Intention or Objective Statement (Instead of Cover Letter) While investigating Cover Letters in China, we concluded that this Statement of Intention or Objective Statement basically serves as a substitute for the traditional Cover Letter.  Our recruiting staff reflected on this in the Cover Letters article: “We more often see that they’ll write a short sentence, based around their motivations.” – Ms Chen, Recruiting Pro “Instead of a [cover] letter, it’s a very simple why I think I’m suitable for this position in a couple of sentences.” – Ms Zhu, Recruiting Pro While this statement may sometimes be included in email text or via Wechat message, it is just as common to see it toward

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Cover Letters in China - What's Normal？

Our Guide to Understanding Cover Letters in China

/ 2024-05-09

Cover Letters! A majority of the world’s largest job markets love them (see graph below). But what about China?  Let’s clear up some common questions that our HR & recruiting team gets from all sides of the hiring process in China! Any big countries missing here? Graph Source: Resume.io Are Cover Letters Used in China’s Job Market? Cover Letters are *not requested or used* for the vast majority of positions in China. In short, not really.  I first took this question to our own China recruiting team – who always make sure to ask twice about Cover Letter requirements.  Our Recruiting manager Ms Chen (who has probably fielded over 50,000 Resumes for us) is decided: “The cover letter is not the usual in China, people don’t use it when applying for a Chinese position,” referring to the application flow of Chinese companies, “we more often see that they’ll write a short sentence, based around their motivations.” Ms Zhu, with over 10 years of experience in HR and hiring out of Shanghai, adds: “Instead of a letter, it’s a very simple *why I think I’m suitable for this position* in a couple of sentences.”    So what about the Chinese candidates who do send a cover letter? “Those that send a cover letter are usually sending it in English. For the most part, they don’t even have a Chinese version because it is so uncommon,” adds Recruiting Pro Ms Chen, “they’ve never even been asked to write one in Chinese.” The first known Cover Letter in Shanghai belonged to Canadian merchant Thomas Bailey (1/2) 🤠 What Percentage of Job Candidates in China Submit Cover Letters? After recruiting for hundreds of Chinese companies and receiving tens of thousands of applications since 2014, our recruiting team estimates only 1-2% of Chinese candidates submit a Cover Letter! And we’ve almost never seen a Chinese one. When it comes to International companies operating in China, there is a much bigger tendency to require Cover Letters in China as per a global standard. When a cover letter is required, it’s important for international companies to remember that most Chinese candidates (and maybe up to 99% of them!) do not have a cover letter prepared already and have not needed one for all or most of their other job applications.  “What is this thing… you call… The Cover Letter?!” 😯 What is Common in China Instead of a Cover Letter? A concise statement at the top of the CV: This is a humble and straightforward 1-3 sentences on why the candidate thinks they would be a great fit for the job. It is in the same location as an ‘Objective Statement’ on a Western CV. If possible via email or form, a short (2-3 sentence) statement in the email body: This is a statement of application intent and a polite request for consideration. Keywords: adding the right keywords to a CV/application on the major Chinese jobs platforms is an important step to stand out. A Bigger focus on Certificates and Degrees: In China’s highly competitive job market, educational and professional milestones mean a lot in the journey to get ahead. This area of the CV garners more focus and space than it would in many international Resumes. Special interests section more developed: Much like in the rest of the world, this section gets stuck at the bottom of most Chinese CVs. It is, however, given more space to breathe and is valued by many Chinese companies looking for the right culture fit with applicants. The Chinese CV – loaded with everything you need! ⛩ What do Chinese Companies do Regarding Cover Letter Requirements? Chinese companies, the vast majority of the time, don’t mention Cover Letter at all on the Job Description. It is completely optional, and not expected. Furthermore, there are no penalties for not submitting one, it simply isn’t really a thing across China! Unless specifically mentioned in the JD, a cover letter can be ignored in China. Instead of a cover letter, Chinese Companies move right to these things when evaluating candidates: Keyword & Search Optimizations: Over half of hires in the domestic Chinese market are done on China’s job and networking platforms. Companies can refine their search in a massive way by starting there. The Certifications and Degrees category becomes more important: Ongoing education is huge in China – candidates can continue to put themselves in more elite categories with verified accomplishments. More pre-interview evaluations: Candidates hoping to work at tech giants like Alibaba take both technical and comprehensive tests. Should My Company Still Require a Cover Letter When Posting Jobs in China? We suggest keeping the cover letter optional in China. Here’s why: Most great candidates in China don’t already have a cover letter prepared. Requiring a cover letter is an extra daunting step that we see high-potential candidates bail on more often than not. Other Companies Don’t Require it. The biggest, newest, most innovative companies in China don’t require it. They are already enough to compete within the job market. This is another (albeit minor) side hurdle for candidates to work with other companies instead of yours. Having a mandatory cover letter, especially in English, discourages A LOT  of great candidates from applying for a position. Unless they are previously familiar and very positive on your firm, a majority of top-tier talents in China will simply skip over a job application that requires an English cover letter. They can apply to dozens of similar jobs at Chinese private and public companies without having to bother. Keeping it optional on the Job Description gives candidates paying attention an easy way to stand out. When that 1-2% of candidates DO include a cover letter in China, it’s always great to see. Great candidates are ready to send you the Chinese comparable – a very purposeful and thought-out target statement and courteous email introduction. That’s not bad! China values modesty. Let’s face it – sometimes cover letters don’t feel the most genuine, and it’s not something a

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13th Month Salary in China

A Guide To The 13th Month Salary Bonus In China

/ 2024-05-16

In China, the concept of a 13th-month salary has become a common and expected practice in the business world. This additional month’s pay is a form of bonus or year-end reward for employees, providing financial relief and motivation during the festive Chinese New Year season. In this article, we will delve into the history, rules, and best practices surrounding the 13th-month salary bonus in China. What is a 13th Monthly Salary Bonus? Let’s get this one out of the way first! The thirteenth salary is an extra payout beyond the regular monthly salary, serving as an annual bonus. Its value is often equivalent to an employee’s monthly salary. Depending on the country, the bonus can be paid as a lump sum or distributed in multiple installments.  It is most commonly a mandatory policy in Central and South America, customary in Western Europe, and a mix throughout Asia. Source: 13th Salary (global) History of the 13-month Salary in China The tradition of a 13th-month salary in China has its roots in international commerce, where it was initially introduced to boost employee morale and loyalty as China industrialized and capitalized throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Over time, this practice made its way into the Chinese business landscape as companies recognized its positive impact on employee engagement and retention. Is a 13th Month Salary Bonus Required in China? While not mandated by law, the 13th-month salary has become a customary practice in many Chinese companies across all industries. It reflects a commitment to employee well-being and serves as a recognition of their hard work throughout the year. Depiction of Caishen (财神), God of Wealth in China.Caishen’s name is often invoked during Chinese New Year celebrations. When is a 13th Monthly Salary Bonus Paid in China? 13th month salary bonuses are traditionally paid out around the Chinese New Year holiday. This is the biggest holiday in Chinese culture and there is a week-long national holiday in China during this time.  International companies still often stick to a globally set time, for example, end-of-year. While this isn’t likely a deal-breaker for Chinese workers, it is important to communicate bonus timings clearly and in advance.  Do Chinese Employees Expect a 13th Monthly Salary Bonus? It’s important to layout that the bonus is… Voluntary in nature: The provision of a 13th-month salary is not legally required in China. Companies choose to adopt this practice voluntarily, and the terms are generally outlined in employment contracts or company policies. Calculated in many ways: The calculation of the 13th-month salary can vary. Some companies provide a full month’s salary as a bonus, while others may use a percentage of the annual salary. Commonly, it is equivalent to one month’s average salary based on the employee’s total earnings during the year. 13th Month Salary vs Other Types of Bonuses in China There are 3 main considerations to take in here: Most other bonuses are considered benefits, while the 13th-month distribution is usually considered, and taxed as, salary. Most bonuses are based on individual or company performance, while the 13th-month salary bonus tends to be fixed regardless of performance. Most other bonuses are not outlined in the main employment contract, but rather in supplementary agreements. The 13th-month salary bonus is often in the salary clause of the main contract. Possible result if M.C. Escher was ever inspired by the topic “Salary Bonuses in China” 13th Month Bonuses in China: Local Company Examples So we’ve learned that it’s widley used, but not required by law. What do industry-leading companies actually do in practice? Let’s take a look at what some domestic giants do when it comes to a 13th-month bonus:  1. Alibaba Group: Bonuses with a Personal Touch Alibaba, one of China’s tech giants, is known for its unique approach to the 13th-month salary. In addition to financial bonuses, Alibaba often includes personalized gifts or experiences for its employees. This personal touch enhances the sense of appreciation and makes the bonus more memorable.  2. Tencent: Performance-Based Rewards Tencent, another major player in the Chinese tech industry, takes a performance-oriented approach to the 13th-month salary. Employees who have demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the year may receive higher bonuses. This strategy not only motivates employees but also aligns with Tencent’s focus on excellence and growth. 3. Huawei: Tailored Rewards for Different Roles Huawei, a global leader in telecommunications, adopts a customized approach to the 13th-month salary. The company tailors bonuses based on the roles and responsibilities of employees. This ensures that the reward is proportionate to individual contributions, fostering a sense of fairness and recognition. 4. Lenovo: Encouraging Team Collaboration Lenovo, a prominent multinational technology company, emphasizes team collaboration in its 13th-month salary strategy. The company often allocates bonuses based on team achievements, fostering a sense of unity and shared success among employees. This approach promotes teamwork and a cooperative work culture. 5. BYD: Early Payouts for Employee Convenience BYD, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, is known for its employee-friendly approach to the 13th-month salary. The company often disburses bonuses a bit earlier than other companies, allowing employees to better plan and enjoy the festive season. This considerate timing contributes to a positive employee experience. 6. JD.com: Financial Planning Workshops JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce companies, goes beyond the monetary aspect of the 13th-month salary. The company provides financial planning workshops or seminars to help employees make informed decisions about managing their bonuses effectively. This holistic approach demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being beyond just financial rewards. 7. Baidu: Creative Bonus Structures Baidu, a leading Chinese tech company, is known for its creative bonus structures. In addition to the traditional 13th-month salary, Baidu sometimes introduces special bonuses tied to specific achievements or milestones. This dynamic approach keeps employees engaged and motivated throughout the year. 8. Haier Group: Flexible Bonus Distribution Haier, a multinational home appliances and consumer electronics company, adopts a flexible approach to bonus distribution. The company may choose to distribute the 13th-month salary in installments throughout the year, providing employees with

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