Job Opportunities for Chinese Students and Graduates
Sussex University 16 March 2017
David Peckham
Engineer – 7 years
Management Consultant - PwC 13 years - PA Consulting Group 6 Years
Now - Director Mandarin Consulting
MANDARIN CONSULTING
Job Opportunities for Chinese Students and Graduates in the UK
This Seminar Covers . . .
• Who are Mandarin Consulting?
• What opportunities are there in the UK?
• The recruitment process – the parts Chinese candidates find difficult
We Are the Leading International Career Coaching Organisation for Chinese Students and Graduates . . .
New York
Hong Kong
Beijing
Sydney 2017
London Manchester Birmingham Edinburgh
Toronto 2017
Los Angeles
Chicago
Nanjing
Mandarin Consulting – some of our coaches
A few of the companies our candidates have joined
Job Opportunities for Chinese Students and Graduates in the UK
What are Graduate Schemes in International Companies?
• A job – paying the market salary (usually in excess of £25,000 per year)
• A unique opportunity to be trained while working – probably the most important training of your career
• Usually results in a professional qualification often recognised internationally.
What are Graduate Schemes in International Companies?
• The foundation for a fast track career into senior management
• Exposure to global ideas and methods, an opportunity to work alongside industry experts
• Open for applications all year round but principally in the period September to December
• Often independent of degree major
. . . . . but competitive
What are Internships in International Companies?
• Working in a company usually for 2 to 8 weeks during summer vacation (other times are possible!)
• Opportunity to try out a sector/company
• Understanding how international companies operate
• Opportunity to develop “competencies” and strengthen your CV
• Often results in a graduate scheme job!
. . . . . but also competitive
Area Presenting Opportunities for Improvement:
• Bridging cultural differences, to achieve effective communication and connection
• Using your Chinese background as a competitive advantage and strength
• Strategically planning personal career goals based on skills and interests
• Making the most of personal strengths, talents, interests and abilities
Area Presenting Opportunities for Improvement:
• Understanding Western international companies’ recruitment and selection processes and thinking
• Learning to demonstrate passion, motivation and confidence through all stages of the recruitment process
• Learning to be at ease and communicate effectively with Westerners
The International Recruitment Process Steps Chinese Candidates Find Difficult
Typical Job Application Process
Senior interview Online tests
Application JOB!! CV Cover Letter
Interviews Assessment Center
This is a SELLING process
What do we mean by “Selling”? Matching:
The Requirements Of The Job
Your Skills And Attributes
to
You need to understand both these parts
Sell on Benefits not Specification
This car has 0.5mm steel box sections front and rear with shear stiffeners at 150mm centres allowing high energy crumple zone absorption together with side bars . . .
Benefit
Specification
�This car is one of the safest in Europe!�� Automobile Association
What attributes are companies looking for. . . ?
Attributes Companies Look For Chinese International
• Hard working
• Loyal
• Carry-out orders effectively
• Know their place in the structure
• Obedient
• Contacts (Guanxi)
. . . . . And others
• Motivated
• Team player
• Potential leader
• Good communicator
• Inquistiveness/Questioning
• Having fun at work!
. . . . . And others
There are clear differences in requirements. . .
Organisations are Looking for Key Attributes These May Include:
• Motivation and drive • Leadership and teamwork • Communication and persuasion skills • Genuine motivation behind your application • Individuality and innovation • Problem-solving abilities • Awareness of the business world and implications • The “Ah HA!!” factor – original thinking
Four Types of Attribute and Four Types of Questions . . .
Four Types of Question . . .
Motivational Questions
Competency Questions
Commercial Awareness Questions
General Questions
Four Types of Question . . .
Motivational Questions
Competency Questions
Commercial Awareness Questions
General Questions
An Inevitable Question: (This is a motivational type question)
Why do you want to join our
organisation?
The Matching Is Between Your Requirements
And What The Organisation Offers
It tests your knowledge of the company
You need to be clear what your requirements are . . .
Some Examples of Requirements
• High value, intensive training
• Working with world recognised experts
• Rapid assignment of responsibility
. . . . . And there are others
This is a better way of answering this question!
Four Types of Question . . .
Motivational Questions
Competency Questions
Commercial Awareness Questions
General Questions
Competency Questions . . . . Typical competency-based questions start . . .
Describe a time when you . . .
Give an example of . . . .
Describe how you . .
These questions aim to probe your skills and abilities in a practical setting
Examples of Competency Questions . . . .
• Give me an example of a problem you have faced in the past. How did you solve the problem?
• Tell me about a time when you taught someone something
• Describe a situation where you inspired others to meet a common goal
• Tell me about a time when you worked successfully as part of a team
Answering a Competency Question
• Think of the purpose of the question • Formulate your answer to address this purpose • Use the STAR method to structure your answer
Tell me about a time when you were unsuccessful
Purposes might include . . .
• That you like to try different things • Adventurous • Test for innovation, resilience • Learning from mistakes
Four Types of Question . . .
Motivational Questions
Competency Questions
Commercial Awareness Questions
General Questions
Examples of Commercial Awareness Questions . . . • Give me an example of a company that is doing well. Why is it
doing well?
• Tell me about a recent item you’ve read in the news. How do you think this will impact our organization? What do you think we should do about it?
• What factors do you think are important to make a successful business?
• How have oil prices moved recently? What impact do you think this will have on businesses and the economy
and there are others
A Commercial Awareness Example . . . Give me an example of a company that is doing well.
Why is it doing well?
From “The Economist”
Four Types of Question . . .
Motivational Questions
Competency Questions
Commercial Awareness Questions
General Questions
General Questions . . . . These need to be thought through
• Tell me about yourself
• What is your main weakness (area for improvement)?
• Why did you choose to attend your college/university?
• What is your main achievement so far?
• What do you see yourself doing in five years’ time?
Other, General Questions . . . . These have been asked in interviews recently
• How many cows are there in the UK?
• How many people are on the London Underground at any moment in time?
• How many ping pong balls can be fitted into a 747 aircraft?
These test your thinking process
The Job Seeking Skills Equation . . . A
CA
DE
MIC
L
EV
EL
JOB
SE
EK
ING
SK
ILL
S
JOB
L
EV
EL
AC
AD
EM
IC
LE
VE
L
JOB
SE
EK
ING
SK
ILL
S
JOB
L
EV
EL
THE END Nurturing talent Building confidence Developing passion
Assisting in self-discovery Gaining life skills Bridging cultural differences
London • Manchester • Birmingham • Edinburgh
New York • Chicago • Los Angeles • Beijing • Nanjing • Hong Kong
Website: www.mciworldwide.co.uk