China's graduate job market

This resource is for any student interested in working in mainland China, especially Chinese students planning to return home for career development.

On

China’s economic growth

The Chinese economy has continued its steady recovery, showing an overall upward trend with increasing economic vitality and potential, according to estimates from China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 

While the Chinese economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience, the job market has not fully returned to its pre-pandemic levels. China’s youth unemployment hit a record high of 21.3 percent in June 2023, when the publication was temporarily suspended. In January 2024, six months after the suspension, China resumed the release of youth unemployment data using a new statistical methodology. The new methodology does not include university students, resulting in a youth unemployment rate of 14.2 percent in May 2024 (National Bureau of Statistics of China @Statista 2024).

China’s graduate job market

Overview

In 2023, the number of graduates from Chinese universities was 11.58 million, with over 900,000 overseas talents returning to China to seek employment (Chinese Overseas Talents Career Development Analysis Report 2023 to 2024). The estimated number of university graduates across China in 2024 is expected to reach 11.79 million, an increase of 210,000 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE) (CGTN: China's 2024 graduate entrance exam). This surge of the number of graduates and returning talents has created pressure in the country’s graduate job market. Moreover, China’s graduate job market is also indicating a reduction in recruitment scale (Chinese Overseas Talents Career Development Analysis Report 2023 to 2024). 

The above has led to an oversupply of talents in the recruitment market, prompting employers to adapt their candidate selection criteria to varying degrees. This includes a heightened emphasis on candidates’ overall practical skills beyond just advanced academic knowledge, superior English language proficiency and international vision, which are appreciated and expected by Chinese employers from overseas talents.

In China, the top industries that demand overseas talents are Information Technology (IT), Electronics, Telecommunications, Internet, Finance, Banking, Manufacturing, and Biopharmaceuticals. Other industries with a significant demand for overseas talents including culture/education, high-end equipment manufacturing, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), favouring overseas talents due to factors such as language proficiency, professional expertise, and overseas cultural backgrounds (Chinese Overseas Talents Career Development Analysis Report 2023 to 2024). 

There is a job boom in the renewable energy sector. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (“IRENA”), the green job boom could increase worldwide employment in renewable energy to more than 38 million by 2030, and almost two-thirds of these jobs are in Asia. China is way ahead of the pack as the country with the most renewable jobs, making up 42% of the global total (World Economic Forum). 

According to Chinese Overseas Talents Career Development Analysis Report 2023 to 2024,  overseas returners with backgrounds of Computer and Mathematical Sciences remain a primary focus for Chinese employers’ recruitment, with a significant number of job openings dedicated to candidates in this area. Following closely are positions in the fields of Business Management and Economics/Finance, with graduate roles such as Management Trainees, Marketing, Operations, Sales, Data Analysis, and Finance. 

The rapid development of New Energy and High-end Manufacturing industries has led to a significant increase in the demand for talents with a background in Engineering and Technology, Electronics and Communication Sciences, and Manufacturing-related fields.

Cities, sectors and jobs

Relying on the advantages of a developed regional economy, complete infrastructure, and a high degree of internationalisation, first-tier cities and new first-tier cities in China are the most attractive locations to overseas returners. You can find popular cities and their sectors in Finding a Job in China and Hongkong for Chinese Students. 

Graduates’ city choice is also affected by various local Hukou (settlement) policies. Many new first-tier cities such as Hangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan, etc., rely on their strong development potential and local welfare policies, as well as relatively relaxed settlement policies,  to attract talents (2024 Settlement Policy for Returning International Students). 

Universum’s Most Attractive Employers in China in 2024 report indicates top Chinese employers for Chinese graduates from various academic backgrounds.

Salaries

According to Lockin China (Chinese Overseas Talents Career Development Analysis Report 2023 to 2024),  in 2023, overseas returning talents' salary expectations were relatively concentrated in the range of 6,000 RMB to 12,000 RMB per month. Due to the overall economic environment, the number of individuals expecting salaries between 10K and 12K RMB had decreased compared to previous years. 

In the same year, the salaries provided by employers for overseas talents were predominantly concentrated within the monthly salary range of 8K - 12K RMB, accounting for nearly 60%. 

By comparison, it indicates that overseas talents are not optimistic about the current job market and expect relatively low salary levels.

The overall monthly salary levels in the Internet, High-end Equipment Manufacturing, and IT & Telecommunications industries are relatively high.

Chinese employers’ criteria for selecting overseas returners 

Lockin China (Chinese Overseas Talents Career Development Analysis Report 2023 to 2024) also reported that businesses prioritise several factors when selecting overseas talents. These include:

  • Candidate abilities: This includes relevant internship experiences and a matching academic background.
  • Job intentions: This indicates loyalty and matching value to the company.
  • Stress resilience: This is becoming increasingly important.

Chinese employers are now more cautious in hiring to reduce short-term turnover and associated costs. They are focusing on assessing candidates' ability to handle stress, especially in industries like Finance and Consulting.

The Report also indicates that each sector has specific focuses in selecting the right overseas candidates. For example: 

  • Internet: Strong academic background, relevant internship experience, and personal abilities.
  • Financial banking: Overall capabilities, relevant internship experience, and resilience.
  • FMCG: Overall abilities, career aspirations, and managerial potential.
  • Culture and education: Professional background and expertise in teaching.
  • Manufacturing and IT/electronics/communications: Overall personal capabilities and strong learning ability.

Finding employers and opportunities 

  • The University of Sheffield's Career Connect portal is a platform where you can find vacancies, including vacancies from Chinese employers. You can access the portal via MUSE by clicking “My services”.
  • If you are particularly interested in an employer, follow their social media official account, and check their recruitment website regularly. 
  • You can also follow well known Chinese recruitment agencies. The University has recently joined the Global University Central Career Union (GUCCU) founded by Lockin China. The GUCCU China Portal provides students with vacancies and events advertised by Chinese employers who specifically target students from the University of Sheffield. 
  • It is important to develop your own connections and networks, for example, making the most of Alumni UK, LinkedIn, Chinese alumni network WeChat groups, and keeping in touch with your family and friends back in China to let them know what type of opportunities you are looking for as they may be able to let you know about suitable jobs. 
  • The University’s subscription to GoinGlobal (accessible once you start your course) for registered students provides you with useful information on over 190 locations worldwide, including China. Resources include useful country-specific information on recruitment practices, insider tips and job/internship opportunities.
  • The Global Careers Programme brings employers from around the world to deliver workshops and presentations to University of Sheffield students, including Asia Careers Insight Series, individual employer presentations, employer panel events and China careers fair. 

China’s graduate recruitment timeline

Chinese employers’ autumn campus recruitment starts earlier than that of UK employers. According to Lockin China: 

  • The Chinese Internet sector’s autumn graduate recruitment starts from the end of July and beginning of August, with closing dates in mid-September.
  • The Chinese Finance sector’s autumn graduate recruitment starts from the end of July and beginning of August, with closing dates from September to October. 
  • The Chinese Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector starts autumn campus recruitment from August to September, and closes applications in mid-October. 
  • Overall, 90% of the graduate recruitment takes place between July and November.
  • Spring campus recruitment takes place between February and April to fill the vacancies that are left from the last autumn recruitment season, and also open summer internships for applications.  

Advice: 

  • Apply early.  Although the majority of employers set up a closing date, they recruit on a rolling basis, meaning they will close application channels earlier than planned once they’ve received sufficient applications. 
  • Chinese employers define “recent graduates”, who are eligible to apply for the graduate programmes, differently.  They typically target graduates who already graduated/will graduate within a period of time. For example, Trip.com’s 2024/25 recruitment is aimed at graduates graduating between 1st September 2024 and 31st August 2025, and Honor’s 2024/25 recruitment targets graduates graduating between 1st January 2024 and 31st December 2025. However, it would be better to start looking into the graduate job market earlier.  

Tips & advice

  • Loyalty is important. There is a rapid turnover of staff in China. ‘Jumpers’ are seen as a problem, so it is important to choose your company carefully and take a more long-term view of your career. At the interview say that you intend to stay with the company and contribute to it. Demonstrate that you have researched the Company and the industry, and are likely to be committed to it. 
  • Be realistic in your expectations regarding level of pay and salary. 
  • Network, network, network! Keep in touch with your family and friends, develop links with Sheffield alumni groups, and make the most of social media to obtain first-hand opportunities. 
  • Obtain work experience during your course and after returning. An internship in the UK will significantly add to your CV.  
  • In China, awards and rankings are very important so include details of these on your CV. Employers don’t necessarily know that the University of Sheffield is one of the top British universities. You can find out more about the University of Sheffield including our rankings and reputation, through the About us webpages.
  • Consider Tier 2 and 3 cities that are less competitive, and can offer excellent opportunities too.

A global reputation

Sheffield is a world top-100 research university with a global reputation for excellence. We're a member of the Russell Group: one of the 24 leading UK universities for research and teaching.

About the University