According to the World Bank, Hong Kong enjoys a solid reputation as one of the easiest place to conduct business in the world.
This makes Hong Kong a top destination for professionals wanting to jump start their career.
However, before you start applying for jobs in Hong Kong, it’s important to research all facets of the job – after all, you don’t want to end up in a dead-end job in a dying industry, with little hope for advancement.
To make the most out of your job search, here are six questions that you can ask yourself before applying to that job vacancy in Hong Kong.
1. Does the job have high demand and future growth?
When a job vacancy in Hong Kong catches your eye, the first think you’ll need to assess is the job’s growth potential – both currently and in the future. To do so, look at career opportunities in key growth industries.
For example, according to the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong, finance services is one of the four key industries for Hong Kong’s economy. Beyond looking at industries, consider job vacancies that will allow you to develop your strength in the future for strategic, in-demand skills such as business analytics and cyber-security.
2. How does the job’s salary range compare to Hong Kong market standards?
Hong Kong is current the highest paying economy in the Greater China region according to AsiaOne Business. When evaluating a job vacancy in Hong Kong, do your homework on what professionals are being offered in the market for your position.
If you’re in the accounting, banking, finance or IT industry, the Robert Half Salary Guide provides comprehensive information on salaries in Hong Kong.
3. What does the company’s digital footprint look like?
A company’s digital footprint lets you know their industry reputation and what a career with them would look like. With research by digital agency We Are Social highlighting a 79% (and growing) digital penetration rate, information about Hong Kong firms is easily available online – making it easy for you to research the company that’s offering a job vacancy in Hong Kong.
Look for online content produced by and about the company, as well as social media mentions from their clients and customers through Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Twitter and even Facebook.
Remember though to exercise caution when reviewing online reputations – sometimes they aren’t often the most truthful in a public domain.
4. What is the reputation of the company’s senior management?
Managers with good leadership skills will not only help you grow your career by leaps and bounds, but will also raise the profile of the company.
So before applying for that job, research some newspaper articles, online blogs or LinkedIn profiles of your potential future bosses. Taking the time to find out about their experience, leadership styles and industry credibility is important before making any career moves towards certain companies.
5. Does the company focus on training?
As a professional in Hong Kong, investing in skills training helps you in your career development and also helps you stand out in Hong Kong’s competitive job market. So when applying for a job in Hong Kong, find out if the company allocates both time and budget to train their staff well.
Ideally, your training should be both formal (courses and workshops) as well as informal (mentoring, personal development plans).
6. Does it have work-life benefits?
According to the China Daily, Hong Kong has the longest working hours out of 71 surveyed cities in the world – with calls now to change things around.
Having said that, before you apply for a job vacancy in Hong Kong, read the job description carefully to find out if the company offers work-life balance benefits such as flexible working hours, telecommuting options, and family-friendly policies.
Take the time evaluate a job vacancy in Hong Kong
Sometimes, a little patience can go a long way. Taking the time to identify and evaluate the right job opportunity in Hong Kong will help build the right foundations for your career growth.
While there are many other factors that contribute to you successfully integrating into a new role, considering these six aspects will help discover what career path is best for you.
