Career advice
Curated writing from operators, recruiters, and HR leaders — written for people building real careers in HK.
Anyone who has applied for a job over the past few years will have noticed an increase in the number of interviews they have to attend. The general consensus from a number of surveys is that the average length of the interview process has risen from 13 days in 2009 to 23 days in 2013.
I recently witnessed two senior candidates interviewing for a China CEO role. Both candidates had great track records and talent – but only one was able to stand out as a leader. The unsuccessful candidate – let’s call him Mr Manager – had plenty of experience in government relations, a key requirement for the job. He had even managed a major government relations crisis for a multinational in China, with noted success.
While your technical skills and experience are important in getting a foot in the door when looking for a new job, it…
The Planning and Development Division is one of the six divisions of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS). It now numbers about 62 professional members known as “Professional Planning and Development Surveyors” (or P&D Surveyors) who serve in both the private and public sectors in Hong Kong.
Most people early on in their career experience some uncertainty about what to wear to work. It’s an issue that can be particularly troubling if …
In a recent article by Business Insider, it told a story that a large, successful enterprise startup tried to poach a “programmer” currently working at Google. The startup made the programmer what it thought was a big offer: a $500,000 salary but the programmer told the startup thanks, but Google was currently paying him $3 million per year in cash and restricted stock units.
Iam often asked by candidates how transferable their experience is from one industry to the next. Frustrated by how…
Last week when I was in Singapore, I met up with a versatile and resourceful engineer and what impressed me the most was the productivity of their team. Just the two of them, they were able to come up with over 20 apps one year and those were not “make a fart” or “throw the dart” type of app but apps commissioned by big brands with complexity and server handling.
The recent heavy fines imposed on global banks for violating United States sanctions has put the financial industry on alert about the risks associated with exposure to money laundering. Banks have responded by hiring thousands of new compliance experts and are spending millions of dollars to improve their anti-money laundering (AML) programmes.
Jobseekers with Cantonese, English and Mandarin language skills are at a distinct advantage in the growing Hong Kong economy.
Hong Kong CPAs with financial controller experience can expect to be in demand. Chris Choi, an Institute member, is part of an emerging “flying squad” of financial controllers who parachute into new or distressed companies at the request of private equity firms, risk consultancies and others in need of sound advice.
Once middle-level employees who only focused on the numbers, the role of financial controller has become broad and strategic. George W. Russell reports on how the job has changed and how the Institute plans to develop its members’ skills in this challenging field.