CHINA’S NEW WAVE HITS
HONG KONG

Surge of Chinese businesses
in Hong Kong set out to draw candidates

  • Why Chinese companies choose to enter Hong Kong ?
  • How to Attract & Retain Hong Kong candidates?
  • How Hong Kong candidates perceive working in a Chinese company?
HIRING
SPOTLIGHT

As more Chinese domestic companies aim to extend their regional foot print, Hong Kong is the first go-to location outside of China.

However, the first international outpost of any business is crucial to setting the right pace and direction to the larger business. Enter Hong Kong, a market which is geographically close to Mainland China and the financial services stability to support business infrastructure. Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan nature and important status within global firms as an Asian hub has created a pool of qualified professionals to work in an international market. We look at the migration of these candidates and their motivations behind working for Chinese companies.

88%

of Chinese companies find Hong Kong attractive as a location for business expansion

41%

of Chinese companies intend to enter within the next 5 years

Why?

1

Hong Kong’s position as a gateway to international markets

2

Its proximity to
Mainland China

3

The culture and
work ethic

Attraction & Retention
of Hong Kong candidates

2in3

Chinese companies are willing to offer 11-20% above market rate to secure a good candidate

7in10

Hong Kong candidates were satisfied with their salary package in Chinese companies

When joining
a Chinese company

50%

of candidates were offered a promotion in job title

70%

were offered an
increase in salary

Why jobseekers choose Chinese companies

20%

Opportunity to work on new projects

18%

Higher salary/bonus

14%

Gaining foothold into different sectors/industries

44%

of companies struggle with employee retention

3 most common reasons for candidates leaving a Chinese company

72%

Cultural fit

67%

Mismatched salary expectations

56%

Offered better position / employment terms elsewhere

Typical hiring time

HONG KONG VS CHINA

2-3 MONTHS
1-2 MONTHS

Top 3 challenges Chinese companies face when hiring in Hong Kong

94%

Unsuitable
cultural fit

67%

Lack of candidate sourcing channels

50%

Mismatched salary expectations

Hiring in Hong Kong?

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How Hong Kong candidates perceive
employment in a Chinese company

82%

felt that their leadership team made efforts to adopt an international working style

The top 3 concerns for
candidates
when working
in a Chinese company

24%

Management style
& direction

17%

Cultural fit

13%

Expectations of
the role / responsibilities

Thoughts from candidates who have worked with Chinese companies

63%

considered that the management style could improve further

68%

hope for more transparency in communication and strategy

69%

of candidates considered their working experience positive

72%

of Hong Kong candidates are concerned about the stability and longevity of Chinese companies

However

44%

of the Chinese companies have been operating in Hong Kong for more than
10 YEARS

Survey demographics

“Chinese companies” refer to companies that have their headquarters in Mainland China.

CONDUCTED IN 2018 SEPTEMBER 2998 respondents
in total
Respondents across all major job functions