As I embarked on the next chapter after university armed with a marketing degree and fascination for different cultures, I set my sights beyond familiar borders to sate my intrigue for new experiences. China, that powerhouse of distinct heritage and rapid economic ascent in the East, seized my imagination when I contemplated where in the world I might quest to begin my career abroad. Yet what lured me also posed challenges I grappled to overcome, as responses to my earnest applications for marketing roles in cosmopolitan Shanghai and capital Beijing made clear how steep the incline facing foreigners aspiring to join the Chinese workforce. Through resilience against early setbacks and calculated approaches to align my profile with selective employers, the tide turned to deliver me into the welcoming arms of an international FMCG firm where I landed my dream China job.
In this article, I’ll share the exact steps I took and challenges I faced as a foreigner trying to break into the Chinese marketing industry. From improving my language skills to leveraging my networks, I’ll offer tips so you can ultimately get hired for your dream China marketing job too.
Sharpening My Mandarin Skills
The first challenge was the language barrier. While some multinational companies operate in English, it’s still crucial to speak decent Mandarin as a foreigner in China. So I immediately enrolled myself in intensive language classes and used language apps to reinforce my learning.
Within a few months, I managed to become reasonably fluent in Mandarin. This not only enabled me to communicate better at job interviews, but also showed employers that I was serious about assimilating into Chinese culture.
Gaining China Experience
Despite having prior marketing experience, companies were still hesitant to hire me due to my lack of direct China knowledge. So I knew my best bet was to gain relevant China work experience first. I moved to Shanghai and did a 6-month internship program with a leading Chinese food brand.
During this stint, I learned tremendously about Chinese consumer behaviors and the unique digital ecosystem here. This experience enabled me to demonstrate China marketing competencies during future job interviews. It definitely strengthened my profile and helped me stand out from other candidates.
Leveraging Alumni Networks
As I searched for open marketing roles, I realized networking would be key to getting interviews as a foreigner. So I tapped into various alumni networks to connect with seniors working in China.
I attended industry events and asked alums working at target companies to pass my resume to the hiring manager. I also messaged marketing professionals on LinkedIn requesting referrals.
Getting referred by someone internal definitely boosted my credibility despite being a foreigner. By leveraging alumni networks, I managed to land multiple marketing job interviews.
Highlighting Transferable Skills
To further improve my chances, I highlighted transferable skills from past international marketing roles during interviews.
When asked about my China marketing experience, I emphasized how analyzing European consumer needs equipped me with insights into understanding different target groups. I also stressed how launching cross-border campaigns allowed me to excel at adapting strategies for local markets.
Essentially, I articulated how my international exposure could be an asset for China marketing roles. This helped hiring managers see value in my broader experience despite not having direct China expertise initially.
Showing Motivation to Assimilate
Finally, I demonstrated genuine motivation to adapt to Chinese culture in order to succeed as a marketer here. From adjusting my communications style more indirect per local preferences to dining etiquette, I showed eagerness to respect Chinese cultural norms.
I believe highlighting my sincerity to assimilate into the local work environment played a pivotal role in landing me the job despite being a foreigner. It displayed my genuine commitment to thrive in the role long-term.
My Key Takeaways
While breaking into marketing in China was daunting initially, strategic planning and persistence paid off hugely. Here are my key learnings:
Enhance language abilities significantly
Get work experience in China first
Leverage alumni and professional networks extensively
Articulate transferable international marketing skills
Showcase genuine commitment to adapt to Chinese work culture
By following these steps, I was able to land my dream marketing role in China eventually. So if working in Chinese marketing as a foreigner appeals to you too, I hope my story provided some helpful insights. Just stay determined and keep trying – with the right strategy, you’ll be able to achieve your China career goals in no time!