L'Oreal takes its pick of top talent

COMPANIES IN THE popular and fast-growing consumer products sector are spoilt for choice when looking for talented recruits to fill roles in the area of marketing. They can take their pick from the constant flow of young hopefuls, with all the right credentials, lining up for the chance to test their skills in an industry with almost unlimited opportunities.

As part of a world-leading multinational in cosmetics and beauty products, L'Oreal China is a natural magnet for qualified job seekers. Having achieved double-digit growth in each of the past two years, the company has benefited from changes in the preferences and lifestyles of Chinese consumers and is fast becoming one of the best-known brand names around the country.

The 3,000-member workforce is an internationally diverse mix, with employees from Hong Kong, Taiwan and further afield complementing the strengths of executives hired in the mainland. The company has ambitious plans for growth this year, and therefore the selection of suitable candidates to join the team will be a priority.

According to Daisy Dai, human resources director, it is no longer appropriate to think in terms of local or foreign when it comes to recruitment because the internet has globalised the selection process. The company's one basic requirement is a knowledge of Putonghua and English. 'As long as they have this, we welcome people from China and outside of China to join us,' she said.

In the case of expatriate applicants, L'Oreal will assess their ability to adapt to new cultures.

Ms Dai admitted that in the past many expatriate managers, seen as experts in their own countries, had encountered unexpected problems in people management when working in China. These arose mainly from cultural differences rather than technical issues, and did not apply only to westerners. Professionals from Hong Kong or Taiwan, and even overseas-educated Chinese nationals, had sometimes run into similar difficulties.