NOWADAYS, human resources management in China is no walk in the park. The job market is booming, the most experienced staff are job hopping and salaries are increasing fast.
HR professionals need to know how to get the best staff at the right price, and how to provide the rewards, training and career planning essential to retain them.
Overseas companies have been stepping up their presence in China for the past two decades and most have been conscious of the need for localisation. However, in the past two years the process of local candidates taking over top HR positions has accelerated, according to Richard Letcher, managing director of Profile Search & Selection.
'A few of these individuals have been seconded overseas to gain experience in best practice operations. As a result, they have been in high demand, as have 'returnees' - mainland nationals who have spent time in the United States, Europe or Australia for education purposes, work experience or both,' he said.
Because the pool of such candidates is still small, they command comparatively high salaries, sometimes almost on a par with levels in Hong Kong. Those without the benefit of overseas work experience can expect to make less.
Many companies still rely on Putonghua-speaking expatriates to fill top HR positions. In such cases, they are likely to hire from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, even if it means offering compensation packages which include housing and other expatriate perks.
