China’s talent-strapped multinationals cast their line internationally to reel back overseas Chinese
- Hiring someone from abroad takes time, but a recruit who is originally from China or has parents who still live there could be highly valued at a China firm
- But not all Chinese are keen on returning to China, and those who do could struggle to adapt to the work environment in China after living abroad for years
Talent-strapped corporations from China are looking to hire Chinese people overseas because those candidates are seen as more willing to relocate and likely to fit in, recruitment specialists have found.
And Chinese now in the US, a reservoir for higher education valued by companies in China, say they would not mind considering a move back.
Chinese employers have reached out overseas to fill positions, particularly in hi-tech, biotech and other economic pillars, international talent experts say, especially when the United States has intensified tech curbs amid a prolonged bilateral rivalry. Those hires come with top skills, native Chinese language ability, a shared culture and – in some cases – access to foreign business networks.
“They will definitely bring some expert Chinese to their positions for key roles, especially that of head engineer,” said Linda Yang, Greater China general manager for recruitment process outsourcing at the Los Angeles-based management consulting firm Korn Ferry. While hiring locally is preferred, she said, the next rung is to “hire local Chinese back”.
Normally, hiring someone from abroad would take time, but a recruit who is originally from China or has parents who still live there could become a “push factor”, said Sean Li, China general manager with the British recruiting firm Robert Walters Group.