Han Ximin, Luo Yuying

    ximhan@126.com

    A JOB fair specially designated for expat jobseekers was held over the weekend at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center with more than 700 vacancies offered. The two-day job fair attracted over 400 jobseekers.

    It was part of the 14th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals.

    The job fair saw more than 50 enterprises and institutions, most of which were training centers and schools, offering salaries around 200,000 to 300,000 yuan (US$30,900-46,350) a year for expat jobseekers.

    “We are looking for specialists in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian and those with media experience are preferred and could have a chance to host some programs,” said Yang Xiaowei, a CCTV producer. The annual salary for the post is generally 250,000 yuan.

    Among the training institutions with booths on the second floor of Hall 5, the Confucius International School attracted the most jobseekers.

    “Foreigners for our teaching posts can get around 300,000 yuan a year, and the salaries rise to a maximum of 1 million yuan if they serve as executives at our school,” said Andrew Kong, director and COO of the school, which is based in Chengdu.

    Many jobseekers were disappointed by the lack of jobs outside of the teaching industry. Some foreigners were looking for technical or engineering jobs.

    “Fifteen percent of the vacancies are non-education enterprises,” according to Liang Ran with the Foreign Talents Information Research Center, the organizer of the event.

    Jason Ault, a jobseeker from the U.S., wanted to work in media and found a post in CCTV.

    “I once was a film maker, a producer and I really want to try the media field,” said Ault.

    Ana from France came to Shenzhen with her husband.

    “I’m frustrated that most of the positions offered here are from the education field, but I’m seeking a job related to marketing. It is hard,” Ana said.

    Ana also found some companies are located in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but she needs to stay in Shenzhen.

    “Most foreign jobseekers choose the fair in Shenzhen because they live in Pearl River Delta cities, but there aren’t many enterprises in the region recruiting foreigners, except for universities, training institutions and schools,” said Ana.