Mandarin Consulting - Job opportunities for Chinese students and graduates

Job Opportunities for Chinese Students and Graduates

Sussex University 16 March 2017

David Peckham

Engineer – 7 years

Management Consultant - PwC 13 years - PA Consulting Group 6 Years

Now - Director Mandarin Consulting

MANDARIN CONSULTING

Job Opportunities for Chinese Students and Graduates in the UK

This Seminar Covers . . .

•  Who are Mandarin Consulting?

•  What opportunities are there in the UK?

•  The recruitment process – the parts Chinese candidates find difficult

We Are the Leading International Career Coaching Organisation for Chinese Students and Graduates . . .

New York

Hong Kong

Beijing

Sydney 2017

London Manchester Birmingham Edinburgh

Toronto 2017

Los Angeles

Chicago

Nanjing

Mandarin Consulting – some of our coaches

A few of the companies our candidates have joined

Job Opportunities for Chinese Students and Graduates in the UK

What are Graduate Schemes in International Companies?

•  A job – paying the market salary (usually in excess of £25,000 per year)

•  A unique opportunity to be trained while working – probably the most important training of your career

•  Usually results in a professional qualification often recognised internationally.

What are Graduate Schemes in International Companies?

•  The foundation for a fast track career into senior management

•  Exposure to global ideas and methods, an opportunity to work alongside industry experts

•  Open for applications all year round but principally in the period September to December

•  Often independent of degree major

. . . . . but competitive

What are Internships in International Companies?

•  Working in a company usually for 2 to 8 weeks during summer vacation (other times are possible!)

•  Opportunity to try out a sector/company

•  Understanding how international companies operate

•  Opportunity to develop “competencies” and strengthen your CV

•  Often results in a graduate scheme job!

. . . . . but also competitive

Area Presenting Opportunities for Improvement:

•  Bridging cultural differences, to achieve effective communication and connection

•  Using your Chinese background as a competitive advantage and strength

•  Strategically planning personal career goals based on skills and interests

•  Making the most of personal strengths, talents, interests and abilities

Area Presenting Opportunities for Improvement:

•  Understanding Western international companies’ recruitment and selection processes and thinking

•  Learning to demonstrate passion, motivation and confidence through all stages of the recruitment process

•  Learning to be at ease and communicate effectively with Westerners

The International Recruitment Process Steps Chinese Candidates Find Difficult

Typical Job Application Process

Senior interview Online tests

Application JOB!! CV Cover Letter

Interviews Assessment Center

This is a SELLING process

What do we mean by “Selling”? Matching:

The Requirements Of The Job

Your Skills And Attributes

to

You need to understand both these parts

Sell on Benefits not Specification

This car has 0.5mm steel box sections front and rear with shear stiffeners at 150mm centres allowing high energy crumple zone absorption together with side bars . . .

Benefit

Specification

�This car is one of the safest in Europe!�� Automobile Association

What attributes are companies looking for. . . ?

Attributes Companies Look For Chinese International

•  Hard working

•  Loyal

•  Carry-out orders effectively

•  Know their place in the structure

•  Obedient

•  Contacts (Guanxi)

. . . . . And others

•  Motivated

•  Team player

•  Potential leader

•  Good communicator

•  Inquistiveness/Questioning

•  Having fun at work!

. . . . . And others

There are clear differences in requirements. . .

Organisations are Looking for Key Attributes These May Include:

•  Motivation and drive •  Leadership and teamwork •  Communication and persuasion skills •  Genuine motivation behind your application •  Individuality and innovation •  Problem-solving abilities •  Awareness of the business world and implications •  The “Ah HA!!” factor – original thinking

Four Types of Attribute and Four Types of Questions . . .

Four Types of Question . . .

Motivational Questions

Competency Questions

Commercial Awareness Questions

General Questions

An Inevitable Question: (This is a motivational type question)

Why do you want to join our

organisation?

The Matching Is Between Your Requirements

And What The Organisation Offers

It tests your knowledge of the company

You need to be clear what your requirements are . . .

Some Examples of Requirements

•  High value, intensive training

•  Working with world recognised experts

•  Rapid assignment of responsibility

. . . . . And there are others

This is a better way of answering this question!





General Questions

Competency Questions . . . . Typical competency-based questions start . . .

Describe a time when you . . .

Give an example of . . . .

Describe how you . .

These questions aim to probe your skills and abilities in a practical setting

Examples of Competency Questions . . . .

•  Give me an example of a problem you have faced in the past. How did you solve the problem?

•  Tell me about a time when you taught someone something

•  Describe a situation where you inspired others to meet a common goal

•  Tell me about a time when you worked successfully as part of a team

Answering a Competency Question

•  Think of the purpose of the question •  Formulate your answer to address this purpose •  Use the STAR method to structure your answer

Tell me about a time when you were unsuccessful

Purposes might include . . .

•  That you like to try different things •  Adventurous •  Test for innovation, resilience •  Learning from mistakes





General Questions

Examples of Commercial Awareness Questions . . . •  Give me an example of a company that is doing well. Why is it

doing well?

•  Tell me about a recent item you’ve read in the news. How do you think this will impact our organization? What do you think we should do about it?

•  What factors do you think are important to make a successful business?

•  How have oil prices moved recently? What impact do you think this will have on businesses and the economy

and there are others

A Commercial Awareness Example . . . Give me an example of a company that is doing well.

Why is it doing well?

From “The Economist”





General Questions

General Questions . . . . These need to be thought through

•  Tell me about yourself

•  What is your main weakness (area for improvement)?

•  Why did you choose to attend your college/university?

•  What is your main achievement so far?

•  What do you see yourself doing in five years’ time?

Other, General Questions . . . . These have been asked in interviews recently

•  How many cows are there in the UK?

•  How many people are on the London Underground at any moment in time?

•  How many ping pong balls can be fitted into a 747 aircraft?

These test your thinking process

The Job Seeking Skills Equation . . . A

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THE END Nurturing talent Building confidence Developing passion

Assisting in self-discovery Gaining life skills Bridging cultural differences

London • Manchester • Birmingham • Edinburgh

New York • Chicago • Los Angeles • Beijing • Nanjing • Hong Kong

Website: www.mciworldwide.co.uk

Mandarin Consulting - Job opportunities for Chinese students and graduates

Career

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