The document outlines the recruitment of Chinese talent by James Kent from People First, detailing his background in Chinese language and management. It highlights the increasing demand for Mandarin-speaking candidates in various sectors, as evidenced by a steady rise in job orders related to China from 2010 to 2015. Additionally, it provides insights into candidate preferences, interview expectations, and tips for building a career utilizing Chinese language skills.

1. Recruiting Chinese
Talent
JAMES KENT, PEOPLE FIRST TEAM CHINA

2. Introduction
oJames Kent or 孙吉米
oFirst trip to China in 2006 teaching English
oFirst words in Chinese: 冰淇淋, 厕所, 啤酒
oGraduated from the University of Sheffield 2010, degree in Chinese and Management
oScholarships awarded to study at Nanjing and Zhejiang Universities
oFive years’ recruiting experience for companies with Chinese business
oManager of People First’s China team
oWeChat: jimmyk3nt Twitter: jimmykent86 email: james@people-first.co.uk
oWebsite: people-first.co.uk

3. Increasing demand for Chinese talent
Year Number of China related job orders
2010 28
2011 47
2012 99
2013 109
2014 137
2015 49 to date
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Number of China related
job orders

4. Demand – Who is recruiting Chinese
Talent?
48%
13%
3%
1%
4%
3%
10%
3%
14%
Banking/Finance
Administration
Accountancy
Telecommunications
Human Resources
Sales
Customer Services
Logistics
Marketing

5. Supply / competition - seniority
61%
32%
7%
Number of active candidates
with fluent Mandarin,
online database
£0-£19,999
£20,000-
£39,999
£40k+
49%
42%
9%
Number of active
candidates with
fluent Cantonese,
online database
51%42%
7%
Number of active
candidates with
fluent Mandarin,
People First
54%
40%
6%
Number of active
candidates with
fluent Cantonese,
People First

6. Supply / competition - visas
31%
50%
1%
1%
17%
Snapshot of applications received on a weekly basis, broken down
by visa status
PR, ILR, spouse, Tier 2 dep
Tier 4 student
Tier 1 investor / ent
Tier 2 company sponsorship
Tier 5 YMS

7. Supply / competition – candidate
preferences
23%
38%
3%
9%
3%
2%
10%
10%
0.4% 2%
A graph to show the preferences of Chinese speaking candidates when looking
for new opportunities Basic salary
Career development
International travel
Office location
Benefits package
first impression
Size / prestige of company
Opportunity to utilise language skills
Job title
Work life balance

8. Chinese interview – what can I expect?
oBasic job description not telling the full story of the role?
oUnique Interviewer’s behaviour, what to look out for?
oLengthy feedback timeline after the interview , is it a bad sign?
oWhat do you know about the interviewer?
oThrown into the deep end with your language skills, how much should I prepare?
oHow can they tell if I am the right/wrong candidate after a Seven minute interview?
oWhat are the non-negotiables for the role?
oCan we generalise to all companies recruiting Chinese talent?

9. How to build a career from your Chinese
background
oThink about how you intend to use your Chinese and also some of the challenges
oWhat do you know about the industry?
oPreparing your CV, five key points to remember
oNetworking groups
oThink about your competition
oStepping stones
o How fresh are your Chinese language skills?

10. Thank you.
10
For support for your staffing needs:
James Kent, People First
James@people-first.co.uk
For more China business events:
Grace Zhao, China Unbound
07785 260 705, info@china-unbound.co.uk
Join us: Meetup.com/China-unbound