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Q: Applying for job in home country while still in China a good idea? Is it even possible?
Basically wondering if anyone has experience applying for jobs back in their home country while still in China. I'm going to be returning back to the U.S. in a few months and will be needing a new job. I figure looking now would definitely reduce the idle time on return, and could save quite a bit of money. Problem is, I'm not sure the attitude of employers regarding people applying for jobs while currently not in the country. I know most will prefer face-to-face interview at some point, but would it be possible to get them interested a couple of months ahead of time, then schedule an interview upon arrival? (Some government jobs will clarify this in the job description, but most others will not). As I've been living in China for nearly 3 years now, I'm reluctant to move back in with mom and pop, or even stay with a friend, while waiting for something to pop up. How would you go about handling this?
I am also looking for a job since China. I don't know for the US job market, but here is the situation with the Swiss job market based on my own experience.
I have sent no less than 20 resumes to companies located in the region where I plan to go back. After those 20 resumes and despite connections, here are my conclusions:
1) if you don't apply for a senior position (such as manager, director, president, etc), no company will be interested by your profile as they can easily seek an employee with your qualifications in the local job market,
2) even though the technology is available to make long-distance interviews (webcam, video conference application, etc), a company will still prefer to arrange a face-to-face interview.
3) the fact that you're interested to make an interview in a couple of months gives a company the belief that they don't have to rush to answer to your application or set up an interview, and may wait until your return.
4) I personally got one HR saying that by putting my address in China on my resume doesn't give some trust in terms of confidentiality and reliability.
My situation is a bit worse than yours because I'm married and I have a child. I have hopelessly tried to find a job in Geneva, even with some connections, but until I don't come back to Switzerland, nobody dares to introduce me a job opportunity. Moreover, the property market in Geneva is so tough that I cannot rent an apartment without a Swiss salary slip as guarantee.
So, I'm still going back home next month with my wife and my child, and our only place to live in is my parents' apartment. Then I will need to find a job and eventually look for an apartment.
Again, I don't know the job market in US and the difficulties you may encounter when renting an apartment on your own, but you better be already back in US when you start to look for a job. If your parents are fine with you living with them the time you find a job, then do it. I know it hurts one's pride to live with the parents again, but just swallow it for a better good.
Good luck for your search.
GuilinRaf:
By what I hear from my friends who have gone back, the situation in the US is pretty much the same.
If you are still in China, they wont take your job application seriously. You need to actually BE there, even if only so that they can tell you "sorry, we aint hiring."
I am moving home with no gig yet, but every time I wnet home in the last few years I made a point of having a meeting, or a phonecall with those I wanted to work for. I always kept them updated on my current situation via email as well.
They always said the same thing to me "Call me when you move back"
Well, now I'm moving back, I called them... and a few want to have a sit-down. So there's possible job offers coming my way. Just MAKE SURE you keep yourself relevant to those in your industry back home.
