Returnees who understand company have edge

Returnees from overseas should get more knowledge of the company or business they are applying for and prepare themselves fully before hunting for a job, to increase their chances of being accepted, human resources experts and recruiting staff said.

They have little knowledge of what they want to do or what the company or enterprise they are applying for does, and this has been the main cause of their failure to land a good and suitable job, a recruiting company staff member said in Beijing recently at a job fair for returnees from overseas.

"Most of them came to the booth of our company, asking me questions like 'What does your company do?' or 'What kind of posts can you offer me?'" said the staff member with Futur Master, a company in Beijing. He asked to be identified only by his surname, Gong.

"From the questions they asked, I feel that they don't have a clear target while hunting for a job. They just came over and handed in their resume, trying their luck. It doesn't help secure an opportunity for a further interview or employment," he said.

Daniel Cheung, a recruiter with BOE Technology Group, who also was at the fair, said those who had some knowledge of his company would easily stand out among a group of applicants with similar education backgrounds and abilities.

"Many job hunters who came to our booth don't know who we are," said Cheung. "Maybe our company hadn't done enough publicity to get well known, but we do like those applicants who know us and show a strong will to work with us."

Gong said the company preferred job seekers who did "research" and set a clear goal in advance.

"The ideal job hunters are those who are well prepared when they arrive at the job fair. They know who they are and what they want. They also know who we are and what we need. Such job hunters usually leave a deep impression on us when they come to talk to us, and therefore have a greater probability of being accepted," Gong said.

However, a majority of the graduates who are hunting for jobs, especially returnees from overseas, lack interest or the will to get to know about the company or enterprise they are applying for, according to Feng Lijuan, chief consultant with 51job.com, a major recruitment website in China.

Feng said there is so much job information, both online and offline, and graduates have no time or energy to get to know every company or enterprise they are applying for.

"It's especially true with returnees from overseas, who may stop paying attention to domestic companies while abroad," she said. "They have no sense of what the companies or enterprises do, or what kind of talent they need."

Knowledge of the company or enterprise, which may further reflect a job hunter's attitude, willingness and loyalty, is highly valued by recruiters, Feng said.

"Under such circumstances, getting as much knowledge as you can of the company or enterprise you're applying for, and preparing your CV and interview accordingly, will be greatly helpful. Preparation makes for success in hunting for jobs," she said.

zhaoxinying@chinadaily.com.cn