Path 01
Job seeking
Where to look, China-facing CV & interviews, offers, and red flags before you sign.
Who this path is for
You’re looking for (or comparing) jobs in Beijing as a foreigner, and you want to know what “ready to apply” actually means before HR starts a work-permit process.
The journey (narrative)
1. Decide what you’re applying for
Clarify role, seniority, and whether the employer can sponsor a work permit. Many offers only work if the company is willing and able to handle work authorization for your nationality and background.
Next: skim Work Permit & Residence so you know what employers usually need from you later.
2. Where people actually look
Common channels: LinkedIn, specialist recruiters, industry WeChat groups, and referrals. Local job boards exist; quality varies. Treat every “urgent hire / pay after trial” message with caution.
3. CV and interviews
Prepare a clear English CV (and Chinese if you have it). Expect multiple rounds: HR screen, hiring manager, sometimes a team or leadership interview. Be ready to explain education authentication and your earliest start date given visa timing.
4. Read the offer before you celebrate
Check title, probation, work location (Beijing), base salary vs allowances, who pays for work-permit costs, and whether the contracting entity matches the sponsor on paper.
Red flags: unpaid “trial work,” agency fees charged to you, pressure to start before documents are ready, or an employer name that doesn’t match the offer letter.
5. After you sign
Hand off cleanly to the visa path: gather degree / authentication docs, passport validity, and whatever HR’s checklist asks for.
Next step: open Work visa & residence and work the Work Permit & Residence checklist with HR.
Quick links
- Guide: Work Permit & Residence
- Guide: Banking & Payments (useful once payroll starts)