Guide to careers in foreign companies in China｜ Characteristics, risks, and how to change jobs.

Characteristics of Chinese Companies

China has the world’s largest population and a growing middle class due to rapid economic growth. This has resulted in a rapidly growing consumer market, and the expansion of the domestic market has led to growth for companies.
In addition, the Chinese government’s corporate support measures are also encouraging corporate growth. For example, tax incentives, loan support, and subsidy programs. Various measures are being implemented to spur corporate growth.

Against this backdrop, Chinese companies are expected to continue to grow and develop.
By working in a growing company, you will be able to experience new challenges, stimulation, failures, and setbacks. By accumulating such experiences in a Chinese company, you will be able to grow as a person.

When seeking a new job with a Chinese company, it is important to first understand the characteristics and ethics of Chinese companies. This is because Chinese companies have their own corporate culture and ethics that differ from those of Japanese companies.
Let’s take a look at the characteristics of Chinese companies.

Results-based and merit-based

In many Chinese-affiliated companies, the performance-based system is strongly observed. Unlike the seniority system in Japan, employees are evaluated based on their performance, regardless of age or length of service. In other words, it is easy to aim for salary increases and promotions depending on results.

self interest supremacy

For all companies, securing profits is essential for the continuation of the organization and development of the business, but Chinese companies place particular emphasis on this part of the business. Combined with the tendency to worship money, there is a strong tendency to value highly those who bring profits to the company in any way.

Flat relationships

Many Chinese companies have a flat and open environment regardless of position, such as supervisor or subordinate. It is not uncommon to be able to express opinions directly to the head of the business, so work can proceed with speed and efficiency.

Clear division of roles

As is the case in many foreign-affiliated companies, Chinese companies have a clear division of roles by job type. Unlike the job rotation (periodic transfer of departments and duties) that is common in Japanese companies, each individual performs duties specialized to his or her expertise.

Advantages of Working for a Chinese Company

The characteristics of Chinese companies are very different from those of Japanese companies, but what are the advantages of working for a Chinese company? Here are five advantages of working for a Chinese company.

＜Advantages of working for a Chinese company

• Experience world-class economic growth
• Learn to do business the Chinese way.
• Gain international experience
• High wage level
• High potential

Experience world-class economic growth

By working for or with Chinese companies, which are among the world’s top companies in terms of both economic scale and growth rate, you will be able to engage in business on a larger scale. At the same time, it will be a valuable experience to experience the growth of the Chinese market firsthand.

Learn to do business the Chinese way.

Chinese global companies are successful in their own unique ways in many aspects of marketing, operations, and localization. If you are able to work for one of the more globally active Chinese companies, you will be able to learn the Chinese style of business and strategy.

Gain international experience

At Chinese companies operating in Japan, people from various backgrounds, including those from Asian countries as well as Europe and the United States, are working. Therefore, by working with a variety of people, cultures, and values, you will be able to hone your global sensibilities.

High wage level

Many of the Chinese companies that have Japanese branches or Japanese subsidiaries are active in the global market.
As a result, higher annual incomes can be expected compared to Japanese-affiliated companies.

In addition, the salary structure in Chinese companies is generally “base salary + incentives.
As mentioned above, Chinese companies often take a performance-based approach, which means that your performance at work is easily reflected in your salary as a result of your achievements. If you feel that the base salary is low according to the job information, you should pay attention to the incentive and other performance-based rewards.
If the percentage of incentive is large, you can expect to increase your income depending on your performance.

High potential

If you achieve results in a Chinese company with a strong performance-based system, you may be drawn away from competitors not only in China but also in the Western world. China, with its rapidly growing economy, is one of the markets that is attracting attention from around the world. Human resources with business-level Chinese language skills are in demand around the world.

Risks and disadvantages of changing jobs in a Chinese company

There are advantages and disadvantages. To avoid regrets after changing jobs, check the risks of changing jobs to a Chinese company here.

Severe working environment

Some of the many Chinese companies have problems with the working environment, such as overwork and long working hours. To avoid regrets after joining a company, we recommend that you thoroughly research and gather information about the company beforehand.

Ethical Differences

China has a different ethics and corporate culture than Japan, and these differences can cause stress.
There is also the risk of failing to communicate and getting into trouble in business due to a lack of understanding of the differences. It is important to understand and fit in with China’s unique customs, which are different from those in Japan.

Business Risks

Chinese companies may face significant business risks due to changes in the situation of the Chinese government or changes in the business environment. It is important to consider changing jobs, including the possibility of business risks.

Chinese automotive companies

There are many Chinese companies that are well known in Japan, such as Lenovo (Lenovo, Lenovo Group), Huawei Technologies Co.
There are also a number of Chinese companies that develop and provide automotive-related businesses and technologies, some of which are listed below.

manufacturer of complete cars

▶︎3 large emerging manufacturers

• Ullai Motor (NIO)
• Xpeng (Xiaopeng Automobile)
• Li Auto (Ideal Automobile)

▶︎Other emerging manufacturers of note

• BYD (BYD)
• Baidu
• Wuling Wuling Automobile (Wuling)

▶︎Historic complete car manufacturer

• FAW (FAW)
• SAIC (SAIC)
• Dongfeng Motor (DFM)
• Changan Automobile (CHANGAN)
• Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (GEELY)
• Great Wall Train

Reference: BYD “HAN”.

Automotive Technology Development Company

• Jingwei Hirain
• Desay SV
• Neusoft Reach
• Huawei
• Baidu
• Alibaba
• Tencent
• Envision AESC

Points to keep in mind when changing jobs in Chinese companies

When considering a career change to a Chinese company, you need to be aware that it is different from a job search for a Japanese company.
Let’s review some of the key points to keep in mind when changing jobs with Chinese companies.

Understand cultural and ethical differences

As we discussed in “Characteristics of Chinese Companies,” Chinese companies and Japanese companies differ greatly in their work ethics. Not understanding these differences is a risk, but understanding the differences can be a great advantage both in your job search and in your work.
By communicating with Chinese companies or Chinese people based on their way of thinking, and by building a relationship of trust, you will be able to proceed smoothly with both your job search and work.

language ability

Even within a single Chinese company, the language skills required will vary depending on the industry and position. In some cases, business-level Chinese is required, while in others, even daily conversational level Chinese is not necessary. Especially in the case of Chinese companies operating in Japan, there are many employees who are fluent in Japanese, and there are companies and positions that do not require Chinese as a required skill at the time of recruitment.
Therefore, there are opportunities to work for Chinese companies not only for those who want to maximize their language skills, but also for those who are not comfortable with Chinese.

In many cases, English proficiency is not required. However, if you have English skills, you will have a wider range of options, such as being valued by global companies.

How to Get a Job in a Chinese Company

There are three options for changing jobs in Chinese companies: hiring locally, working as an expatriate, or working in a Japanese branch of a Chinese company.

In the case of “hiring locally in China,” there are plenty of job openings, but you will need serious Chinese language skills. In addition, working conditions, such as salary, are based on local standards in China, so you need to choose your company more carefully.

An “expatriate” works in mainland China while belonging to a Japanese company. It is slightly different from “working for a Chinese company,” but you can work with Chinese people and Chinese companies.

Working for a Japanese branch of a Chinese company” is a style of working for a Chinese company while living in Japan. As already mentioned, in many cases, Chinese language skills are not required to work for such companies, and there is no need to move to China. Compared to working locally in China, you may not be able to experience the reality of China firsthand, but there is no difference in being a Chinese company, and you will be working within its culture and characteristics.

How to find a Chinese foreign company

Job openings in Chinese companies can be found on the Internet, and since job postings and document submissions on the web are becoming more common, information can be gathered from within Japan.
For those who are looking for a job where they can utilize their Chinese language skills, Xiaohongshu’s business-oriented platform can be used to search for jobs and gather a variety of information.

If you are looking for a mobility related Chinese company, Turnpoint Consulting Co. Turnpoint Consulting is a recruiting firm specializing in the mobility industry. We provide detailed support to job seekers based on our unparalleled industry knowledge in the automotive and mobility industries. We match the needs of the company with the desires of the job seeker and guide the job seeker to their ideal career change.

Finally.

China is one of the most familiar countries to Japanese people because of its geographical proximity and cultural exchange. However, many Chinese companies have their own corporate culture and ethics that differ from those of Japanese companies. Whether these differences are perceived as advantages or risks depends on the individual.
When considering a career change to a Chinese company, it is important to first clarify your ideal work style and compare it to the corporate culture and ethics of the Chinese company.
If you think that a Chinese company is right for you and you would like to give it a try, why not take the first step in your job search now and realize your ideal way of working at a Chinese company?