September 16, 2016, by Carla

Guanxi, and 4 Websites to Kickstart Your Advertising Career in China

by Gianluca Fracasso, MSc Tourism Management and Marketing, 2011

I started working while I was still at university, which was a great choice. I used Google to identify advertising companies I wanted to work for, and approached them directly to enquire about opportunities, even if none were advertised.

At one point I even kept an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of who I had already spoken to! Although I didn’t always receive a reply, I knew I just needed one positive response as my starting point.

After completing a masters at Nottingham University Business School, I relocated to China in 2011 and now work as a Planner for Dentsu Aegis Network.

You, China, and Guanxi

If you’re a Nottingham graduate, chances are you’ve got the skills required for a career in advertising or communications. In recent years, China has emerged as a major market in this sector and has a growing need for creative minds.

Chinese nationals that have studied in the UK are always highly-sought after by employers and training programmes, but if you are a native English-speaker, you will also seen as highly employable, especially if you have an understanding of how business works in China.

Networking – or Guanxi – is an essential tool to open doors to opportunities. Even if you’re not currently based in China, networking with teachers, friends, and professional contacts could make the difference and mean you get that job over somebody else.

Three websites to kick-start your search

1. Digitaling (Chinese language)
   • This industry news website with opportunities from international agencies (also sometimes in English), including PR and creative agencies.
2. Madison Boom (Chinese language)
   • Similar to Digitaling, this website has a strong focus on ‘4A’, or the American Association of Advertising Agencies.
3. LinkedIn
   • LinkedIn is fully available in China and is used extensively as a social media tool. This can be a great way to find opportunities relevant to you, and build your professional network.

If you’re interested in advertising, a career in China, or both – book an appointment with one of our team to discuss your options.

You can also use Passport Career to research the cultural conventions and expectations of starting a career outside of the UK.

 

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