Let’s imagine you are in China, and looking for a job. Where should you begin your search?

There are plenty of websites made for this purpose. But there’s also a more convenient and flexible way – mobile apps!

So in this article, you will learn about Top 3 Best Job-Search Apps in China.

Coming to Work in China

So many foreigners come to China to work every year. No wonder why: there are so many job opportunities, and so many ways to make money.

Foreigners can come here in different ways. Some of them find a job on the internet, negotiate with the employer, get their work visa, and only then come to China. But there are still people who prefer to do “the field work”. They come with a business or tourist visa, and begin looking for a job ‘locally’, talking to employers face to face, and willing to see the work place with their own eyes to avoid surprises. Besides, there are a lot of students doing their bachelor or master’s degree and searching for a future job. (Note: Keep in mind, working on a student/tourist/business visa is illegal. You can legally stay in China and work only with a work visa, so you will need to change it.)

In any of these cases, you might want to use job-search apps to find a job. Let’s have a look at three of the most popular apps.

#1: 前程无忧 (51Job)

The first one and the absolute top of my list is an app called 51Job, or 前程无忧 (Qiánchéng Wúyōu).

This is the best app to find any kind of jobs in China, both part-time and full-time. The interface is plain, simple, and intuitive. It’s the best way to find what you are looking for, even if you who can’t speak Chinese. It has CV templates and forms in English, many job offers are in English, so you have a variety to choose from. Almost every foreigner in China starts looking for a place from this convenient app.

Using 51Job

Let’s have a closer look at this app.

The first thing you have to do is create your own CV.

Just click on 简历 (Resume), and let’s get started. There are two versions of resume you can create: Chinese or English. You can switch between them at the top right corner of your screen.

Once you’re done, let’s find you a dream job!

Go to the main page or 首页, choose your city, and type in the position you’d like to find in the search box. Very intuitive.

The only uncomfortable thing about this app is that there is no live chat. All you can do is send your CV, and wait for the employer to call you on the number you mentioned in your resume. If you don’t like phone interviews, is can be quite uncomfortable.

The remaining two apps are available only in Chinese, so it might be more difficult to use them if you don’t speak Chinese. But if you do, you will find them extremely useful.

#2: BOSS直聘

The second job-search app is called BOSS直聘 (boss zhí pìn).

This app is the top choice for the locals. In China, you’ll see the ads for it everywhere.

Using BOSS直聘

The interface is quite plain, all you have to do is register.

Go to 我的 (My) and create your CV in 我的微简历.

Once you are done, go to the main page and start looking for positions.

The main advantage of this app, in contrast with the previous one, is that you can communicate with your potential employer within the app: there’s a built-in live chat. Once you send you CV for the position you like, the app will take you to a dialog window with the HR-manager who posted it.

You can also get to your chat inbox by clicking 消息 at the bottom of the screen. There you can see all your conversations.

The app works the other way, too! If you post a resume and a certain employer finds it suitable, they might contact you via the same live chat. Pretty convenient, huh?

#3: 赶集网

Here comes the last job-search app, which is called 赶集网 (Gǎnjí Wǎng).

it’s a multipurpose app, created no only to help people find jobs, but also to find a place to live or stay short-term.

Using 赶集网

On the main page, you can choose what you are looking for: a full-time position, a part-time one, a place to rent, or a place to buy. This is the app’s greatest advantage… and disadvantage. You can do two things at the same time, but because of this multi-functionality, the number of positions in the app is fewer than in the previous professional, field-specific apps.

But it still worth using and trying. Search steps are the same: first, go to 我的 (My), then create your CV in 我的简历 (My CV) – and off you go!

You can also have a look for work online via websites like Jooble. Hope this post will help you find the job you are looking for, and make you searching process simple and more convenient. Good luck!

And as always, if you have any questions – just tweet us at @thatsmandarin.