Job Search 101: Your Guide To Getting A Job In Hong Kong

Whether you’re looking for a part-time job in teaching or a full-time job in finance, our certified careers coach offers some tips and tricks to help you on your job search.

Whether you’re a fresh grad seeking your first job or making a career change, the job search can be daunting — especially in Hong Kong. Many turn to recruitment agencies and online job boards like JobsDB and Indeed, only to find that most positions require Cantonese and/or Mandarin proficiency. With 95% of Hong Kong’s population fluent in one or both languages, non-Chinese speakers may feel the odds are stacked against them. Having said that, many still successfully find employment here. Non-Chinese speakers should be aware of organisations that specifically target the expat market such as AsiaXPAT Careers.

Here are a few tips and tricks for finding work we’ve pulled together from conversations with recruiters, HR professionals and others who have successfully secured jobs here.

Read More: 12 Side Hustles For Your Hong Kong Survival Fund

Leverage AI To Polish Your CV And Job Search

AI tools are becoming increasingly powerful allies in the job hunt. Platforms like Claude can help you tailor your CV to specific job descriptions, identify gaps and sharpen your professional summary. Beyond CV polishing, AI can assist in researching companies, drafting compelling cover letters and even preparing for interviews by generating likely questions. According to the Family and Women Portal of Hong Kong, AI-powered job matching platforms are also emerging in Hong Kong to connect candidates with suitable roles more efficiently. 

Read More: What To Do If You’ve Just Been Made Redundant

Use And Expand Your Network

Hong Kong offers so many different ways to build and expand a network such as:

• Meetups, that range from storytelling groups to “funky salsa parties”, and offer great opportunities to socialise with expats and locals alike.
• Various national Chambers of Commerce organise public events which are open to all.
• Come across many events that are of interest to you on Eventbrite.
• And, of course, keeping an eye on our monthly events roundup.

At the same time, do not underestimate the value of your existing networks. These can be friends, or even the people stretching next to you in a yoga class!

Read More: The Ultimate Girls Guide To Financial Independence 

Show Off Your Skills

It is one thing to expand your network but people need to see what you are made of. Explore freelancing opportunities, for example on JobDoh. Alternatively, consider “skills-based volunteering” if your job search is taking longer than you hope or even if you have chosen to postpone getting a paid job for a few years.

In this way, you spend time using your skills to support a charity or other organisation. This will also, allow you to expand your network, show people what you can do, keep your skills fresh and updated and give you motivation in your job search knowing that you are adding value to something you care about.

Local Motion is a Hong Kong-based organisation which explicitly works to connect people with such opportunities, but also do not be shy about approaching local charities and NGOs directly.

Read More: Where To Volunteer In Hong Kong – Nonprofits, Charities & Social Enterprises

Use LinkedIn & Other Job Sites

LinkedIn really does work. It allows you to expand your network and gives people quick and easy insight into who you are and what you can do for them. Given that so many jobs are not advertised, a lot of employers are proactive in directly seeking out people with the skills that they need. Keeping your LinkedIn profile up-to-date and professional — and backed up with a strong CV — is a must.

Other great sites for finding job postings are JobsDB and Indeed, so do keep an eye out on them as well.

Read More: How To Write A CV That Will Get You Hired

Consider Going Through A Headhunter

A lot of jobs are not advertised. Simply relying on agencies and job boards will severely narrow the scope of your job search and your access to different opportunities.Beyond recruitment agencies and job boards, headhunters are worth exploring — particularly for mid-to-senior level professionals. Unlike traditional recruiters who advertise roles openly, headhunters proactively seek out candidates on behalf of employers, often for positions that are never publicly listed. Specialist headhunter firms such as Hays Hong Kong and Michael Page Hong Kong focus on connecting experienced candidates with opportunities that align closely with their background and goals. Building a relationship with a reputable headhunter means someone is actively advocating for you behind closed doors, which is a valuable advantage in a competitive and often opaque job market.

Read More: The Beginner’s Guide To Investing

Consider Working With A Coach

Finally, all of the advice above rests on the assumption that you are clear about your career goals and aspirations. Knowing these can help give you direction and motivation in your job search. However, if you have moved countries, or taken a break from work, all of this might not be so clear. A certified coach — such as myself — can work with you to enable you to define your goals and design a workable strategy for you to get there.

Read More: How To Become Successfully Self-Employed

Editor’s Note: “Your Guide To Getting A Job In Hong Kong” was most recently updated by Team Sassy in March 2026.