Recruiting in China

MORE than 100 college graduates signed employment contracts with 15 funeral parlors and cemeteries yesterday, officials said.

Most of the firms will arrange training for the 108 graduates before they start work. The Shanghai Funeral and Interment Association said some jobs, such as selling grave sites, were still available.

"New graduates may not be suitable for sales work," said Wang Hongjie, director of the association. Such positions usually demand more experience as you need to deal with grieving family members.

Wang said most employees in the industry at present were middle-aged or close to retirement and younger people were needed.

Han Rui, who has just graduated from East China Normal University, has a master's degree in folklore - the highest academic qualifications among the new hires. She is to train at the Yishan Funeral Parlor in Minhang District.

"I found a sense of belonging in the industry," she said. "And I believe my major will help me a lot in the work."

The companies received 3,220 resumes at a funeral industry job fair in March. More than 400 applicants were selected for interviews, of whom 250 participated in short-term training.