Recruiting in China

The Chinese central government's call to boost domestic consumption has helped to make sales and marketing positions hot in the job market, according to Kelly Services' Salary Guide Greater China 2013 report released in late February.

Although tense competition in the Chinese market has restricted growth of many organizations, the report found that workers who remain in sales and marketing positions can expect to receive a 5 to 10 percent salary increase in 2013. Those changing jobs can expect to receive a 20 to 30 percent salary increase.

In the retail sector, sales, marketing, merchandising, store management, and operations positions remain in demand, although some headcounts were frozen in the first quarter of this year.

The human resources sector is equally promising. Top HR candidates with proven experience across all disciplines are in demand. Candidates who change positions can expect to receive a 20 to 30 percent increase in salary while the average increase for candidates remaining with their firms is over 10 percent.

Meanwhile, positive growth trends of the US automotive industry will be a boon for the Chinese market, which is expected to grow at a steady 8 to 10 percent clip this year. Top candidates will be needed in the industry in R&D positions, which are important for localizing manufacturing and product development.

While some information technology companies' hiring plans will be frozen in 2013 due to the economic downturn, the Chinese IT industry is nevertheless expected to face a shortage of 2 to 5 million workers in the next 10 years. Positions pertaining to the 3G platform, cellphone operating systems and e-commerce are expected to remain in high demand.

"We are happy to report that in spite of some concerns, we are not seeing any significant slowdown in the China labor market," said Nick Lesser, general manager of Professional & Technical Division at Kelly Services, China Operations.

"In fact, we are finding that in addition to steady demand for resources in tier-one cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, clients are expressing increased interest in expanding their operations all around China," Lesser said.

"The salary ranges in our guide are based on actual transactions between employers and employees, and represent an accurate reflection of the marketplace," he said. "Market-driven salaries are of course crucial, but only by creating a meaningful employer-of-choice culture is it possible to attract and retain talented staff."