Hiring university graduates

[simplyolaf]

Hi guys,

I am planning to hire graduate software developers in china.

just wanted to know if anyone has experience in doing that before? Am I likely to

find graduates with enough knowledge of english?

Please share any previous experience

even if not directly related to hiring software developers.

Best Regards,

Olaf

[trevelyan]

Not sure exactly do you mean by "graduate software developers"? You could be looking for developers for anything from C to PHP to Java to Erlang to HTML. You won't have trouble finding Java developers or anything else that is taught in vocational schools. You will have trouble finding programmers who have expertise on Unix or can do things through text editors rather than GUIs.

None of the good programmers I've known have been good at English. Unless you're already fluent you're probably better off hiring a bilingual manager or technical translator. Just my opinion though.

[foodtarget]

Well I've never had to hire any software developers, but I'm close friends with a few masters students in the software engineering (that's the same as software development, right?) department here at Xiamen University. I see them often and we only converse in English (which is bad for my Chinese, but w/e). They sometimes have trouble understanding English that is full of cultural references and subtle nuances, like what you might hear in American comedy shows and TV dramas. But as far as straightforward communication, like what you would need in an office, they are quite proficient. Apparently some of their textbooks are in English and some of their professors are foreigners who teach in English. So I think that software developers with strong English skills certainly exist. The only problem is that those who have cultivated strong English skills are usually trying to go abroad for further study, so I don't know how many stay behind to work in China.

[simplyolaf]

Sorry I didn't specify what I am looking for because I didn't think it was relevant. Actually I want Java developers who know english. If they have a keen interest in going abroad it is even better as I can sponsor them to do that as long as they work for me.

Thanks for your replies!

[lozolo]

i have friends they are good at java ,but the problem is how about your company? and the pay?that's very impotant for them

[simplyolaf]

The pay should be fair. But the biggest advantage of this job is that developers will be trained in a niche technology and if they do well they will be able to work abroad and earn much more. They will also be encouraged to work from china... but that's up to them and the client.

[cdn_in_bj]

Most university grads these days have acceptable English reading/writing skills - I even know a few that are so good that you'd be shocked by how poor their verbal skills are.

Basically, if you need people that can work off of instructions/documentation that is in English, then you should be able to find many candidates with the required language skills to do this. However, if you need them to verbally communicate with English-speaking colleagues, there will be challenges and those you do find will (or should) command a higher salary.