Finding work: Tips to grow a good network ?

[parasite]

Everyone says that your connections in China are more important than anything for finding a job. It's also a fact that it would be more than possible to know 1,000,000 of the wrong people in a place like Shanghai -- and have not a one of them be the type that can point you in the right direction or hook you up with someone who knows someone who has a job =)

So what do you guys think is the best way of growing a network of the right people !? Obviously it isn't cool to go up to random folks wearing a suit in the bar and saying "Hey buddy, know anyone who wants to give me a job ?"

Did you have better luck meeting Chinese folk or other foreigners ? Or same difference ?

-parasite

[adrianlondon]

I think crashing ex-pat pub meets (I assume there'a a shanghai equivalent of sites like thatsbj.com) and throwing business cards around would help. Make sure they're two-sided ones with mandarin on one side and english on t'other.

[dalaowai]

These are the two best ways to build networks in less than a year:

1- for expats, get a job working at an International school. You'll be teaching their children, therefore can build a strong relationship with them based on trust and communication.

2- for Chinese, provide private English tutoring to company presidents, etc.

In no time, you'll have a large network!

[parasite]

dalaowai: AWESOME suggestions! But... don't you need connections to become a company president tutor in the first place ? Or how do you manage to find out they need a tutor and hook up ?

[novemberfog]

Making a network can be difficult, but if you get out and try things you can do it with no problem. Like dalaowai said, expat networks are really good. You will meet all sorts of people, some who were probably like you 10 years ago.

Also, join organizations like ACM or IEEE related to your career field. Join Toastmasters if you want to meet very outgoing and social people. There are so many. I know of one professional network called "oriented" (you can find it with goodle) that I know is for business introductions in Shangai. Go to one of their happy-hour meets and network with people.

Chinese language classes -- you might meet some people that way, perhaps some who are currently employed as well.

Sports clubs are good too. Join a basketball team, or some other sport you enjoy.

Hobbies...you can find groups with similar interests and make contacts that way too.

[dalaowai]

Just be friendly to your neighbours. I always chat with my neighbours in the elevator and a few months ago, I chatted with the right one. He worked for a big company and his Taiwanese boss wanted a tutor.

I started the conversation with "Shanghai's weather is so unstable...one day it's hot, the next day is cold...I feel like an onion wearing all of these layers". After he politely laughed at my platitudes, he offered me the job.

Novemberfrog's suggestions are great ways too!

I have an American friend who's grandparents immigrated from another country. He's semi-fluent in that said country's language, but has a bit of an accent/small vocab. So he went to that country's embassy and asked if they could find him a tutor. He left his business card and has since been invited to embassy dinners and functions, even though he's an American citizen. He's met countless people that way.

Good luck!

[mind_wander]

parasite,

About meeting the president, in my opinion without actually visiting in China. It is often possible, the more you show your abilities not only strong language skills, the better the chances you got. My best skills of course is English fluency, also 4 years of Chinese Mandarin speaking mostly, not so much on reading. This can help me open my opportunities,also constantly, if I got time to watch more Chinese mandarin tv series. It helps improve your listening skills, concepts, ideas, and writing essay's. It never let me down, if I run out of idea(western), I will think about the Chinese tv series and use those concepts into writing.

Sam