Showing all Fitness Blogs for Hong Kong

Thanks to the large number of expats passing through the city, either for permanent resettlement or for a matter of days, Hong Kong enjoys a larger than average amount of networking privileges. Networking is part of the lifestyle here and is something that soon becomes second nature. If you are feeling a little daunted at making professional or personal contacts in the big city, let’s take a closer look at how to get acquainted.  

Join an organisation

InterNations is particularly well-established, as is MeetUp. Both have extremely active social groups that meet regularly, to enjoy dinner or drinks as well as hosting large business networking events. MeetUp is particularly useful if you want to meet others based on your hobbies or interests, but it might be harder to find groups that specialise solely in making business contacts. InterNations on the other hand is invaluable for many, as their social events attract people of different nationalities and professions from all over Hong Kong. For something a little more focused on the business side of things, the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce regularly holds events which are invaluable to those working in Hong Kong’s fast-paced business environment. Their seminars offer the perfect opportunity to meet with the heads of various fields, as well as gaining an insight into their profession. Not to mention, the social events that crop up monthly which are a great opportunity for meeting like-minded people in the same field. The Rotary International organisation is another worthwhile club to invest your time in, especially if you are going to be around Hong Kong for the long term. Their focus is on charitable works, which provide an excellent launching pad for meeting other people as well as boosting personal development. They meet on a weekly basis and you can pop along to find out more about the organisations before joining. 

Some etiquette to bear in mind

• Always have a stock of business cards. It is quite affordable to have them made for you and it is an essential part of networking, especially in the business field.
• Try to avoid meaningless small talk. Although it may not be the best idea to shoot straight into asking your new acquaintance about their job, you can certainly cut to the chase by avoiding superficial questions like ‘where do you live in Hong Kong?’
• Keep the chain going by always keeping in touch. It does not have to be on a weekly basis, but sending a follow-up email after meeting someone and then another a couple of weeks later is a great way to be remembered and to build contacts without being pushy.
• Try to maintain contact with people you consider to be on a different playing field, as you might be surprised how much they may be able to help you in the future. Even if their professional position is unrelated to yours or you consider them to be small fry (don’t!), maintaining a courteous correspondence may prove extremely valuable in the future. Failing that, it always pays to be nice and you may end up making more friends in the process.

Some places to find events

How do you network in Hong Kong? Comment below with your advice!

Hong Kong is frequently voted one of the best places to live and work as an expat. Despite cries that it is not the same experience as it once was, there is no doubt that positions in Hong Kong are highly sought after. So let’s take a closer look at why that is.  

The city itself

Like other big cities of it’s kind, Hong Kong is a megalopolis that has more than enough to offer to expat workers. However, it has a unique flavor that is hard to replicate elsewhere. The clash of cultures and influences make for a mix that is one of a kind. Chinese and Western styles mix, melt and then reproduce themselves in the most spectacular of ways. Besides that, Hong Kong has five star hotels, Michelin starred restaurants, street markets and food stalls within spitting distance of one another. This is Hong Kong’s unique draw and it has been a large part of the attraction for expats over the years.  

The burst bubble

Fast forward to now and many are claiming that Hong Kong’s bubble has well and truly burst. The competition for posts, due to the enormous desire to work in Hong Kong and what it can offer, has meant it has become quite difficult to find a position. Couple that with often unbearable levels of pollution and rising costs of living, all of which equate to Hong Kong slipping down the scale in recent years. However, for those that do manage to secure a position, they can still enjoy a remarkably safe and accessible city.  

Finding the right position

Hong Kong is home to a vast amount of offices, including international businesses. All of these need expat workers in droves. Finance has typically been the big pull for people working in Hong Kong and for this reason, when the global economic crisis hit, it hit hard in Hong Kong. Whilst the area may not have suffered along the same lines of other financial hubs, the positions available are not quite what they were. A reduction of posts is only one factor. Expat packages are also less lucrative, with many benefits and bonuses being drastically reduced. Previously, an expat worker could expect free schooling, medical insurance, housing and transport alongside their salary. However, many now claim this has become ancient history. Whilst packages feature many rewards, these are not quite as comprehensive as before.  

Moving forwards

It is not all bad news though. There are still many positions available to expats and the government is investing heavily in financial technology. For people working in this sphere, the sky can well be the limit. Consultants are still in demand, as well as law professionals, communications experts and human resources experts. For those people working in such fields, there should still be a healthy competition but greater opportunities of access.