Career advice

Practical guides for a Hong Kong career

Curated writing from operators, recruiters, and HR leaders — written for people building real careers in HK.

Category: Career Coaching & Guidance

Window shopping for work: Why it’s not the best way to advance your career

In the world of recruitment a ‘passive’ jobseeker is someone who may be interested in a suitable job if it comes their way, but who is not actively looking for their next role. These passive jobseekers scan job boards from time to time and ask to receive updates from recruiters. They like to know who is hiring and what skills employers currently value. But they are not actively searching or applying for jobs themselves.

Career Coaching & Guidance

The feel-good factor: Go with your gut in pursuit of happiness at work

Change is never easy, but it is inevitable. Even if you’ve had the same job description for 15 years, the role is unlikely to be what you first signed up for – nor will the people, the company or the culture be the same. Everyone is motivated to move at some point in his or her career, The question is: what is your motivator? Over the years, I have heard several answers to this, including money, title, work-life balance, challenging work, a collegiate work environment, and a better platform for career growth.

Career Coaching & Guidance

Nobody’s perfect: each one of us is a work in progress

I recently had the privilege of meeting an exceptional leader – one of the few female CEOs in Japan, a country in which female professionals are still rare. This CEO hadn’t followed a traditional path. She studied abroad, pursued a successful career in multinationals, and became a single parent. As she recounted her journey, she emphasised that nothing had been easy. As a single mother in New York, her salary had barely covered the cost of babysitting – so she flew her retired father in from Tokyo to look after her daughter while she travelled for business.

Career Coaching & Guidance

How to leave your job like a professional

Whether you are terminated, downsized or leave on your own accord, there are many ways to ensure a graceful exit and to employ proper protocol when leaving. The measures below will keep your reputation intact and help you chart a polished and professional exit strategy. Be honest about why you are leaving. If you need a change, a more positive work environment, an increase in salary or you simply need a new career challenge, be honest about it. You can also offer feedback on ways to enhance working conditions at an exit interview.

Career Coaching & Guidance

How to negotiate for success

Everyone will need to negotiate at some point in their career – some more often than others. Some will also have more success in negotiating than others. However, negotiating skills and tactics can be learned or enhanced. Good negotiation is actually about communicating persuasively in order to bargain more effectively. If a negotiation arises due to differences, then an effective outcome is one where a compromise or agreement is reached without dispute.

Career Coaching & Guidance

Practical guides for a Hong Kong career

Category: Career Coaching & Guidance

Window shopping for work: Why it’s not the best way to advance your career

The feel-good factor: Go with your gut in pursuit of happiness at work

Nobody’s perfect: each one of us is a work in progress

How to leave your job like a professional

How to negotiate for success

How to sell temp roles on your CV

When is the best time to look for a new job?

New world calls for new generation of leaders

Managers need to understand the generations

Don’t blur lines between social media jargon and work speak

Planning to succeed

Play to your strengths