How to craft a professional Chinese resume

Understanding the Chinese job market

The Chinese job market has been booming for many years. The nation has enjoyed an average GDP growth of nearly 9%(1). Economists report that the country has peaked at over 14% GDP growth several times since 1990.

What does all of this mean for you? You’ll likely enjoy plenty of opportunities to land a job, especially if you work in a foundational sector like manufacturing or tech. Periods of rapid growth tend to benefit other industries as well, such as finance, healthcare, and education.  

The Chinese workplace emphasizes hierarchy and respect for authority. Employers expect you to demonstrate professionalism and a clear understanding of the role you are applying for. A resume in Chinese represents a chance to showcase your skills and traits that make you a good fit for China-based businesses. 

Key differences between Chinese and U.S. resumes

There are several key differences between a U.S. and Chinese resume. In China, the forms tend to follow a more structured format and include personal details that might be considered inappropriate in other countries.

One of the most notable differences involves the inclusion of personal information. Your Chinese resume will typically feature your full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, marital status, and contact details. All of these details may seem unusual or overly personal by Western standards, but they are standard in China.

You’ll also need to include a professional photo in your Chinese resume. Employers in China often expect to see a recent headshot at the top of your document. Your photo should be formal and feature you wearing professional attire. Ensure you are well-groomed as well. 

Chinese businesses place a high value on education, which is counterintuitive to the recent shift in America. Many U.S. businesses are prioritizing experience and may even be more flexible in terms of educational requirements. Generally speaking, China has not followed suit. 

Perhaps most importantly, Chinese employers want to know that you possess a high language proficiency. If you’re fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, or other Chinese dialects, make sure to highlight your proficiency level. 

Essential components of a Chinese resume  

Here are the must-have sections that need to be on every resume in Chinese: 

1. Personal information: Always include your full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, marital status, and contact information (phone number and email). Prospective employers will expect to see this information on your resume. 
2. Photo: A professional photo is vital in the Chinese job market. Don’t take a selfie on your smartphone. Choose a clear headshot where you appear formal and well-groomed. If you plan to use your phone to take the photo, invest in a gimbal or tripod. Set your phone to the highest resolution mode and remove any filters that may make your photograph look unrealistic. 
3. Objective statement: Write a concise objective statement that explains your career goals. Highlight why you are interested in the role and what you like about the company you are applying for. Avoid generic statements and tailor your text to each job application to demonstrate that you’ve researched the company. 
4. Educational background: Education is often a key hiring criterion. List your degrees, the institutions you attended, your major, and the dates of attendance. If you received any honors or graduated from a prestigious university, make sure to mention it.
5. Work experience: List your past roles in reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent position and describe your responsibilities. Be detailed about what you achieved and quantify any claims with hard data when possible. 
6. Visa status: Employers will want to know if you are allowed to work in China and what your status is. Provide information about your visa or citizenship status if you are a foreign applicant. 
7. Skills: Highlight any relevant abilities that align with the job you’re applying for. Emphasize your language proficiency and any industry-specific skills that will deliver value for the company. 
8. Certifications and awards: If you hold any professional certifications or licenses, mention them. These can help you stand out from other applicants. 
9. Hobbies and interests: You may want to add a few hobbies or interests to show how well-rounded you are. This section is optional. If you’ve already packed your resume with relevant content and are worried it may be too lengthy, skip this section.

Check out resume examples for more insights into how to structure your resume and what information to include. 

“The Chinese workplace emphasizes hierarchy and respect for authority. Employers expect you to demonstrate professionalism and a clear understanding of the role.”

Formatting and presentation tips for a Chinese resume

First, we suggest finding a dynamic resume template to help you create an eye-catching document. A great template will ensure your document has an easy-to-read format and highlights the appropriate information.

Remember that your cover letter and resume should complement one another. Don’t simply reiterate the same information across both documents.  Look at resume and cover letter examples for inspiration on how to create forms that magnify each other. 

Choose a simple, professional font and text size. Around 11 to 12 points is preferred for the body text. You can use a slightly larger font size for headings. 

Bullet points can be used to list your responsibilities or achievements under each job role. If you use this approach, include the same number of bullets under each position so that your document looks balanced. 

Review your resume to ensure you’ve used a logical flow. Make sure that each section emphasizes your strengths. If you have limited work experience but a stellar educational track record, put the education section toward the top. Lead with your strongest traits. 

If you are learning (or already speaking) Chinese, you must consider the various dialects spoken in the massive nation. Mandarin is the most well-known and popular dialect. With that in mind, you should learn how to say resume in Chinese as part of your presentation prep process. 

Common mistakes to avoid in a Chinese resume

When creating a resume in Chinese, you should be mindful of some common errors. Even a seemingly small mistake can hurt your chances of getting an interview or landing your dream job. 

One mistake involves using a flashy template for your resume and cover letter. Chinese employers value professionalism and order. Choose resume and cover letter templates that are crisp, clean, and formal. 

Make sure you use formal language. Keep your tone professional and respectful throughout. Never use slang in a Chinese resume. 

While Chinese employers want to know a little more about your personal background than U.S. hiring teams, they don’t need your whole life story. Don’t include irrelevant details on your resume, as doing so can hurt the document’s readability. Every word needs to add value to the document and help position you as a strong candidate. 

Finally, ensure you proofread everything thoroughly. If you have a trusted supervisor, professor, or coworker who speaks Chinese, ask them to read through the resume for you. They can provide detailed feedback and ensure that the document exhibits the appropriate tone. 

Optimize your Chinese resume with Jobseeker

Creating a professional Chinese resume requires more than just translating your existing document to a different language. You must familiarize yourself with the cultural and professional expectations of the Chinese job market.

Make sure your resume highlights your strengths and follow the proper format. Keep it up to date and seek feedback from professionals to ensure it remains relevant and effective. 

Need help perfecting your resume and cover letter? Jobseeker offers a resume and cover letter generator that can help you create documents that support your career aspirations. 

Sources:

(1) ChinaPower: Unpacking China’s GDP