By P.J. Cassidy, AIRS Senior Researcher
The Internet has forever changed the way companies recruit in the United States. But, as the world's wired population increases, technology offers tremendous opportunities for international recruiting as well.
There is much talk about a global economy. But make no mistake; the global economy of today is in its infancy. As it grows, the competition for skilled employees will only intensify.
So how do companies meet the staffing challenges of the future? One solution is to unleash the power of the World Wide Web and expand recruitment efforts to include other nations. Companies must go where the people are, whether it is across the street or across the world.
Digging in China
More people live in China than anywhere on earth. According to the China Population Information and Research Center (CPIRC) in Beijing, the country's population at year-end 2000 was just under 1.3 billion. China has more than four times as many people as the United States.
And the good news is that more people are online in China than ever before.
Beijing and Beyond
According to market research by eTForecasts at CyberAtlas, China currently ranks fifth among "Nations in Internet Use at Year-End 2000" with 15.8 million users. However, this number is expected to increase rapidly and substantially.
CyberAtlas mentions a Computer Economics' estimate that predicts that, by the year 2005, China will leave the UK and Germany in the dust surpassing even Japan to occupy the number two spot in online nations. It is anticipated that in a few short years China will be second only to the United States in Internet usage.
Who Is Online in China?
Documentation at CyberAtlas provides a profile of the typical user in China. Citing research by Iamasia (Interactive Audience Management Asia), CyberAtlas indicates that the average Internet user is 30 years old and university educated. Although most users are male, the gender gap appears to be narrowing as the online population increases.
In China, Internet users tend to be younger than U.S. users. Indeed, the majority of the online population in China is comprised of people between the ages of 15 and 44. Contrast this with the U.S., where, according to Media Metrix, the fastest growing segment of the online population is 45- to 64-year-olds.
Why is this information important to recruiters? Knowing who is online in China will give you an idea of the kinds of candidates you'll be more likely to reach via the Internet. It will help you target your candidate searches and your position postings accordingly.
For example, at present it's not likely you'll find a candidate for that senior management position online in China, although this could change in the near future.
Online to Employment
Although Iamasia statistics show that 56 percent of those online in China have been online for a year or less, the Internet is successfully connecting these newbies with employers. In fact, according to an article at Virtual China by Jonathan S. Landreth, e-recruiting is booming in the East.
The article focuses on IT-related jobs, which, for obvious reasons, are leading the way in online listings. Landreth quotes Susan Criscione, director of business alliances at HotJobs.com, regarding the future of online recruiting in Asia. According to Criscione, who was previously with Hong Kong Web Connection, a subsidiary of Chinadotcom, more than 30 percent of IT job recruiting in Asia will be done online before 2003.
However, while IT positions may seem the logical choice for online recruiting, anything related to the not-so-"New Media" is still relatively new in China and therefore of interest to the country's younger-than-average online population. And, as in the U.S., what began with a focus on IT is already quickly expanding to include other sectors.
Not Just IT Anymore
Asiadragons China at http://china.asiadragons.com, for example, lists jobs through an arrangement with Asiaco Jobs Center at http://jobs.asiaco.com/china. Recent postings under the heading Latest Hot Jobs in China included a wide variety of other positions, in addition to IT jobs.
Among the many openings were ads for an agricultural officer, a copy editor for advertising, an electronics buyer, a senior human resource executive, a director of business development and a finance and administration manager.
It's clear - China is no sleeping dragon. Your global recruitment plan should definitely include the world's most populated nation.
If all the facts aren't reason enough to recruit in China, there is an added benefit. It's likely your candidates in China will be online… while you're sleeping.
-- P.J. Cassidy, AIRS Senior Researcher, writes about the Internet and international issues. This article is reprinted by permission from AIRS, a global leader in Internet recruitment, tools, news and information. For more information on AIRS, please go to http://www.CollegeRecruiter.com/pages/airs.php . Copyright © Hanover Capital Management Corporation 1997-2001. All Rights Reserved
