Quick Q&A: What are Some Job Fairs for Foreigners in China?

SmartIntern's Quick Q&As are an opportunity to answer some questions we get from readers. They are designed to give you a quick overview of a particular landscape.

For those unfamiliar with a Job Fair, it is an event wherein a hotel conference room or exhibition hall wherein employers looking to make new hires are matched with job seekers. 

These events are generally free for job seekers, with employers footing the bill by renting out individual booths.

In China, there are a few (emphasis on few) job fairs for foreigners that take place in Shanghai, Beijing, and increasingly, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Attendees of these job fairs in China report that, unsurprisingly, English teachers are the most common type professional sought by employers. International expansion sales or biz dev (business development) roles are also commonly featured.

Depending on where you are at in your job search, if you are outside of a city that features these job fairs, it could prove a worthwhile investment to buy a plane ticket and check out the next job fair for foreigners in China.

If you have or know of a job fair that is not mentioned here, please let us know in the Contact Us section of our website and we'll be happy to add it. 

Chinajob.com Job Fair for Foreigners in China

Chinajob.com hosts the biggest job fair for foreigners in China, which it bills as "the sole event authorized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China."

While the above seems mostly to be an impressive-sounding PR blurb, reports of the Chinajob.com Job Fair are generally good.

It is held once a year, usually in April, and while it started in Shanghai and Beijing, it has recently expanded to Guangzhou and Shenzhen as well.

Job Seekers can attend this event free of charge.

What cities can I find it in?

• Shanghai: Dates here, example positions here.
• Beijing: Dates here, example positions here.
• Shenzhen: Dates here, example positions here.
• Guangzhou: It appears that this fair was held in Guangzhou in 2014, but it is not listed on Chinajob.com's website for 2015. Those interested in attending should email Grace Zhang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm whether it is still being held in Guangzhou or not.

Shanghai Expat Job Fair for Foreigners:

Shanghai Expat has also traditionally held an annual job fair for foreigners in Shanghai.

As of the time of this writing in May 2015, there is not anything scheduled for later in the year, though this will likely change.

Other Job Fairs:

Since 2008, the German Industry and Commerce Greater China has organized a Job Fair in Beijing. You an find more information here.