4 ms·
I worked in Shanghai, China for 3 years for Ubisoft (game developer). Senior-level experienced talent is still hard to find, so it's relatively easy to get a j
by United857 10y ago
I worked in Shanghai, China for 3 years for Ubisoft (game developer).
Senior-level experienced talent is still hard to find, so it's relatively easy to get a job and work visa (which will be sponsored by your company once you accept a offer) compared to first-world countries. This is doubly true if you have a well known tech company on your resume (Google, FB, etc)
I'd recommend working for a multinational company (or at least a large well-known Chinese corporation like Baidu, Tencent, Alibaba); as others have said, they're used to foreigners and will make sure their written communications are in English and make sure their employees have a minimum standard of English proficiency. Any Mandarin Chinese you learn will give you brownie points (unless you're ethnically Chinese; then they'll criticize your slightest mistake ;) ).
Salary wise, you will make significantly more than locals. In absolute terms you will likely make less than you would in the West, but due to the MUCH cheaper cost of living, you can almost always lead a better "life". (I had a ~1200 square foot 3 bedroom apartment in one of the most prestigious districts of Shanghai for $800 US/month (covered by my company). That was ~10 years ago but I'd still expect the same relative price differential.) You will get a good health insurance/benefits package that covers treatment at international standard hospitals.
Shanghai and Beijing are the most foreigner friendly cities in (mainland) China; huge expat population, many western restaurants, signage in English, etc. Other cities not so much, but nothing a slight sense of adventure can't conquer.
Any specific questions feel free to ask.
- neverminder 10y ago> Shanghai and Beijing are the most foreigner friendly cities in China; huge expat population, many western restaurants, signage in English, etc. Other cities not so much, but nothing a slight sense of adventure can't conquer. I thought that would be Hong Kong?
- United857 10y agoYeah, technically Hong Kong is part of China but is distinct from the mainland and most HKers don't consider themselves Chinese. It is indeed much more expat friendly than the mainland due to its British colonial heritage. However, there are far fewer tech jobs in Hong Kong (unless you want to work in the finance industry).
- seanmcdirmid 10y agoThey also pay poorly on general compared to mainland tier 1s, like Shenzhen just over the border.
- bing_dai 10y agoHong Kong's tech scene is extremely small compared to Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.
- FT_intern 10y agoCan you give a ball park estimate of compensation for a multinational company / satellite offices of well known US companies?
- seanmcdirmid 10y agoThat depends on experience, but expect around 60-80% of Seattle at a serious western company at the lower levels, reaching parity around the mid senior level, and exceeding that (perhaps with a coveted expat package) in the senior levels. This is my estimate for MS, but of course, it is very diverse.
- zerr 10y agoBut doesn't it feel wrong when you're treated much better (e.g. have a 2x salary + subsidized apartment) compared to your peers only because you're a [westerner] foreigner?
- seanmcdirmid 10y agoThat was never my experience. My Chinese peers at the same level made similar to what I made...I got a bit more because I didn't have to make contributions into the housing fund. I am/was working with international talent, many of them who would eventually just up and go to the states to work.
- throwaway_xx9 10y agoThe guy in the cube next to you in the USA is probably making twice your salary now. Does that bother you?
- rahimnathwani 10y agoRents have gone up a lot in the past 10 years. These days, $1000 will get you an OK 1 bedroom apartment in OK area in Shanghai. $2000 will get you a nice 3 bedroom place 20 mins walk from the financial district.