HR China—making its own way

With China’s rapid expansion astounding professionals the world over, research has found that the country’s HR teams are not simply following the recruitment pack. From career development to the use of social media in the hiring process, China is doing it its own way.

SHL’s Special Report, a supplement to the annual Global Assessment Trends Report, which examines the ways in which HR professionals in China implement assessments within their organisations has shown that when it comes to recruitment and talent assessments, China is making its own way. Based on data from 88 HR professionals from companies with headquarters in China, respondents represented a range of industries, company sizes and job roles including HR or staffing managers, HR leadership and HR generalists.

The report highlighted some of the unique trends in China’s explosive market focusing on the nature of assessment usage in organisations and the use of technology in HR processes.

Key finding 1: China sees more challenges in recruiting and retention.

• More than half of HR professionals from Chinese companies believe they will be recruiting for more open roles in 2012 compared to 39% globally.
• 80% of HR professionals in China believe they will see increased challenges in 2012 compared to 64% globally.

Key finding 2: Chinese companies—focus on training, but not on formal career development.

• 63% of Chinese respondents indicated having a formal process for training, while just under 50% of global respondents indicated having formal training programmes solely.
• Only 17% of Chinese respondents indicated offering opt-in formal career development programmes compared to 24% globally.

Key finding 3: Fewer Chinese companies using assessments for promotion and leadership development.

• Fewer Chinese companies reported using assessments for the following HR areas as compared to global respondents: external hiring (54%—China; 71%—Global), internal hiring (49%—China, 62%—Global) and leadership development (17%—China; 45%—Global).

Key finding 4: China’s top hiring tools and tests.

• More than 90% of HR professionals from Chinese-based companies reported using résumés, structured interviews, skills/knowledge tests and/or cognitive ability/general problem solving tests in their hiring processes.

Key finding 5: HR in China—a desire to be mobile.

• In China, 35% of respondents indicated that candidates are requesting mobile access when taking assessments, versus 19% globally.
• Likewise, only 22% of global respondents indicated that recruiters and hiring managers desire mobile access, while in China, over 40% indicated such requests are being made.

Key finding 6: Social media as used by HR in China—gathering data versus sharing information.

• Fewer HR professionals in China reported using social media as a recruiting tool (e.g. having career pages on social media sites) versus globally.
• However, more Chinese respondents indicated allowing recruiters and hiring managers to review social media data compared to the global sample.