A recent survey of nearly 300 students in universities and vocational training centres in Hong Kong showed that they are becoming more flexible in terms of their requirements for new jobs as they exit tertiary education. The survey, conducted by Adecco, found that 42% were willing to take temporary or contract jobs, with 60% willing to work part-time. The expected monthly salary of fresh graduates was found to be between HK$10,000 and HK$12,000, with students exiting vocational training centres expecting between HK$8,000 and HK$10,000. Expected hourly rates for part-time work averaged around HK$40 per hour.
The increased flexibility toward temporary or contract jobs helps graduates accumulate experience, explore career goals, expand their network and close the employment gap. Most temporary and contract jobs are offered by multinational companies and by taking up such postings jobseekers gain the opportunity to work with different departments and different organisations. When a permanent position becomes available, a referral from within the company becomes invaluable and as Audrey Low, Country Manager, Adecco Hong Kong explains, “Direct transfer from a temporary position to a permanent position is highly likely and mutually beneficial to the temporary employee as well as the company itself.” Many employers do not prefer candidates who have long periods of unemployment and working in temporary positions or on a part-time basis also helps graduates minimise these ‘unemployment gaps’.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
