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But how is an employee shortage possible in a country that will produce 4.12 million college graduates this year?
The problem is quality, not quantity. According to a recently released McKinsey report, less than 10 per cent of Chinese job candidates have the skills to work in a foreign company.
Many Chinese graduates lack practical experience, because university courses emphasize theory over work skills, the report says.
Multinationals also complain that graduates are short on communication skills, such as the ability to speak English, and the confidence to work in a multicultural office.
Other experts, such as Cunningham, say talented managers, not new graduates, are in short supply. Aquent, which deals with companies in marketing and publics relations fields, faces problems recruiting mid-level managers, who are in their late 20s and 30s.
To cope with the shortage, most internationals go one of two ways: train their staff or hire experienced talent from another country. Neither option is perfect. But some are hoping to help solve the dilemma.
Canadian John Chabot has made a business out of the talent shortage. Chabot has worked in Beijing for two years as a corporate trainer. He comes into companies and holds classes for Chinese employees to learn skills they need to work in multinational companies.
Though Chabot teaches many business skills classes, he believes that personal skills, such as critical thinking, creativity and intercultural communication, are more important.
"It's one thing to learn a skill such as making presentations or conducting negotiations, but Chinese employees also have to learn about Westerners' cultural background." Chabot admits that changing workers' outlook is a daunting task.
When Wang Beibei, a 28-year-old graphic designer, returned to Beijing after earning a master's degree in Sweden, she wanted to put her international education to use in an international company. In her first week of work, she and all other new Chinese employees received training about Ikea's "company culture".
But Wang said that many locally-educated Chinese — both managers and staff — have a difficult time with the company's speak-your-mind policy.
"People are afraid to speak out. They can't understand the policy, because in some Chinese companies, if you talk about the company's problems to the big boss, you would get fired."
Other than training up local staff, multinational companies chose to hire abroad.
The number of expatriates working legally in China has doubled to 150,000 since 2003, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security said last month. But bringing foreign talent to China is expensive, and many foreigners don't know the language or the Chinese market, said Cunningham.
Despite the obstacles, Cunningham said that the situation is improving. Recently, Chinese universities have started specialized courses and co-operating with companies to help graduates get more hands-on experience.
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bemoan: 哀叹
expatriate: 外籍人员
graphic: 绘画的
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Highlighting your talents
WITH the competition in today's job market, a college degree isn't enough. Multinational companies expect more from their new hires. John Chabot, a corporate trainer in Beijing, lists some of the top skills big companies look for in new graduates.
Practical abilities: Maybe you got top grades, but you also need skills that transfer into the workplace. Taking on an internship is a good way to get hands-on experience in your field.
Cross-cultural communication: Being able to read, write and speak English is important. But being able to really communicate with people from other cultures is even more so. Expose yourself to different cultures during college.
Creative/critical thinking: Many Chinese learn in school to memorize and repeat, but multinational companies want workers who have their own ideas.
Teamwork and leadership: Some top graduates aren't good employees. They've worked so hard at being the best, they don't know how to get along with others. Knowing how to work in a team is important.
Assertiveness and confidence: Even if you have great ideas, you have to know how to make yourself heard. To give effective presentations and make negotiations you have to be confident and assertive. 21ST
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