Understanding Chinese Job Advertisements: Key Vocabulary

As China’s economy continues to grow and expand its global influence, many non-Chinese speakers are increasingly interested in working in China or for Chinese companies. However, understanding Chinese job advertisements can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with the language. Job ads in China often use specific vocabulary and phrases that may be unfamiliar, even to those with a basic understanding of the language.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding key vocabulary and phrases commonly found in Chinese job advertisements. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the Chinese job market and seize new opportunities.

1. Common Structure of Chinese Job Advertisements

Before diving into the vocabulary, it’s important to understand the general structure of a Chinese job advertisement. Like job ads in other countries, Chinese job ads typically include several sections:

1. 职位名称 (Zhíwèi Míngchēng): Job Title
2. 岗位职责 (Gǎngwèi Zhízé): Job Responsibilities
3. 任职要求 (Rènzhí Yāoqiú): Job Requirements or Qualifications
4. 薪资待遇 (Xīnzī Dàiyù): Salary and Benefits
5. 公司简介 (Gōngsī Jiǎnjiè): Company Introduction
6. 工作地点 (Gōngzuò Dìdiǎn): Work Location
7. 工作时间 (Gōngzuò Shíjiān): Working Hours

Now, let’s explore each of these sections in more detail and look at the key vocabulary associated with them.

2. 职位名称 (Zhíwèi Míngchēng) – Job Title

The job title is often the first thing you will see in a job advertisement. Understanding the title can give you an immediate idea of whether the position aligns with your skills and interests. Here are some common job titles:

• 经理 (Jīnglǐ): Manager
• 主管 (Zhǔguǎn): Supervisor
• 助理 (Zhùlǐ): Assistant
• 工程师 (Gōngchéngshī): Engineer
• 销售 (Xiāoshòu): Sales
• 市场 (Shìchǎng): Marketing
• 会计 (Kuàijì): Accountant
• 教师 (Jiàoshī): Teacher

It’s also common to see job titles that combine the role with the industry or specific duties, such as:

• 销售经理 (Xiāoshòu Jīnglǐ): Sales Manager
• 市场主管 (Shìchǎng Zhǔguǎn): Marketing Supervisor
• 财务助理 (Cáiwù Zhùlǐ): Financial Assistant

3. 岗位职责 (Gǎngwèi Zhízé) – Job Responsibilities

This section outlines what will be expected of you in the role. Understanding these responsibilities is crucial to determining if the job is a good fit for your skills and experience. Key phrases to look out for include:

• 负责 (Fùzé): Responsible for
  • Example: 负责客户关系管理 (Fùzé Kèhù Guānxì Guǎnlǐ) – Responsible for customer relationship management.
• 制定 (Zhìdìng): To formulate or set up
  • Example: 制定营销策略 (Zhìdìng Yíngxiāo Cèlüè) – To formulate marketing strategies.
• 协调 (Xiétiáo): To coordinate
  • Example: 协调部门之间的合作 (Xiétiáo Bùmén Zhījiān de Hézuò) – To coordinate cooperation between departments.
• 监督 (Jiāndū): To supervise or monitor
  • Example: 监督项目进度 (Jiāndū Xiàngmù Jìndù) – To supervise project progress.
• 分析 (Fēnxī): To analyze
  • Example: 分析市场数据 (Fēnxī Shìchǎng Shùjù) – To analyze market data.
• 开发 (Kāifā): To develop
  • Example: 开发新客户 (Kāifā Xīn Kèhù) – To develop new customers.

These verbs and phrases will give you a clear idea of the day-to-day tasks you will be expected to perform.

4. 任职要求 (Rènzhí Yāoqiú) – Job Requirements or Qualifications

The job requirements section is critical for understanding what qualifications or skills are necessary to apply for the position. Here are some commonly used terms in this section:

• 学历 (Xué lì): Education level
  • Example: 本科及以上学历 (Běnkē Jí Yǐshàng Xué lì) – Bachelor’s degree or above.
• 经验 (Jīngyàn): Experience
  • Example: 三年以上工作经验 (Sān Nián Yǐshàng Gōngzuò Jīngyàn) – More than three years of work experience.
• 能力 (Nénglì): Ability or skill
  • Example: 良好的沟通能力 (Liánghǎo de Gōutōng Nénglì) – Good communication skills.
• 熟练 (Shúliàn): Proficient
  • Example: 熟练使用办公软件 (Shúliàn Shǐyòng Bàngōng Ruǎnjiàn) – Proficient in using office software.
• 优先 (Yōuxiān): Preferred
  • Example: 有项目管理经验者优先 (Yǒu Xiàngmù Guǎnlǐ Jīngyàn Zhě Yōuxiān) – Project management experience preferred.
• 具备 (Jùbèi): To possess
  • Example: 具备团队合作精神 (Jùbèi Tuánduì Hézuò Jīngshén) – Possess a team-oriented spirit.
• 精通 (Jīngtōng): Mastery or expertise
  • Example: 精通英语者优先 (Jīngtōng Yīngyǔ Zhě Yōuxiān) – English proficiency is preferred.

Understanding these requirements will help you determine whether you meet the qualifications for the role and if it aligns with your career goals.

5. 薪资待遇 (Xīnzī Dàiyù) – Salary and Benefits

This section often details the compensation and benefits offered by the company. While some job ads may not specify the salary, they might use certain phrases to describe the compensation package:

• 面议 (Miànyì): Negotiable
  • Example: 薪资面议 (Xīnzī Miànyì) – Salary is negotiable.
• 五险一金 (Wǔxiǎn Yījīn): Five types of insurance and one housing fund
  • This refers to the basic social insurance benefits in China, which include pension, medical, unemployment, work injury, maternity insurance, and the housing provident fund.
• 年底双薪 (Niándǐ Shuāngxīn): Double pay at the end of the year
  • This means the employee will receive an additional month’s salary as a year-end bonus.
• 绩效奖金 (Jīxiào Jiǎngjīn): Performance bonus
  • This indicates that bonuses will be awarded based on performance metrics.
• 补贴 (Bǔtiē): Allowance
  • Example: 交通补贴 (Jiāotōng Bǔtiē) – Transportation allowance.
• 带薪年假 (Dàixīn Niánjià): Paid annual leave
  • Indicates the amount of paid vacation days offered by the company.

Understanding the compensation package is crucial as it directly impacts your financial well-being and job satisfaction.

6. 公司简介 (Gōngsī Jiǎnjiè) – Company Introduction

The company introduction provides background information about the company, including its industry, size, and mission. Familiarizing yourself with the following terms can help you understand more about the potential employer:

• 外资企业 (Wàizī Qǐyè): Foreign-owned enterprise
  • Example: 我们是一家外资企业 (Wǒmen Shì Yījiā Wàizī Qǐyè) – We are a foreign-owned enterprise.
• 国有企业 (Guóyǒu Qǐyè): State-owned enterprise
  • Example: 我们是一家国有企业 (Wǒmen Shì Yījiā Guóyǒu Qǐyè) – We are a state-owned enterprise.
• 私营企业 (Sīyíng Qǐyè): Private enterprise
  • Example: 我们是一家私营企业 (Wǒmen Shì Yījiā Sīyíng Qǐyè) – We are a private enterprise.
• 上市公司 (Shàngshì Gōngsī): Publicly listed company
  • Example: 我们是一家上市公司 (Wǒmen Shì Yījiā Shàngshì Gōngsī) – We are a publicly listed company.
• 行业 (Hángyè): Industry
  • Example: 我们在IT行业 (Wǒmen Zài IT Hángyè) – We are in the IT industry.
• 总部 (Zǒngbù): Headquarters
  • Example: 我们的总部在北京 (Wǒmen de Zǒngbù Zài Běijīng) – Our headquarters are in Beijing.

Understanding the type of company you are applying to is important as it helps you assess whether the company’s culture and industry align with your career aspirations.

7. 工作地点 (Gōngzuò Dìdiǎn) – Work Location

The work location section indicates where the job is based. Understanding the location can help you determine if it’s convenient or if you’re willing to relocate. Common terms include:

• 市区 (Shìqū): Urban area
  • Example: 工作地点在市区 (Gōngzuò Dìdiǎn Zài Shìqū) – The work location is in the urban area.
• 郊区 (Jiāoqū): Suburban area
  • Example: 工作地点在郊区 (Gōngzuò Dìdiǎn Zài Jiāoqū) – The work location is in the suburbs.
• 异地 (Yìdì): Different location
  • Example: 该职位需异地办公 (Gāi Zhíwèi Xū Yìdì Bàngōng) – This position requires working in a different location.
• 可选 (Kěxuǎn): Optional or flexible
  • Example: 工作地点可选 (Gōngzuò Dìdiǎn Kěxuǎn) – The work location is flexible.
• 驻外 (Zhùwài): Based abroad
  • Example: 该职位需驻外工作 (Gāi Zhíwèi Xū Zhùwài Gōngzuò) – This position requires working abroad.

Knowing where you’ll be working is crucial for logistical planning, especially if relocation or long commutes are involved.

8. 工作时间 (Gōngzuò Shíjiān) – Working Hours

The working hours section outlines the expected working schedule. It’s important to understand this section to ensure it aligns with your personal schedule and work-life balance preferences:

• 全职 (Quánzhí): Full-time
  • Example: 该职位为全职 (Gāi Zhíwèi Wèi Quánzhí) – This position is full-time.
• 兼职 (Jiānzhí): Part-time
  • Example: 该职位为兼职 (Gāi Zhíwèi Wèi Jiānzhí) – This position is part-time.
• 早班 (Zǎobān): Morning shift
  • Example: 该职位为早班 (Gāi Zhíwèi Wèi Zǎobān) – This position is a morning shift.
• 晚班 (Wǎnbān): Night shift
  • Example: 该职位为晚班 (Gāi Zhíwèi Wèi Wǎnbān) – This position is a night shift.
• 双休 (Shuāngxiū): Two-day weekend
  • Example: 该职位享有双休 (Gāi Zhíwèi Xiǎngyǒu Shuāngxiū) – This position offers a two-day weekend.
• 加班 (Jiābān): Overtime
  • Example: 该职位可能需要加班 (Gāi Zhíwèi Kěnéng Xūyào Jiābān) – This position may require overtime.
• 弹性工作时间 (Tánxìng Gōngzuò Shíjiān): Flexible working hours
  • Example: 公司提供弹性工作时间 (Gōngsī Tígōng Tánxìng Gōngzuò Shíjiān) – The company offers flexible working hours.

Understanding the working hours helps you to evaluate whether the job’s time commitments align with your personal life and other obligations.

9. Conclusion: Mastering Chinese Job Advertisements

Navigating the Chinese job market can be daunting, especially when faced with language barriers. However, with a solid understanding of the key vocabulary and phrases commonly used in Chinese job advertisements, you can significantly improve your ability to find and secure job opportunities in China or with Chinese companies.

Whether you’re planning to move to China for work or aiming to join a Chinese firm in your home country, learning the language and understanding these job-related terms will give you a competitive edge. Additionally, it will demonstrate your commitment and adaptability, qualities highly valued in any professional setting.

If you’re looking to improve your Chinese language skills further, especially in a professional context, consider enrolling in a language course tailored to your needs. LC Chinese School in Oslo offers flexible Chinese classes designed to help you gain fluency and confidence in real-world scenarios, including understanding job advertisements.

Click here to learn more and register for classes today.

By enhancing your language skills, you’ll not only be better equipped to understand job ads but also to thrive in the dynamic and fast-growing Chinese job market. Good luck in your job search and language learning journey!