[Last Call] A European JOB FAIR is This Saturday. Register Today

Everyone's talking about how tough the global economy is right now. Fair enough – it's not exactly Champagne and caviar out there (for most of us). But here in Shanghai, there's a bit of good news: Companies are still hiring.

Shanghai's economy grew 5.1 percent in the first quarter of 2025, led by strong showings in IT, finance and information services. The city's per capita disposable income climbed 4.2 percent last year (that's basically how much money people have left to actually spend after taxes – a handy indicator of whether life is getting easier or tighter), and the urban unemployment rate has held steady at 4.2 percent – not bad at all, considering the headlines elsewhere in China.

There's demand, and not just on the employer side. We dropped a job fair article not long ago, and it ended up getting tons of shares.

The event info's in the key visual above, so we won't repeat the deets here. Instead, we chatted with a few of the companies hiring at the Sino-Benelux Career Fair to find out what roles they're looking to fill – and what kind of people they want to meet.

This year's job fair brings together a diverse range of organizations from multiple industries, offering opportunities across business, technology, education, healthcare and professional services. Attending companies include global corporations, innovative startups, academic institutions and consultancy firms.

Participating Companies (Alphabetical Order):

• Aden Group – Integrated Facilities Management (MNC)
• Ahlers China – Logistics and Supply Chain (MNC)
• AluK China – Building Materials / Aluminium Systems (MNC)
• Brunel – Engineering & Workforce Solutions (MNC)
• CFL Flooring – Manufacturing / Flooring Solutions (MNC)
• Dashmote – AI & Data Analytics (SME)
• Duan & Duan Law Firm – Legal Services (SME)
• FrieslandCampina – Food & Dairy (MNC)
• Fudan University – Washington University EMBA Program – Higher Education (MNC / Joint Academic Program)
• Institute for China Studies – Research & Policy (SME)
• IPTE – Industrial Automation (MNC)
• Jet IT Services – IT Support & Managed Services (SME)
• J&S Advisory – Business Consulting (SME)
• LYC Partners – Legal & Corporate Services (SME)
• MLS Group – Financial Services & Consulting (SME)
• NIIT – IT Training & Education (MNC)
• Pacific Prime – Insurance Brokerage & Consulting (MNC)
• Randstad – Human Resources & Recruitment (MNC)
• Royal Ahrend – Office Furniture & Workplace Design (MNC)
• Shaohe Law Firm – Legal Services (SME)
• SinoUnited Health – Healthcare / Medical Services (SME)
• Suzhou High Speed Rail NewTown – Urban Development & Investment (SME / Government-Linked)
• System in Motion – IT Consulting & Digital Transformation (SME)
• Teachdeme – Education Technology (SME)
• Trespa China – Building Materials / Surface Solutions (MNC)
• Wise Wings – Management Consulting (SME)
• Yanzhe Building Decoration Co. Ltd – Interior Design & Construction (SME)

Event Schedule

Here's the run-down for the event. The job fair runs from 1:30pm until 6pm. However, there are also career workshops worth considering if you've got time on Saturday.

12:30pm-1pm: Registration

1pm-1:05pm: Opening ceremony – welcome speech by Benelux Chamber President Victor Bekink

1:05pm-1:10pm: Opening ceremony – welcome speech by Consul General of Belgium Pascal Buffin

1:10pm-1:15pm: Welcome speech by Jing'An representative

1:15pm-1:30pm: Welcome speech by corporate

1:30pm: Group picture

1:30pm-2pm: Workshop 1 by FrieslandCampina, "The Future of Work is Human"

2pm-2:10pm: Break

2:10pm-2:40pm: Workshop 2 by WashU & Fudan University, "Is an EMBA still Relevant in 2025"

2:40pm-2:50pm: Break

2:50pm-3:20pm: Workshop 3 by Randstad, "Aligning Employee Expectations with Employer Brand Promise"

3:20pm-4pm: Career fair

4pm-5:30pm: Networking café

6pm: Doors closed

First up, we talked to Jonathan Xu, deputy general manager at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce (That's Belgium, Netherlands and Luxeumbourg for the uninitiated).

CNS: So Jonathan, all this doomsaying abounds. And yet, your hosting a job fair. It's competitive? Changing? What's do job seekers need to know?

Jonathan: Yes, the job market is more competitive now, but that doesn't mean there are no opportunities, it means companies are being more selective. Foreign companies are in China because of its huge market, and it is still clear that foreign talent plays a valuable role. International professionals bring global thinking, cross-cultural communication skills, and the ability to connect China with overseas markets. These are qualities that are hard to replace and which require international talents.

CNS: So it's not necessarily a decline in hiring in Shanghai for foreigners?

Jonathan: Right, what we're seeing is not simply a decline in demand, but more a shift in the type of talent companies are looking for. They want people, both foreign and local, who can help them grow internationally, innovate and meet global standards. This also is very much in line with the current "chuhai" trend – Chinese companies going abroad.

We are also very proud that 25 companies from our members are coming to our career fair to actively recruit international profiles (accessible to both foreigners and locals). So instead of saying there are no chances for foreigners, I would say: The opportunities are still here, but they are for those who are ready to contribute real value in a global context. Relevant experience is key.

Now, I spoke with Daan Halma, head of China for Dashmote, an AI-Data Analytics startup from Amsterdam.

CNS: Daan, you must have a unique perspective as one of the start-ups actively hiring. What's it like working at a Chinese–European company like Dashmote that has mature, offices in both Shanghai and Amsterdam?

Daan: Honestly, it's great – we truly get the best of both worlds. We combine the Western culture of open communication, flexibility and balance with the Chinese culture of dedication, intelligence and teamwork. This means we can share ideas freely, work hard while maintaining well-being, and celebrate both local and international traditions. It creates a vibrant, cross-cultural environment where everyone learns from each other – whether it's our Chinese colleagues discovering Western customs, or our international team members embracing Chinese culture.

CNS: Do you have any roles specifically open for foreigners?

Daan: Yes, we do! Most opportunities for foreign candidates are in commercial and product roles, which involve working closely with multinational enterprise clients. Foreign professionals often bring valuable international experience that helps in managing these relationships.

For engineering positions, however, our current team is almost entirely based in China, and we're fortunate to have an exceptional pool of local talent. That said, we're always open to outstanding candidates – for example, if we find an exceptional data scientist who's a foreigner based in China, we'd certainly consider them. For more entry-level roles, we often prefer to give those opportunities to local talent as part of our commitment to developing the Chinese team.

CNS: What types of candidates are you looking for?

Daan: As what would be expected for a start-up, we're looking for people who are eager to learn and grow, have a curious and open mind, and can communicate confidently in English, since much of our work involves international collaboration. Most importantly, we value individuals who are hardworking, team-oriented, and enjoy having fun together – people who want to be part of a fast-moving, diverse and supportive environment.

Next up, the lovely Melissa van der Geest. She is an account manager for Brunel at staffing and recruitment firm.

CNS: Brunel will be attending with a strong need for recruitment. Tell us what you're looking for.

Melissa: As China's energy demand continues to grow, Brunel is seeking technical and project specialists with backgrounds in commissioning, mechanical, electrical or quality engineering, professionals who can contribute to large-scale energy infrastructure and fabrication projects across the country.

CNS: What's Brunel's company culture like?

Melissa: What makes working for a Chinese-European company like Brunel truly unique is the exposure it offers. Our teams operate in an environment that blends international best practices with local industry knowledge, fostering a diverse and collaborative culture where people learn to adapt quickly, think globally, and thrive within China's fast-moving project landscape.

CNS: Are you hiring laowais?

Melissa: Yes! Some of our roles are particularly suited for foreign professionals, especially in highly specialized areas such as project management for FPSO, LNG, offshore wind and other complex energy projects. Through Brunel's Global Mobility services, we support international experts in mobilizing and integrating seamlessly into China's workforce, enabling them to share their expertise with local teams while developing their careers in one of the world's most dynamic energy markets.

Moctar Soumana, a client relationship manager at Pacific Prime, one of the more popular insurance providers in Shanghai servicing expats.

CNS: What's it like working at Pacific Prime?

Moctar: Working at a Sino-European company like Pacific Prime offers a uniquely dynamic experience. The company combines the strategic vision and agility of Chinese business culture with the structured, collaborative approach of European corporate practices. This balance creates an environment where employees grow into true global professionals – capable of bridging cultures, markets and perspectives. It's a workplace that values diversity, adaptability and continuous learning.

CNS: Are you hiring foreigners?

Moctar: Yes, absolutely. We are actively seeking foreign professionals for key client-facing roles, such as business development officers and sales representatives. These positions are particularly well-suited for international talent, as they involve working with multinational clients and require cultural fluency, strong communication skills and an understanding of global business environments.

CNS: What makes working for a CFL Flooring an exciting proposition?

Moctar: CFL has a strong tradition of hiring talented young professionals from around the world at its headquarters in China. Since our products are primarily sold in international markets, these foreign team members play a vital role in building and maintaining strong relationships with customers across the US, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Australia.

Working alongside our Chinese colleagues and more than 20 young professionals from various countries, employees at CFL experience one of the most diverse, collaborative and stimulating work environments in China. Many of these international talent have quickly advanced into key leadership positions, managing multi-million-dollar businesses and departments within the company.

CNS: Are there any positions currently open?

Moctar: Yes. We are continuously seeking business development managers to help manage and expand our global sales operations. These roles are ideal for ambitious, internationally minded candidates eager to grow their careers in a fast-moving, multicultural environment.