Finding a job in Vietnam
Vietnam has a vibrant international scene, with tens of thousands of people from around the world coming here to live and work. From chief executives to mid-level managers and professionals to graduates, Vietnam is a magnet for migration in a range of sectors and industries. Some are short-term secondments. Others are long-term residents. For the uninitiated, however, it can be hard to know where to begin.
In this new series, CCIFV will highlight the hurdles to finding a job in Vietnam. From work permits to business visas and from networking to labour law, we will guide readers through the pain points and pitfalls to make the process as smooth as possible. In this first article, we look at how to find a job in Vietnam.
Tailor and target your approach
Candidates often want to continue their careers and find similar roles in Vietnam. Others want to start afresh and do something new. Whatever their motivation, most begin their job search with a particular field in mind. One of the first steps can be searching online for companies in that sector and mass-mailing them resumes. However, this can be a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. Even when casting a wide net, the chances of success are small.
Unsolicited emails often get lost. Even those that make it to the right person tend to be ignored if the application is not relevant to the recipient. To increase the odds, candidates should tailor their speculative applications.
Three tips to stand out from the crowd
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- Pitch to the right person: Personalised emails have a much greater chance of making a good first impression. So, do some research on LinkedIn or the ‘About Us’ section of companies’ websites and find the head of the relevant department. If their contact information is not available online, call their reception and ask for their email address. You can then send them a resume safe in the knowledge that it has at least reached the right person.
- Tailor the approach: Speculative job applications need to be tailored to their target audience. This means showing how skills and experience gained in previous roles or countries will benefit a business in Vietnam. So, before contacting companies, research their projects, priorities, and future plans. You can get most of this from their website and social media pages. And show how this previous experience aligns with their corporate strategies or goals. Just remember that speculative applications should be short and sweet. The idea should be to pique their interest and entice them to follow up with an interview.
- Research the market: Job seekers from overseas can find it difficult to understand the local labour market. Salaries might be lower. But so is the cost of living: It’s possible to have a higher standard of living on lower wages. Smaller housing and food costs can more than offset a drop in income. However, parents might find international schools blow a big hole in their budgets. So, it’s important to research the market before sending speculative applications to make sure the job will cover life’s essentials.
Recruitment Companies
It can be easier and quicker to let someone else do the legwork. There are several reputable recruiters in Vietnam with good knowledge of the local labour market and long-established professional networks and corporate connections. This can help to streamline the process and open doors which might otherwise be difficult to access.
Good recruiters can also share important insights on the local labour market. These can include expected salaries in particular positions, trends in specific sectors, and important labour regulations.
Join CCIFV
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We represent over 250 enterprises and investors in Vietnam and offer a range of services to connect candidates with our member companies. We advertise current vacancies and publish a range of resources on our website to help job seekers take the next step in their careers in Vietnam. You can also upload a CV to the CCIFV database which is available to all our member companies looking to hire new staff.
Joining our chamber opens up a wide range of other opportunities to build a professional network in a new market. We will discuss this in more detail in our next blog. However, for now, CCIFV membership offers access to hundreds of French enterprises and investors through our events, committees, and publications. You can find more about the benefits of membership here.
CCIFV can advise you in your job search
Our team assists both local and expatriate candidates in their search for employment in Vietnam. Contact us today for more information and advice on the job market.
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