David Wolf with some pearls of wisdom:

[M]ost hiring decisions for China and Asia positions – even for multinational companies (PR, advertising, and others) – are made on the ground here in the region. If anything, this is more the case now than it was a decade ago, as most firms have so expanded their operations in the region that the Asia HR function is managed separately.

Because there are a decent number of applicants in the region, companies will only pay your airfare and expenses to come out for interviews under exceptional circumstances. Doing so is an expensive, high-risk proposition, and most companies choose not to take it.

Yeah, what he said.

I’ve probably interviewed at least 100 eager young losers lawyers over the years desperately trying to get to China and reinvent themselves. Not once have I ever suggested hiring someone based on a phone and/or video conference interview alone. It’s not that you get so much more information by meeting someone in person, but I always figured that if they invest in a trip over here, then they’re serious enough to take a chance on (everything else being equal of course).

As far as I can recall, I don’t think a prospective employer ever flew me in for an interview. One time, if memory serves me, I did get reimbursed for a train ride from Shenyang to Beijing.

It was the overnight train, and I only had to share the compartment with five other people. The acrid odor of unwashed feet was bad enough that my eyes watered continuously, but it was not so bad that I lost consciousness. No matter, I can’t sleep on those hard train cots anyway.

What’s important is that I took the train fare and considered myself lucky. I probably only had USD 150 dollars to my name at the time. And if I had to, I would have paid for it myself.

If at all possible, kids, suck up the expense of the trip and get over here. Only way to get the whole expat thing started.