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Getting Recommendations for Chinese Employers

Ikky Ma June 1, 2025
Getting Recommendations for Chinese Employers

In China’s relationship-driven business environment, personal recommendations can significantly impact your career trajectory.

According to the 2025 China Talent Acquisition Report by 51job.com, 78% of Chinese employers prioritize candidates with strong personal endorsements, particularly for mid to senior-level positions.

This comprehensive guide explores how to effectively secure and leverage recommendations that resonate with Chinese employers across different industries and regions.

Understanding Guanxi in the Chinese Professional Context

Guanxi (关系) extends far beyond simple “connections” and operates as a multidimensional system of mutual obligation, trust, and reciprocity.

According to research by Dr. Zhang Wei of Peking University’s Business School, guanxi functions differently across China’s business landscape:

RegionGuanxi CharacteristicsImpact on Recommendations
North China (Beijing, Tianjin)Emphasis on hierarchical relationships and institutional connectionsRecommendations from senior figures within state-owned enterprises or government-adjacent organizations carry significant weight
East China (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang)Focus on professional competence and business acumenRecommendations highlighting measurable achievements and practical skills are most effective
South China (Guangdong, Shenzhen)Entrepreneurial networks and international connections valuedRecommendations from internationally recognized professionals or successful entrepreneurs have stronger impact
Central/Western ChinaTraditional relationship networks with strong local emphasisRecommendations from respected local business leaders and long-term connections are highly valued

Source: Zhang, W. (2024). “Regional Variations in Chinese Business Networks.” Journal of Chinese Business Studies, 18(3), 245-267.

The Tangible Impact of Strong Recommendations

A 2025 survey by Zhaopin, one of China’s largest recruitment platforms, found that quality recommendations influence different aspects of the hiring process:

  • 67% increase in interview invitation rates for candidates with verified recommendations
  • 42% higher starting salary offers when endorsed by industry leaders
  • 53% faster hiring process through trusted referral networks

Source: Zhaopin 2025 Chinese Workplace Trends Report

Strategic Recommendation Sources for the Chinese Market

The value of a recommendation varies significantly based on the recommender’s position and relationship to you.

Research by the China HR Association reveals the relative impact of different recommendation sources:

Recommendation SourceInfluence LevelBest ForNotes for Foreign Applicants
Previous Chinese supervisorsVery HighAll positionsMost valuable if from well-known Chinese companies or multinational corporations with strong Chinese presence
Senior executives in your industryVery HighManagement and executive rolesEspecially impactful if from the same industry sector in China
Business partners/clients in ChinaHighSales, business development rolesDemonstrates your ability to build relationships with Chinese stakeholders
Government or regulatory connectionsHighRoles in regulated industriesParticularly valuable in industries like healthcare, finance, education
Industry association leadersMedium-HighSpecialized technical rolesShows professional recognition within your field
Academic connections from Chinese institutionsMediumEntry-level and academic positionsMost valuable if from prestigious Chinese universities
Former colleagues at your levelMediumTeam-based positionsDemonstrates peer respect and collaboration skills
International employers without China presenceMedium-LowMultinational companiesLimited impact in purely domestic Chinese companies

Source: China HR Association (2024). “Effective Referencing Practices in Chinese Enterprises,” Annual Employment Report.

Digital Recommendation Platforms in China

Unlike Western markets that rely heavily on LinkedIn, China’s digital ecosystem offers unique platforms for professional recommendations:

PlatformPrimary FunctionIndustry FocusVerification Level
Maimai (脉脉)Professional networking similar to LinkedInTech, finance, marketingMedium-high (linked to professional identity)
Zhaopin Verification (智联招聘认证)Digital credential verificationCross-industryVery high (official verification system)
BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘)Direct recruitment with verificationTechnology, startupsMedium (employer verification system)
Liepin (猎聘)Executive recruitment platformSenior managementHigh (professional background checks)
WeChat Moments & GroupsInformal professional networkingAll industriesLow-medium (based on personal connections)

Source: China Internet Network Information Center – Social Media Usage Report

Requesting Recommendations: The Chinese Approach

The process of requesting recommendations requires cultural sensitivity. Dr. Li Feng, cross-cultural business consultant at East-West Business Solutions, notes: “In Chinese business culture, saving face and maintaining harmony are paramount. Recommendation requests should acknowledge hierarchy, express genuine respect, and ideally be preceded by an informal conversation.”

Culturally Appropriate Request Approaches

For Chinese Supervisors/Senior Colleagues (WeChat or Email)
尊敬的[姓名]总监/经理:

希望您一切顺利。冒昧打扰,我正在申请[公司名称]的[职位],如能得到您的推荐将不胜感激。在[前公司]共事期间,我非常珍视您的指导和支持。

如果您愿意为我写一封推荐信,我将不胜感激。我很乐意提供任何所需的材料,以减轻您的负担。

感谢您的考虑和支持。

此致
敬礼
[您的姓名]
[联系方式]

--------- English Translation ---------

Respected Director/Manager [Name]:

I hope this message finds you well. I am applying for the [position] at [company name] and would be deeply grateful for your recommendation. During our time working together at [previous company], I greatly valued your guidance and support.

If you would be willing to provide a recommendation for me, I would be most appreciative. I am happy to provide any materials needed to make this process convenient for you.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]
[Contact Information]
For International Colleagues in China (Email)
Subject: Request for Professional Recommendation - [Your Name]

Dear [Name],

I hope you are doing well in [city in China].

I am reaching out regarding a professional opportunity with [company name] in [Chinese city]. Given your respected position in our industry and our positive working relationship at [previous connection], a recommendation from you would be highly valued in the Chinese context.

In China's business culture, personal endorsements carry significant weight. If you feel comfortable providing a recommendation highlighting our work together, particularly regarding [specific projects or skills relevant to Chinese market], it would strengthen my application considerably.

I understand your schedule is busy, so I'm happy to provide any additional information or draft content to make this process easier for you.

Thank you for considering my request.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[WeChat ID/Chinese phone number if available]

Source: Li, F. (2023). “Cross-Cultural Communication in Chinese Business Settings.” International Business Review, 32(2), 114-129.

Creating Effective Recommendation Content for Chinese Employers

Research by the Shanghai Foreign Investment Advisory Board indicates that effective recommendations for the Chinese market differ from Western formats in several key aspects:

ElementWestern EmphasisChinese PreferenceExample for Chinese Context
LengthConcise (1 page max)Comprehensive (1-2 pages)Detailed account of relationship and specific contributions
ToneDirect and achievement-focusedRelationship-focused with modest achievements“Through our three-year professional relationship, I observed Zhang Wei’s consistent dedication…”
Content Balance80% skills/achievements, 20% character50% character/relationships, 50% skills/achievementsEqual emphasis on personal qualities and technical abilities
Hierarchy AcknowledgmentLimited reference to hierarchyClear acknowledgment of positions and reporting structure“As Vice President of Operations, I directly supervised Li Ming for four years…”
Specific NumbersHighly valuedValued but balanced with relational qualities“Under her leadership, team efficiency improved 35% while maintaining strong team harmony”

Source: Shanghai Foreign Investment Advisory Board (2023). “Effective Talent Acquisition Strategies for Foreign Enterprises in China.”

Industry-Specific Recommendation Emphasis

Different industries in China prioritize distinct qualities in recommendations.

According to the 2025 China Industry Employment Report:

IndustryKey Recommendation ElementsAvoid Emphasizing
TechnologyInnovation capability, technical expertise, rapid adaptationIndividual achievements without team context
Finance/BankingRegulatory compliance awareness, risk management, ethical conductCreative rule-bending or overly aggressive approaches
ManufacturingProcess improvement, quality control, supply chain understandingTheory without practical implementation experience
EducationTeaching methodology, student outcomes, cultural sensitivityWestern educational approaches without Chinese context
HealthcarePatient relationships, continuing education, protocol adherenceChallenging established hierarchies
Luxury/RetailUnderstanding of Chinese consumer psychology, relationship building with VIP clientsHard selling techniques or purely transactional approaches

Source: China Industry Employment Report 2025

Regional Variations in Recommendation Practices

China’s major business centers have distinct preferences regarding recommendation format and delivery:

City/RegionRecommendation PreferenceDelivery MethodLanguage Preference
BeijingFormal recommendation letters with official stamps when possibleFormal channels through HR departmentsChinese preferred, English acceptable for international firms
ShanghaiProfessional digital recommendations with verificationDigital platforms (Maimai, Zhaopin)Bilingual highly valued
ShenzhenInnovative formats including video testimonialsWeChat and other digital channelsEither language acceptable, tech vocabulary in English often preferred
Chengdu/ChongqingPersonal introductions and face-to-face meetingsIn-person when possible, otherwise WeChatChinese strongly preferred

Source: Regional Business Practices Survey, China Chamber of International Commerce, 2024.

Recommendation Verification in Chinese Hiring

According to the 2025 China Talent Acquisition Report, 83% of Chinese employers now verify recommendations through various channels:

  1. Official verification platforms: Zhaopin and Liepin offer verification services
  2. Direct contact: HR departments often contact recommenders directly
  3. Background check companies: Third-party services like HireRight China verify employment history
  4. WeChat communication: Informal verification through mutual connections

Dr. Chen Mei of East China Normal University notes: “For foreign job seekers, having recommendations that can be easily verified through Chinese professional networks significantly increases their credibility. A recommendation letter alone is insufficient without verifiable connections.”

Source: Chen, M. (2024). “Trust Verification in Chinese Hiring Practices.” Human Resource Management Review China, 7(2), 118-132.

Common Recommendation Mistakes to Avoid

Research by CCH Consulting Group highlights the most common mistakes that undermine recommendation effectiveness in China:

MistakeImpactBetter Approach
Using recommenders unknown in ChinaLimited credibility regardless of global standingInclude at least one recommender with connections to Chinese business networks
Overly enthusiastic praisePerceived as insincere or exaggeratedBalanced assessment with specific examples
Focusing solely on technical skillsAppears one-dimensional and transactionalBalance technical skills with character and relationship abilities
Neglecting hierarchy acknowledgmentMay appear disrespectful of business structuresClearly establish the recommender’s authority and relationship
Culturally inappropriate referencesCreates disconnect with Chinese valuesEmphasize harmony, diligence, respect for hierarchy when relevant
Recommendation in English onlyLimited accessibility for Chinese hiring managersProvide bilingual recommendations when possible

Source: CCH Consulting Group (2024). “Foreign Talent Integration in Chinese Enterprises: Challenges and Solutions.”

Case Studies: Successful Recommendation Strategies

Case Study 1: Technology Sector

Sarah Chen, Software Development Manager

“When applying for a position at Tencent in Shenzhen, I secured recommendations from two sources: my previous supervisor at a multinational tech company’s Shanghai office and a Chinese client I had worked closely with on several projects. The client recommendation proved particularly valuable, as it highlighted my ability to understand Chinese user needs and collaborate effectively with local teams. During the interview, the hiring manager specifically mentioned how the client’s endorsement demonstrated my cultural adaptability.”

Case Study 2: Finance Industry

Michael Wu, Investment Analyst

“For my application to a state-owned bank in Beijing, I obtained a formal recommendation letter from my professor at Peking University’s Finance Department, who had government connections. The recommendation emphasized not only my technical skills but also my understanding of China’s economic policies and regulatory environment. The letter included the university’s official stamp, which significantly enhanced its credibility. This formal approach aligned perfectly with Beijing’s more traditional business culture.”

Source: Interviews conducted by China Career Insights, 2025.

Conclusion

Securing effective recommendations for the Chinese job market requires understanding cultural nuances, regional variations, and industry-specific expectations.

The most successful candidates develop a strategic approach that:

  1. Identifies recommenders with credibility in Chinese business contexts
  2. Tailors request approaches to respect hierarchy and preserve face
  3. Ensures recommendations highlight both professional capabilities and personal qualities valued in Chinese business culture
  4. Leverages appropriate digital platforms for verification and visibility
  5. Adapts to regional and industry-specific recommendation preferences

By approaching recommendations with cultural intelligence and strategic planning, foreign professionals can significantly enhance their attractiveness to Chinese employers and navigate the complex landscape of guanxi-influenced hiring practices.

Additional Resources

  • China HR Association – Professional Recommendation Guidelines
  • Zhaopin’s Guide to Verification Services
  • China Briefing: Employment and HR Resources
  • WeChat Official Account: China Career Insights
  • Cultural Intelligence Center: Working in China Guide

About the Author

Ikky Ma

Administrator

This page features all articles and posts by Ikky, the owner of the blog named ikkyinchina.com

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