Hi Oz,

You are taking a positive step by seeking further assistance with your job search as this can increase the chances of securing employment. As you say, employers in Hong Kong require legal professionals to have both written and verbal Mandarin language skills because most Hong Kong companies have operations in China. The majority of ‘magic circle’ firms use recruitment agencies to source this talent, so recruiters must find candidates that suit this criteria to reflect the needs of their clients.

For the best chance of securing a job in the legal sectors with the language skills that you have in English and Mandarin, try to focus your job search on positions with companies outside the ‘magic circle’ firms. As well as using recruitment agencies to help you find suitable positions, conduct your own job search by searching the internet and job boards, looking through trade publications and classifieds sections of newspapers, speaking with your professional networks and subscribing to job alert services.

When you apply for a job that suits the skills you have, clearly demonstrate how you meet the employer’s needs in your application by referencing the requirements of the job advertisement. To be successful in proceeding through the interview stages, you need to sell yourself and your current skills. In particular, demonstrate your communication skills in spoken Mandarin, as well as your written and spoken English language skills. Also, show your willingness to learn and develop on the job to display your enthusiasm about the role and company.

Aside from this, it is never too late to develop your Mandarin language writing skills. This will be a great investment for your career as it will extend your appeal to more employers across both Hong Kong and China, as well as any other multi-national companies with a large Chinese client base.

It is important to remember that the recruitment process takes time and you need to be patient while you do your best to ensure you find the most suitable role and employer for you.

If you would like further information or advice, please leave a comment below.

All the best with your job search,
Louisa

You can find the jobs through the "Find a Job" function of classified.com. Input "Native English" and you can find a lot of jobs which require Native English ability.