On August 24, 2024, SCOLAR Network and BeHive successfully hosted the 2024 International Job Fair (IJF2024) as part of the HICOOL Global Entrepreneur Summit. The event featured over 20 hiring companies, 42 local and national community partners ranging from university associations to global organizations, and attracted over 1,000 participants, including international talents, overseas returnees, and local job seekers. With such a high turnout, IJF2024 became one of the biggest international job fairs in Beijing.
IJF brought four interactive workshops covering various career topics that focused at equipping participants for professional success in China – from CV crafting to becoming an entrepreneur and using AI for job search and interview prep, and even featured an active health & balance-at-the-workplace exercise session! A panel with companies’ representatives was another highlight of IJF, followed by a Community Partners Roadshow that introduced some of the most active organizations in Beijing.
Let’s take a look at what transpired at IJF2024!
Workshop 1: Beyond the Basics: Creating Resumes That Resonate
Xenia Otmakhova, a Schwarzman Scholar, PR & Marketing Manager, and Coach, led the resume workshop, focusing on the essential steps to crafting an effective CV. The session covered five key areas: gathering relevant information, quantifying achievements, prioritizing content, clear formatting, and thorough proofreading. Participants learned practical strategies to highlight their unique strengths and tailor their resumes to align with job descriptions. Emphasis was placed on the importance of self-awareness, concise communication, and continuous refinement to create a resume that stands out to potential employers.
Workshop 2: Coffee Break Workout: Fit-in-five
Jesua Epequin is a Data Scientist at Électricité de France (EDF) and an active leader in the non-profit fitness community, FitFam. In this workshop we learned about the features of the “Coffee Break Workout: Fit-in-five”.
1) Quick and Effective: Learn simple exercises that can be completed in just a few minutes.
2) No Equipment Needed: Discover low-intensity movements that require no equipment, making it easy to stay active anywhere, anytime.
3) Enhance Productivity: Understand how incorporating movement into your breaks can sharpen focus and boost overall productivity.
Workshop 3: Entrepreneurship 101: How to Build a Business in Beijing
Wahed Ahmadzai, Founder of nHUB, Secretary General of ATA, and ITEC International Affairs Director, led the “Entrepreneurship 101” workshop, providing a comprehensive guide to starting a business in Beijing. The session covered essential steps for setting up a company, including understanding the local business environment, navigating legal requirements, and utilizing support resources. Participants gained insights into effective business registration, tax compliance, and strategic growth, with a focus on practical tips and actionable advice for success in the Chinese market.
Workshop 4: Leverage AI to Supercharge Your Career
Yan Zhang, Co-Founder & President of Kuse, led the “Leverage AI to Supercharge Your Career” workshop, exploring the transformative impact of generative AI on career advancement. The session highlighted the evolution of generative AI from early neural networks to advanced models like GPT-4. Participants learned about the unique strengths of generative AI, including its ability to generate creative content and adapt to various tasks. Key topics included the applications of AI in content creation, job seeking, and productivity tools, with practical tips on how to use AI for resume writing, job matching, and interview preparation.
Fireside Chat: “Opportunities in China for International Talents”
Fireside Chat “Opportunities in China for International Talents” invited Director of International Business at Ziroom Jack Balavadze, Deputy Head of Sales at Pacific Prime Walter Franco, and Director of Strategy and Development at Jinshang Group Eric Gibb. Speakers shared personal stories and challenges from their years’ experience and careers in China, gave practical piece of advice regarding building your own career path and highlighted skills necessary to stand out in a competitive market.
Community Partners Roadshow
Over 40 Community Partners, including Beijing Energy Network, Global Shapers, Startup Grind, GeLatina, student associations from leading Beijing universities and more, supported IJF2024 and introduced their work and activities at the main stage of the job fair warmly inviting more youth to join them in supporting their various initiatives and thus developing transferrable skills that employers seek for in today’s competitive job market.
IJF organizers extend gratitude and appreciation to all the supporters of the events, including hiring companies, communities, media, and volunteers.