Be our guest

Imagine having to listen to fifty stories one after another. It gets exhausting fast. That is why we put efficiency first and ask one question above all others: what can the audience learn from you?

The structure

1. Self-introduction — about two minutes

Everything the audience needs to know about you: what you do, and how you came to China. Keep it tight.

2. What can the audience learn from you?

Pick a maximum of three topics and frame them as “how to”. For example:

• How to differentiate from Chinese professionals — why should an employer pick a Flexpat?
• How to run a company in China: HR, finance, sales.
• How to build a sales operation in China.
• How to understand the Chinese supply chain — reduce cost, increase quality.
• How to build a German-style dual education system in China.

Be very specific, and send us your questions in advance. Rough bullet points for the answers are appreciated but not required.

3. Closing — one last piece of advice

Be specific again. One short, concrete piece of advice for Flexpats.

The interview process

We want to inspire people with your story and give them practical advice — or even a call to action. Do not hesitate to uncover brutal truths and negative things. Paint the real picture without a filter.

This requires work in advance to structure your thoughts. If you can roughly prepare your answers the interview runs much more smoothly. It is equally important not to sound scripted.

The process below may sound tough, but it keeps our episodes consistent. We use a set of standard questions; you are free to choose the ones that suit your story, or to revise them. Speak clearly and slowly, do not spend time on generic topics, and show what makes your story unique. Plan around ninety seconds per answer, with one or two exceptions — time matters, because we want to get to the advice.

Part 1: All about you — 8 minutes

• Self-introduction: personal background, education, why China.
• Which profession are you introducing today, and why did you choose this job?
• How did you get your first job in China?
• What were the working conditions like — salary, leadership style, stress? The good and the bad.

Part 2a: Advice — 10 minutes

• What does the job market in your field look like for Flexpats, and how can they differentiate?
• What skills qualify someone for this job, and how do they find the best opportunities? Degree? Language? Network?
• If you could start over, what would you do differently when planning a life or career in China? In detail.
• You have been in China X years — will you stay longer? What is the right length for a stay: one or two years as a trial, or long-term like you?
• Why bother? Why come to China now? Show the critical points, and end on a positive conclusion if you can.

This part matters most to our audience. Be precise rather than generic, and use bad examples from your own experience if they help.

Part 2b (optional): “How to make it in China” — 10 minutes

If you would rather share your own practical advice — which the audience loves — replace part 2a with your own how-to questions. Choose two to five, for example: how to find a job in China, how to differentiate from Chinese candidates, or how to start a company here.

Technical setup

• We arrange the meeting on Zoom and send the invitation.
• Please block forty-five minutes.
• Make sure you have a good internet connection.
• Remove background noise — notifications, phone calls, TV.
• Use a decent microphone and headphones. An iPhone headset is good enough.
• Relax. Everything will be fine.