Company description: Global Career Company specialises in recruitment services for individuals from Africa and Asia that are considering a move back to their home country on completion of their studies.
Details: Aimed at: International students studying at postgraduate level & MBA students
Our clients are companies from across Africa and Asia that are looking for candidates with an international perspective who also possess a local understanding of the markets they operate in. We work on behalf of leading multinational and regional companies, placing candidates through both traditional Search and Selection Campaigns and International Recruitment Summits. We have a client base of more than 150 companies including the likes of GE, Coca-Cola, HSBC, Esso, Shell, BP, Accenture, BAT, Heineken, Colgate-Palmolive, World Bank, Lafarge and Diageo.
Our Recruitment Summits are unique events providing unparalleled access to interview and network with leading HR Directors and Senior Executives from a large number of organisations over one weekend. These events provide a much more tangible reward than traditional career fairs with hundreds of job offers made after every one. In the UK we are hosting a Careers in Asia Summit in December with Africa and CEE events to follow early in 2009.
Typical Opportunities: We recruit across most disciplines but in particular: Engineering, Finance, Health, Safety & Environment, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Logistics, Supply Chain, Marketing, Management/Consulting, Sales, Sciences, and Telecoms.
Career opportunities range from graduate programmes to senior management positions
Company Experts: Experts from Asia and Africa will be available during the chat to discuss the growing sectors in each region and the current career opportunities that exist.
Visit the website www.globalcareercompany.com
User
Expert
Moderator
Jenny (Moderator)
Hi again everyone - as you can see, our two experts are here now so we are ready to get going! Conrad and Njambi will introduce themselves, and will then be ready for your questions. Just type into the box at the bottom of the screen and press submit
Conrad (Expert)
Hi, I am Conrad. I am from Singapore and have many years experience helping Asians in the US, Europe and Australia who want to work in Asia.
Njambi (Expert)
Hi, Im Njambi. Im from Kenya and have been working with Careers in Africa for the past few years helping Africans find challenging and rewarding careers back home.
Yiwen
Hi Conrad. I am Yiwen, from China. I am wondering that if there are many opportunities if I want to work in Singapore?
Conrad (Expert)
Yiwen,
I think that there are many opportunities in Asia, not just in Singapore. Asia is affected by what's going on in the global economy, but it is relatively less affected. This has a lot to do with how Asian financial institutions and governments have learnt lessons from the 1997 Asian financial crisis and taken on far less debt compared to their US and European counterparts.
mbgnhob2
Hi Jenny,Conrad and Njambi.My name is Oladayo.I'm a Nigerian and i'm doing my Masters in Thermal Power and Fluids Engineering.I would like to know which Engineering companies GCE recruit for in Nigeria.
Njambi (Expert)
Hi Oladayo,
The bulk of engineering consultancies which we work with recruit for South Africa. That said, we are working with a vast number of multinationals in the energy and manufaturing sectors. Examples include Total, Heineken, Eni and Lafarge. For the full list please visit www.careersinafrica.com
mbgnhob2
Do I have to register with GCE for me to know about companies recruiting in Nigeria and how to apply?
Conrad (Expert)
yes. you should register on the website. if you are looking for nigeria jobs, then go to
www.careersinafrica.com
Nurbek
Hi everyone.
After graduation I'd like to start my career in Kazakhstan as electrical power systems engineer. Are there any vacancies?
Conrad (Expert)
Kazakhstan is growing as well and there is a great need for basic infrastructure to be built. There is also a large demand in the energy sector. So someone with your skills in electrical power systems will be very valued.
Sandra
I heard that people have walked away from the summit with a job before. Is this true?
Conrad (Expert)
Yes, people have received firm job offers at our recruitment summits. It is not surprising because the pool is quite selective and the format of our Summits mean that companies can make hiring decisions very quickly.
Dr_Val
Hello Njambi,
Good to be here.
Would there be an opening in Africa, or elsewhere, for a medical doctor currenty running an MPH programme?
Njambi (Expert)
Hi Dr_Val,
I must say that the requirement for recruiting doctors is the exception rather than the norm. This only happens with oil companies which need doctors on rigs.
lynn
I'm from China and studying in Msc Marketing.After graduation,I plan to go back but hope to find a job in another asia country,like Singapore.Is there any chance for me?
Conrad (Expert)
Coming from Singapore, I know that it is a country that is very open to non-Singaporean talent. So someone like yourself studying in Manchester should have no issues getting into Singapore for employment. The challenge for you will be to put in a strong job application to employers in Singapore because they are nationality-blind and will consider people from all over the world.
I believe this applies to Hong Kong as well, but increasingly more Asian countries will open their doors more and more to talent from outside their particular countries.
lynn
How do I know the companies have the job vacancies in Singapore,Malaysia or Hongkong? And how to apply for it? Global Career will organize a fair in UK or post the information on the website?
Conrad (Expert)
lynn
On the www.careersinasia.com website, you will find information about which companies are hiring and the vacancies that they are offering. The Careers in Asia Recruitment Summit will be held in London from 12-14th Dec.
eolutosin
I would like to know what the opportunities are in Africa right now for MBA graduates
Conrad (Expert)
There are many opportunities for MBA graduates in Africa across all sectors. This is largely because Africa is developing to the point where there is a growing need for managerial talent that can be developed into future leaders for the various countries. So there is a demand for MBAs who have managerial experience and knowledge, and who can relate to Africa as well as offices in other parts of the world.
nono
hi njambi,
am a student of human resource management Msc and want to know if i can get a job in the oil sector as HR consultant
Njambi (Expert)
Nono,
Most of our clients in the energy sector are looking for petrotechs i.e. petroleum engineers, geologists and petrophysicts as well as chemical engineers. However, there are opportunties in the commercial sector with Banks and FMCGs. I would therefore encourage you to apply online at www.careersinafrica.com
Lolly
Njambi, may i ask exactly what the energy companies in Nigeria are looking for and the qualifications required for recruitment in such companies. Is there opportunity for structural engineer?
Njambi (Expert)
Lolly,
Requirements vary across different companies but the skills of engineers are largely transferable.
Structural engineers are mostly engaged in civil engineering but our clients in the energy sector are looking for petrotechs i.e. petroleum engineers, geologists and petrophysicts as well as chemical engineers
Kachi
Since i have a relevant Engineering degree in Materials/Metallurgical for a first degree and i am doing a more relevant degree for an Msc in Corrosion Control Engineering, how can i go through your organisation to get a job in Nigeria's oil and gas industry.
Njambi (Expert)
Kachi,
Your skills would be relevant for a good number of companies. Please go ahead and apply on our website www.careersinafrica.com and we will contact you directly.
Odee
Hi, I presume that applies to the Companies from Africa as well. Are they are hiring for long-term too???
Njambi (Expert)
Hi Odee,
Yes the companies from Africa are also hiring for the long term as their needs are quite extensive and the investment that they make to tap into international recruitment is quite high.
Odee
What is the outlook for the Nigerian Financial Sector? I noticed Njambi only talked about the energy industry.
Njambi (Expert)
Odee,
With the consolidation of the banking sector a few years ago a number of large banks emerged like UBA, Intercontinental, Bank PHB, etc. Due to their massive operations and their expansion across Africa they tend to have many recruitment needs.
Investment banking is also on the rise in Nigeria with new entrants like JP Morgan and emergence of strong private equity forms like ARM.
Other industries like professional services and insurances are also growing exponentialy.
Therefore the outlook on the Financial Services sector in Nigeria is largely positive.
Sandra
With regards to the current financial difficulties, are these companies recruiting less people?
Conrad (Expert)
Actually, I think that most companies are still hiring for their graduate programmes because they recognise that this is their future. If they stop hiring this year, they will have to live with the implications for many years to come.
Sandra
Hello, I am just wondering if the companies involved with the Global Career Company have some sort of graduate programme, or are they just recruiting for some specific roles?
Conrad (Expert)
Hi Sandra.
There is a range of companies. Most of the companies who participate in Careers in Asia Recruitment Summit are hiring for the long-term, which does include graduate programmes. For example, one of the insurance companies hired more than half of their Asian graduate management programme at last year's Careers in Asia event.
fiona
is it hard for a freshman who has no experience to find a job?
Conrad (Expert)
Fiona
I am not sure I understand your question.
If you are a freshman, you will still be in school next year and so won't be looking for a job? Or have I misunderstood your question?
david
hi , is it easy for candidates with a business background and phd qualification but no working experience to find a job?
Conrad (Expert)
David
My experience with candidates is that there are very few candidates with no working experience. Largely because many people have done some work in the form of internships or commercially-oriented projects. So even though you might not have had any permanent employment, you should play up these work projects to distinguish yourself from other graduating students.
Kachi
Hi, thanks for taking out time to chat with us. I am a Nigerian. Is there anyone who can talk to me on getting work back in Nigeria's oil industry
Njambi (Expert)
Kachi
The Nigerian energy industry continues to witness much growth. We are working on behalf of a large group of companies like Shell, GE Oil & Gas and Addax. They typically seek candidates with a technical background - what they like to call Petrotechs
dan
Hi Njambi, whats the prospects like for African
graduates especially those with MSc. For instance can a Ghanian graduate get a job to work in Angola?
Njambi (Expert)
Hi Dan,
Career opportunities in Angola and a few other countries are governed by legistlation which requires that all employees possess work authorisation. This makes it very difficult for them to recruit expatirates. Also, the costs (time, effort & money)associated with getting work permits is a huge deterrent - unless it is for very senior roles to be held by experienced professionals.
Also several companies prefer to grow their local talent pipelines and prefer to source locals.
Austine
How can one get invited to participate in the summit?
Conrad (Expert)
You can go to the website www.careersinasia.com
then follow the links and apply to participate.
Sandra
Besides networking session, what other activities are included in the event?
Conrad (Expert)
At a Recruitment Summit, there are networking sessions, presentations by companies and the most important aspect .. Interviews!
micolo
I am studying MSc International Business and Management, and i am interested in Business Strategy for business optimization and improvements (on the global context). I welcome any of the industry ranging from oil & gas, banking & finance, management consultancy, manufacturing. what are my chances of getting this kind of specialised role in companies because am sure such departments dont recruit much graduates.
Njambi (Expert)
Hi Micolo,
We were recently engaged by Dangote Cement to recruit for such a role.
Strategy roles are quite senior and usually require candidates with significant industry experience in a commercial setting and an MBA. Your suitability to such roles would be dependent on these factors.
micolo
thank you,I will be completing my masters programme next year summer, so when is the best time to start applying for jobs in Nigeria in order to start work next year september
Njambi (Expert)
Hi Micolo,
We will be hosting a Careers in Africa - Nigeria summit in February next year and you are welcome to apply from the begining of November.
International recruitment is often a lengthy process and clients are aware that relocation takes time.
mbgnhob2
I would also like to know how the recruitment process is carried out.When, and how?
Conrad (Expert)
When candidates like yourself apply through the www.careersinasia.com website, your particulars and CVs will go into a pool.
We will then match your skills and qualifications to what participating companies are looking for. If there is a match, then we will invite you for an interview during the Recruitment Summit.
The next Careers in Asia Recruitment Summit will be in London from 12-14 Dec.
Tunji
Hello Conrad, what is the chances of getting a job with U.K own NGO here in U.K and then be taken to African country to work?
Conrad (Expert)
that is a possible route. There are many international NGOs operating in Africa who want Africans because they know the culture and operating environment.
fiona
Hi,are there many positions for Human Resource?
Conrad (Expert)
Within Asia itself, there is an increasing number of positions for HR because multi-nationals realise that HR policies have to be tailored towards Asian needs. So, there is a growing need for HR professionals who can relate to head office say in the US or Europe, while at the same time, localising the overall policies.
fiona
Sorry,I didn't say it clearly.I'm graduated from university this year,and then join the postgraduate course for Human Resouce Development.Although I learn HR Management for Bachelor,but I don't have work experience at all.
Conrad (Expert)
that should not be a problem. as i said in an earlier reply, companies are still hiring at the entry level. and there is a strong demand for HR positions.
Odee
Apart from the Nigerian Financial sector, does the energy sector recruit finance graduates too?
What we hear is that they are playing down on that and focusing more on recruiting engineers, saying if need be, they can train engineers to be accountants, but not accountants to be engineers!
Conrad (Expert)
the energy sector requires people with financial skills because increasingly, Africa is managed as a region its own right, with its own responsibilities for managing budgets and P&Ls. So there is a need for finance graduates.
Conrad (Expert)
You should apply asap because our selection process is on-going. You stand a better chance of being selected by companies for interview if you apply early.
Austine
What is the deadline for applying for any of the recruitment summits?
csstanya
hi, my name is Tanya. Im doing Msc development finance at the moment, if I'd like to apply a graduate job in your company which locate in asian countries, do I need to apply them now? or next year when I finish my study?
Conrad (Expert)
You should apply now even if you are graduating next year because companies who participate at our recruitment summits are hiring for next year. They know that you will only graduate next year but because the competition for talent is so keen that they want to hire early.
Conrad (Expert)
this has been a very interesting session and i enjoyed answering all your questions. I look forward to meeting many of you at Careers in Asia Recruitment Summit in London from 12-14 Dec. That way we can both put faces onto our online names:-)
Njambi (Expert)
I would like to thank you all for your great interest in career opportunities in Africa and Asia. We hope to be able to assist you find exciting opportunities in these regions. Please visit www.globalcareercompany.com for further information.
Jenny (Moderator)
A huge thanks to everyone who has taken part - but time is up and we need to close the chat. There are a number of questions that we have not had time to answer, so we hope to run a chat, specifically concerning careers in Africa in the new year.
Njambi will also be visiting the University of Manchester in the new year - look out for details!
If you have any other questions, please let us know via careers@manchester.ac.uk and we will send them on to Global Career Company.
Don't forget to check through the chat transcript - as your question may have already been answered.
Good bye everyone!
