Focus・The GBA
HKBU has nurtured over 158,000 graduates since its inception in 1956 and many have made their mark in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). In this section, we are pleased to feature alumni who have been thriving in the GBA and to share their experience on how they capture business and career opportunities there.
Sharing by Alumnus Jason Zheng Weijie, Regional Director of Business Development in DCar under ByteDance
About his Insights on Young Generation’s Development in the Greater Bay Area
Alumnus Jason Zheng Weijie, Regional Director of Business Development in DCar under ByteDance
Alumnus Jason Zheng Weijie (Business Administration) currently serves as the Regional Director of Business Development in DCar, a platform within ByteDance which provides one-stop solution for automobile information, transaction and service. In his capacity, Jason provides strategic sales and marketing solutions and services to commercial clients in South China. Before joining ByteDance, alumnus Zheng worked at Autohome Inc as Regional Manager and Youdao as Director of South China, accumulating over 10 years of experience in South China.
South China encompasses Guangdong province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hainan province, Hong Kong and Macau. Among all the cities in the region, Shenzhen and Guangzhou stand out as well-developed core cities in South China. Jason shares his insights with us on the developments and opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), with a particular focus on Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
1. Please briefly describe your work in DCar. As Douyin Group is specialised in technology and digital marketing, what are the similarities and differences between Guangzhou and Shenzhen in talent requirements in this field?
I currently work as the Regional Director of Business Development. My responsibilities involve leading the team to provide internet marketing and sales service for commercial clients in the region. This entails maintaining regular contacts with clients to understand their needs, so that I can propose comprehensive marketing plans and strategies for supporting clients’ sales and promotion campaigns.
Regarding the technology and digital marketing fields that the Douyin Group focuses on, Guangzhou and Shenzhen also have similarities and differences in talent requirements. Both cities require talents who possess solid professional knowledge, innovative thinking and good collaborative skills. However, Shenzhen may place more emphasis on talents’ cutting-edge technological ability and international outlook due to its strong technological innovation and closer alignment with the international scene, resulting in more relevant job opportunities in the field.
On the other hand, Guangzhou has greater demands in the integration of traditional industries and emerging technologies, and therefore it may put more emphasis on talents’ understanding of the local market and culture. Since many corporates’ headquarters are located in Guangzhou, there are relatively more job opportunities in the business field in Guangzhou.
In his capacity, Jason provides sales and marketing strategic solutions and services to commercial clients in South China.
2. What are the characteristics of Guangzhou and Shenzhen in your view? If young people are interested in developing their career in the two cities, what are the key issues they need to pay attention to?
In my experience, each of the two cities have their distinctive characteristics. Guangzhou has a rich historical and cultural heritage. It has been an important commercial city for a very long time with vibrant business activities. Therefore, talents with abundant experience and established network are preferred. Moreover, the living pace in Guangzhou is rather moderate and its living cost is relatively affordable, work-life balance is encouraged in the city.
Contrastingly, Shenzhen is a hub of technological innovation filled with vitality, housing numerous innovative technology companies and talents. It is known for its high efficiency and modern urban management. When it comes to career development, Shenzhen places a premium on individual innovation and adaptability to rapid changes, with fierce competition, a fast-paced lifestyle and relatively higher cost of living.
If young individuals are interested in developing their career in these two cities, they are advised to pay attention to the following points. Firstly, they should be familiar with the characteristics of the city. Shenzhen is fast-paced and highly competitive, while Guangzhou is rather stable, embracing a rich business culture. Secondly, the cost of living in Shenzhen is relatively higher, especially in housing. Although the cost of living in Guangzhou is more affordable, a good planning for living is still necessary. Moreover, it is important to proactively expand your network by participating in the activities of local industry. Lastly, young individuals should enhance their own capabilities by continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills to keep up with the development of the industry.
3. Nowadays headquarters of several major corporates are located in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. If graduates would like to develop their career in the cities, in what ways should graduates equip themselves for standing out in the fiercely competitive recruitment process?
Firstly, in terms of professional knowledge and skills, it is essential to acquire professional knowledge, obtain certifications and qualifications relevant to the industry and solidify one’s professional foundation. For instance, if you want to become an expert in computer science, you need to become proficient in programming languages and development tools. If you would like to pursue a career in marketing, you are advised to continually enhance personal soft skills, such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Secondly, you can proactively seek internship opportunities, especially in renowned companies, to enrich your work portfolio. In addition, participating in relevant projects at school can demonstrate your practical skills and achievements. Furthermore, it is important to persist in self-learning, keeping an eye on the trends of industry development to understand and learn the latest technologies through taking online courses and reading professional publications. Lastly, cultivate innovative mindset and utilise the internet to enhance the creativity of your work. You should always attempt to introduce new ideas and solutions in your professional endeavors.
In summary, graduates are required to elevate their personal qualities and demonstrate their uniqueness and potential, so as to outperform your competitors.
