Global perspective, local impact: Returning to China after ESMT

When students start a degree abroad, the conversation around careers often points in one direction: how to find a job in the country where they’re studying. At ESMT Berlin, this usually means Germany or elsewhere in Europe. But that’s not the only option. 

In the interview below, Lin Junkai, a graduate of the Master’s in Management (now Master’s in Global Management), Class of 2024, shares his journey of securing a job in China after ESMT. Now working at Alibaba’s Fliggy Travel, supporting business operations across Southeast Asia and the U.S., Junkai reflects on his job search, the lessons he learned, and his advice for students planning to launch their careers back home. 

When should students start preparing for the job search? What kind of preparation is important? 

If your goal is to return to China for work after graduation, start preparing as early as possible. Large companies in China typically open recruitment channels for fresh graduates about a year in advance. This means that by the start of your second year at ESMT, you should be actively applying for jobs. Some companies even have an early recruitment season starting in July. 

August to December will be a very critical stage, as autumn recruitment is basically concentrated in September and October. Beyond crafting your resume and preparing for interviews and written assessments, I also strongly recommend accumulating relevant internships that align with your target roles and can give you a significant advantage. 

What should students consider when choosing their first job after graduation? 

In my opinion, it’s important to choose industries and roles with future growth prospects. I’m particularly optimistic about overseas business, new energy, and AI-related sectors. When it comes to roles, aim for positions close to a company’s core operations—ones that directly generate revenue or contribute to business growth. These roles tend to be more valued by organizations, regardless of economic conditions. 

For most people, job hunting is stressful. How did you deal with it? 

Compared to other graduates, I actually started my job search relatively late. I didn’t decide to return to China until after graduation and only began submitting applications in August. I didn’t receive any positive responses throughout September, and that was a difficult period emotionally. So, my first piece of advice remains: prepare early. The more thorough your preparation, the more confident you’ll feel. And that includes “psychological preparation”. 

Finding a job in China is not necessarily easier than in Germany; in certain fields, the competition may be more intense, so be prepared to face the challenge. Second, stay resilient. When things aren’t going well, continue refining your resume and preparing for each interview with full effort. If you receive an offer that doesn’t excite you, keep applying. You might land your dream job through persistence! 

In your opinion, what advantages do ESMT students have when returning to China for job hunting? 

The first is international work experience. Whether it’s first-year internship or a working student job during your second year, I believe ESMT students usually have a first-hand understanding and knowledge of the German or European market in a particular field. This gives you real insight into how business works internationally. If you’re applying for roles connected to global or overseas operations, being able to draw on those experiences and speak about what you learned is a big plus. 

The second is communication skills. This is not just limited to being proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a certain language. More importantly, it is the ability to listen, understand, express, influence, negotiate, and persuade others. ESMT Berlin offers a rather diverse learning environment: each class is made up of students from over 30 different countries.

That means, across two years of your academic life, you’re constantly working with people from different cultures—whether it’s in group projects, classroom discussions, extracurricular activities, social networking, or even in everyday life. These interactions build your ability to understand others, express yourself clearly, and find common ground. That kind of communication skill is hard to show on a resume, but it’s incredibly valuable once you’re on the job. No matter which overseas market I am responsible for or what kind of people I need to communicate with, I feel confident in my abilities. 

Should students who plan to return to China also pursue internships there? 

Personally, I recommend doing an internship in Germany or Europe—even if you plan to return to China later. It can greatly accelerate your personal and professional growth. I participated in an internship at the BASF headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, the world's largest chemical production base. In addition to Germans, our team also has many outstanding colleagues from other countries. 

During the six-month internship, I worked with them day and night and collaborated on multiple projects that taught me a lot. Regardless of whether the future employer values overseas experience or not, I think this will be a very unique and beautiful memory in your life. In addition, Germany has many wellknown companies in the chemical, machinery and other physical industries. Interning at one of these firms—especially at their headquarters—can help you build the mindset, skills, and global perspective needed to thrive in any workplace. 

Do students need to attend in-person interviews when applying for jobs or internships in China? 

If you apply through campus recruitment channels for fresh graduates, most companies accept online interviews. In my experience, over 90% of interviews were conducted virtually. If you apply through regular recruitment channels, it may vary by industry, but in the internet sector—where I now work—video interviews are the norm. 

How would you compare the work environments in Germany and China? 

Based on my experience, German companies are more process-oriented. They emphasize structure, systems, processes, and doing things “the right way.” The belief is that if your logic and methods are sound, the desired results will follow. 

On the other hand, Chinese companies are more results-driven. They focus on achieving outcomes and often adapt their work processes and methods around predetermined goals. There’s also a difference in work-life balance. In Germany, colleagues typically leave work on time and rarely stay late—not because they’re less productive, but because they clearly separate work from personal life. In China, working hours tend to be longer, and deadlines can create more pressure. Since joining the internet industry, I’ve found the pace fast but manageable. 

My view is that right after graduation, it’s okay to prioritize learning and growth over a strict work-life balance. Working at great companies like Alibaba offers the opportunity to gain experience and build a solid foundation for your career. 

Connect with Junkai on LinkedIn to learn more about his ESMT Berlin experience and follow his career journey in China.

Considering a degree at ESMT Berlin? Check out our quick guide on studying in Germany.