Entering China's tech industry as an international student is no easy task, but Ginson Lim, a Malaysian student, not only did it but succeeded. His story proves it’s possible with the right strategies.
Multichannel approach to break down information barriers
He began his search by casting a wide net across various channels such as job-hunting apps Boss Zhipin and Shixiseng, and he ultimately landed his internship through Shixiseng.
"Don’t limit yourself to a single platform," he emphasized. "Platforms like RedNote are filled with experience-sharing posts, and AI tools can help you deeply analyze job descriptions. These can all help eliminate information gaps."
In addition, internal referral opportunities are also a crucial path. Reaching out to seniors who update their internship experience on social media can increase your chances of being hired.
Tackling two core challenges: Internship annotation and identity barriers
During his job search, Lim encountered obstacles due to internship annotation. Making such annotations is time-consuming, and some companies were skeptical about the legal validity of the documents he provided due to their lack of experience in hiring foreign interns.
This made him realize the importance of targeting companies that are more international-student-friendly, such as large internet corporations, which often has more experience hiring foreign interns.
Adapting to a fast-paced culture and growing through challenges
The differences between Malaysian and Chinese workplace cultures left a deep impression on him. In Malaysia, the approach is often "learn as you go" while Chinese internet companies prioritize speed, precision and efficiency.
To adapt to this pace, he took the initiative to study the business after work and familiarize himself with tasks in advance.
Cross-cultural communication in team collaborations also became an essential skill. While working with business teams from different countries, he learned to adjust his communication style based on cultural backgrounds, a skill that made him more effective in international projects.
Internship annotation and Internship certificate
Regarding internship annotation, he emphasized the "one annotation, one company" principle — each time you change internships, you must reapply for a residence permit with a new internship annotation, even if your current internship annotation is still valid.
This means switching internships mid-way requires restarting the process, so planning ahead is crucial.
Internship certifications, on the other hand, serve as a "safety net". Although the focus of background checks was more on educational background than internship certifications, these documents can still serve as proof of experience for future campus or social recruitment, so it’s advisable to keep them safe.
Three golden rules
Dare to experiment, avoid self-limitation: Don’t hesitate because of doubts about "whether you are suitable for the job". Only interviews can verify your potential. He encourages international students to "apply first, think later".
Proactively break information barriers: Gather information from multiple platforms (eg, RedNote, company websites), use AI tools to analyze job requirements, and don’t hesitate to ask seniors for advice — structured questions can yield valuable insights.
Reflect in a timely manner and improve within your control: When faced with interview failures or process obstacles, prioritize self-reflection — resume optimization, communication skills, and document preparation are all areas where you can make improvements.
His career goals have also become clearer: focusing on cross-border business and overseas market operations. "I hope to combine business logic from China and Malaysia and use this experience to demonstrate my cross-border operational capabilities during the autumn recruitment season."
His experience underscores a truth: defining your goal is the first step in pursuing an internship. Do you want to gain skills, expand your network, or explore career directions? His story, driven by the clear goal of working in cross-border business, offers a valuable lesson: a successful internship is a purposeful step toward realizing your professional vision.
For international students, the door to China’s tech industry may have barriers, but with strategy and passion, you will eventually see it open.
As he put it: "Working in a foreign land inevitably brings challenges like unfamiliar food and processes, but the care from colleagues and the determination to push through make every step worthwhile."
