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What is going with Hong Kong/ Singapore and other Asian countries in terms of hiring? Do I need to speak local language?

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Top answer
on Sep 03, 2024
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

For HK mandarin is highly preferred, although at least for BCG there are quite a fewnon-mandarin speakers who are in the HK office though that means you are limited to the clients you are serving and cannot work on projects in China. 

For Singapore, you only need to speak English. That being said, a local SEA language is a preference because Singapore is often part of a SEA system. 

For more information about Singapore/SEA consulting, feel free to check out my article:

Consulting in Southeast Asia

Florian
Coach
on Sep 03, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

For HKG, you would need to speak Mandarin (at least in the past), for Singapore, I am not sure but you can always check directly on the website based on the job offers.

For the current hiring demand, I would network with consultants directly from the local offices to learn more (added benefit: a potential referral) either via LinkedIn, a friend, or a common connection.

Cheers,

Florian

Brian
Coach
on Oct 05, 2024
3+ years in McKinsey as an Associate and JEM | Free intro calls | Interviewed 40+ CAs to Associates (MBA-level)

You only need english in Singapore. However current hiring trends are focusing almost exclusively on locals at a pre-engagement manager positions for MBB. Might be different for T2s and below. 

Hong Kong MBBs are getting absolutely obliterated due to lack of projects in addition to the need to speak mandarin/cantonese unless you have some godly value add skillsets that they need. e.g., Actual AI, Finance, insurance experience that is in high demand

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