Looking to hire in China? BOSS Zhipin could be your go-to platform, but you’ll need to know the ins and outs before diving in. Here’s how to use China’s largest recruitment site effectively.
What is BOSS Zhipin?
BOSS Zhipin (literally “Boss directly hiring” in Chinese) is China’s biggest online recruitment platform by monthly active users, with a whopping 46 million people using the service monthly.
Since its 2014 launch, the platform has attracted droves of young Chinese job seekers with its mobile-first approach and messaging-based interface. The company’s slogan, “Talk to the boss directly,” promised to do away with intermediaries like HR departments and recruitment agencies.
Of course, reality doesn’t quite match the marketing. Most applicants still end up chatting with the same HR gatekeepers they were trying to avoid. But the platform’s genius lies in its interface, which feels more like WhatsApp than a traditional job board.
Industry analysts note the app has essentially “Tinder-fied” job hunting, with its swipe-based browsing, instant messaging features and AI-powered matching algorithms that connect candidates with potential employers.
In fact, the company appears to have embraced this comparison wholeheartedly, launching its own dating app “for young people of marriageable age in the workplace.” Because clearly the world needed an app where you can get rejected professionally AND romantically in the same afternoon. Efficiency at its finest.
How to Post a Job – Important Requirements
IMPORTANT: You MUST have a legal entity established in China to use BOSS Zhipin.
If you don’t have a Chinese legal entity, contact an Employer of Record (EOR) service to handle your hiring legally.
For those with a legal Chinese entity, you’ll need to:
- Provide your business license for verification
- Complete a video call verification (expect delays during busy periods)
- Wait for job posting approval (typically one business day)
How Much Does It Cost to Hire on BOSS Zhipin?
Unlike flat-fee Western platforms, BOSS Zhipin operate on a “pay-as-you-go” model where each interaction can trigger additional costs. Budget accordingly!
BOSS Zhipin does allow companies to post job listings for free. Companies can create a free account and post open positions without initial cost.
However, don’t celebrate too quickly – the platform is extremely keen to upsell you on premium features.
Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll likely end up paying:
- Basic job listing (After you’ve exhausted the free posts): 5 yuan ($0.69) – This gets your job on the platform, but with minimal visibility
- Monthly advertising: 98 yuan ($13.50) – Improved placement for 30 days
- Premium search placement: 498 yuan ($68.60) – Gets your listing to the top of search results, essential for competitive fields
- Candidate CV invitation: 198 yuan ($27.30) per person – Each time you want to request a specific candidate’s CV
- Chat access package: 300+ yuan ($41.30+) for 40 candidates – This is the minimum you’ll need to actually communicate with potential hires
- Premium packages: Up to 30,000 yuan ($4,130) – These enterprise-level packages include multiple listings, priority placement, and advanced candidate filtering
While the basic listing fee seems cheap at just 5 yuan, you’ll likely need to purchase several add-on services to make your listing effective.
The platform is designed to drip-feed costs – you’ll constantly face paywalls as you try to access better candidates or more advanced features.
Time You’re Hiring with Seasonal Trends
Remember to time your hiring appropriately. The Chinese job market follows distinct seasonal patterns. The best hiring windows are post-Chinese New Year (Q1) and post-National Day (October), when candidates actively seek new opportunities – though expect higher salary demands during these peak periods. The market slows significantly at year-end, while Q4 is optimal for campus recruitment.
Key Takeaways
BOSS Zhipin is the largest recruitment platform in China, making it essential for hiring nearly any role due to its extensive reach. However, don’t solely rely on it. We recommend combining it with other platforms like 51Job and Liepin to maximise your potential hiring network.
