For the initial preparation phase (pre-departure period), I have allocated approximately six weeks from mid-June (after the degree show) to early August (when I return to China).
During this transitional period between completing my graduation project and attending the graduation ceremony, I plan to:
-Finalize and polish my professional portfolio
-Establish and actively manage social media accounts (Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, etc.) to share insights from my overseas animation studies. This will help build online visibility for my future job search, even with modest traction, maintaining a professional online presence serves as my digital business card
-Register on Chinese recruitment platforms (BOSS Zhipin, Maimai, etc.)
-Conduct informational interviews with professionals at target companies, these conversations will provide valuable industry insights, which helps me understand specific company needs and workflows
This phase focuses on laying the groundwork for my job search while still in the UK, ensuring I return with strong preparation and initial industry connections.
My Plan for Job Hunting After Returning to China
From mid-August to September after returning, I plan to go to Shenzhen, Shanghai or Hangzhou to attend offline job fairs held by companies I’m interested in. This will help me make personal connections and get contact information from their staff for faster access to job updates.
During this time, I also plan to apply to 1-2 small or medium-sized companies first to gain interview experience. I’ll prioritize startups or small independent game studios to get familiar with the overall job market situation.
My plan within 3 months after returning to China is to secure 1-2 job offers (from companies like Enlight Media, miHoYo, or Original Force). If I don’t meet this goal, I’ll consider:
-Taking freelance projects on various platforms
-Applying to be a part-time portfolio tutor for overseas study agencies (like New Oriental or Rosso)
-Teaming up with art school classmates to form a remote studio and collaborate on creative projects
For long-term goals:
- Build my personal brand
- Organize my old portfolio works
- Regularly create and post small artworks on social media