Shanghai's first odd job market unveiled to help job seekers

In June of this year, the Ruili Rd. branch of the Shanghai Minhang Employment Promotion Center introduced Shanghai's inaugural "odd job market," which hosts a monthly recruitment fair.

A recruitment fair commenced at 9:30 AM on August 11, attracting crowds of job applicants. The fair featured 10 participating companies offering 185 positions, including roles such as factory assembly operators, inspectors, property security guards, janitors, nannies, postnatal caregivers, and pet care specialists. On-site, 39 individuals were directly hired.

Zou Wen, one of the job seekers, said she graduated with a degree in logistics management from Shanghai Second Polytechnic University four years ago. She used to be an office clerk at a company, but now she's looking for other opportunities. "I didn't set myself clear objectives, and I'm willing to try different jobs. Today, I will apply for the cosmetics shop manager post.

Apart from seeking part-time jobs during career transitions, some young individuals opt for flexible employment by working odd jobs from home. Tu Lili, a 35-year-old, currently engages in live commerce, finding this role more suitable than a conventional office job.

Tu, formerly a clothing designer, experienced a layoff three years ago due to the pandemic. Initially, she went for interviews at several companies, encountering additional requirements like "no pregnancy within the first two years of employment." Considering her age and family planning, she chose to prepare for parenthood while engaging in flexible work from home.

"Now, my workload is much lighter than before. I could earn commissions by promoting and selling products on social networks," said Tu.

Industry insiders analyzed that multifaceted factors lead to the popularity of odd job markets.

Li Wei, chairman of Shanghai Minpu Human Resources Group, has observed that the surge in the gig economy's popularity is attributed to several factors. Firstly, as local industries undergo structural changes, roles within sectors such as e-commerce, technology, and services have become more specialized, generating new employment needs. Secondly, driven by cost considerations, businesses increasingly opt for short-term and flexible labor for seasonal and project-based tasks.

Chen Tiemin, director of the Shanghai Minhang Employment Promotion Center, opines that a shift in career perspectives, especially prominent among the post-2000 generation, contributes to the thriving odd job market.

"Today's young people are deeply connected to the online world, valuing their individuality and yearning for freedom. So, their employment mindset diverges from the past. Many youngsters, especially university graduates, are less hasty to secure a job but would instead look for more opportunities until they find a suitable and desired position.

According to All-China Federation of Trade Unions data, about 84 million people found part-time jobs online in 2021. And individuals engaged in flexible employment have surpassed the two hundred million.

Source: China Youth Daily; Trans-editing by Guo Yao