What can Executive Search firms do to help companies in China to attract and retain talent.

China has two major challenges ahead when it comes to talent, especially when it comes to executive roles:

  • First, is the fact that the talent pool is shrinking because of the one-child policy.
  • Second, the Gen-Z generation in China will be taking over the labor market in the coming decades and it is changing the traditional work dynamic.

At this point, every company in China will struggle to attract and especially retain talent. Making sure they are ahead in this competition of talent, the help of an executive search firm will be an asset.

An executive search firm will:

  • Save companies time when looking for talent in China.
  • Give you access to talent that, otherwise, it would be very difficult to reach for.
  • Save you money in the long term by guaranteeing you the right fit for the position.

The deep knowledge of the market in which the search is performed is essential. This is why we recommend finding an executive search firm specialized in the labor market in China.

Specialized talent in China

  • The executive search firm will find a candidate that has the capacity of linking the role to the broader company’s insurgent customer mission.
  • Through leadership assessments and training, an executive search firm can help leaders to be inspiring. This style of management can be developed, and it is key to retaining the new generation of the workforce.
  • In order to retain talent, it is necessary to eliminate organizational burdens. Aldo China’s companies are known for their efficient organization, but there are still aspects that lead to inefficient and ineffective interactions. Sometimes it is useful to have an external eye for advice.
  • Redefine ways of working and build a working environment that thoughtfully balances the twin performance-enhancing goals of accountability and autonomy.
  • One of the factors that retain people in companies is the possibility of having a career plan (very important in China, where workers change jobs often). This increases commitment to the company and will also contribute to future succession planning within the company. In this case, an executive search firm can help in the process of finding the right talent within the company.
  • According to our experience as an Executive Search firm, there is one factor that makes the difference in the company-employee relationship and that is engagement: employees who are motivated and engaged are 87% less likely to resign from their companies. Yet, only 15% of employees worldwide feel engaged, according to the Editor’s Choice.

We are Zavala Civitas Executive Search. We have walked alongside our clients supporting them in matters ranging from Executive Search to broader Organizational Consulting. We are ready to be your talent and Organizational partner in China & East Asia. We are ready to tackle new challenges and risks with your firm. Click here to get in contact with us.

Zavala Civitas executive search methodology for China country

Executive Development and Assessment in Portugal for Senior talent

In Portugal, the market is relatively small, executive mobility is limited, and reputations travel quickly. Many companies already have solid senior leaders in place.It’s not about whether these leaders are competent. The question is how to assist them in improving performance as they take on greater roles.  Most people have an area that they can

Read More

Executive Search in Mexico: Leadership Demand Shaped by Nearshoring 

Over the past few years, Mexico has moved to the center of many global expansion strategies. Nearshoring has accelerated investment decisions, operational scale, and organizational complexity across the country. As a result, leadership hiring has shifted from being opportunistic to becoming a critical risk factor.  In this environment, Executive Search in Mexico is

Read More

Executive Search in Portugal: Competing for Leadership in a Small Talent Market 

Portugal has become an increasingly attractive location for international businesses. While stability, talent quality, and quality of life are strong advantages, the senior talent pool is small, highly visible, and intensely competitive.   Because of this hiring in Portugal is about strategy. It involves managing scarcity, confidentiality, and long-term sustainability of

Read More

Related posts

Leadership and Decision-Making in Asia-Pacific’s Age of AI 

From Technology Adoption to Strategic Accountability  Across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, artificial intelligence has moved beyond experimentation. What only a few years ago sat within innovation labs or IT functions has now reached the center of executive and board-level decision-making.  This shift is already measurable. Nearly 48% of companies in Asia now

Read More

Tomás Grimaldi becomes Partner at Zavala Civitas Executive Search 

Madrid, Spain – January 2026  Zavala Civitas Executive Search announces the promotion of Tomás Grimaldi to Partner, reinforcing the firm’s long-term commitment to leadership, growth, and equity partnership continuity.  Tomás joined Zavala Civitas initially as Finance Manager and has progressively taken on broader responsibilities across business development, executive search, and

Read More

Executive Development and Assessment in Portugal for Senior talent

In Portugal, the market is relatively small, executive mobility is limited, and reputations travel quickly. Many companies already have solid senior leaders in place.It’s not about whether these leaders are competent. The question is how to assist them in improving performance as they take on greater roles.  Most people have an area that they can

Read More

The Insider Paradox: Why APAC Boards Are Choosing Continuity Over Disruption 

In H1 2025, 83% of all new CEOs in APAC were internal promotions the highest ratio ever recorded and dramatically higher than Western markets.  This surge is not accidental, nor is it a sign of risk-aversion. It reflects a deeper leadership strategy shaped by the geopolitical uncertainty of the region, operational complexity, and the rising value

Read More
china business landscape

Executive Search in China: Local Leadership vs Global Executives 

Over the past ten years, many multinational companies in China have quietly changed how they think about leadership. The model of relying primarily on expatriate executives is no longer taken for granted.   Boards and CEOs are increasingly weighing the trade-offs between local Chinese executives and global leaders sent from headquarters.

Read More

Executive Search in Mexico: Leadership Demand Shaped by Nearshoring 

Over the past few years, Mexico has moved to the center of many global expansion strategies. Nearshoring has accelerated investment decisions, operational scale, and organizational complexity across the country. As a result, leadership hiring has shifted from being opportunistic to becoming a critical risk factor.  In this environment, Executive Search in Mexico is

Read More