Amid a slowdown in mainland China’s economy, even graduates from top universities are finding it increasingly difficult to secure stable employment. This has brought renewed attention to a hotpot restaurant in Shenzhen that recently went viral for specifically recruiting graduates from elite institutions.
According to reports from mainland media outlet Jiupai News, the restaurant posted a recruitment notice targeting fresh graduates from China’s “985” and “211” universities. These classifications refer to prestigious national higher education initiatives, with “985” covering 39 of the country’s leading universities, while “211” refers to more than 100 key institutions prioritised for development.
The viral job advertisement stated that candidates from these universities would be hired as management trainees, with no restriction on academic discipline. It also outlined a performance-based salary structure, with a basic monthly pay of around 5,000 yuan (approximately RM3,200), plus additional bonuses.
The listing further claimed that after six to twelve months of training and successful performance evaluations, employees could be promoted to store manager positions. At that stage, monthly profit-sharing earnings were said to range between 50,000 and 100,000 yuan (about RM32,000 to RM64,000), depending on store performance.
Following widespread online attention, the restaurant clarified on Monday that the role was also open to general university graduates. It explained that management trainees would begin with entry-level duties such as serving customers, washing dishes, and food preparation before progressing based on individual performance.
Management added that graduates from top universities are often preferred due to their stronger learning ability and adaptability. However, it also acknowledged that the physically demanding nature of the catering industry has led to some trainees leaving the role early.
The recruitment post has since sparked widespread discussion online, highlighting broader concerns over graduate employment pressures and shifting career expectations in China’s increasingly competitive job market.
