CCTV9英语新闻：一年一度的公务员考试开始
The annual exams to recruit provincial civil servants have started across China. Despite a sharp drop in number of applicants taking the exams, competition remains fierce. CCTV reporter Guan Yang filed this report from Shenyang on why so many young people still view a job in the government as the top choice.
The annual exams to recruit provincial civil servants have started across China.
Chen Dan is in her last year of post-graduate studies, and she’s under a ton of pressure to find job before graduating this summer. Despite recent clawbacks in benefits, her first choice is a government job with the country’s judicial system.
"Although there have been cuts to benefits like low-cost medical care, housing benefits and other subsidies I haven’t changed my mind about working for the government. Especially now with many graduates looking for a job, a permanent position in the civil service is still very attractive," she said.
Many of the 2 million people from 15 provinces taking the civil service exam cite job security as their key motive for seeking a government position.
The annual exams to recruit provincial civil servants have started across China.
"My parents always wanted me to be a civil servant, even though salaries & benefits in government jobs have been cut down a lot, it is still a very stable job," said Liu Yuanlei, candidate, Shenyang, Liaoning province.
"I think the cut in benefits is temporary, the country has already started to reform the civil service system; and many people are expecting to see a pay rise for government employees in near the future," said Wang Xiaofei, candidate.
While the civil service exams are still attracting some of the brightest young minds, recent policy changes - designed to cut bureaucracy and reign in abuses of power -- could undermine their enthusiasm and their chances for a long successful career.
In China the government is seen as one of the last "iron rice bowl" employers, where a job for life is all but guaranteed. Considering today’s tough employment market, the fierce competition to get ‘in’ is an obvious reflection of a deep desire for a stable job.
