Global Roundup: Could Credit Defaults Cause a Talent Crisis in China?

THE CHINA COLUMN: Could credit defaults cause a talent crisis? [China]

The real question is what will happen if bad-loan losses materialise? Bankruptcy of China's Big Four is incredibly unlikely as they are all state-owned, but a potential talent-erosion is not out of the question.

Unfortunately, significant M&A hiring may be a while away [UK]

While traders in investment banks may have reason to feel increasingly paranoid about their job security, those in M&A should feel more secure about their employment prospects going forward.

Hiring overload! Can anyone become a priority banker these days? [Singapore]

Priority, privilege, preferred (we'll use the former): whatever you call them, these bankers are in high demand and short supply as local and international firms target the rising wealth of Asia's middle classes. Banks are battling with each other for staff and when that doesn't work, they sometimes even search outside the financial sector.

Aussie candidates set their sights on Hong Kong [Hong Kong]

After a GFC-induced slump, many Australian financial services professionals are once again looking for jobs overseas. London remains the destination of choice, but with Asia leading the employment market recovery, Singapore and Hong Kong are catching up quickly.

GUEST COMMENT: Sorry, but 'smart-casual' is a myth [UK]

Act like your father owns the company. Act like a million bucks. Do whatever it takes to achieve credibility. And if you take the smart-casual credo at face value and turn up to work in a pair of battered Dockers and a Marks & Spencer shirt, you'll convince no-one that you're a master of the universe.