Cadre jobs opened to college returnees

Vacancies for village cadres were this year opened to graduates returning from studying at foreign universities, as many jobseekers turn to practical options in a tough market.

More than 11,400 candidates applied for a chance at landing 3,127 positions citywide before the deadline on Monday, with 20 of them overseas returnees, according to data from the human resource and social security bureau. Village cadres - or cunguan - are charged with helping to boost the income of their communities. Although it often involves living in rough conditions for three years, successful candidates are usually fast-tracked to highly coveted civil service jobs.

"We've constantly received calls about cunguan opportunities from overseas returnees, so the government decided to include them in the examination this year," said Cai Baokun in the bureau's graduate employment department.