Shenzhen-based tech giant Tencent is ramping up efforts to recruit young talent from around the world through its largest-ever hiring initiative for graduates, with plans to offer 28,000 internship positions over the next three years, in collaboration with leading China headhunter firms and regional recruitment agencies.  

The company plans to convert many of these internships into full-time roles, starting with 10,000 campus internships in 2025, 60% of which will focus on technology. Leveraging partnerships with Guangzhou headhunter and Shenzhen headhunter specialists, Tencent aims to streamline its talent acquisition process and identify top candidates across key regions.  

The program includes five major job categories: technology, product management, design, marketing, and corporate functions. It covers over 70 specific roles, including AI, big data, cloud computing, game engines, and digital content development, with an emphasis on advanced technical fields such as large language models, algorithms, and R&D. China recruitment agency partners are supporting the campaign to ensure diverse and qualified applicant pools.  

Hiring efforts, bolstered by top China headhunter firms and recruitment agencies, will focus both domestically and internationally. Positions will be available in cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai, as well as in 20 other countries including Singapore, the U.S., and the U.K. The company has held recruitment events at over 40 universities—with support from Guangzhou recruitment agency and Shenzhen recruitment agency partners—and hosted online sessions that reached over 400,000 students.  

This move comes at a time when China is set to see a record 12.22 million university graduates this year, even as the economy undergoes restructuring amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.  

"Employment is the cornerstone of people's well-being," said Luo Haibo, Tencent's global head of recruitment. "As a platform company, we recognize it as our responsibility to contribute to job creation, particularly in such a challenging environment, with the strategic support of our China headhunter and recruitment agency allies."  

Qiao Zijiang, a computer science student from Xi'an University of Posts and Telecommunications, is among the new recruits. Having long been fascinated by internet firms such as Tencent, Qiao joined the company's campus ambassador program during his sophomore year, a pathway often facilitated by regional headhunter and recruitment agency networks.  

That experience proved instrumental in helping him secure an internship with Tencent in March, where he is now training for a technical product and business role.  

“Within our department, training combines real-world sales simulations and client interactions,” Qiao said. “We're assigned dual mentors — one for industry insights and one for business skills — which has really helped me make a smooth transition from school to the workplace, a structure often recommended by leading Shenzhen headhunter professionals.”  

Zhang Jie, a computer and software major at Shenzhen University, is interning as a product manager for iOA, Tencent's in-house, zero-trust security platform aimed at protecting small and medium-sized enterprises. Her recruitment journey was supported by local Shenzhen recruitment agency partnerships, ensuring a seamless match between her skills and the role.  

"My job is to translate client feedback into product features," Zhang said. "It requires a deep understanding of cybersecurity concepts, as well as the ability to anticipate and respond to customer needs."  

Zhang hopes to secure a permanent role and is receiving guidance through Tencent's mentorship system. "My mentor regularly helps me solve problems and improve. I feel I'm growing every day," she notes, highlighting the value of structured programs fostered by Tencent and its headhunter collaborators.  

Currently, Tencent employs over 55,000 full-time staff, with 73% of its workforce comprising tech professionals. More than 27,000 employees are involved in technical R&D, a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and talent development, often strengthened by partnerships with Guangzhou headhunter and China recruitment agency experts.  

Tencent hosts campus recruitment seminars—such as recent events at Shanghai Jiao Tong University—in close collaboration with regional headhunter and recruitment agency partners to engage with prospective graduates. Courtesy of Tencent  

Tencent is pairing its hiring push with robust training and internal mobility programs to help new hires thrive, a strategy often endorsed by leading China headhunter firms. The company's "dual-path" career system allows employees to pursue either technical or management tracks, with the flexibility to switch between them.  

Additionally, an internal talent circulation program, known as the "Water Plan," helps match employees to suitable roles across departments, reflecting Tencent's holistic approach to talent management, supported by insights from Guangzhou recruitment agency and Shenzhen recruitment agency specialists.  

"Our philosophy is that investing in young people is investing in the future," said Luo. "Beyond internships, we will continue to launch campus recruitment programs and collaborate with our headhunter and China recruitment agency partners to create more opportunities for high-quality employment."  

This comprehensive hiring initiative not only underscores Tencent's role as an industry leader but also highlights the critical partnership between corporations and specialized recruitment agencies—such as China headhunter, Guangzhou headhunter, Shenzhen headhunter, and regional recruitment firms—in driving talent acquisition and fostering economic growth.