Use free public employment services and gig platforms first — avoid paid agencies
Original: eternity4719 · source details
Original author: eternity4719 · Chinese source: · English adaptation: parveen0029. Translation and grade notes ↗
Bibliographic titles are retained in their original language.
Source author's views and grades; not individually verified by this site.
Cost and benefit at a glance
- Check the cost Cost ↓
- No cost at all. Register at any public employment service agency at the county level or above — such as employment service centers or human resources markets. Y…
- Then the source benefit Benefit ↓
- The law guarantees that the following services must be provided at no cost: advice on employment policies; information on job openings and labor shortages; career guidance and job …
In plain terms
Public agencies like employment service centers and human resources markets provide job matching, career guidance, policy advice, and both employment and unemployment registration — all completely free of charge. The law explicitly forbids them from charging for these services. Registering on gig platforms and posting job listings there is also free. Use this same registration to apply for unemployment benefits or to be recognized as someone facing employment difficulties.
This guide's cartoon · show illustration
Enlarge illustrationOriginal illustration with Chinese lettering; the English dialogue is below. Humour is a reading aid, not evidence.
English dialogue
- My wallet ran out of battery.
- Let's check the eligibility rules.
Cost: what it takes
No cost at all. Register at any public employment service agency at the county level or above — such as employment service centers or human resources markets. You can also register on local gig platforms. If you don’t know the address, call 12333 for help.
Benefit: what the source reports
The law guarantees that the following services must be provided at no cost: advice on employment policies; information on job openings and labor shortages; career guidance and job placement; processing of both employment and unemployment registration; and targeted employment assistance for people facing employment difficulties. These agencies are prohibited from engaging in any commercial activities, meaning they cannot profit from these services. Gig job postings and registrations are likewise offered to the public free of charge and are now part of the broader public employment information system. Special support is also provided to long-term unemployed workers and low-income gig workers (nationwide).
Conditions, limits and disagreements
Unemployment registration is a prerequisite for receiving unemployment benefits and for being recognized as someone facing employment difficulties — so be sure to complete it at the same time. For gig workers paid daily, verify the pay amount on the spot and keep the employer’s contact details and records of the work performed.
Original references
Original bibliographic titles and links are preserved; some titles are in Chinese.
全国人大常委会 (2007, 2015 修正). 就业促进法（第三十五条）. https://www.gov.cn/guoqing/2021-10/29/content_5647636.htm；人力资源社会保障部等五部门 (2022). 关于加强零工市场建设 完善求职招聘服务的意见（人社部发〔2022〕38 号）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2022-07/09/content_5700177.htm
Medical, legal, financial and policy conditions vary by person, place and time. Policy material primarily concerns mainland China; check the cited document and current local requirements.