National Civil Service Exams has a long history. It's a tradition that dates back more than 1,300 years when exams were first held to select the best applicants for ancient imperial bureaucracy. Today's young job seekers are vying for government posts in record numbers. The prospect of a stable salary and good benefits make it more appealing than the private sector that attracts many of the most ambitious minds in the U.S. And Europe.The pay is not very high but it has good bonus and social security.
Central government jobs are often described as a "golden rice bowl" for their stable income and generous benefits. Officialdom can also lead to membership of the Chinese Communist Party -- a status symbol in China,but with only 19,000 jobs available.About 7,200 people competed for the most popular position as a researcher with the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, according to The China Daily.The annual exam includes an aptitude test and a policy essay, and those who pass make it to an interview round.Many of the candidates are university graduates and the increase in the numbers applying for government jobs reflects a surge in the number of university graduates entering a fiercely competitive job market. This year a record seven million graduated, up from around two million a decade ago, according to Chinese magazine Caijing.
