(ECNS) -- "When are you going to get married and have children?" That was a question Liu Na, a female graduate in economics from a university in Tianjin constantly faced in job interviews.
Liu ranked among the top in her class but got far fewer job offers than male graduates. The few available interviews were often tarnished by questions she found embarrassing because of her gender.
To attract employer interest, Liu expressed her willingness to be an exemplary employee along with her academic qualifications, noting she is "hard-working, can take extra work and can undertake business trips". But companies seemed more concerned about her personal life.
Almost all male students have secured jobs and most go to banks, accounting firms or big companies, while only 20 percent of female graduates got offers, said Liu.
"I only expect the monthly salary to be 3,000 ($460) to 4,000 yuan," she added.
Job fair only for women
China has a number of laws and regulations to protect gender equality in employment or career promotions, but on the ground female students frequently land in disadvantageous positions.
The employment future is daunting for many women, according to experts, following China's adoption of a two-child policy.
Liang Chunzao, vice chairwoman of the Women's Federation in Tianjin, said some female students get married and have a child even before graduation, and highlight that as an advantage on their resumes.
But the two-child policy means the tactic doesn't sell well since some companies are still worried maternity leave will increase costs, Liang added.
The federation organized a job fair exclusively for women ahead of March 8, International Women's Day, attracting lines of applicants who waited in front of the venue for an hour before it started.
The number of female students surpassed 5,000 and went beyond organizer expectations, Liang said.
Students came from 20 universities in Tianjin, illustrating the pressures they face in finding jobs.
Calls for respect for women
Liu Na said she felt quite stressed at the job fair because of so many competitors.
Youyi Department Store owned by Tianjin's famous Yishang Group, one of China's top 500 companies, received 300 applicants in an hour for three positions with a promised monthly salary of 4,500 yuan.
A human resources manager for a small company at the fair said seven women in his company fell pregnant last year and caused a major impact on the business.
Liu was not alone feeling frustrated in the difficult job-seeking process. Another graduate, Li Ying, said women have less chance than men even if they have the same qualifications.
Xiao Shuhu, director of the graduate career center at Tianjin University, said it's harder for female students to find jobs, especially during the economic slowdown.
It was noted that female students are not inferior to males at the famous engineering university but that bias against women still exist in some companies.
Both Liang and Xiao have called for more respect and support for women in their careers.
