Most professionals have optimistic view, especially in first-tier cities

Despite the economic slowdown and less promising outlook predicted by many organizations, finance professionals are still confident of better employment opportunities in China next year, a survey said on Wednesday.

According to the report jointly prepared by global specialist recruiting group Hays and the New York Stock Exchange-listed online recruitment service provider Zhaopin Ltd, about 69 percent of the 1,066 polled financial professionals said they would ask for a pay rise next year, and 54 percent of them said they would expect their salaries to increase by 16 percent or more in 2015.