Chinese Learn Unknown Art of Job Hunting : Commerce: Lifetime employment is drying up as the country shifts from a state-run to a market-driven economy.

For the first time, Wang Dezhun worries that his guarantee of a lifetime job in a state-run electronics factory may expire before he does.

“All jobs used to be guaranteed forever,” said Wang, a plump man of 40. “But because nothing is safe anymore, I need to look for new opportunities, just in case.”

This job-hunting mentality is the latest byproduct of China’s transition from a rigidly planned economy to one adapted to the market.

After two generations in which the government chose their careers and assigned their jobs, the Chinese are realizing they can, and may have to, look for work on their own.

Under the old “iron rice bowl” system, many were given lifetime jobs that did not depend on performance. That ensured full employment, but also meant that people had no incentive to do their jobs well.

Now, China is telling state-owned businesses that they can no longer count on government bailouts and will have to survive on their own, even if that means laying off surplus or incompetent workers.

So far, relatively few people have been laid off--about 1 million in an urban work force of 140 million--and new jobs have been found for 90%.

Economists say state companies need to dismiss millions more, however, and the government will be hard put to find work for all of them.

“Being fired, picking jobs, having choices, jumping into the labor market: These are all new concepts that people must accept,” said Wang Zhicheng, a section chief at the Beijing Labor Bureau. “It’s time to break the iron rice bowl.”

Some local officials are experimenting with unemployment insurance plans. Many cities have organized labor markets or job fairs so job-seekers can check the work available and talk with company representatives.

In Beijing, the number of people visiting the 32 labor markets increased from 30,000 in 1987 to 150,000 last year. Those finding jobs through the markets rose from 4,000 in 1987 to 80,000 in 1991, Wang said.

Ching-Boon Lee, a senior World Bank economist in Beijing, said the statistics indicate that “people are really worried about the lack of a safety net” and are unsure what to do.

At Beijing’s largest labor market, in Yuetan Park, people mill around crude billboards that advertise government or private jobs in construction, manufacturing and service occupations.

With furrowed brows and folded arms, applicants inquire about pay, insurance and benefits, casting wary glances at each other. Recruiters behind wooden tables urge job-seekers to pay 80 yuan ($14.80) to register, fill out an application form and leave an address and telephone number.

After much hesitation, Dang Wenhe, a 30-year-old driver for the Beijing Railway Bureau, applied for an opening as a taxi driver.

“I’m not sure how all this works,” he said, “but I’d like to change my job and make more money to support my family. Driving a cab will be more work, but it’ll be worth it.”

Dang was told to wait for word from the taxi company.

Liu Gang, 24, who sells postage stamps to speculators, said many people also look for help-wanted signs outside factories and check the dozens of illegal street-corner labor markets for temporary work.

He said he wanted “an easy bowling alley or service job in the evening to make extra money and meet more girls.”

The attitude toward work has become more competitive and practical, he said: “Before, people felt it was their duty to help friends.

“Now, it’s more like a business deal. You owe someone a favor or money if they help you get a job or get what you want.”

Song Yuele, 35, left her hotel job to have a baby, and was told when she tried to return that the hotel was cutting its staff.

“It’s tough,” she said, “but this is probably good for our country in the long run.”