I ride a bicycle, you drive a sedan. As workplace barriers grow higher, owning a car has become a key indicator of "hard skills" in today's job market. Companies often provide subsidies to employees with vehicles.
Back when the "privileged few" were still in university, they were already laying the groundwork for their careers: interning at prestigious companies, earning English proficiency certificates like CET-4 and CET-6, and obtaining driver's licenses.But now, these tricks are common knowledge. With the same prestigious university background, identical qualifications, and comparable work skills... what sets you apart in the sea of candidates? Many respond that having a license alone isn't enough—now you need to own the car! While this isn't explicitly stated in job postings or a strict requirement, it adds a valuable edge to your capabilities. No employer would dislike that.Moreover, netizens argue that without a car, you're out of the running. This advantage isn't just useful during job applications; it also applies to those who've been grinding away at work for years without seeing any progress!
Hiring: Car Owners Get Priority?
In certain industries, people with cars are indeed given priority.Sandy, a sports brand sales manager, was recruiting for her company late last year—though she was effectively hiring for herself.She hesitated for a long time between two equally qualified candidates. Li, a hardworking migrant from the countryside, could "moonlight" as a courier when large items needed transporting. The other candidate, Xiao Lin, a local living with his parents, owned an 80,000-yuan sedan. While Li could handle deliveries, Xiao Lin's car made client visits more convenient—though his salary expectations were higher.While vehicle ownership wasn't originally listed in Sandy's hiring criteria, she ultimately chose Xiao Lin. Her reasoning: "When given the choice, Xiao Lin's car makes business operations more convenient." Of course, the company subsidizes Xiao Lin's monthly "transportation expenses," but this still saves money compared to providing company vehicles, renting cars, or outsourcing to courier services.
Similarly, regional managers who frequently travel, salespeople who often accompany executives to client meetings, advertising professionals, and procurement officers are all highly valued if they have their own vehicles.An HR staff member at a company revealed that during recruitment, they mark resumes of applicants with cars using code words. When supervisors and department managers screen applications, they naturally prioritize these candidates. Applicants aware of this "unspoken rule" even directly state "owning a ××× sedan" on their resumes—a practice previously reserved for driver or assistant positions.
The "Personal Chauffeur" Balancing Work and Life
According to white-collar workers, owning a car can improve one's social standing and foster closer relationships with "the boss." While its impact on career advancement remains debatable, those who own cars often lament the financial burden of "maintaining a vehicle" yet report feeling more confident in the workplace.
Manager Huang, who works at a Japanese company, recently became a father and bought a sedan. Besides shuttling his wife and son, he now drives directly to work in Huadu.After his boss learned he owned a car, he began bringing Huang along to client meetings and industry gatherings. This allowed Huang to familiarize himself with business operations while also serving as a designated driver after meals and drinks. For personal errands requiring a vehicle, the boss would often "ask" Huang for assistance. Huang felt his understanding of the industry deepened significantly. By the end of last year, he received a substantial pay raise and an additional transportation allowance—undoubtedly thanks to his boss's positive evaluations.To cut down on car expenses, Manager Huang carpooled with colleagues who lived in the same district for his daily commute. His coworkers were happy to save time by not leaving early, and they chatted about everything on the way—from company gossip to parenting stories. Manager Huang quickly became close with them and earned a reputation for being a good driver and a hard worker.Manager Huang felt that while car ownership came with significant expenses, the "returns" it brought were substantial too. He believed it would undoubtedly benefit his career advancement.
On the other hand, after purchasing cars, white-collar workers found their perspective on the city had greatly changed, which undoubtedly broadened their horizons.After buying her car, Sally often took colleagues and friends "out of town" for dining. Most restaurants outside the city center offered free parking and affordable prices, making her a savvy foodie in her friends' eyes—a title she relished. "I've started relating to topics I once thought were exclusive to car owners," Sally said. "Having more common ground with clients has boosted my confidence."
Prioritize Maintenance Costs Before Buying a Car
With so many benefits, should I buy a car for work too? During interviews, we found white-collar car owners are quite rational about purchasing vehicles. They typically consider buying only when their jobs offer certain conveniences for maintaining a car. They also advise us to thoroughly plan for maintenance costs before buying.
Tommy, who works at a foreign company, is planning to buy a car because his company introduced a new benefit this year: employees with cars receive a quarterly fuel subsidy of 1,000 yuan. The subsidy is provided directly via fuel cards, meaning those without cars cannot access this perk.Tommy understands the company introduced this benefit to reduce shuttle bus expenses, so it might not be permanent. Still, with the company temporarily helping cover car expenses and offering free parking, he sees it as a chance to enjoy driving.
Sandy and Manager Huang received significant company support for their car purchases and maintenance.Working in sales, Sandy frequently needed to transport numerous samples around town. The company proposed splitting the car purchase cost with her, covering fuel expenses on a reimbursement basis, while Sandy would handle part of the delivery duties. For about 50,000 yuan and five days of overtime per week, Sandy could acquire a commercial vehicle. The "maintenance" costs mainly involved annual inspection fees and parking charges. When not working, she could use the car privately for family road trips.Manager Huang lives in Panyu while his company is in Huadu. Parking costs are cheaper than downtown, and since his company operates in the automotive sector, he enjoys perks like car washes, repairs, or fuel cards. Combined with subsidies "applied for" by his supervisor, his vehicle maintenance expenses are minimal.
Companies offering car subsidies benefit both employees and the organization. Employees gain a perk while companies avoid the substantial costs of maintaining company vehicles. For employees, the subsidy eases financial burdens, while having a personal car enhances work convenience. This mutual advantage explains why commuting with personal vehicles is emerging as a new workplace trend.