working after studying

hello there,
i am going to graduate soon (july) from a chinese unviersity. and i hope to find a job before i graduate and stay in PRC longer. i am already a resident permit holder since 5 years(study purpose) but if i find a job i know i need to apply for work permit, can i change my current status from student to employee, or i should go back to my home country and apply a work Z visa etc. ?
thank you