He became a teacher, and eventually the deputy director of the Woven Textile Industry School in Tianjin.

[1] In May 1953, Tan joined the Communist Youth League of China, and became a full member of the Chinese Communist Party in May 1953.| [6] From August 1981 to May 1982, he served as the Deputy Director, the Deputy Party Secretary, and eventually the Director of the Tianjin Education Committee.

[3] In October 1992, Tan Shaowen became a member of the 14th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, and was subsequently elected by that committee to serve in the 14th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, under the leadership of Jiang Zemin.

[5][9] Due to his early death, Tan served in only one of the seven Plenary Sessions of the 14th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

[5] In terms of economic reform, Tan focused mainly on medium to large state-owned enterprises, and also constructed several development zones in Tianjin, including the New Technology Industrial Park.