Wang Jilian was born in Dalian, he began to play football when he was studying in primary school at the age of 8.
In 1966, Wang Jilian represented China playing in 1st Games of the New Emerging Forces and got runner-up.
in 1975, Wang Jilian worked as a player on the Liaoning football team to participate in the 1975 National Games.
In the same year Wang Jilian retired and began youth player training work at Beijing Chongwen sport school.
in 1981, Wang Jilian returned for the second time to play for Beijing in the Chinese Jia League.