Category: get a job

As Korean companies expand their operations on the world stage, they are hiring a growing number of non-Koreans for positions both in Korea and overseas. The number of non-Koreans chasing such jobs continues to outpace supply though, especially at the entry level, and so applying effectively is more important than ever.

Unless you've networked your way to an unpublished position (it happens!) or have unique talents that would give you global competitiveness just about anywhere, you will have to do your homework and prepare adequately for the process in advance.

I've previously answered some questions regarding the job search effort:

• Considerations of Current Location When Applying for a Job in Korea
• Reality-Based Answers to Questions About Getting a Job in Korea

We've also got the two following free Special Business Reports posted on Korea Business Central.

• The KBC-McKinney Consulting Webinar: "Working with Executive Recruiters and Planning Your Career in Korea"
• "A Map to a Career in Korea", by Jared Muloongo

Focusing on seekers of entry-level or slightly higher positions, this article discusses the specifics of preparing key documents of the application based on questions I've received many times from KBC members and others.

1. What are the key differences between applying to a Korean company in Korea and a multinational company in Korea?

If you're applying to a multinational company, your documents can generally follow international standards for job applications and you won't need to adapt your pitch to Korean procedures, formats and sensibilities as much.

Generally, multinational companies are more likely to hire through recruiters, whereas Korean companies will have on-the-ground hiring departments that primarily handle this and they will follow Korean norms.

But appearances can be deceiving since some multinational companies allow their Korean operations to run fully (or nearly fully) on Korean lines. For example, even though Homeplus is owned by Tesco of the UK, the Korean office is more Korean than international (probably more Samsung than anything else, since it is run by former Samsung executives), even though a few foreign executives are dispatched from the UK. I'm told this is how Amway Korea operates, too. Therefore, those multinational companies where the Korean office is its own operation, rather than a small extension of a supra-national organization, you are likely to find yourself going through Korean processes when applying for lower-level jobs.

Keep in mind that even if you are applying to a Korean company, as a foreigner, you're still an unusual hire. Therefore, the hiring for these positions is done in a much more ad hoc way, rather than the twice-yearly hiring that many of the large Korean conglomerates schedule out in advance for their Korean applicants. Because of this, there is a lot more scope for you to take the initiative in the job search process, such as by finding jobs through networking, by reaching out to the hiring department personally, or by being creative (in a good way!) with the formats, information and procedures Korean applicants would otherwise be expected to follow.

2. What should go into my resume or CV?

Koreans resumes typically include a small photograph. This should be a head shot similar to what you'd submit with a passport application and not a family or vacation photo. It goes right up at the top of the first page, usually in the right corner. 

Unless you're closer to 50 or 60 than 25, I'd suggest you put your birthdate at the top, too. This may be a no-no for companies to ask back home, but the Koreans you are applying to would like to know (whether they come out and say it or not). Besides, if they've asked for your foreigner registration number or a copy of your passport, they'll know your birth date anyway. As with anywhere, but perhaps to a greater degree in Korea, being young works in your favor for entry-level positions.

Include your nationality and visa status, if an advantage (see below).

Other than that, include the standard stuff, such as education, work experience, and other professional skills and interests. Be specific so that your readers can know exactly when you were working or studying and look up your university and previous companies on the Internet by name.

You may not want to include work experiences that Koreans might misinterpret. For example, you're unlikely to get many brownie points as a "go-getter" if you mention your university work experience at Burger King. Back home, having a part-time job during high school or college shows a strong work ethic; in Korea, it can lead to unhelpful questions and assessments of you.

Most positions that Westerners from English-speaking countries apply for leverage English skills and your potential employer may not care that much if you speak Korean. (see also Reflections on the Benefits of Learning Korean to One's Career in Korea) Still, it's good to show your commitment to Korea by including any Korean-language courses you've graduated from, as well as other Korea-focused language or business certificates (the KBC Professional Certification Program is a great attention-getter!) You might even include experiences you've had with Koreans back home, such as volunteering with Korean student organizations there.

If you've been in Korea for very long, be sure to mention how long; the longer the better, since this shows your commitment to staying around and not leaving the position early because you got tired of Korea. If you've been off the beaten track in Korea, mention your travels briefly. If you like Korean soju or makgeolli, you might even mention this, as it's a great talking point and tells the company you'll be willing to join and participate in functions with alcohol (usually a good thing, though not as big a deal as in years past).

If there are online materials about your professional or academic experience relevant to the role, including a link to an online portfolio or to actual certifications can be helpful. It can't hurt to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, also.

When Koreans prepare their resumes, they invariably include a few lines about hobbies and other personal interests. I would recommend you do the same, but don't overdo it, such that your company thinks you'll be so focused on the weekend that you won't be willing to put in long hours during the week or that you'll be unavailable for weekend work, as it arises. (BTW, if you're not willing to work more than the standard 40 hours per week, you might reconsider whether Korea's the right place for you!)

Your resume in Korea will not be too long even if it has a bit more information than you might ordinarily put on a resume back home, but I'd still suggest you keep it at no more than two pages.

3. What should go into my cover letter and should I translate it to Korean?

Koreans call the cover letter a "self-introduction letter" and this is where you get past the raw facts to show why you're the best person for the job. This is not the time to list out how you want the work to help you; this is where you point out how your skills will benefit the company. The self-introduction letter is also not just a regurgitation of your resume but should emphasize your fit and strengths concisely.

Korean self-introduction letters sometimes go many pages, but I wouldn't recommend this at all. If you're writing the letter in English, a Korean recruiter (even one with good, but not native, English skills) can get bogged down in a lot of words.

I recommend translating your self-introduction letter to Korean; making it short will help you to keep the translation costs down, too. One thing to keep in mind when preparing your letter in Korean is to avoid creating unreasonable expectations of your Korean skills, or to think that this is a deal maker anyway (see link above about learning Korean). The purpose for presenting a letter in Korean is to help the recruiter get quickly to the information in your background that's relevant without a language barrier and to help you show an extra level of commitment to the position through having made this effort. If your Korean skills are not fantastic, it would be reasonable to include a sentence in the letter mentioning this. The HR person will understand then that you had the document translated, which can still show your sincerity, especially if you include a few words (not a lot!) about what Korea means to you personally. It never hurts to mention that you're willing and eager to learn more about Korea and Korean ways, too.

One more selling point can be your visa status. If you're in Korea on a visa that lets you work in-country without being sponsored by your employer, this both shows your commitment to Korea and takes a burden off your employer. Not only can the HR people avoid the hassle of paperwork, but the company also isn't legally responsible for your good behavior in Korea. Therefore, if you have one of these visas, mention it both in your resume and cover letter. (see also Answers to Top Questions about Business Visas in Korea)

There's certainly more to the job application process than a good resume and cover letter, but the guidelines above will help you make the best impression at this stage of the application process.

** Visit the related discussion on Korea Business Central: "Is is possible to apply for a job when a person is out of Korea? Or I should just go to Korea and start applying for jobs while I am there?"

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Many factors are involved in the process of applying for a new job, and one that comes into play for those trying to get a job in Korea is whether it's possible to apply from outside Korea, or whether one needs to be physically present in Korea in order to be competitive for a new position with a Korean company. Along these lines, I received the following inquiry from someone in my network a few days ago.

Question

Dear Steven, I am writing this email to seek some advice from you. I have been applying to Korean companies lately…. I have a good career track and I speak Korean fluently. However, whenever recruiters learn that I am currently out of Korea, all of a sudden I get rejected. Now, I am not sure whether it is because they don't trust me or they are afraid to hire a person who has been with a Korean company for such a long time. At first they all praise my educational background and language capabilities, but they seem to have difficulties trusting someone they have not met personally. Based on your opinion, do you think it is possible to apply for a job when a person is out of Korea? Or I should just go to Korea and start applying for jobs while I am there? Thanks.

Answer

The answer to this question depends on the jobs you're applying for and the qualifications you bring to the position. If the companies you are applying for are able to easily fill their positions with equally qualified applicants in Korea who they can meet in person, then why would they commit themselves to a contract with you that has to be faxed back and forth to get signed?

I know you're not looking for an ESL job, but if you were, it would not be necessary to apply from Korea since the demand for English teachers is steady and surpasses the number of foreigners in Korea available to fill them all. 

But moving one step up, there are umpteen English teachers in Korea who would like to move into a Korean corporate position of one type or another. These positions generally involve performing a language-related function in the company. Because there are more applicants than positions, someone trying to get one of these jobs from overseas does not stand a chance against those who have their feet on the ground and a network through which to hear about openings. These jobs often get filled long before they ever reach a public jobs board.

As you don't mention that you are applying through an executive recruiting firm, I assume that you're not looking for a top management or highly specialized/high-paid position. This would indicate to me you're still early in your career. I realize that you aren't applying for an English-focused position either, but you may want to ask yourself if the positions you're trying to get can be filled easily by someone already in Korea working in an ESL or other similar posiition.

It may be that you just haven't been a perfect fit for any of the positions you've applied for and the rejections have nothing to do with your current location. Perhaps it'll just take some persistence. If your qualifications are strong and match the market in Korea, then you might just have to keep trying. Have you gone back to any of the recruiters you applied to before to get their feedback on why you weren't hired? You might not get straight answers when the rejection is still fresh, but if you were to contact them them 2-3 months later once they can't misunderstand your question as an attempt to keep trying for the job, they might give you some honest and helpful insights.

A trip to Korea to look for a job isn't necessarily a bad idea, especially if you'd like to visit anyway. But if you've currently got a job back home, you'll only have a week or two of vacation time and that's probably not enough to do more than have a few initial meetings. You'll also only be able to avail yourself of opportunities available during the window of time you're in Korea and there won't be time to build and work a personal network on the ground. But if you just come to Korea to "hang out" until something happens, potential employers will not be impressed if your period of being unemployed becomes extended. And working as an English teacher to pay the bills in the meantime is not a great resume filler either.

So, what can you do to be in Korea long enough for good to things happen but without wasting time? Taking an intensive Korean language course for a semester or two is a great way to do this. You can apply for jobs in-country, improve your skills and build your network without having a hole in your resume. I know you said you're already fluent in Korean, but does that mean there aren't any Korean-language courses you could take at your level? Fine, suppose there aren't… Then why don't you enroll in the masters program at a Korean university? I'm partial to Hanyang University, since that's where I earned my masters degree, but there are plenty of other good places too. And here's the best part… Tuition in the regular grad schools of Korean universities is much cheaper than for international MBAs. Furthermore, the graduate school classes at some schools (such as Hanyang) are in Korean, rather than English, so you'll get to put your advanced Korean skills to use and improve on them.

Finally, you mentioned that you are working for a Korean company now. Is there no way to get transferred to Korea for a short- or long-term assignment? Perhaps you could get transferred to Korea into a position that may not be exactly what you're looking for. Then, once you're in Korea, you could keep applying for positions you really want elsewhere. If you succeed, the Korean company will think twice before letting another employee at an overseas office do the same thing again, but at least you'll be moving forward in your career by that time.

BTW, your situation is a good example of how Korean language skills are not an automatic ticket to career success in Korea. I wrote an article about this recently: Reflections on the Benefits of Learning Korean to One's Career in Korea

I hope it works out for you. Let me know what happens.

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** Visit the related discussion on Korea Business Central: "Is is possible to apply for a job when a person is out of Korea? Or I should just go to Korea and start applying for jobs while I am there?"

** Visit the related online discussion for more information on this topic and to discuss with members of the Korea Business Central community.

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On Korea Business Central, we receive a lot of questions about getting a job in Korea. The problem is that the answers aren't so easy.

• In a posting just a few weeks ago, one young professional from Romania asked how she could find a job. She mentioned she's tried over the Internet but with no success, and that now she getting ready to visit Korea and wants to know how long it will take to find a position.
• In another KBC discussion, a brand manager from Indonesia asked about finding a position in the Korean creative and branding industry and what the basic requirements are to apply to a Korean company.
• I was recently asked by an associate from India with advanced computer and analysis skills/certifications to take a look at his resume and give him some pointers on how to improve his marketability in Korea. 

This was my first question to the brand manager and to my associate:

"What sets you radically apart from any of the countless young Korean professionals currently looking for a job in your industry? In other words, what value do you bring to the job that a Korean employer couldn't hope to fill with a Korean employee who is fluent in Korean, reads/writes English at a decent level, is willing to work evening and weekend hours for a few million won per month and doesn't need a visa sponsorship?"

Frankly, the answer to this question pretty much determines one's opportunities in the Korean job market. For thousands of people from (certain) English-speaking countries, the key to a job is "English fluency". Since most Koreans don't possess native English skills but there is a huge demand for English instructors, these perennial job openings are the ticket to a position in Korea for thousands of (mainly) Westerners.

There are also many laborers from certain countries of South Asia and Southeast Asia willing to work in "difficult, dangerous and dirty" jobs at rates Koreans won't touch. They also have an easy time finding a job; but members of KBC aren't usually looking for these positions, either. 

Thus, for someone without the English-skills answer (or at least English-skills from a Western country with an accent in English that Koreans wish to emulate) or interest in working with their hands for a pittance, the solution to the job problem often becomes much harder.

Just being better than the average isn't good enough. That's because foreign applicants to positions in Korea do not have access to the "standard" job application processes. The "standard" jobs are available only to Koreans with resumes that match exactly what the hiring company has determined they want. The "standard" application process takes it for granted that the applicant is a Korean who speaks Korean, lives like a Korean and is willing to work like a Korean. There is no option here for foreigners that need a visa, don't speak Korean perfectly and expect to have their weekends and evenings available for personal time.

After asking the above questions to my associate, he sent me a rather impressive list of qualifications that make him exceptional. But I'm still not confident that's enough to get him a job easily. Here's the response I sent him:

"Thanks for the reply.

"The reason I asked you those questions is that, as I'm sure you know, Koreans aren't going to hire foreigners for a position they think they can fill adequately with a Korean. Any established hiring process in Korea is exclusively for Koreans; foreigners are hired on a case-by-case basis every time and I can't imagine a Korean company deciding on their own initiative to hire a foreign computer analyst/developer. That means you're going to have to sell yourself, which won't be easy.

Somewhere along the way (beginning 'round about the time I published this article, I guess…), I started getting questions about visas in Korea. Having sat down with the official from Korea Immigration for an hour or so earlier this year, I realize this topic isn't as complicated as it seems. But the reason it seems complicated is because of the rather passive-aggressive approach immigration takes to sharing the information. There seems to be a clear attitude that if a foreigner wants to stay in Korea, it's up to that person to figure it out.

At any rate, I got this question from a KBC member recently:

Dear Steve, Since i currently have a problem with getting an appropiate visa for an intern i hope you can help me or might know what to do. I've been an exchange student at SNU and through a professor I managed to get an internship at GS Energy starting in January. I wanted to go for the working holiday visa and the ambassador in Denmark said it should not be a problem when I applied. However as of now it seems like it is not good enough. What visa would you suggest I go for? The internship is paid. Any help is appreciated.

Here's what I replied:

There isn't an "intern visa" in Korea. To do it right, you'll need to get your employer to sponsor you on a regular employee visa, probably an E-7. Here's an article with details. Even if it's an unpaid internship, I don't believe you'd be able to legally work at it under a tourist visa. But that doesn't mean you can't do it….

The following was extracted from a recent interview with me about how to find a job in Korea. Visit Korea Business Central for more information on getting a job in Korea, including the full video of this interview.

"Now tell me: how can Korea Business Central help me find a job in Korea?"

"If you’re looking for a job in Korea, then membership on Korea Business Central is really a must. It’s free, too!

We’ve dedicated an entire section of the website to resources that help you in your job search, including interviews, videos, discussions and others. We’ve also developed our own member job search database, which is free to members, and job recruiters on KBC offer their advice to members in the job market. You can even download a free template for a resume that is matched to the Korean approach for getting a job, and learn about how the visa system work and how you can take advantage of it.

You’ll also find extra resources just for internships!

I’ll also point out that networking can be a key factor in facilitating your job search (it was for me!) and on Korea Business Central, we have hosted business networking events and we link to upcoming offline events to help you get connected quickly while you’re here.

I’ll also point out that since there are more applicants for many jobs in Korea than there are positions available, it is imperative that you find a way to distinguish yourself from the crowd. One way to do that is to become a Certified Korea Business Professional through the KBC Professional Certification Program. This small investment will pay off not only in terms of your job search, but will also make you more effective in your new position."

Visit Korea Business Central for more information on getting a job in Korea, including the full video of this interview.

Learn more about the KBC Professional Certification Program to be more successful in your career in Korea.

The following was extracted from a recent interview with me about how to find a job in Korea. 

"How do I apply for a job in Korea?  Can you break it down for me, step by step?"

"Sure. The first thing you need to know is that Korean companies have completely different processes for hiring Koreans and non-Koreans. You’re not going to get very far by looking on Korean job boards for positions in Korean companies; those jobs are for Koreans.

Jobs for non-Koreans are far fewer and generally not posted through such traditional channels. Sites like Korea Business Central offer an outlet for these job postings and you should check here and at other sites, most of which we link to for you!

But many hirings just don’t go through a public process and this is where a strong business network like we can help you build here on KBC is crucial.

As for applying, it’s generally a good idea to translate your resume and cover letter to Korean. Even if the person reviewing applications speaks and reads English well, they will still prefer to read a Korean document, as will their boss, who is probably the final decision maker. It also shows your commitment to the position and sets you apart from many of the others who haven’t made this effort.

After submitting your resume, make sure you follow-up, especially if you don’t get a reply. A phone call is good here. Be as cordial as possible and find a way to help the person in charge remember who you are and do so in a way that communicates an extra interest in the position and in Korea, such as by making an attempt to speak Korean or pointing out any Korea-related certifications or other achievements."

Visit Korea Business Central for more information on getting a job in Korea, including the full video of this interview.

Learn more about the KBC Professional Certification Program to be more successful in your career in Korea.

The following was extracted from a recent interview with me about how to find a job in Korea. 

"What do I need to watch out for during job interviews in Korea? Can you tell us maybe one or two deal-killers to avoid?"

"In a job interview, your interviewer is looking for reassurances that you will succeed in the Korean company. For that reason, you want to show the efforts you’ve made to learn Korean and get along in Korea and the commitment you’ve made to put down roots and stay through your contract.

Also, don’t get angry when the interviewer asks questions that might be unacceptable back home, such as your age or marital status. You should answer these and other questions forthrightly and cheerfully."

Visit Korea Business Central for more information on getting a job in Korea, including the full video of this interview.

 

Learn more about the KBC Professional Certification Program to be more successful in your career in Korea.

The following was extracted from a recent interview with me about how to find a job in Korea. 

"What are some of the landmines I need to avoid when applying for a job in Korea?"

"Korea’s quickly becoming one of the most advanced countries in the world, but you shouldn’t think that Korean think and act the way we do back home. Of course, learning the language is a key step in connecting with and understanding the cultural context; it’s also a great way to order a meal and connect to your co-workers in and outside the office.

If I had to point out a specific suggestion, I would emphasize that you must make the effort to understand and adapt to the local situation. While seeing areas for improvement in Korea is inevitable, finding ways to excel within the current context is both an incredible personal journey, and a good business and career strategy."

Visit Korea Business Central for more information on getting a job in Korea, including the full video of this interview.

Learn more about the KBC Professional Certification Program to be more successful in your career in Korea.