Huong's Daily Story - Tips for Successful Job Search in Korea!
Hello! This is Huong. 😉Did you have a good Lunar New Year holiday~? I also spent the holiday with my family in Vietnam for the first time in a long while ㅎㅎ As the new year of 2025 approaches, many of you are preparing for a new beginning, right?So today! For foreigners who want to find a job in KoreaI would like to share with you some practical job search success tips that I have personally experienced and felt! As a foreigner, it wasn't easy for me to find a job in Korea at first...ㅠㅠHowever, if you understand the Korean market and leverage your strengths as a foreigner, you can seize great opportunities!I'll talk about them one by one from now on! 😎 1️⃣ Korean language skillsTOPIK PreparationThe most important thing to get a job in Korea is, of course, Korean language skills!The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is an official way to prove your Korean language skills.Many companies require TOPIK scores or a certain level of Korean language proficiency.In particular, if you obtain TOPIK level 3 or higher, it is advantageous for employment!The TOPIK test is held every year, and not only Korean residents but also overseas residents can take the test!You can check the test schedule on the official TOPIK website .There are manyfree online lectures, so study hard!Practice Korean conversationIn addition to your TOPIK test scores, your ability to speak fluently in real life is also very important!The Korean you learned may feel awkward when you have an actual conversation.I also vividly remember how difficult it was when I first started talking to Koreans… 😣I definitely learned a lot of words, but when I tried to use them, I couldn't say them out loud...ㅠSo, I practiced speaking directly through language exchange meetings and Korean conversation classes!Thank you for helping me communicate well, I feel less nervous and can speak more comfortably. HahaI recommend these methods as they have helped me a lot! 2️⃣ Prepare your resume and self-introductionWriting a Korean style resumeKorean resumes are usually in table format !There are usually some key items that need to be written down.Usually✅ Personal information – name, date of birth, contact information, address, email, etc.✅ Educational background – from high school to university (graduate school), including period and major✅ Career history – company name, length of employment, duties, major achievements, etc.✅ Qualifications and Licenses – Qualifications obtained and issuing agencies✅ Language proficiency – Official language test scores (TOEIC, TOPIK, etc.)✅ Computers and other technologies – available software, programming languages, etc.✅ Awards and external activities – competitions, overseas training, club activities, etc.✅ Military service (male) – whether or not you have served in the military, branch of service, and rank✅ Other details – desired salary, possible start date, etc.I need to write down these thingsPlease write down the key relevant information in the form, excluding unnecessary information!Even if your Korean skills are lacking, it's a good idea to use a translator to write in Korean as much as possible!Writing a self-introductionIn Korea, when you submit your resume, you are asked to submit a ‘self-introduction’ as well!In the self-introduction✅ Growth Process & Values - My personality, tendencies, and events that influenced my childhood, etc.✅ Strengths and weaknesses and efforts to improve - Experience of emphasizing my strengths and overcoming my weaknesses✅ Reason for application - What made you interested in the position at the company, etc.✅ Job-related experience and competencies - Emphasize relevant part-time work experience and achievements✅ Job aspirations and goals - how you will contribute to the company and long-term growth plans, etc.It is very important to be specific and emphasize that you are the right fit for the company!I usually know my strengths and weaknesses very well, so it wasn't difficult to write it hahaThere is also a post on Jobploy Story abouthow to write a resume that will increase your chances of being accepted, so I think it would be a good idea to refer to it! 3️⃣ Use job platforms and job fairsUse the job platformRepresentative Korean job search sites include [Job Korea] and [Saramin].There are a lot of different job openings posted on the website.However, it was a bit of a hassle because I had to check further whether hiring foreigners was possible.So, if you go through a job platform exclusively for foreigners like Jobploy,It's convenient to find a company in the right region and job category and apply for a job!Unlike general job platforms, you can check job information in your native language.Since it is a site specializing in hiring foreigners, it has the advantage of being able to easily see job postings from companies hiring foreigners.You can also find information about training programs for employment and life in Korea.This is a great platform for foreigners who want to work in Korea! 👍Attend a job fairIn Korea, various job fairs and recruitment information sessions are held every year.There are companies actively hiring foreigners participating!By participating in this, you can communicate directly with business officials and obtain practical information.You will also have the opportunity to experience writing resumes and conducting interviews.I have also participated in many job fairs. It was nice to be able to participate with many foreigners.After experiencing what it was like to actually be interviewed, I felt a little less nervous during the actual interview. HahaParticipating in these events before you begin your full-fledged job search can be a huge help! 4️⃣ Visa and Legal RequirementsPreparing for a work visaTo legally work in Korea, you must obtain a work visa!The main employment visas are summarized inthe Employment Visa Guide .You should check the eligibility requirements for each visa in advance and thoroughly prepare the necessary documents.You can also receive visa-related consultations through Jobploy’sonline visa consultation service!Understanding employment contracts and labor lawsWhen signing an employment contract, you must carefully check the contract before signing it!Korea's labor laws are well-established to protect workers.It is also very important to clearly understand your working conditions and protect your rights!I recommend that you look into it carefully before applying for a job. 5️⃣ Interview PreparationThe Importance of InterviewsThe interview is a very important hiring process before joining the company!Based on the information written in your resume or self-introduction, you can express your experiences and abilities in various ways through words and facial expressions!In particular, as a foreigner, it is good to show that you understand Korean culture well and can adapt to it.Here's a tip that helped me pass: Smiling a lot is a huge plus! 😊Another very important part is to conduct preliminary research on the company you are applying to (understanding the company's main business, goals, and the role you will be taking on, etc.).If you prepare yourself to answer company-related questions without hesitation, it's only a matter of time before you pass, right? Here! Based on my experience, I have written some job-hunting tips that you should know to get a job in Korea!I hope this will help you expand your employment opportunities in Korea and start a successful career!😊 I'll come back with more useful information. Bye bye~ 🤗 ✨If you have any further questions for Huong,Please contact Jobploy Vietnam on Facebook !