It can be just plain tough to find a job in Korea. If you’re looking for a job here, your chances of finding one depend on your answer to the following question:
“What sets you radically apart from any of the countless young Korean professionals currently looking for a job in your industry in Korea? 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?”
Quick Tips for Answering This Question
- If English is your first language and you’re from a country where people speak with an accent in English that Koreans wish to emulate, then it’ll be easy to get a job that leverages this asset, such as working as a teacher or editor.
- If you’re from an Asian country that’s signed a treaty with Korea for manual laborers and you’re willing to work really hard for a little bit of money, then you can work in a factory.
- Everyone else, if you’re having trouble finding the job you want, please think more deeply about how to answer the question above.
- To read my full commentary on this topic, visit
Reality-Based Answers to Questions about Getting a Job in Korea.
Additional Resources on KBC
- The KBC Business Accelerator: Get a (Better) Job in Korea page includes the following and more:
- “A Map to a Career in Korea: What You Need to Know!”, by Jared Muloongo
- “Korean Job Realities: Patterns of Success in Korea” with Steven McKinney
- “Working with Executive Recruiters and Planning Your Career in Korea” with Steven McKinney
- Search for jobs in Korea using the KBC Customized Korea Job Search Online Tools
- Equip yourself for success in the Korean job market by enrolling in the KBC Professional Certification Program
** BTW, if you’ve answered my question well enough to land a job in Korea (especially a non-English-related job!), please share your experience and insights in the discussion below. Just have a question? You can post that here, too.