Searching for job opportunities in Korea requires knowing the right terminology and phrases. This guide provides essential Korean expressions for finding job information, from basic vocabulary to specific questions you might ask during your job search. Mastering these phrases will help you navigate the Korean job market more effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 취업 정보 구하기
Pronunciation: chwi-eop jeong-bo gu-ha-gi
Meaning: Getting job information / Finding job information
Basic Vocabulary for Job Searching
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Expression: 취업
Pronunciation: chwi-eop
Meaning: Getting a job / Employment -
Expression: 구직
Pronunciation: gu-jik
Meaning: Job seeking -
Expression: 회사
Pronunciation: hoe-sa
Meaning: Company -
Expression: 채용 공고
Pronunciation: chae-yong gong-go
Meaning: Job posting / Recruitment notice -
Expression: 이력서
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo
Meaning: Resume / CV -
Expression: 자기소개서
Pronunciation: ja-gi-so-gae-seo
Meaning: Cover letter / Personal statement -
Expression: 면접
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop
Meaning: Interview -
Expression: 지원 자격
Pronunciation: ji-won ja-gyeok
Meaning: Application requirements / Eligibility -
Expression: 직무
Pronunciation: jing-mu
Meaning: Job duty / Position -
Expression: 경력
Pronunciation: gyeong-ryeok
Meaning: Work experience / Career -
Expression: 신입
Pronunciation: sin-ip
Meaning: New recruit / Entry-level -
Expression: 연봉
Pronunciation: yeon-bong
Meaning: Annual salary
Asking for Job Information
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Expression: 채용 공고는 어디서 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: chae-yong gong-go-neun eo-di-seo bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I see the job postings? -
Expression: 현재 채용 중인 포지션이 있습니까?
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae chae-yong jung-in po-ji-syeon-i it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Are there any positions currently being hired for? -
Expression: 지원 마감일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: ji-won ma-gam-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the application deadline? -
Expression: 어떤 지원 자격이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon ji-won ja-gyeok-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the application requirements? -
Expression: 이력서는 어디로 보내면 되나요?
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-neun eo-di-ro bo-nae-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Where should I send my resume? -
Expression: 외국인도 지원할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in-do ji-won-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners also apply? -
Expression: 경력직을 뽑고 있나요?
Pronunciation: gyeong-ryeok-jik-eul ppop-go it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are you hiring experienced workers? -
Expression: 신입 사원도 지원 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: sin-ip sa-won-do ji-won ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible for entry-level candidates to apply? -
Expression: 채용 절차에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: chae-yong jeol-cha-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the hiring process? -
Expression: 관련 정보는 웹사이트에서 확인할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gwal-lyeon jeong-bo-neun wep-sa-i-teu-e-seo hwa-gin-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I check the related information on the website? -
Expression: 인사 담당자와 통화하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: in-sa dam-dang-ja-wa tong-hwa-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to speak with the HR manager.
Discussing Job Details
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Expression: 이 직무의 주요 업무는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i jing-mu-ui ju-yo eom-mu-neun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the main responsibilities of this position? -
Expression: 근무 시간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: geun-mu si-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the working hours? -
Expression: 급여 수준은 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: geu-byeo su-jun-eun eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the salary range? -
Expression: 복지 혜택은 어떤 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: bok-ji hye-taek-eun eo-tteon geot-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of benefits are offered? -
Expression: 근무지는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: geun-mu-ji-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the work location? -
Expression: 팀 분위기는 어떤 편인가요?
Pronunciation: tim bun-wi-gi-neun eo-tteon pyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the team atmosphere like? -
Expression: 야근이나 주말 근무가 잦은 편인가요?
Pronunciation: ya-geun-i-na ju-mal geun-mu-ga ja-jeun pyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is overtime or weekend work frequent? -
Expression: 교육 기회가 제공되나요?
Pronunciation: gyo-yuk gi-hoe-ga je-gong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Are training opportunities provided? -
Expression: 계약 기간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the contract period? -
Expression: 정규직 전환 가능성이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-gyu-jik jeon-hwan ga-neung-seong-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a possibility of converting to a permanent position?
Korean Culture Notes
Networking (인맥 – Inmaek): Networking plays a significant role in the Korean job market. Building connections through school alumni, previous colleagues, or social gatherings can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren’t publicly advertised.
Resume (이력서 – Iryeokseo) and Cover Letter (자기소개서 – Jagisogaeseo): Korean resumes often have a standardized format and may ask for personal information like age or marital status, though this is changing. The ‘Jagisogaeseo’ is crucial and requires a well-thought-out narrative about your skills, experiences, and motivations.
Company Hierarchy and Formality: Korean workplaces often have a clear hierarchy. Using appropriate formal language (존댓말 – Jondaetmal) and showing respect to seniors (선배 – Seonbae) and superiors is important, especially during interviews and initial interactions.
Job Portals: Major Korean job portals like Saramin (사람인), JobKorea (잡코리아), and Incruit (인크루트) are essential resources for finding job postings. Many companies primarily use these platforms for recruitment.
Interview Process: The interview process can involve multiple stages, including competency tests (인적성 검사 – Injeokseong Geomsa), group interviews, and individual interviews with HR and hiring managers. Punctuality and formal attire are expected.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A job seeker (A) calls the HR department of a company to inquire about job openings.
Roles: A: Job Seeker (구직자 – Gujikja), B: HR Representative (인사 담당자 – Insa Damdangja)
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Expression: A: 여보세요, 인사팀이죠? 채용 관련해서 문의드릴 것이 있어서 전화했습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, in-sa-tim-i-jyo? chae-yong gwal-lyeon-hae-seo mun-ui-deu-ril geo-si i-sseo-seo jeon-hwa-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Hello, is this the HR team? I’m calling because I have an inquiry regarding recruitment. -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s correct. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 현재 웹사이트에 올라온 마케팅팀 신입사원 채용 공고를 보고 연락드렸는데요, 지원 자격에 대해 좀 더 자세히 알고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae wep-sa-i-teu-e ol-la-on ma-ke-ting-tim sin-ip-sa-won chae-yong gong-go-reul bo-go yeol-lak-deu-ryeot-neun-de-yo, ji-won ja-gyeok-e dae-hae jom deo ja-se-hi al-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: I saw the job posting for an entry-level position in the marketing team on your website, and I’d like to know more details about the application requirements. -
Expression: B: 네, 해당 공고 말씀이시군요. 기본적으로 4년제 대학 졸업자 또는 졸업 예정자여야 하고, 관련 전공자를 우대합니다. 외국어 능력도 중요하게 보고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, hae-dang gong-go mal-sseum-i-si-gun-yo. gi-bon-jeo-geu-ro sa-nyeon-je dae-hak jo-reop-ja tto-neun jo-reop ye-jeong-ja-yeo-ya ha-go, gwal-lyeon jeon-gong-ja-reul u-dae-ham-ni-da. oe-gu-geo neung-ryeok-do jung-yo-ha-ge bo-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ah yes, that posting. Basically, applicants should be graduates or expected graduates of a 4-year university, and we prefer those with a related major. Foreign language proficiency is also considered important. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 혹시 지원 마감일은 언제까지인가요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. hok-si ji-won ma-gam-il-eun eon-je-kka-ji-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: I understand. By any chance, when is the application deadline? -
Expression: B: 지원 마감일은 다음 주 금요일 오후 6시까지입니다. 저희 회사 채용 홈페이지를 통해 온라인으로 지원하시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: ji-won ma-gam-il-eun da-eum ju geum-yo-il o-hu yeo-seot-si-kka-ji-im-ni-da. jeo-hui hoe-sa chae-yong hom-pe-i-ji-reul tong-hae on-la-in-eu-ro ji-won-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: The deadline is next Friday at 6 PM. You can apply online through our company’s recruitment website. -
Expression: A: 네, 자세한 설명 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: ne, ja-se-han seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Okay, thank you for the detailed explanation!
Practice Tips
Finding job information is the first crucial step in your career journey in Korea! Try using these phrases when browsing Korean job sites or contacting companies~ Practice asking questions about job postings you find online. Role-playing conversations with a language partner or tutor can also be very helpful. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for the information you need. 화이팅 (hwaiting – You can do it)!
