Preparing a resume is a crucial step when applying for jobs in Korea. This guide will teach you the essential Korean word for “resume,” along with related vocabulary and phrases needed for job applications, interviews, and discussing your professional background. Mastering these terms will help you navigate the Korean job market more effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 이력서
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo
Meaning: Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Basic Resume Terms
-
Expression: 성명
Pronunciation: seong-myeong
Meaning: Full Name -
Expression: 연락처
Pronunciation: yeol-lak-cheo
Meaning: Contact Information -
Expression: 이메일 주소
Pronunciation: i-me-il ju-so
Meaning: Email Address -
Expression: 학력
Pronunciation: hang-nyeok
Meaning: Educational Background -
Expression: 경력
Pronunciation: gyeong-nyeok
Meaning: Work Experience -
Expression: 자격증
Pronunciation: ja-gyeok-jjeung
Meaning: Certifications / Licenses -
Expression: 어학 능력
Pronunciation: eo-hang neung-nyeok
Meaning: Language Proficiency -
Expression: 자기소개서
Pronunciation: ja-gi-so-gae-seo
Meaning: Cover Letter / Personal Statement (Often submitted with the resume) -
Expression: 지원 분야
Pronunciation: ji-won bun-ya
Meaning: Field of Application / Position Applied For -
Expression: 사진
Pronunciation: sa-jin
Meaning: Photograph (Often required on Korean resumes) -
Expression: 생년월일
Pronunciation: saeng-nyeon-wol-il
Meaning: Date of Birth -
Expression: 주소
Pronunciation: ju-so
Meaning: Address
Phrases for Discussing Resumes
-
Expression: 이력서를 제출하다
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-reul je-chul-ha-da
Meaning: To submit a resume -
Expression: 이력서를 작성하다
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-reul jak-seong-ha-da
Meaning: To write/fill out a resume -
Expression: 이력서를 검토하다
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-reul geom-to-ha-da
Meaning: To review a resume -
Expression: 이력서를 업데이트하다
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-reul eop-de-i-teu-ha-da
Meaning: To update a resume -
Expression: 이력서 양식을 다운로드 받다
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo yang-sik-eul da-un-ro-deu bat-da
Meaning: To download a resume template/form -
Expression: 이력서에 사진을 첨부하다
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-e sa-jin-eul cheom-bu-ha-da
Meaning: To attach a photo to the resume -
Expression: 이력서와 자기소개서를 보내주세요.
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-wa ja-gi-so-gae-seo-reul bo-nae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please send your resume and cover letter. -
Expression: 제 이력서 좀 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: je i-ryeok-seo jom bwa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please take a look at my resume? -
Expression: 이력서 마감일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo ma-gam-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the deadline for resume submission? -
Expression: 경력 사항을 자세히 적어주세요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-nyeok sa-hang-eul ja-se-hi jeo-geo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please write your work experience in detail. -
Expression: 이력서에 오타가 없는지 확인하세요.
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-e o-ta-ga eom-neun-ji hwa-gin-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if there are any typos in the resume. -
Expression: 어떤 이력서 양식을 선호하시나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon i-ryeok-seo yang-sik-eul seon-ho-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Which resume format do you prefer?
Action Verbs for Resumes
-
Expression: 개발하다
Pronunciation: gae-bal-ha-da
Meaning: To develop -
Expression: 관리하다
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-ha-da
Meaning: To manage -
Expression: 기획하다
Pronunciation: gi-hoek-ha-da
Meaning: To plan / To organize -
Expression: 달성하다
Pronunciation: dal-seong-ha-da
Meaning: To achieve / To accomplish -
Expression: 분석하다
Pronunciation: bun-seok-ha-da
Meaning: To analyze -
Expression: 설계하다
Pronunciation: seol-gye-ha-da
Meaning: To design -
Expression: 운영하다
Pronunciation: un-yeong-ha-da
Meaning: To operate / To run -
Expression: 증가시키다
Pronunciation: jeung-ga-si-ki-da
Meaning: To increase -
Expression: 지원하다
Pronunciation: ji-won-ha-da
Meaning: To support / To apply (for a job) -
Expression: 참여하다
Pronunciation: cham-yeo-ha-da
Meaning: To participate -
Expression: 협력하다
Pronunciation: hyeom-nyeok-ha-da
Meaning: To cooperate / To collaborate -
Expression: 개선하다
Pronunciation: gae-seon-ha-da
Meaning: To improve
Korean Culture Notes
Standardized Forms: Many Korean companies prefer applicants to use a specific resume (이력서) format, which can often be downloaded from their website or a job portal. Using the company’s preferred format is generally recommended.
Personal Information: Unlike resumes in many Western countries, Korean resumes traditionally include more personal details such as a photograph (사진), date of birth (생년월일), marital status, and sometimes even family information. While there’s a trend towards blind recruitment, many companies still expect these details.
Photograph: A professional headshot is typically required. It should be recent, clear, and present a neat and professional appearance. Avoid casual photos.
Cover Letter (자기소개서): The 자기소개서 (Ja-gi-so-gae-seo) is often considered as important as the resume itself. It’s a personal statement where you elaborate on your motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and future aspirations, often following specific prompts provided by the company.
Honesty and Accuracy: Ensure all information, especially regarding education (학력) and work experience (경력), is accurate. Discrepancies found during background checks can lead to rescinded job offers.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun is applying for a job and asks his friend Su-jin to review his resume.
Characters:
- A: Min-jun (Job Applicant)
- B: Su-jin (Friend)
-
Expression: A: 수진아, 내 이력서 좀 봐줄 수 있어? 곧 제출해야 돼.
Pronunciation: su-jin-a, nae i-ryeok-seo jom bwa-jul su i-sseo? got je-chul-hae-ya dwae.
Meaning: Su-jin, can you take a look at my resume? I have to submit it soon. -
Expression: B: 어, 그럼. 어디 보자. 와, 경력이 정말 많네!
Pronunciation: eo, geu-reom. eo-di bo-ja. wa, gyeong-nyeog-i jeong-mal man-ne!
Meaning: Oh, sure. Let me see. Wow, you have a lot of work experience! -
Expression: A: 응, 근데 자기소개서 쓰는 게 좀 어려워.
Pronunciation: eung, geun-de ja-gi-so-gae-seo sseu-neun ge jom eo-ryeo-wo.
Meaning: Yeah, but writing the cover letter is a bit difficult. -
Expression: B: 이력서 양식은 회사 웹사이트에서 받았어? 사진도 첨부했고?
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo yang-sik-eun hoe-sa wep-sa-i-teu-e-seo ba-da-sseo? sa-jin-do cheom-bu-haet-go?
Meaning: Did you get the resume template from the company website? And did you attach a photo? -
Expression: A: 응, 양식은 다운로드 받았고 사진도 넣었어. 학력이랑 자격증 부분도 다 확인했어.
Pronunciation: eung, yang-sik-eun da-un-ro-deu ba-dat-go sa-jin-do neo-eot-sseo. hang-nyeog-i-rang ja-gyeok-jjeung bu-bun-do da hwa-gin-haet-sseo.
Meaning: Yes, I downloaded the template and included the photo. I also double-checked the education and certification sections. -
Expression: B: 좋아. 오타 없는지 마지막으로 한번 더 검토해 봐. 행운을 빌어!
Pronunciation: jo-a. o-ta eom-neun-ji ma-ji-mak-eu-ro han-beon deo geom-to-hae bwa. haeng-un-eul bi-reo!
Meaning: Good. Review it one last time to check for typos. Good luck!
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these terms is the first step! Try creating a mock Korean resume using a standard template found online~ Focus on correctly using terms like 학력, 경력, and 자격증. Practice saying the phrases aloud, especially those related to submitting (제출하다) and writing (작성하다) your resume. You can even role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when dealing with Korean resumes! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – Good luck!)
