A Canadian's Perspective on Korea's Job Market
To my Canadian friends, watching my Korean friends prepare for their careers sometimes feels surreal. While we typically explore various possibilities to find our passions, the job search in Korea looks like a giant survival game where everyone competes according to a set of rules.
"Spec": A Standardized List of Qualifications
Korean university students begin accumulating qualifications, known as "Spec," from the moment they enter college.
• Basic Requirements: A high GPA and a high score on a recognized English test (like TOEIC) are considered essential.
• Additional Requirements: Students also get extra certifications in areas like computer skills or Korean history. Many prepare for these exams out of anxiety, often saying, "Because everyone else is doing it."
• Experience Requirements: Winning awards in contests or having internship experience is a crucial competitive edge. Recently, these experiences have also become a must-have.
As a result, many applicants end up with resumes filled with similar certifications and experiences, rather than unique personal stories.
The Hiring Process: A Multi-Stage Filtering System
Once they have their "Spec," the hiring process involves multiple filtering stages. • Document Screening and Aptitude Tests: It's common for applicants to apply to dozens of companies. If their documents pass the initial screening, they take a written test called an "aptitude test." This test evaluates a candidate's logic and problem-solving skills, and it was quite unique to me that applicants have to study separately for questions that don't seem directly related to the job.
• The "Used-Rookie" Preference: Due to the recent economic downturn, companies are increasingly preferring experienced workers even for entry-level positions. This is where the term "Used-Rookie" (Jung-go-sin-ip) comes from. These are applicants who apply for a rookie position but already have 1 to 3 years of experience from another company. From a company's perspective, they prefer these candidates because they can be immediately deployed for a task without any training costs, unlike a "fresh rookie" (ssaeng-sin-ip) with no experience. This puts recent graduates in a paradoxical situation: "They can't get a job because they have no experience, and they can't gain experience because they can't get a job."
Company Choices: Chaebols, SMEs, and IT Giants
Traditionally, Korean society has seen large corporations—or chaebols—like Samsung and Hyundai as the standard for a "good job," thanks to high salaries, stability, and great benefits. On the other hand, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often less preferred due to various practical reasons. However, the younger generation has started looking at new options, specifically IT platform companies represented by "Ne-ka-ra-ku-bae" (Naver, Kakao, Line, Coupang, Baemin). These companies have emerged as new "dream workplaces," leveraging their relatively flexible organizational culture and high compensation. This shift has also impacted popular job roles. Just a few years ago, "developer" was one of the most popular professions. But the situation has changed with the advent of generative AI. As the perception that AI can replace simple coding spreads, the demand for entry-level developers has decreased, and the "developer boom" has cooled off. Now, the job market's attention is shifting to highly specialized talent like AI/machine learning engineers and data scientists.
Workplace Culture: Organizational Norms vs. Personal Values
Life after getting a job also has many differences from Canada. • Organizational Culture: Many companies still emphasize a vertical hierarchy and a group-oriented culture. After-hours "team dinners" are meant to build teamwork, but many young employees see them as an extension of work or an uncomfortable situation with their superiors.
• The Younger Generation's Response: The younger generation (Gen MZ) doesn't accept this culture unconditionally. They value "Work-Life Balance" (Worabel) very highly. Rather than dedicating their entire lives to a company, they tend to view their job as a contract to work a set number of hours for a salary. This has given rise to the concept of "Quiet Quitting." It’s about doing the bare minimum at work without deep involvement and using the extra time and energy for personal growth, like investments or a "side hustle."
Conclusion
In conclusion, Korea's job market is a highly systematic but complex ecosystem that comes with immense pressure. Especially with the recent economic downturn and rapid technological changes, young people are crafting their own survival strategies in an environment more unpredictable than ever. The clash between traditional corporate culture and the new generation's emphasis on personal values is a point of interest, as it will likely shape the future of Korea's workplace culture.
