As a prospective graduate this semester, I am avidly job hunting. After many interviews, I have begun to see a few patterns emerging. Below are a few interview questions I have been asked over and over again at Korean job interviews. Keep in mind that most of the companies that I had an interview with, conduct interviews in English on the basis that I know decent Korean.
What is Your Parentsโ Job?
Out of all the interview questions I have been asked, this one is quite weird to me as I donโt really understand why they ask this question. But with roughly 4 out of every 5 interviews, I have been asked this question. My Korean professor, who is also my mentor in the job-hunting process, explained that this is just a thing in Korea. The interviewers would like to know your background which includes your parentโs job, your family members, and their whereabouts.
Some of the interviewers even asked me to introduce my family in Korean (given that I have topik 4). In the introduction of my family, I definitely have to mention my parentsโ jobs. There was a time when I purposely left that job information out of my introduction.
However, interviewers always circled back and asked me about my parentsโ jobs. Apparently, this is something that is very important to them. Until now, I am still not so sure if the answer has an impact on your interview results. However, this is something that you should keep in mind when you go for an interview in Korea.
Can You Introduce Yourself in Korean?
This is a common request if you showed them that you have a somewhat decent Korean level. You should prepare your short self-introduction ์๊ธฐ์๊ฐ in advance to be able to get through this.
Having a good Korean self-introduction is actually one of the most important parts of the interview here in Korea. But, keep in mind that they may ask other interview questions in Korean too and you should at least be able to understand them.
In a typical self-introduction, you should include why you came to Korea, why you intend to stay, and your work/educational history. Here, you can also insert some information on your family if you want to avoid being asked about it separately. You should work on making your self-introduction brief, concise, and interesting.
What Are Your Strengths and Weakness?
The interviewer may ask this question in Korean as they want to have more chances to test their Korean ability.
This question is quite basic, but I have a tip to make the answer more impressive to the interviewers. You should mention company loyalty and dedication in your answer. Korean companies LOVE loyalty. You can say anything you want to elaborate, but using loyalty as a keyword is definitely recommended.
My Takeaway After So Many Interviews
You will get better after each interview. I know job interviews in Korea are quite extreme and competitive, so it can be stressful sometimes. But the Korean job market is very diverse. Job opportunities are everywhere as long as you are willing to sharpen your Korean skills and your understanding of Korean culture.
Last but not least, it is ok to make mistakes in your Korean answer. You are a foreigner, and the interviewers do not expect you to speak like a native. But at least you can show them that you are trying to learn Korean and that you will consistently learn Korean in the future.
Remember, you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. You are a valuable asset, so donโt sell yourself short.
I wish you good luck in finding a job in Korea!
Wondering how to find a job here in South Korea? Click Here to learn about some of the most popular methods for finding jobs as a foreigner in South Korea.
