The number of foreigners who want to get a prestigious job in Korea is rapidly increasing. Especially among students who study in Korean universities there are foreigners who struggle preparing for the employment. This is mostly because they are not aware of Korean system of employment, as there is a lack of information about it accessible for foreigners.
As a foreigner studying in Korea, I was also interested about Korean system of employment, therefore, I researched about it, tried to find some books about it. However, all attempts were unsuccessful until I came across the books called “The Jasoseo Bible” and “The Myunjob Bible” written by LEE HYUNG, who is guru in the employment area. These books might be difficult for foreigners to discover because they are written in Korean without any English translation. After reading the book, I realized how much value it provides, but unfortunately not many foreigners can understand it due to lack of Korean language skills. Thus, I decided to translate some of the useful information into English and help foreigners better understand Korean employment system.
This particular article discusses the applicants who fail the initial step
of employment – self-introduction letter required by all Korean companies as
means of an application for the job position. This is what LEE HYUNG shares:
1. Applicants Focusing Solely on Credentials.
One of the most common mistakes made by applicants is focusing more on their credentials rather than their experiences or competencies. Some might wonder what's the point of a self-introduction letter without highlighting one's qualifications. However, it's crucial to understand that passing the initial screening is not the ultimate goal; rather, it's about securing the final acceptance. Many job seekers invest three to six months preparing unnecessary credentials, rationalizing their efforts as diligent preparation. It's essential to shift focus from quantity to quality and ask, "How much impact do these credentials have on the final acceptance?" Wasting time on unnecessary qualifications only complicates the job search process.
Applicant vs. Job Seeker Qualification Possession Rates:
Humanities Field:
- Unsuccessful Applicants: 58%
- Successful Applicants: 45%
STEM Field:
- Unsuccessful Applicants: 83%
- Successful Applicants: 60%
Regardless of the field, there's a consistent trend where unsuccessful applicants possess more qualifications. This stark contrast—more than 25% difference—is surprising. Quantity doesn't necessarily equate to quality when it comes to qualifications. Instead, focus on essential qualifications directly related to the job, especially those designated as mandatory by employers. While preferred qualifications may offer some advantage in the initial screening, their impact during interviews is uncertain. From my perspective, based on conducting numerous interviews and coaching interviewers, these extra qualifications typically hold little weight during the interview process.
Many job seekers believe that language proficiency scores are crucial, but statistics show that humanities applicants with higher language scores tend to be unsuccessful. While STEM applicants might show a higher tendency for success, it's essential to acknowledge that language proficiency isn't always paramount in these fields. Most roles require effective communication in Korean rather than foreign language proficiency. Hence, focusing excessively on English proficiency might be counterproductive.
The Reality: Credentials Don't Determine Final Acceptance.
Job seekers often believe that credentials are the key to success. However, it's crucial to reconceptualize this notion and understand that credentials may not significantly correlate with practical skills. Focus on meeting the essential requirements and pivot towards highlighting experiences directly relevant to the job.
2. Applicants Trapped by Preconceived Notions.
What's the most challenging aspect for job
seekers? Many struggle with writing self-introduction letters, often viewing it
as a daunting task. Consequently, they engage in "job posting window
shopping"—browsing through job postings, researching companies, but
hesitating to apply. It's essential to apply broadly, as the experience gained
from multiple applications helps in understanding suitable roles and
industries. Interviewing is not just about securing a job; it's also about
practicing for future interviews.
The number of applicants who ultimately secure a
position in career changes significantly differs from those solely focused on
job preparation. While a higher number of applications might seem
counterintuitive, it actually increases the chances of success.
Successful Applicant vs. Unsuccessful Applicant
Document Acceptance Rate:
Comparison of Acceptance Rates Based on
Application Numbers
Number of Applications:
- Unsuccessful Applicants: 2.1 applications
- Successful Applicants: 13.5 applications
Document Acceptance Rate (%):
- Unsuccessful Applicants: 14%
- Successful Applicants: 23%
Successful applicants continually apply to an
average of 13.5 positions per month, with a 23% acceptance rate, while those
facing difficulties only submit around 2 applications with a 14% acceptance
rate. The difference is stark when viewed from the perspective of final
acceptance rather than just document acceptance. The solution is clear:
streamline the application process and increase the number of applications for
a significant improvement in acceptance rates.
However, why don't applicants follow this
straightforward approach? They are preoccupied with credential preparation, job
posting research, and finding the perfect company, wasting valuable time. It's
better to apply and decide whether to accept the offer after securing it.
Applying to many positions enables understanding of relevant industries and
roles.
Applicant Preconception: Choose the best
companies and write the perfect self-introduction letter.
Reconceptualization: Apply daily if possible.
Daily applications significantly accelerate the job search process. Focus on
organizing experiences relevant to the job and industry.
3. Applicants who prepare systematically.
Job hunting is not like preparing for an exam!
Many job recruitment processes include steps like a self-introduction letter,
job aptitude tests, and interviews. The misconception that job hunting takes
nearly a year leads individuals to focus on accumulating credentials for six
months, passing the self-introduction letter stage for another six months, and
devoting another six months to job aptitude tests and interviews. This
calculation assumes an average job search duration of one year. However, this notion
is entirely incorrect. I have witnessed fresh graduates with no credentials or
even English proficiency being scouted. Many follow the processes outlined in
ChangeUp's community and secure positions in record time. Job hunting is
practical, not theoretical. It's not about stages but about how well-prepared
you are ultimately.
Therefore, I advise prioritizing interview
preparation. Build experiences relevant to interviews and incorporate them
directly into your self-introduction letters.
Let's look at the comparison of job preparation
periods between job seekers:
Successful Applicant vs. General Job Seekers
Average Job Search Period (Months):
Comparison of Job Search Duration between
General Job Seekers and Successful Applicants
- Unsuccessful Applicants: 10.8 months
- Successful Applicants: 3.3 months
The belief that job hunting takes over a year
stems from incorrect preparation methods. Following the right process can lead
to a final acceptance in as little as three months! Of course, this duration
may vary depending on the recruitment cycles of desired companies. However, as
many companies have transitioned to rolling recruitment, we now have more
control over our job search duration. Prepared individuals get hired
immediately; it's not about spending a year preparing if you're not ready.
Applicant Preconception: Job preparation takes
at least a year; let's prepare thoroughly.
Reconceptualization: Following the correct
process, three months are sufficient! Let's plan around interviews rather than
step-by-step preparation. Self-introduction letters summarize interviews.
Focusing on experiences that connect to the job and industry is crucial.
4. Applicants Focused on Improving Writing
Skills
Some applicants focus on enhancing their writing
skills, assuming that a well-written self-introduction letter is essential.
While good writing skills improve clarity and readability, practicing writing
without prior experience or training seems unnecessary. In reality,
organizational skills and logical coherence are more critical in business
documents. Most companies replace reports with one-page summaries or eliminate
them altogether, so why practice writing skills that won't be utilized?
In fact, let's measure how long it takes to
write a self-introduction letter:
- Average Time Spent Writing a Self-Introduction
Letter for One Application: 3 hours
- Less than 3 hours: 20%
- Less than 6 hours: 20%
- Less than 9 hours: 13%
- Over 12 hours: 9%
- Over one day: 40%
Nearly 50% take over 12 hours, indicating that
they cannot complete a single application in a day. If it takes this long, the
method is likely flawed. While initial effort is necessary to create a
template, spending days on each self-introduction letter will eventually limit
the number of applications. Surprisingly, many companies post job
openings around the same time.
Self-introduction letters should be viewed as business documents, focusing
on structure and logic rather than elaborate prose. Avoiding excessive
adjectives, I believe, is more important than showcasing excellent writing
skills. Instead, concentrate on effectively conveying factual information. If
there's a principle, it should be easily applicable to everything.
Applicant Preconception: A self-introduction
letter must be meticulously written over several days.
Reconceptualization: Spending more time doesn't
necessarily improve quality. Using a familiar structure and logic makes writing
easier. Why waste time on writing skills that won't be utilized? A
self-introduction letter is not an essay; it's a business document.
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