Jobs In South Korea 2018

The job market

What are your chances of getting a job? In order to work in South Korea, even on a short-term basis, you need to qualify for a work visa. Opportunities exist in language teaching for native English speakers, as well as in areas such as technology and IT. However, there is often strong competition from home graduates for jobs. Language barriers and tight social and business circles may also limit opportunities.Some multinational companies have their head offices in South Korea and may be more open to UK graduates. Focusing on the major industries may also be effective, particularly if you have previous related experience.Korean is the main language and has its own alphabet, Hangeul. English is spoken to a certain extent in business and government, but less so outside the main cities. 

Where can you work?

·         Major industries: automobile production, petrochemicals, electronics, semiconductors, shipbuilding, steel and mobile telecommunications.

·         Recent growth areas: biotechnology, internet software and services, and communications.

·         Shortage occupations: the country relies heavily on exports and is looking to develop its domestic sectors, such as the service industry.

·         Major companies: BP, Daewoo, ExxonMobil, GlaxoSmithKline, Hyundai, Korea Aerospace Industries, KPMG, Samsung, Schroders, Smith & Nephew.

What’s it like working in South Korea?·         Average working hours: 40 hours a week, 8 hours a day, although there is a culture of working very long hours.

·         Holidays: 15 public holidays per year.

·         Tax rates: personal income tax rates range from 8% to 35% (excluding a resident surtax of 10%). Don't forget to check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights. Applying for jobs Graduates usually find work prior to entering the country to avoid any problems getting a visa.The application and interview processes in South Korea are similar to those used in the UK. Some companies use a CV and covering letter, while others use an application form. 

Application forms may be in English when applying to multinational companies, but don't assume this will be the case. Networking and making contacts are also important features of job hunting in South Korea.Graduates with some Korean language skills may choose to sit the KLPT (Korean Language Proficiency Test), which focuses on the practical communication skills needed to live and work in Korea. This helps you assess your communication ability when applying for jobs.

See Application and CV advice for more details on how to construct a good CV.

Will your UK qualifications be recognised? UK qualifications are generally well recognised around the world, but check with the employer or the relevant professional body prior to applying for work.

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