Korean Job Discussion Forums

sajangnim · Joined: 14 Nov 2006

I have an interview for an international marketing position with one of Korea's Chaebols (conglomerate) next week.

Anybody here completed an interview process with a large Korean company? And if so any advice for the interview? Any Korean interview business etiquette I should be aware of?

I have been in Korea for almost 2 years so I'm familiar with Korean culture and customs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

Offer the interviewer a cigarette.
Then politely hork and spit in the ashtray for him.

CeleryMan · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

refuse the first offer and ask for 20% more ...

sajangnim · Joined: 14 Nov 2006

Hilarious, do you both write your own material?

CeleryMan · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

No, I speak from actual experience. They need you more than you need them -- don't ever forget that. Regardless of whatever talent you have or don't have. you're simply a quota. Get your housing paid for at least 2 years, demand at least 100k, and press em for a company car. It worked for me (less the company car).

You get to to travel the world, hang out in 1st class airport lounges, and make good money on the per diems. Go for it and best of luck!

sjrm · Joined: 27 Jul 2005

just offer the guy some soju and he'll be all yours.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Are you young? Just out of uni?

I heard that's what they're interested in hiring.

Any info would be appreciated.

DaeSung · Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Location: ��

My advice, don't work for them. I work for a Chaebol, it sucks... They treat you like crap. Unless you are a VP level person. In that case take the money and live it up. I know of one Chaebol that actually treats its employees okay (SK), the rest of them all treat the foreign employees like animals... okay maybe not animals but pretty much just like the rest of the other Korean employees. You will be asked to work long hours, holidays, and go to 회식 all the time (회식 isn't bad if you don't mind not seeing your family)

Again, I work for L something something G and its not worth it. HR will try to screw you over.

If you do really really want to work for the company go ahead. You really should ask for housing and tickets back to your home country. Make sure that you also qualify for all bonuses that other employees get.

crescent · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: yes.

CeleryMan · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

My advice, work for a Chaebol if and only if you hold an American passport and have worked for a major competitor for at least 5 years. In that case, you'll be hired as a "gwa-jang" and be in a position to command at least $8-10k a month plus whatever perks you can hustle. Make sure you're hired as a full-time regular employee and a not a contractor/semi-contractor.

Once you're in, you immediately realize how broken and backwards Korean corporate culture really is. There is simply no adherence to a Global Standard which results in lack of process, gross inefficiency, and extremely low productivity.

Which is why you demand the Spiderman 3 numbers up front in a binding contract, otherwise you're just another underpaid sucker swindled into a corporate sweatshop.

My advice, if you have at least 5-7 years experience from a legit powerhouse competitor and a degree from an ivy league institution, and rock you're Brioni suit to the interview ... the payday will be phenomenal!!!

Good luck!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

They will probably try and arrange for upwards of 30-40% of your annual salary to be paid in the form of one or more bonuses. Try to avoid that and get more locked in to your regular salary. If they do push for the bonus system, try to lock in to a higher position, even if it is just a level higher of the same title (e.g. kwajang 2 rather than kwajang 3); this will help you garnish more around bonus time, and may increase other perks down the road. In then end, they hold all the cards unless you have been scouted by a competitor firm or they are desperate to bring you on board.

If housing has been mentioned, bring it up after salar negotiations. Get the most you can in salary, then start plugging away for more housing.

Do not do follow up calls after the interview. While this is expected, and generally considered motivated behavior in N. America, it is an expression of desperation here. Wait it out. They'll call. You'll be in the driver's seat.

Once you get the job, don't expect to be 'getting in there and getting your name on the bottom line.' Not the case. You've been here a couple of years, but you have no idea how deeply ingrained the seniority and age system is here in practice. You'll be spending the better part of your time doing trivial work, and you'll be expected to build relationships with your co-workers.

So you'll be in marketing? The running joke about foreigners in 'marketing' here, particularly with Chaebol firms, is, 'So how many hours do you teach?' No, you say? Don't be taken aback if they want you to teach, be it group classes or the bosses; odds are they'll 'ask', and if they ask, they expect you to take one for the team. If you're not teaching, plan on doing copy editing or PR revisions.

Remember, as in many places, you are only worth what you ask for here. 100K a year isn't too much to shoot for, depending on your experience and qualifications. You're going to get hammered on taxes, you're going to have long days and short vacations, and you're going to be dealing with new macro and corporate cultures. Two years in Korea will help a bit, but you're honestly just skimming the top of the iceberg.

Good luck. Let us know how things pan out.