Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Alias77]

I have an e-mail from a recruiter with a line of fairly simple questions - the last of which asking whether I take any medication.

Why are they asking this?

Is this a normal and/or legitimate question for a Korean recruiter?

Can this question affect applications to positions?

[periwinkle]

That's not a normal question, and it's none of their business. Ignore the question.

[kat2]

If you are taking any kind of medication for something like depression or anything serious it could hurt your job chances. I would just try to avoid answering. If they ask you outright, then its time to decide if you need to lie or not. Or maybe you are healthy as the day you were born and don't take any.

[passport220]

I was conducting a mock interview for a student that would like to be accepted in a private school. I was ask because it seems the interview is conducted in English. The questions included such things as �What is your father�s job?� and �What is your religion?�. I don�t think �it is none of your business� is going to hold a lot of sway with a Korean.

It seems a fair number of recruiters don�t bother with these types of questions because they just want a warm body with a white face to fill the position. I think some Koreans who have experience working with Westerners understand it is impolite to ask some questions. However, if the employer or other really wants to know anything about you the idea that it is personal information and not appropriate to ask will not come into the equation.

[Harpeau]

Playing Devil's advocate for a minute. They might want to know what your taking (is it readily available in that city). Want an indication if you are in a good space or not.
Basing it on my past experience~ The taking of medication isn't the problem, but rather the NOT taking the medicaton when someone really needs it is what the problem is, IMHO.

But to answer the OP's question~ no, it's an innappropriate question to ask a recruit.