Korean interview culture
Korean interviews value courtesy and sincerity. With preparation you can do well.
Basic etiquette
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Lateness costs you immediately. Allow for traffic.
- Dress neatly. It varies by sector, but clean and tidy is enough.
- Greetings — "안녕하세요" on entering, "감사합니다" on leaving.
- Phone on silent.
- Look the interviewer in the eye and speak clearly.
Common questions
- "Please introduce yourself" — name, experience, why you applied, within a minute.
- "Why did you apply to us?"
- "What work have you done?" — give specific experience.
- "How is your Korean?" — answer honestly and add that you are learning.
- "When can you start?"
- "What is your residence status?" — answer precisely. Whether you may work matters.
Questions you can ask
An interview is where the company looks at you, and where you look at the company.
- Working hours and rest days
- Wages and payday
- Whether the four insurances are provided
- When the employment contract will be signed
If a company is displeased by such questions, think again.
What to watch for
- Asking for money at an interview is fraud. See recruitment-fee-ban.
- Refuse requests for your ID or bankbook in advance. See job-scam.
- Be wary if they delay the contract with "come and work first".
- Check first whether your status permits the work — 1345.
Where to go
- Work24 www.work24.go.kr (job seeking and interview preparation)
- Your local employment centre (employment counselling)
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (working conditions)
- 1345 residence status
- Local migrant workers' support centres and family centres
Questions people ask
My Korean isn't good. Say so honestly and add that you are learning. Memorising a few prepared answers helps. You can also ask in advance whether interpretation is possible.
They asked about my age, marriage and religion. Personal questions unrelated to the job can be inappropriate. If uncomfortable, you may politely move past them. If there is discriminatory treatment, consult 1350. See discrimination-report.
They asked for an interview fee. That is fraud. Legitimate recruitment never asks jobseekers for money.
I wasn't selected. Treat it as experience. Employment centres offer CV and interview counselling. See job-centers.
Take care
Always confirm in the contract whatever you were told at interview. "We'll pay you this much" is not a contract. A written contract before your first day is the rule. See employment-contract.
Related
salary-negotiation · employment-contract · worknet-job-search · job-centers · job-scam
Source
Ministry of Employment and Labour, Work24 www.work24.go.kr / As of 2026-08