An Interview with Professor Nam Bong-woo

Breaking into the Korean job market can feel impossible for international students. But are there actually no jobs, or are we simply preparing the wrong way? To find out, we interviewed Professor Nam Bong-woo. Not only is he an experienced worker who has been employed at various companies, but he is also a specialist who helps connect international talent with Korean firms. Through his work leading specialized employment programs for international students at Daesan Enterprise, and guiding job seekers across major universities such as Ewha, Sejong, and Kookmin, he knows exactly why foreign applicants fail, and how they can succeed.

Q1. Professor, looking at your background, you have worked at big companies like GS Retail and Carrier, and you are currently a Sales Team Leader at Daesan Enterprise. As someone who works in the field, how do you evaluate Kookmin University's international students?

“When a company is hiring, the very first thing we look at is: ‘If we give this person a job, will they be able to do it?’ ‘Will they bring money to our company?’ That is the most important thing. As for Kookmin University students, compared to other schools or regions, there is definitely a higher percentage of students who are ready to work hard. Honestly, seeing that high level of passion is a huge plus when I evaluate them.” 

Q2. Based on your experience, how has the Korean job market for international students changed over the past five years?

“It is 100% expanding. We are at a point where Korean companies have to hire international students. Korea's birth rate is dropping. Especially outside of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi province, there are just not enough Korean workers. For these local areas to survive, they need people, and they have no choice but to fill those spots with foreigners. Because of this, every company is creating more products and services for foreigners living in Korea, which means more jobs in marketing, sales, and management. Since international students are generally better suited for these jobs than Koreans, this job market has nowhere to go but up.”

Q3. What do you think is the biggest misunderstanding international students have when they start looking for a job in Korea?

“The biggest mistake is getting scared before you even start. Students think, ‘Even Korean students can’t find jobs, so how can we foreigners get hired?’ It is not that you can’t get hired; the jobs you can get are just different from the ones Koreans get. A lot of students fail because they try to prepare and sell themselves the exact same way Korean students do.”

Q4. The E-7 visa is famous for being strict, with conditions like quota limits and major-matching requirements. How do you guide your students to prepare for this reality?

“There are actually so many ways to get hired, but students tend to get stuck on just one path. I always tell them to stop obsessing over just Seoul or Incheon. If you just look a little outside the capital area, there are so many companies hiring.

Your first step should be just getting your foot in the door to build up some experience. Once you have that experience, it is completely possible to switch companies later on. So, I advise them not to wait for the perfect job right from the start.”

Q5. When you look at resumes and cover letters of international students, what is the most common mistake you see? 

“The biggest one is a lack of understanding of Korean resume and cover letter formats. From the ID photo to knowing exactly what to write for each cover letter question, you have to follow Korean corporate standards, but many students miss this. You first need to ask yourself ‘What kind of person is this company looking for?’ and write your cover letter to match that. But it seems like many students do not quite grasp this point.”

Q6. Many international students think their Korean is not good enough and see it as a big barrier. What do you think about this mindset?

“Of course, the best solution is to improve your Korean. But if that is hard to do in a short time, it is crucial to clearly explain why the company should hire you. To do that, you need to deeply understand your own home country and then convince the Korean company why your country is an attractive market. For example, is it a great place to sell products, or is the market there particularly large? No matter where you are from, knowing your own country well is your biggest weapon. That is why I always emphasize: if you want to get a job in Korea, you should love and understand your home country.”

Q7. With the advice you give, has anyone succeeded in getting a job? Could you share a real example please?

“Both are Kookmin University students. The first one is a master’s student from the Philippines who got hired as a researcher at the robot manufacturing company ‘RoboRobo’. His major, however, was Social Psychology. Why did a robot company hire him? From the company’s perspective, they needed someone who could explain their technology to foreign buyers, as well as untangle the complicated diplomatic and legal issues related to the company’s imports and exports. He emphasized these exact points as his biggest strengths and got the job.

The other recent case is a Chinese student majoring in Advertising & Public Relations who got an internship at a company called ‘Care For You’. This company makes high-quality soundproof pet houses and pet furniture for women in their 20s and 30s. Based on her understanding of how to market such products to Chinese customers, she showed that she could use her PR skills to attract young Chinese pet owners, and that is exactly the value they needed.

So, in the end, the most important thing is to figure out what you are truly good at, and what you can do better than anyone else.”

Q8. If a 3rd or 4th-year international student who is reading this article right now, what is your advice for them?

“Everyone has a strength. You may have just not found it yet. There are so many ways to get a job, but students tend to lock themselves into only one ‘right’ answer. Like I said before, if you step just a little outside of Seoul and Incheon, there are plenty of places hiring. Just get your start, and build up your resume and cover letter.

And I can’t stress this enough” from a company’s point of view, the rule is simple. You need to show them that: ‘I am 

someone who will make money for you’. If you get along well with your team members and give off that money-maker vibe, you are already halfway there. So, do not just sit there worrying; put in the work. If you try, you can absolutely make it happen.”

Pham Thi Thuy Trang, Reporter

phamthithuytrang08@kookmin.ac.kr