Can you introduce yourself including your name, nationality, company name, your work position etc.?

My name is Sarwar Kamal. I am from Bangladesh and now working in Shinsegae International, one of the leading fashion retailers in Korea.

What makes you decide to get a job in Korea?

Several reasons led me to decide of getting job in Korea. I learnt Korean language and completed master’s degree from Inha University in Korea. So, I think, Job experience in korea will boast my future career. Knowing about professional job environment in Korea also influenced me to start my career here.

How and what did you prepare for getting a job

For a foreigner, it is quite different from a Korean applicant. My major was international trade. Korean language is mandatory to get a good job for those students who are from such background. So, I tried to learn Korean language more. I was concerned about up to date information from several websites as well. It is because recruitment of foreign students is very limited in Korea.

Where and how did you get the recruit information?

I searched job through internet. But it was difficult to get information in English. I got my job information from KINSA Website. KINSA and other few websites post some job advertisement for foreign students.

Can you explain the recruitment process of your company?(paper screening, interview etc.)

Korean companies recruitment process is almost same in all companies. After getting recruitment notice I submitted required documents. They evaluate applicants’ documents and made a short list. And then they took a personality test. The test was in Korean and only for foreign applicants. In recruitment notice they mentioned  that those can apply only who know korean. They called for an interview who passed the written test. They took interview twice. First one was about general inquiries and the second one was about details on job responsibilities. Finally they announced successful candidate list.

What are your duties in your company?

I am working at Sourcing part, PL Domestic business division, Shinsegae International. I, along with other team members, import garments from several countries. Product costing negotiations, production status management, Up to date communication with vendors, shipment, import processing are included in my responsibilities.

What is the most difficult thing after entering the company?

I couldn’t understand professional words and phrases in the beginning. It was the major difficulty I faced after starting my job.

Another one is drinking culture. For me, as a Muslim, alcohol is totally prohibited. But sometimes, I am requested to drink. Then I have to deny their request and also have to explain the reason. It makes me uncomfortable.

What do you think about Korean company culture? And is there anything that you can’t empathize?

Korean company culture has both the positive and negative sides. “Palli palli” is a strong nature of Korean people. Korean Companies are not excluded from that culture. Korean companies follow this korean hurry hurry culture very strictly.

Korean employees work hard.They don’t give up untill they finish their job.They are very promising to their job.

I feel sometimes Korean people just follow thier seniors. They try to show themselves that they are working hard, though they are wasting time in the table.

Some company emphasise on drinking culture. But fortunately my company culture is not that much uncomfortable.

Lastly, can you give some advice to KINSA members who want to get a job in Korea 

I think, Information and Korean Language ability will make you different than other. If you don’t know korean Language, Korean companies will not show interest on you. Also it can be happened that although if you know Korean language but you can’t get information when companies are hiring foreign students. So, Most Important Thing is Information, Information and Information.

You should search your major related job. It will be facilitated for you to get a job. Sometimes, Korean companies mentioned eligible countries for applying.

Some tips

1. Prepare a Korean resume before applying.  

1. Solve some personality test questions. You will find these questions at naver and other websites.

1. Some companies take exam like SSAT. You can find books on this kind of exam.

1. Take preparation for Interview. Interviewers generally ask why you want to get job in Korea, Why you choose that company, Why you came to Korea, why you learnt Korean language, about your future plan etc.

Be frank, be confident and don’t hide anything. Always believe yourself that you are going to get that job.