I encourage you to read this with a smile, because it will likely bring out many emotions you've experienced or will experience in the future. Don't tell me I warned you in advance 😀😅
Finding a job is no easy feat. Finding a job abroad is a whole other level of challenging. The job search process is like riding a roller coaster with no end in sight: exhilarating highs, nerve-wracking lows, unpredictable turns, and moments when it feels like the bottom is gone.
For foreigners seeking employment in Korea, this roller coaster ride can feel even more intense due to cultural differences, language barriers, and navigating an unfamiliar job market. The image below illustrates this emotional journey step by step. After reading, please share in the comments where you are or have been in this phase.
1. Excitement: The Beginning of an Adventure
You've decided to land your dream job in Korea. Your resume is polished to perfection, your confidence is at its peak, and you're ready to apply to jobs in Seoul (and maybe even all over Korea!).
I refresh my inbox at least 15 times a day, thinking, "I'll get an interview invitation soon." I already picture myself in a tidy Korean office, sipping iced Americano and politely greeting my colleagues.
Reality: It's so quiet. So quiet, I'm ready for disappointment to creep in.
2. Confusion: Why haven't I heard from you?
A week passes, then another two weeks, and your mailbox remains desolate. You begin to wonder if the email has somehow disappeared into space, or if you've attached a meme instead of a resume.
I search for topics like "How long does it take to hear back from a Korean company?" and console myself with the thought, "They're probably taking their time preparing a job offer tailored just for me!"
I was so confused that I believed recruiters weren't responding to my emails because of my Gmail account. So I created a separate Naver email address and applied.
Bottom line: It was a mistake. There was nothing wrong with Gmail.
3. Self-doubt: Am I qualified?
After submitting 37 applications and not receiving a single response, self-doubt creeps in. "Is my Korean lacking? Should I have majored in something more practical? Why did I list a farm internship as my career?" You begin to question your entire life. Eventually, you even begin to question your own worth.
4. Anxiety: Am I missing something?
At 3 a.m., I read the job posting for the twelfth time. I double-check to make sure I haven't missed any instructions like, "Please attach a cover letter of no more than 300 characters along with your resume."
Family and friends also exacerbate the problem. Every time they ask, "Have you got a job?" or "How's your job search going?", they're reminded of their unemployment and feel sorry for those around them who might be expecting something from them.
Bills keep coming, and I have no idea how to pay them. It's a really tough time. In my case, the anxiety was so intense that I even went into seclusion, like an ostrich burying its head in the ground.
Every time I open my laptop and go to a job site, that weight suddenly hits me and I want to close the laptop, go back to bed, and pull the covers over my head.
People around me tell me to "take a break," but it's hard to relax when you're already caught in the whirlpool of self-doubt. And it's even harder when the health insurance bill comes flying in...
5. Burnout: I can't do this anymore.
I'm finally hitting rock bottom. The mere thought of having to write another cover letter makes me queasy. Keyword searches that used to be "Seoul marketing job openings" are now turning into "any job."
Now, I spread negative energy by telling people around me, "It's so hard to find work in Korea." The emotional exhaustion deepens, and a sense of helplessness creeps in, leaving me with no desire to do anything.
6. Fear of trying: What's the point of trying?
When a friend tells me about another job, I wave it off, saying, "It's not going to work out anyway, so why bother?" Just hearing the word "resume" makes me want to crawl back under the covers.
But knowing that if I give up completely, my chances of landing a job are 0%, I reluctantly continue applying. My mind is already half-way there, so it's hard to express my passion in my applications. So, naturally, I get no response.
Then, out of the blue, an interview offer comes in. 🤩 It briefly brings a surge of joy and hope, but when there's no word after the interview or you receive a rejection email, all your enthusiasm vanishes. Any remaining motivation is further eroded.
7. Uncertainty: Thoughts of 'what if...'
"Am I being too picky?" "Or am I being too squeamish?" "Am I doomed to never be able to work in Korea and just live here?" All sorts of thoughts swirl around in my head. They range from "Should I just go back home?" to extremes like "Should I become a monk instead?"
At this point, you start to doubt not only your ability to find a job, but also your entire life, the meaning of your existence, your values, and your self.
8. Impatience: Please hurry up!
Finally, another reply arrived... an invitation to a group interview next month. I'm elated, but at the same time, I'm starting to feel a sense of impatience: "Why is it taking so long?"
I want to start right away, but the Korean hiring process is often a long one. Every day feels like an eternity, and it's tempting to send an email saying, "Remember me? I'm the most amazing candidate! Please contact me soon!"
9. Breakthrough: Finally!
And finally… the offer email arrives. Interview, acceptance, and finally, the final offer. Shaking hands, screaming, I send screenshots of the approval email to everyone I know. In that moment, all the stress and tears feel worth it. I'm finally ready to start my new job, and the iced Americano I've been dreaming of is just around the corner.
Conclusion
The journey of a foreigner seeking employment in Korea is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with twists and turns and life-changing moments. But ultimately, the journey is worth it. Every rejection, every self-doubt, and every sleepless night ultimately leads to where you belong.
And when you finally get a job, you'll look back on the journey with pride and a little laugh. We all love a good roller coaster story, don't we?
But you don't have to endure these feelings for months. That's why I support job seekers like you by developing effective strategies to avoid (or minimize) these feelings. With a solid strategy, many of these challenges can be addressed beforehand.
About me: I help Foreigners succeed on their journey in Korea
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