Hello, this is KOWORK, Korea’s No.1 platform for foreign job seekers and employers.
Introducing a success story of a foreign job seeker in Korea.
Today, we spoke with Wang Jing, a marketing professional at Arbaim,
a fresh social video review platform that’s achieving global growth. 👨🎨
— Hello, nice to meet you. Could you introduce yourself?
Hello, I’m Wang Jing from China. I’ve been living in Korea for 10 years,
completing both my undergraduate and graduate studies here.
— What first sparked your interest in Korea?
My cousin studied in Korea back in 2015. I heard a lot about life there and saw how much he enjoyed it, which piqued my interest. I wanted to experience a new life different from China, so I decided to come to Korea.
— What was your biggest concern or challenge while preparing for a job in Korea?
Language was definitely my biggest concern. Especially for ethnic Koreans from China who have lived in Korea for a long time, their Korean skills are often much stronger than mine, which made me feel less competitive.
On top of that, the job search itself was challenging—things like writing resumes and preparing for interviews were difficult.
Of course, visas were also tricky, with salary requirements and the stress of renewals making it even more worrisome.
— How’s work life going? Have you faced any difficulties adapting?
I think it depends on the type of work. If you’re doing something you enjoy and that fits you, adaptation is easier and you can learn a lot. In my case, there aren’t many people in the Seoul office, so I don’t think my adjustment period was very long.
— Do you need to use Korean a lot at work?
Our company mainly runs global campaigns, so we use both Korean and English. In marketing, even in Korean conversations, English terms are often used.
In those cases, I ask colleagues to write the words down in a notebook and keep studying while working. I think being proactive really helps with the job.
— What’s been the most rewarding moment at work?
I feel most proud when we complete a project. Recently, I applied for a government program for the first time and passed the first round in one go. If I pass the second round, I’ll have to present in China, so I’m already a bit nervous (laughs).
I also feel proud when I achieve results in practical tasks, like running a campaign efficiently within budget, and receive praise for it.
— Lastly, do you have any advice for foreign job seekers?
Since it’s likely your first job, it’s better to start with realistic goals rather than aiming too high.
Long gaps in experience can be a disadvantage, so try not to focus only on what you really want to do.
Keep an open mind and broaden your perspective. Good luck!
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