Level 3 · Confident Speaker
Learn how to introduce yourself professionally in Korean and understand resume culture. Master vocabulary for career backgrounds, qualifications, and personal strengths used in formal business contexts.
14 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Welcome to the Business Track! In Korean professional life, how you introduce yourself sets the tone for every relationship that follows. Whether you're writing a resume (이력서), delivering a self-introduction (자기소개), or preparing a cover letter (자기소개서), the language you use signals your professionalism and cultural awareness.
Korean business introductions are more structured and formal than Western ones. You'll typically mention your education, major, career history, and personal strengths in a specific order — and always using honorific language. In this unit, you'll learn 14 essential vocabulary words for professional self-introductions, plus two grammar patterns that are indispensable in formal writing and speech: -(으)ㄴ/는 바 (the fact that) and -에 대해(서) (about/regarding). Let's build your professional Korean identity!
self-introduction
자기소개를 부탁드립니다.Please introduce yourself.
💡 Memory tip: 자기 (self) + 소개 (introduction) — introducing your own self. In Korean business, the 자기소개 is your personal brand pitch.
Pronunciation: 자기 is pronounced [자기]. 소개 has the diphthong ㅚ pronounced as [웨] in modern Korean: [소게] or [소궤].
resume / CV
이력서를 제출해 주세요.Please submit your resume.
💡 Memory tip: 이력 (history/record) + 서 (document) — a document recording your history. Your career story on paper!
Pronunciation: 이력서 is pronounced [이력써]. The ㄱ batchim in 력 causes the ㅅ in 서 to become tensed [ㅆ].
career / work experience
경력이 5년 이상입니다.I have more than 5 years of experience.
💡 Memory tip: 경 (pass through) + 력 (strength/power) — the strength you've built by passing through experiences. Your career power!
Pronunciation: 경력 is pronounced [경녁]. The ㄹ after the ㅇ batchim nasalizes to [ㄴ] then connects: [경녁].
educational background
학력 사항을 기재해 주세요.Please fill in your educational background.
💡 Memory tip: 학 (study/learning) + 력 (record/power) — the power of your studies, your academic history.
Pronunciation: 학력 is pronounced [항녁]. The ㄱ batchim in 학 nasalizes to [ㅇ] before ㄹ which becomes [ㄴ].
major / specialty
대학교 전공이 무엇입니까?What is your college major?
💡 Memory tip: 전 (specialize) + 공 (study/craft) — the craft you specialize in. Your chosen field of expertise!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [전공]. The ㄴ batchim in 전 flows naturally into the ㄱ of 공. Clean pronunciation.
certification / license
관련 자격증을 가지고 있습니다.I have relevant certifications.
💡 Memory tip: 자격 (qualification) + 증 (proof/certificate) — proof of your qualifications. Your official stamp of competence!
Pronunciation: 자격증 is pronounced [자격쯩]. The ㄱ batchim in 격 causes tensing of ㅈ to [ㅉ].
application / applying
이 직무에 지원하고 싶습니다.I would like to apply for this position.
💡 Memory tip: 지 (aspire/aim) + 원 (wish/desire) — aiming for what you desire. Your application is your wish in action!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [지원]. Two clear syllables with the diphthong ㅝ in 원.
company
어떤 회사에서 일하셨습니까?What company did you work at?
💡 Memory tip: 회 (gathering) + 사 (company/society) — a gathering of people working together. The Korean word for company!
Pronunciation: 회 has the diphthong ㅚ, often pronounced [훼] or [회] in modern Korean. 사 is a clean [사].
job role / responsibilities
직무 경험에 대해 말씀해 주세요.Please tell me about your job experience.
💡 Memory tip: 직 (job/duty) + 무 (task/affairs) — the tasks of your job. Everything your position requires!
Pronunciation: 직무 is pronounced [징무]. The ㄱ batchim in 직 nasalizes to [ㅇ] before the ㅁ in 무.
strength / strong point
본인의 강점은 무엇이라고 생각합니까?What do you think your strengths are?
💡 Memory tip: 강 (strong) + 점 (point) — your strong points. The superpowers you bring to the table!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [강점]. The ㅇ nasal batchim in 강 flows into the ㅈ of 점. Clear pronunciation.
weakness / weak point
약점을 보완하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.I am working to improve my weaknesses.
💡 Memory tip: 약 (weak) + 점 (point) — the counterpart to 강점. Every hero knows their 약점 and works to overcome it!
Pronunciation: 약점 is pronounced [약쩜]. The ㄱ batchim in 약 causes the ㅈ in 점 to tense to [ㅉ].
aspiration / ambition
입사 후 포부를 말씀해 주세요.Please tell us your aspirations after joining.
💡 Memory tip: 포 (embrace/hold) + 부 (wealth/abundance) — embracing abundance. Your grand aspirations for the future!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [포부]. Two clean syllables with no sound changes.
motivation / motive
지원 동기가 무엇입니까?What is your motivation for applying?
💡 Memory tip: 동 (move/action) + 기 (foundation/energy) — the energy that moves you to action. What drives you!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [동기]. Also means "classmate who entered at the same time" in Korean work/school culture — context determines the meaning.
personality / character
성격의 장단점을 말씀해 주세요.Please describe the pros and cons of your personality.
💡 Memory tip: 성 (nature/disposition) + 격 (standard/style) — the style of your nature. What makes you, you!
Pronunciation: 성격 is pronounced [성격]. The ㅇ batchim in 성 is nasal, then ㄱ in 격 is clean. Final ㄱ is unreleased.
Korean resume (이력서) and cover letter (자기소개서) culture differs significantly from Western conventions, and understanding these differences is crucial for anyone working in or with Korean companies.
-- Photo Required (사진 필수): Most Korean resumes include a professional headshot. While this practice is changing at some global companies, it remains standard at most Korean firms. The photo should be formal — business attire, neutral background, and a composed expression.
-- Personal Information (개인정보): Traditional Korean resumes include age, date of birth, gender, marital status, and even height and weight. While anti-discrimination laws are pushing companies to remove some of these requirements, many older or traditional companies still expect them. This is gradually changing, especially at startups and global firms.
-- 자기소개서 (Self-Introduction Letter): This is arguably more important than the resume itself. The 자기소개서 is a multi-page essay typically covering: growth background (성장과정), personality strengths and weaknesses (성격의 장단점), motivation for applying (지원 동기), and future aspirations (입사 후 포부). Companies use it to assess not just qualifications but character, writing ability, and cultural fit.
-- Handwritten vs Typed: Some traditional companies still request handwritten 자기소개서 to assess character through handwriting. This is becoming less common but hasn't disappeared entirely.
-- Spec Culture (스펙 문화): Korean job seekers often build their "specs" — a collection of certifications (자격증), language test scores (TOEIC, TOEFL), overseas experience, internships, and volunteer work. The pressure to accumulate impressive specs is a well-known aspect of Korean employment culture, though there's growing criticism of this approach.
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