[My Name Is Chwijunsaeng] Frustration and Giving Up Made Me Forget My Dream

Tears of Job Seekers Amid Prolonged COVID-19
Enduring with Part-Time Jobs While Postponing Graduation
Financial Burden from Preparing for Certifications
Lack of Opportunities and Anxiety Are the Greatest Pressures
"I'll Do Anything If I Just Pass"

The corporate recruitment season for the first half of this year is just around the corner. Job seekers are going through tough times due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of jobs. It is also true that they are in a subordinate position throughout the employment process. It is time to protect them. Experts argue that amendments to the Recruitment Procedure Act and other measures are necessary to prevent job seekers from being treated unfairly. Asia Economy explores the concerns of job seekers and seeks fundamental solutions such as youth employment policies in a three-part series. Editor's note

Job seekers visiting the "16th Foreign-Invested Companies Job Fair" held on the 21st at SETEC in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are looking at the recruitment bulletin board. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo and Gyumin Oh] Shin Mo (26), who majored in Applied Arts Education at Hanyang University, was about to graduate but did not even know the date of the graduation ceremony. He had postponed graduation because he was working various jobs such as serving part-time. Shin said these jobs were not his goal. He also had a dream of becoming an "art teacher." He considered going to graduate school for his dream, but due to the COVID-19 situation and family difficulties, he had no choice but to enter the workforce. Shin sighed, saying, "I gave up on becoming a teacher a long time ago," and "Living day to day is more important, so dreams are a luxury for me."

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, job seekers are losing their dreams. Every month, the government announces that "the number of employed people has increased" and "employment indicators are improving," but it feels like a different world to them. They move from one part-time job to another to make a living and prepare for employment, or some give up their original goals and try to get any job regardless of company size or welfare.

According to the recent "Youth Job Seeker Employment Perception Survey" conducted by the Korea Employers Federation, job seekers cited "lack of opportunities such as internships and practical experience (23.8%)" and "anxiety about not being able to get a job (23.4%)" as the top two difficulties they face during job hunting. Additionally, 19.8% of respondents felt economic burdens such as the cost of preparing for employment.

While job seekers hope to work at public institutions (36.8%) and large corporations (17.2%), 16.2% said "I don't care where as long as I get a job," which was higher than those hoping to work at mid-sized companies (14.6%). Also, about half of the respondents (47.4%) said they would "lower their standards and apply to less desirable jobs" if it was difficult to get a job at their preferred companies.

Job seekers feel financial burdens as they prepare for corporate recruitment and certifications simultaneously. Lee Mo (28), who has been studying to become a certified labor attorney for three years, lives in the goshiwon area of Sillim-dong, Seoul, and fully bears the costs of monthly rent, living expenses, and academy fees. He works part-time serving at a grilled eel restaurant while studying for the labor attorney certification and preparing for corporate recruitment. Lee said, "Because of part-time work and COVID-19, I couldn't gain the internship experience companies require," and "I'm getting older and the preparation period is long, so the pressure to pass is intense."

There are many job seekers who say they will not be picky about conditions as long as the job is not daily labor. Lee Mo (29), who has been preparing for employment for two years after graduation, has tried everything to get a job. Believing that gaining diverse experiences would be advantageous for employment, he even went on a working holiday in Australia. Feeling that he has done everything he can, Lee finds the future even more bleak. When asked what his original goal was, he said, "I don't even remember what my dream was," and "It's too late now, so I will work anywhere that hires me."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.