[My Name is Chwijunsaeng] Why Are Interviews Like This... Arrows Piercing the Hearts of Job Seekers

"Please Introduce Jeju Island Tourist Attractions"
"Interview Time Feels Wasted," Thoughts

68% Experienced Discomfort from Personal Questions Unrelated to Job
73% "Endured Despite Feeling Upset"

Experts Call for "Legal Measures Needed"

The 2nd Aviation Industry Job Fair held on the 5th at the International Terminal of Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul is bustling with job seekers. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Gyumin Oh] "Which church do you attend?"

"What is your role in the church, and is there a Bible verse you hold close to your heart this year?"

Baek (30), who is pursuing a doctoral program at a four-year university in Seoul, was asked questions unrelated to the job during an interview for a social welfare research position at a non-governmental organization (NGO). Flustered, Baek answered as best as he could, but for some reason, he failed the interview. Baek said, "There was an interviewer who asked about religion even in the 21st century," adding, "I don't understand why religion is necessary when hiring a researcher."

For job seekers, there are many invisible barriers and discrimination that must be overcome to shed the label of 'preparing for employment.' Although they barely pass the document screening and get an interview opportunity, many feel uncomfortable due to personal questions unrelated to the job or discriminatory remarks and behavior.

Choi Jiwon (pseudonym, 24), from Jeju Island, said, "During an interview at a mid-sized company, the interviewer asked me to introduce tourist spots in Jeju," adding, "I felt that the interview time was wasted and that I had insufficient time to promote myself."

Although the "Act on the Fairness of Recruitment Procedures" has been in effect since July 2019 for over two years, abusive behaviors that distress job seekers still persist. This law prohibits unfair solicitations, pressure, and coercion during the recruitment process and forbids requesting personal information unrelated to job performance, such as physical conditions. If unfair solicitations, pressure, or coercion occur, or if money, goods, entertainment, or property benefits are given or received related to recruitment, a fine of up to 30 million KRW can be imposed.

According to a survey titled "Two Years After the Amendment of the Recruitment Procedure Act, Changes in Unpleasant Interviews," conducted by the Youth Foundation and the Korea Fair Recruitment Certification Institute with 318 job seekers, 68% of respondents said they had experienced discomfort during recruitment interviews. Among the unpleasant questions they actually received, 24% were related to their hometown, dating, or marriage. In the "Other" category (22%), many respondents found it difficult to select just one question, and 18% said they felt uncomfortable when their academic background or major was mentioned.

When faced with unpleasant questions, most job seekers answered that they did not respond. The opinion "I felt bad but endured it for the sake of employment" accounted for 73% of all respondents. On the other hand, only 5% expressed discomfort or raised issues during or after the interview. Mina Kim (pseudonym, 25), who interviewed at a media company, said, "I was asked who I would vote for in the presidential election," adding, "I wondered if that was an appropriate question, but as a subordinate, I just thought I had to answer well even to such questions."

Labor attorney Nam-pyo Kwon of Workplace Power Abuse 119 said, "National or quasi-governmental institutions legally cannot ask discriminatory or job-unrelated questions, so such incidents do not occur," adding, "If there were legal systems to prevent discriminatory or rude questions in private companies as well, I believe discrimination in the recruitment process could disappear."

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