To Get Hired by Your Desired Company, "You Need to Spend 4.55 Million Won a Year"

"Employment Also Requires Private Education"
Job Seekers Spend 4.55 Million Won Per Year Each
Spending Focused on Certificates and English Test Scores
71% of Respondents Say "Job Preparation Causes Financial Hardship"

It has been found that young people preparing for employment after graduating from university are spending as much on private education as they did on university entrance exams.

According to a recent survey conducted by JobKorea Content Lab on 485 recent university graduates, 42.9% of respondents said they received private education for job preparation. This figure is up 11.3 percentage points from 2021, when the same survey was conducted and the rate was 31.6%.

Job seekers who received private education spent an average of 380,000 won per month, or about 4.55 million won per year. This amount has more than doubled compared to four years ago (2.18 million won). A JobKorea representative explained, "Since COVID-19, the hiring environment has changed significantly, and rising prices have further increased the economic burden on young people."

Looking at the breakdown of expenses: obtaining major-related certificates accounted for 64.9% (multiple responses allowed), followed by English test scores and exam fees (56.7%), non-major certificates (37%), acquiring IT and computer skills (32.7%), and consulting such as resume and interview coaching (17.8%).

One job seeker said, "Many companies list certificates or English scores as preferred qualifications, so in reality, you need to build up your credentials to increase your chances of getting hired. I consider it an investment in employment as I see my portfolio grow."

Due to the high costs, 71.1% of respondents reported experiencing financial difficulties. In addition, 73.8% of job seekers said they were juggling both job hunting and part-time work after graduation.

A JobKorea representative advised, "Rather than spending money blindly, setting clear goals and gaining practical experience through internships or part-time jobs can also be good alternatives."