Korean Resume : how is it different from American one?

When I decided to write a resume, I visited student support center for help. The lady in the office was very kind enough to spend her whole day build up my resume. She kept asking me many questions about my past and current job and required me to explain the detail of the jobs as much as I could remember. She also asked questions who those work can connect or benefit to my applying job.

While I was talking to her, I got flurried due to the different process of writing a resume. Of course I wrote many resume when I was in Korea however, I never consulted it to anyone for better resume since I had a table form for the resume. I thought it would be fun to compare resume form between Korea and America.

While I was trying to write my English version resume, I felt I had time to look back my life for the first time. I was required to write everything I did so I had to take time to think what I did. It was a hard work and a valuable time at the same time and I was surprised to find that writing a resume can represent my whole life. Also, you can choose your own style to represent you the best. It shows your originality and creativity.  

However, Korean resume is different. The below is the image of a universal template of Korean resume. Most Koreans use this form when they apply for a job.

Korean resume 

In Korea, it is not a good idea to try a new style. Employers prefer the original form. In order to compensate insufficient information of a resume, employers also require "self introduction". In this form applicants try to show their personality, values, personal history, family background, work ethics, and work aspiration and so on. It is similar to the combination of cover letter and job statement. 

What I was most surprised was items which should be included in the form. I believe that you never write your birth date, gender, or age.  It is against the law when you give these personal information in your resume in America. In Korea, not only the personal information such as birth date, gender, and age, but also id pictures and even family members' information should be included in the resume.

since the id pictures definitely influence on employers' decision greatly, applicants spend much time and effort to give a good impression to the employers. They work out and do diet, dress up with luxurious dark suit, and full make up before they take id pictures. They even photoshop the pictures. 

So, now you understand why most Korean young people are all thin and beautiful and why they are obsessed with their appearances.