Young Koreans are getting burnt out before they can even land a job

The intense South Korean job market is pushing young hopefuls into a cycle of costly private education and certification, often leading to burnout before they even land their first job. Many jobseekers, like 31-year-old Bae Su-gyeong, find themselves repeatedly failing final interviews despite investing in coaching and mock interviews. Bae spent 150,000 won on interview coaching and then another 400,000 won on an intensive "boot camp" program, fearing her resume was too thin.

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Maybe I wasn’t hired because I was the only one who didn’t sign up for classes.

Similarly, a 29-year-old applicant named Park, aiming for a public sector role, has accumulated five certificates over two years, spending between 500,000 and 600,000 won per certificate. These include skills in computer applications, Korean history, SQL development, data analysis, and practical writing. "I'm preparing for a job in administration, but I got so discouraged whenever my resume was rejected that I added another certificate that might give me an edge," Park recalled.

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I kept failing the final interview, so I signed up for an intense training program they call ‘boot camp.’ That cost 400,000 won. I kept taking more classes out of fear my resume was too thin.

A recent survey by the Korea Youth Foundation and Education Spring revealed that 93.7% of young people aged 19-39 seeking work have enrolled in private education. The most popular category was field-specific certificates (52.1%), followed by language test preparation like TOEIC (43.4%) and personal statement/interview coaching (40.0%). On average, respondents spent 300,000 won per month, totaling 3.6 million won (approximately $2,450) annually on these classes.

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I’m preparing for a job in administration, but I got so discouraged whenever my resume was rejected that I added another certificate that might give me an edge.

The primary driver for this educational arms race is a pervasive fear of falling behind. A staggering 79.4% of respondents cited this anxiety as their main reason for taking classes, believing that not participating would put them at a disadvantage. This pressure leads many to pursue certifications, even if they have little relevance to their intended careers, such as Park's data analysis certificate for an administration job. The financial strain of these classes, in addition to living expenses, contributes to significant pre-employment burnout.

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I probably wouldn’t use it on the job, but I feel pressured to get more certificate.