Essential Korean Resume Vocabulary for Job Seekers

Are you preparing to apply for a job in Korea? Understanding Korean resume vocabulary is a key skill for international job seekers who want to make a professional impression. Korean resumes are more structured than Western ones, often requiring specific formats and formal expressions that may feel unfamiliar to foreigners.

This guide will help you master the essential words and phrases used in Korean resumes (이력서), from section titles to job roles and action verbs. Each section includes a clear table so you can easily memorize vocabulary and apply it directly to your job applications. 

📌 1. Why Learn Korean Resume Vocabulary?

Korean resumes are an essential part of the job application process. Unlike Western CVs, Korean resumes follow strict conventions and use standard forms that emphasize clarity and professionalism. If you’re applying for a position in Korea, understanding resume vocabulary helps you align with cultural expectations and avoid miscommunication.

For example, you’ll often find structured sections like 학력 (education), 경력 (work experience), and 자격증 (certificates). Each must be filled out precisely, using polite and consistent language. Even small errors in vocabulary can make your resume look careless to recruiters.

Many Korean HR departments expect applicants to use honorific forms and neutral tone. Instead of writing in full sentences like “I graduated from,” it’s common to use short, factual phrases such as “졸업” (graduated) or “입사” (joined a company). These patterns are unique to the Korean corporate environment.

Another reason to study resume vocabulary is that most Korean job portals, such as JobKorea (잡코리아) and Saramin (사람인), use Korean-only application forms. If you can read and understand these terms, you’ll complete applications faster and more accurately.

Below is a simple comparison table showing key differences between English and Korean resumes. It highlights why learning resume-related Korean is crucial for success. 🇰🇷

📊 English vs. Korean Resume Comparison

Feature	English Resume	Korean Resume
Format	Flexible and creative	Fixed form, standardized layout
Tone	Personal and descriptive	Formal, concise, honorific
Content Focus	Achievements and creativity	Education, certificates, and orderliness
Photo Requirement	Optional	Usually required

As you can see, professionalism in Korea often starts with precision in language. Let’s now learn the most common section labels used in every Korean resume. 📄

📑 2. Basic Resume Section Labels in Korean

Before writing your resume in Korean, it's essential to understand the section headings used across nearly all standard forms. These section titles are written in Korean and are non-negotiable when applying through Korean job platforms. If you misunderstand even one, it could lead to confusion or missing important information.

These labels cover personal information, education history, work experience, certifications, and more. Most resume templates—whether downloadable or web-based—organize content under these headers, sometimes with specific formatting rules.

For example, instead of writing long-form paragraphs, Korean resumes rely on short, clear entries under each category. When filling out applications on sites like 사람인 (Saramin) or 잡코리아 (JobKorea), you'll find these labels used as input fields.

Understanding these sections also helps you customize your resume more effectively. If you're using Word or PDF formats, these labels ensure your resume matches Korean corporate expectations.

Below is a table of the most common resume section labels in Korean, their English equivalents, and tips on how they are used in practice. This is a must-know foundation before adding your job details.

📋 Korean Resume Sections & Meanings

Korean	English	Usage Tip
이름	Name	Use full legal name in Korean or Romanized
생년월일	Date of Birth	Format: YYYY.MM.DD
학력	Education	List in reverse chronological order
경력사항	Work Experience	Include company name, role, duration
자격증	Certificates	Only include relevant ones
자기소개서	Self Introduction	Often required as a separate file
연락처	Contact Information	Include phone and email

These section titles are universal in Korean resumes, no matter the industry. Make sure to follow them exactly to maintain clarity and consistency. Now let’s move on to job titles and department names — key to listing your experience accurately. 🏢

🏢 3. Common Job Titles and Departments in Korean

Whether you're listing your past positions or stating your desired role, knowing Korean job titles is essential. Job roles in Korean companies are often hierarchical, and each title carries specific connotations regarding authority, age, and responsibilities. Using incorrect titles could lead to misunderstandings or even appear disrespectful.

Additionally, Korean companies have a strong internal structure. Department names are typically fixed across industries and are frequently used in both resumes and job interviews. It’s helpful to learn these in Korean so you can match the terminology of the company you’re applying to.

Titles like 대리 (assistant manager) or 과장 (manager) may not exist in Western companies but are common in Korean workplaces. Using these correctly shows that you understand the corporate ladder and have cultural fluency.

In your resume, job titles should be listed next to the company name and employment period. Department names should also be included when relevant, especially if you're applying for a similar position elsewhere.

Here is a table of commonly used job titles and department names in Korean, along with their English equivalents and brief explanations. These terms appear on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and job boards throughout Korea.

👔 Korean Job Titles & Departments

Korean Term	English Meaning	Notes
사원	Staff	Entry-level employee
대리	Assistant Manager	2nd level, often junior team leader
과장	Manager	Middle management
부장	General Manager	Senior manager or department head
기획팀	Planning Team	Department responsible for strategy
영업팀	Sales Team	Handles client relations and sales

Using these titles in your resume shows cultural awareness and professionalism. Next, we’ll explore how to describe your skills and experience with impactful Korean phrases. 🧠

🧠 4. Phrases to Describe Your Skills & Work

When writing your resume in Korean, it's important to use professional yet concise language to describe your skills and experience. Korean resumes typically use brief phrases instead of long, narrative sentences. Clarity, structure, and consistency are more valued than creativity.

You should use polite and formal expressions, especially when describing your past job roles, skills, and achievements. For instance, instead of saying “I worked on marketing campaigns,” you can write “마케팅 캠페인 기획 및 실행.” Short, noun-based phrases like this are preferred.

Action words and structured patterns make your resume easier to scan. Many Korean resumes list skills with bullet points, separated by areas like IT skills, language proficiency, and certificates.

Avoid overly casual or personal tone. Even if you’re enthusiastic, keep the language neutral and fact-based. For example, say “프로젝트 리더로 참여” (Participated as project leader) instead of “I loved leading the project.”

Another tip is to follow the “verb + noun” structure, like “관리 경험 있음” (experience in management). This helps keep statements uniform and readable. Most Korean hiring managers skim for keywords, so placing skills at the start of each line improves visibility.

Below is a list of commonly used Korean phrases to describe skills, job responsibilities, and achievements on resumes. These will help you sound more native and polished when listing your experience.

💼 Korean Resume Phrases for Skills

Korean Phrase	English Meaning	Where to Use
프로젝트 기획 및 수행	Planned and executed projects	Work experience
데이터 분석 및 보고서 작성	Data analysis and report writing	Work experience, skills
팀 리더 경험 보유	Experience as a team leader	Achievements
문제 해결 능력 향상	Improved problem-solving skills	Self-introduction
고객 응대 및 서비스 경험	Customer service experience	Retail, hospitality resumes

Memorizing and using these phrases will help you craft an effective, professional resume in Korean. In the next section, we’ll dive deeper into powerful action verbs and essential vocabulary to enhance your descriptions. 📝

✍️ 5. Useful Verbs and Expressions for Resumes

One of the most powerful tools in a resume is the action verb. Korean resumes favor compact, meaningful verbs that describe what you did and how you did it. These are especially important in describing duties and achievements in the 경력사항 (work experience) section.

Korean action verbs are often used as noun-based phrases or formal verb stems. For example, instead of using “관리했다” (I managed), you can write “관리” (Management) in bullet points. This style reads more like a record than a story — which is preferred in Korean business writing.

The trick is to pick words that express impact without exaggeration. Using appropriate verbs not only improves clarity but also aligns your tone with professional Korean expectations. Avoid overly casual verbs like “도왔다” (helped) unless supported by context.

Korean also uses many Sino-Korean compound verbs that are formal and industry-neutral. These can help you keep a consistent tone and appear more fluent in business communication. They’re especially useful for resumes, cover letters, and interviews.

Here’s a helpful table of action verbs commonly used in Korean resumes, along with their English translations and suggested usage areas. Practice combining them with skill or project keywords to form strong resume lines.

🛠️ Common Korean Resume Verbs

Korean Verb	English Meaning	Use Case
기획하다	To plan	Marketing, events, projects
분석하다	To analyze	Data, customer behavior
개발하다	To develop	Software, systems, tools
관리하다	To manage	Teams, accounts, tasks
지원하다	To support	HR, admin, logistics

Try using these verbs in your bullet points or skill descriptions. They not only make your resume more effective but also help you sound more natural in Korean business communication. Next up: cultural tips you must know before submitting a Korean resume! 🌍

🌍 6. Cultural Tips for Writing a Korean Resume

Understanding Korean resume vocabulary is only half the battle. To really stand out, you also need to understand the cultural expectations behind the document. Korean resumes are not just about listing qualifications—they reflect your respect for formality, hierarchy, and precision.

First, most resumes in Korea still include a photo. While controversial in other countries, Korean companies often request a passport-style headshot at the top of your resume. It’s seen as a way to present yourself neatly and professionally, so make sure you use a neutral background and business attire.

Second, avoid overly casual or creative formats unless you’re applying for a design or art job. Korean HR teams prefer clean, logical layouts—usually in Word or PDF format. You can use templates from JobKorea, Saramin, or even university career centers in Korea.

Third, be honest but modest. Korean culture values humility, so don’t exaggerate your achievements. Instead, focus on facts, numbers, and outcomes. For example, instead of saying “I was the best employee,” try “Received top performance rating in 2024.”

Fourth, some companies still ask for family information (가족사항) and military service status (병역사항). While this may feel invasive, it’s common in Korea. If you're not comfortable, you can check if the field is marked as optional on the form you're filling out.

Here is a quick comparison of key do’s and don’ts when it comes to Korean resume culture. Keep these in mind before finalizing your document.

🎯 Korean Resume Culture: Do’s & Don’ts

Do	Don't
Use honorific, formal language	Use casual or conversational tone
Include a photo in business attire	Use selfies or unprofessional images
Be concise and data-driven	Write long paragraphs or emotional stories
Follow resume templates used in Korea	Use Western resume formats without edits

By following these cultural guidelines, your resume will not only be readable—it will also show that you understand Korean workplace values. This can give you a real edge over other foreign applicants. Now, let’s look at 20 frequently asked questions related to Korean resumes! 💬

❓ FAQ – Korean Resume Vocabulary

Q1. Do Korean resumes require a photo?

Yes, in most cases, a passport-style photo is expected unless the company specifies otherwise.

Q2. Is a Korean cover letter always required?

Not always, but it’s common and often listed as 자기소개서 (self-introduction letter).

Q3. Should I translate my degree or keep the original name?

You can write both: original degree name with a short translation in parentheses.

Q4. What file format should I use to submit my resume?

PDF is safest, but some platforms require Word documents.

Q5. Do I need to include my GPA?

It’s optional, but including it can help, especially for recent graduates.

Q6. Can I write my resume in English?

Unless the job requires English, most employers expect resumes in Korean.

Q7. How do I say "internship" in Korean?

It’s 인턴십 (inteonsip) or just 인턴.

Q8. Is a family background section really necessary?

Some companies still request it, though this practice is slowly disappearing.

Q9. What's the Korean word for “certifications”?

It’s 자격증 (jagyeokjeung).

Q10. Can I use resume templates from Google?

You can, but make sure to localize the layout and vocabulary.

Q11. What’s a common mistake foreigners make?

Using overly casual language or skipping sections like military status.

Q12. Are LinkedIn profiles used in Korea?

They’re growing in popularity but not a replacement for a Korean resume.

Q13. Do Korean resumes include personal statements?

Yes, often in the 자기소개서 section.

Q14. What is the Korean word for “manager”?

It’s 과장 (gwajang).

Q15. Is it okay to submit handwritten resumes?

Not recommended—typed digital resumes are standard now.

Q16. How do I say “proficient in Excel” in Korean?

엑셀 활용 능력 우수.

Q17. Can I submit a Western-style CV?

Yes, but it’s best to adapt it to Korean expectations.

Q18. What if I have no work experience?

Highlight education, certifications, and projects.

Q19. Should I include references?

Only if requested—usually not required.

Q20. Where can I find Korean resume templates?

JobKorea, Saramin, or university career portals in Korea.

📌 Disclaimer

This content is provided for informational purposes only. Resume requirements may vary by company and industry. Always check with the specific job posting and employer expectations before submitting an application.