Home > Business > Economy

First-time job seekers are adjusting expectations

Korean job seekers are becoming more realistic when searching for work, with more of them opting for smaller companies over conglomerates as their ultimate goal.

Instead of the higher salaries and brand power delivered by conglomerates, the young people surveyed prioritized stability and benefits.

According to a survey of 1,051 first-time job seekers conducted by the online recruitment portal Job Korea, about 50 percent of respondents said they would choose to work at small and midsize companies, with 40.2 percent choosing conglomerates and 34.3 percent state-run companies. The survey allowed multiple answers.

“College graduates and other first-time job seekers tend to target small and midsize companies from the beginning, not as an alternative if they don’t get hired by a conglomerate,” said a Job Korea representative.

Such a lowering of expectations extended to salary, too.

Survey respondents said they expect to receive an average annual salary of 23.1 million won ($21,585), slightly less than the average of 23.3 million won paid to high school graduates working at small and midsize companies.

Another study by Job Korea last year said graduates of two- to three-year community colleges were paid an average of 23.4 million won and four-year university graduates 26.5 million won.

The survey showed that respondents hoped to be employed at companies for at least 10 years.

BY KIM JI-YOON [jiyoon.kim@joongang.co.kr]