About this template
The Korea template is a Korean CV in Noto Sans KR with a hanbok red accent. Photo block, lines dedicated to date of birth, military service status (for male candidates) and TOEIC/TOEFL scores — the conventions chaebol and Korean tech recruiters expect to see at the top of the page. Suits bilingual candidates targeting Seoul, Pangyo and Busan.
Who is it for?
It fits candidates targeting the Korean job market — Seoul, Pangyo, Busan. Engineers (Samsung, LG, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor), finance (Korea Investment, Mirae Asset), semiconductors, automotive and entertainment industry profiles (HYBE, SM Entertainment, YG, Netflix Korea, CJ ENM) applying to Samsung, LG, SK, Hyundai, Naver, Kakao and Coupang, where the standard Korean CV header weighs as much as no Western format can substitute.
How to use it
The header includes photo (3 × 4 cm passport format, preferably light blue background), name in hangul AND Latin script, date of birth, military service status for male candidates (« Military service completed — Korean Army, 2018-2020 » or « Exempt »), TOEIC/TOEFL/OPIc scores (top-priority data for chaebol). Reverse chronology. For a semiconductor engineer (Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix), mention industrial certifications (ASML lithography, EUV) and process node experience (3nm, 5nm, 7nm). For finance, indicate KIFRS registration if applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Is military service really scanned?
For Korean male candidates or dual nationals, yes — military service (generally 18 months in army) is systematically scanned by chaebol and tech firms. Clear mention: « Military service: completed (KATUSA, 2019-2020) ». For foreign candidates targeting Korea, the line does not apply — the omission is understood.
Why are TOEIC scores so important?
Korean society attaches strong weight to standardised scores as a competence proxy. A TOEIC 900+ opens chaebol doors. TOEFL iBT 100+ and OPIc IH/AL for the multinational. For a foreign candidate, the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 5 or 6 is the equivalent and counts as much as TOEIC for recruiters.
Is a photo mandatory?
Yes for chaebol and most Korean employers. 3 × 4 cm passport format, taken at a professional studio (« 증명사진 », standard Seoul sajin photo studio), plain background light blue or white, sober business attire. Modern Korean startups (Coupang, Toss, Kakao) now accept the no-photo CV, but the majority of the market remains on the photo convention.
