Hello! Welcome to Everyday Korean, where we upgrade your Korean skills!
Getting ready for a job interview in Korea? You’ll almost certainly hear this question first: “자기소개 해보세요” (Jagi-sogae haeboseyo), which means “Please introduce yourself.” This is your golden chance to make a great first impression!
Lately in Korea, the startup and tech scenes are booming, and they’re actively looking for global talent just like you! They want to see your passion and how you can fit into their team. A strong, confident self-introduction is the first step to show them you’re the one they’ve been looking for. So, let’s learn how to craft the perfect answer together!
Key Expressions for Your Killer Intro
Here are three essential building blocks for a powerful self-introduction.
1. The Professional Opening
- Korean Expression: 안녕하십니까. [직무]에 지원한 [이름]입니다.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Annyeonghasimnikka. [Jingmu]-e jiwonhan [ireum]-imnida.
- English Meaning: Hello. I am [Name], and I have applied for the [Job Position] position.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the standard, formal way to begin. 안녕하십니까 (Annyeonghasimnikka) is the most formal version of “hello,” perfect for an interview. The grammar
~에 지원한means “who applied for…” and it connects your name directly to the job you want. - 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Notice how 안녕하십니까 is pronounced [Annyeongha-sim-ni-kka] and not “Annyeongha-sip-ni-kka”? That’s because when the consonant ‘ㅂ’ (b/p) comes before ‘ㄴ’ (n), it makes a soft ‘ㅁ’ (m) sound. This is a very common rule in Korean called ‘비음화’ (bieumhwa), or nasalization. It makes the pronunciation smoother!
2. Highlighting Your Strengths
- Korean Expression: 저는 [경험/능력]을 가지고 있습니다.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jeoneun [gyeongheom/neungryeok]-eul gajigo itseumnida.
- English Meaning: I have [experience/skill].
- Detailed Explanation: This is where you shine! Use this sentence to talk about your most relevant experience. You can be specific. For example: “저는 3년 동안 마케팅 경험을 가지고 있습니다.” (I have 3 years of marketing experience.) The formal ending
~ㅂ니다/습니다is essential in an interview setting. - 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The expression 있습니다 is pronounced [이씀니다 (isseumnida)]. Just like our first tip, the ‘ㅂ’ (b/p) in습changes to an ‘ㅁ’ (m) sound before the ‘ㄴ’ (n). Also, the double consonant ‘ㅆ’ (ss) should be pronounced as a strong, tense ‘s’ sound, like the ‘ss’ in “miss.”
3. The Proactive Closing
- Korean Expression: 귀사에 기여하고 싶습니다.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Gwisa-e giyeohago sipseumnida.
- English Meaning: I want to contribute to your company.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a fantastic way to end your introduction. It shows you are not just looking for a job, but you want to actively help the company succeed. 귀사 (gwisa) is a formal, respectful word for “your company.” The grammar
~고 싶습니다means “I want to…” and shows your strong desire and motivation. - 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Let’s look at 싶습니다, which is pronounced [십씀니다 (sipseumnida)]. Wait, why doesn’t the ‘ㅂ’ change this time? It’s because it’s followed by ‘ㅅ’ (s), not ‘ㄴ’ (n). The nasalization rule only applies before ‘ㄴ’ (n) or ‘ㅁ’ (m). So you pronounce the ‘p’ sound clearly before making the strong ‘ss’ sound. It shows you are clear and confident!
Example Dialogue in Action
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real interview.
- 면접관 (Interviewer): 김민지 씨, 반갑습니다. 먼저 1분 자기소개 부탁드립니다.
(Myeonjeopgwan: Kim Minji-ssi, bangapseumnida. Meonjeo il-bun jagi-sogae butakdeurimnida.)
(Interviewer: Ms. Minji Kim, it’s nice to meet you. First, please give us a 1-minute self-introduction.) -
민지 (Minji): 네. 안녕하십니까. 마케터 직무에 지원한 김민지입니다. 저는 소셜 미디어 관리 경험을 가지고 있습니다. 창의적인 콘텐츠로 귀사에 기여하고 싶습니다. 감사합니다.
(Minji: Ne. Annyeonghasimnikka. Maketeo jingmu-e jiwonhan Kim Minji-imnida. Jeoneun sosyeol midieo gwalli gyeongheom-eul gajigo itseumnida. Chang-uijeogin kontencheu-ro gwisa-e giyeohago sipseumnida. Gamsahamnida.)
(Minji: Yes. Hello. I am Minji Kim, and I have applied for the Marketer position. I have experience in social media management. I want to contribute to your company with creative content. Thank you.)
See? Simple, professional, and powerful!
Culture Tip: Show Your Passion (열정)!
In Korea, especially in dynamic companies, interviewers look for more than just skills. They want to see your 열정 (yeoljeong) – your passion and enthusiasm!
While using the formal phrases we learned is crucial, showing you’ve researched the company makes a huge difference. When you say “귀사에 기여하고 싶습니다” (I want to contribute to your company), try to be a little more specific.
For example, if you’re applying to a company famous for its K-dramas, you could add: “I have always been impressed by your company’s dramas, and I want to contribute my marketing skills to share these amazing stories with the world.”
This small detail shows you are truly interested and have a genuine passion for their work. It will make you stand out!
Let’s Practice & Wrap-Up!
Great job today! You’ve learned the three key steps to a successful Korean self-introduction: a formal opening, highlighting your experience, and a passionate closing.
Now it’s your turn to practice!
- Fill in the blanks to create your own professional opening:
안녕하십니까. ___________에 지원한 ___________입니다.
(Job Position) / (Your Name) -
Make a sentence about a skill you have using the pattern below:
저는 ____________을/를 가지고 있습니다.
(Example: 한국어 능력 – Korean language ability, 디자인 경험 – design experience)
You are now one step closer to acing that interview! Try writing your own short self-introduction in the comments below. We would love to read it and cheer you on. 파이팅! (Fighting!)
