Leaving Your Job in Korea? How to Hand Over Work Like a Pro!

Hello! This is [Daily Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Are you thinking about changing jobs or have you ever wondered what the process is like in a Korean company? Today, we’re diving into a super practical and important topic: 업무 인수인계 (eommu insu-ingye), or the process of handing over your work.

In Korea these days, it’s very common for people, especially in the MZ generation, to strategically change jobs to build a better career. This is often called ‘커리어 점프’ (keorieo jeompeu – career jump). So, if you find yourself in this situation, knowing how to leave your current job professionally is a crucial skill. Let’s learn how to plan a perfect work handover!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are the essential phrases for a smooth and professional handover.

1. 인수인계 (insu-ingye)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Insu-ingye]
• English Meaning: Work handover; transition of duties.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the core noun for the entire process. It’s a Sino-Korean word combining ‘인(引)’ (to pull, receive), ‘수(授)’ (to give), and ‘계(繼)’ (to connect). It literally means the act of receiving, giving, and connecting duties. You can use it with the verb ‘하다’ (to do) as in 인수인계하다.
  • Example: 인수인계를 잘 해야 돼요. (You have to do the handover well.)

2. 후임자 (huimja)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Huimja]
• English Meaning: Successor; the person who takes over a position.
• Detailed Explanation: This word refers to the colleague who will be doing your job after you leave. ‘후(後)’ means ‘after’ and ‘임(任)’ means ‘duty’ or ‘appointment.’ The opposite, your predecessor, is ‘전임자 (jeonimja)’.
  • Example: 제 후임자는 다음 주에 올 거예요. (My successor will come next week.)

3. 업무를 정리하다 (eommureul jeongnihada)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Eommureul jeongnihada]
• English Meaning: To organize/wrap up one’s work.
• Detailed Explanation: This phrase is key to the preparation stage. ‘업무’ means work or tasks, and ‘정리하다’ is a very useful verb meaning ‘to organize,’ ‘to arrange,’ or ‘to clean up.’ Before you can hand anything over, you need to organize your files, projects, and task lists.
  • 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
    Notice that 정리하다 is pronounced [정니하다, jeongnihada], not [jeong-ri-hada]. When the consonant ‘ㄹ (r/l)’ follows a nasal consonant like ‘ㄴ (n)’ or ‘ㅁ (m)’, the ‘ㄹ (r/l)’ sound changes to a ‘ㄴ (n)’ sound. This is a consonant assimilation rule called Nasalization (비음화), and it makes the pronunciation flow more smoothly. Another great example is ‘대통령 (president)’ which is pronounced [대통녕, daetongnyeong].

4. 자료를 전달하다 (jaryoreul jeondalhada)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Jaryoreul jeondalhada]
• English Meaning: To pass on/deliver materials or data.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the action part of the handover. ‘자료’ refers to all kinds of materials—digital files, documents, data, reports, etc. ‘전달하다’ means ‘to deliver’ or ‘to convey.’ This phrase means you are officially giving the necessary information to your successor.
  • Example: 후임자에게 관련 자료를 모두 전달했어요. (I passed on all the related materials to my successor.)

5. 꼼꼼하게 (kkomkkomhage)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Kkomkkomhage]
• English Meaning: Meticulously; thoroughly; in a detail-oriented way.
• Detailed Explanation: This adverb describes how you should conduct your handover. Being ‘꼼꼼하다’ is a highly valued trait in Korean work culture. It means you don’t miss any details and are very careful and thorough. Using this word shows your professionalism.
  • Example: 인수인계는 꼼꼼하게 하는 것이 중요해요. (It’s important to do the handover meticulously.)

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two colleagues, Mina (who is leaving) and Junho.

A (Mina): 저 다음 달에 퇴사하게 됐어요. 슬슬 인수인계 준비해야겠어요.

(Jeo daeum dare toesahage dwaesseoyo. Seulseul insu-ingye junbihaeyagesseoyo.)
I’m resigning next month. I should start preparing for the handover.

B (Junho): 아, 정말요? 후임자는 정해졌어요?

(A, jeongmallyo? Huimjaneun jeonghaejyeosseoyo?)
Oh, really? Has your successor been decided?

A (Mina): 네, 다음 주부터 출근해요. 지금 업무를 정리해서 필요한 자료를 전달하려고요.

(Ne, daeum ju buteo chulgeunhaeyo. Jigeum eommureul jeongnihaeseo piryohan jaryoreul jeondalharyeogoyo.)
Yes, they start next week. I’m organizing my work now to pass on the necessary materials.

B (Junho): 와, 정말 꼼꼼하게 준비하시네요! 역시 민아 씨예요.

(Wa, jeongmal kkomkkomhage junbihasineyo! Yeoksi Mina ssi-yeyo.)
Wow, you’re preparing so meticulously! That’s just like you, Mina.

Culture Tip: The Art of a ‘Cool’ Farewell

In Korea, how you leave a company is just as important as how you work there. The professional world, especially within a specific industry like IT or marketing, can be surprisingly small. People talk, and your reputation (평판, pyeongpan) follows you.

This is why a 꼼꼼한 인수인계 (a meticulous handover) is more than just a professional courtesy—it’s a career strategy. Leaving on good terms ensures that your former boss and colleagues will speak highly of you. This can be crucial for future job opportunities, as informal reputation checks (평판 조회, pyeongpan johoe) are common.

Koreans often use the expression ‘마무리가 중요하다’ (mamuriga jungyohada), meaning “It’s important to finish well.” A perfect handover is the ultimate expression of this idea in the workplace. It shows respect for the company and your colleagues, and solidifies your image as a responsible professional.

Let’s Practice!

Time to check your understanding.

1. Fill in the blank:
   새로운 [ _________ ]에게 업무를 잘 [ _________ ]하기 위해 자료를 [ _________ ] 준비하고 있어요.
   (I am preparing the materials meticulously to hand over the work well to the new successor.)

   Words: 꼼꼼하게, 인수인계, 후임자

2. Your Turn!
   Imagine you are leaving your job. What is one important document or piece of information you would need to pass on to your successor? Try to make a sentence using ‘~에게 ~를/을 전달하다’.

Great job today! Mastering these expressions will not only improve your Korean but also give you valuable insight into Korean work culture.

Leave a comment below using one of the expressions you learned! We’d love to see you try them out