Job Application Success: GUARANTEED TIPS for foreigners in Korea (From personal experience and professional advice from a career consultant!) You've meticulously detailed your resume, yet find yourself continually overlooked by recruiters or facing rejection in job applications? "X years of working experiences in big companies," "Amazing degree and famous university," "Tons of certificates and skills you’ve got to offer." Despite these qualifications, why do you continue to face rejection? Companies value your degree, certificates, skills, and background, but they aren't the heroes of your resume. Particularly in Korea, companies prioritize: 1. The challenges encountered in your previous roles. 2. Your problem-solving approach to those challenges. 3. The lessons learned from those experiences. 4. How your actions mitigated potential losses for the company or project. This approach is not only crucial in your resume but also during job interviews. Recruiters typically employ the STAR interview method to assess candidates' skills and verify experiences, ensuring reliable hiring decisions within a short timeframe. Therefore, candidates must familiarize themselves with the STAR framework to prepare for interviews. What is the STAR method? "STAR" refers to Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Interviewers seek concrete examples of candidates' past experiences, whether in a work or educational setting. Questions often begin with phrases like "Describe a situation where," "Tell me about a time you had to," or "Share an example of when." The best responses feature clear, concise information covering: - Situation: Describing the circumstances or challenges faced. - Task: Explaining the specific task(s) to be accomplished. - Action: Detailing the actions taken or decisions made to address the task. - Result: Defining the outcomes and impact of the actions. The STAR format helps employers evaluate candidates' responses to different work situations, providing insights into their problem-solving abilities and suitability for future scenarios. Below are 15 competency-based interview questions designed to elicit responses in the STAR format: 1. Describe a situation where you had conflicting opinions with a coworker. How did you handle it? 2. Tell me about a challenging project you worked on with tight deadlines. How did you manage your time? 3. Share an example of when you had to stay resilient while facing setbacks. How did you persevere? 4. Describe a situation where you dealt with a difficult client. How did you handle it? 5. Share a project that required you to acquire new skills. How did you approach the learning process? 6. Tell me about a time you identified a process that needed improvement. What actions did you take? 7. Share a situation where you gave constructive feedback to a senior colleague. 8. Describe a project that required cross-functional collaboration. 9. Discuss a time when you had to juggle multiple tasks. How did you prioritize? 10. Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make with limited information. 11. Discuss a time when you took responsibility for a mistake. 12. Describe a situation where you coached a coworker to improve their performance. 13. Share an example of when you took a calculated risk to accomplish a task. 14. Tell me about a project where you worked with ambiguity and uncertainty. 15. Give an example of a project where you had to think creatively to overcome a challenge. Keep practicing and good luck on your job hunting! Additional sources: TestGorilla Blog