Tips for getting used to Korea's company culture

What is come up on your mind when you works in Korea company? 

Let's take a look how is it the Korea company's culture and some tips for getting used to it. 

 

 

1. Never second guess superiors in public

The biggest role of people in junior positions is to listen, listen, and listen some more to find out what it is that their boss REALLY wants.  Sometimes that will be spelled out for you point blank, but most often it won’t be.

 

This notion can sound a bit old-school to some people from Western backgrounds, but it is the cardinal rule in the workplace (and even extends to families and other relationships). If you break it, observers will lose respect for you, and you will likely fall out of favor with your boss.

When in doubt, ask Korean colleagues of a similar rank. If you have an idea to add, or truly think something needs to be corrected, ask your boss for a few moments or even jot down your ideas in a well arranged document and send it off to your superior.

 

2. Start with the long term in mind

 

Start learning Korean language and culture from the get go, so that you don’t end up being one of those people married with two half Korean kids who can’t even order a coffee.  Even if you do leave after a year, you will have had a far deeper experience and even be able to write “intermediate Korean” on your resume for an exotic touch.   the fact is that a lot of people end up staying longer. It might be something in the water, or maybe it’s the addictiveness of spicy Korean food, but life in Korea can be pretty appealing overall despite the occasional frustrations.

 

3. Respect hierarchy

When Koreans eat out together, the youngest or lower ranked on will often set the table for the others, giving utensils to the older or highest ranked person first. This is not always the case, as many older people who wish to show respect for younger will do this kind of role as well, but in general, that is the way it works.

 

The values of Korean society are based on Confucianism, whereas Western cultures are generally based on Christian values. Things may look all the same at first glance, but there is an invisible order controlling all the things around you.

Letting senior people go out the door first, matching their eating pace and letting them finish and get up first, giving presents to them first are ways to show you understand and respect Korean hierarchy.

 

4. Show up a bit early, and leave a bit late

Try to show up for work a bit early, and don’t be caught being the first person rushing out the door.

It will make you look like you have a low level of commitment compared to others. Being foreign, of course you can sometimes get away with it, but to some extent it pays to be viewed as part of the team instead of the exception, considering that more companies are get to mind employees time by not forcing but, too much sometimes on special events.

 

5. Use 6th sense laws 

In case of having not grown up in Korea, you might not quite get things so quickly.  When things seem strange, it’s best to follow the lead of those around you or ask a close colleague for insight. You might be informed of things on a need to know basis, not because people are trying to hide something from you, but mostly because when things get busy some details get neglected, sometimes especially if there is a language barrier, things that people have been twittering about around the office for weeks might not become apparent to you until the day of, or after the fact.