Excerpted from the Korea Career Guide

IT has become a mainstay of Korea’s export-driven economy, accounting for nearly 11 percent of GDP and 33 percent of exports, according to SERI Quarterly, a publication of the Samsung Economic Research Institute. However, in spite of their successes - primarily in hardware - Korean technology companies are facing new challenges, including increased competition from China, and pressure to diversify into components and software. Growth in the IT industry is driven increasingly by the mobile sector, and the boundaries between mobile phones, TVs and PCs are blurring.

Areas of Job Promise

Recruiting consultancy Robert Walters expects strong IT recruiting this year, especially in software, telecommunications and online businesses. New product launches and business expansion will drive recruiting efforts. Both domestic and multinational IT companies have recruited sales and marketing professionals. Robert Walters reports although much of the hiring has been to replace departing staff, there has been some increase in headcount.

Multinational firms created new positions to support new product launches and technology acquisitions.

Domestic companies in the manufacturing, finance and telecommunications sectors also hired actively as they sought to increase market share. Sales professionals with specific industry experience and the ability to “generate new business were in particular demand,” says Robert Walters.

Organizations and Trade Associations

Information & Communication Professional Engineers Association of Korea - ICPEAK
 http://www.icpeak.or.kr/ (Korean only)
ICPEAK focuses mainly on the exchange of technological information and collaborative research between information and communication professionals. ICPEAK aims to contribute to developing, managing and maintaining effective and stable information and communication systems. It also works to enhance the members’ competency through the global exchange of expertise and insight, and protect the members’ profits and rights.

ICPEAK
Suite 309, Science & technology Building
635-4, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82-02-563-4500
Fax: +82-02-566-9474
Email: icpeak@unitel.co.kr

Publications

Hi-Tech Information
http://www.hitech.co.kr (Korean only)
This monthly magazine mainly provides articles about IT and related industries. Although the magazine does not specifically provide job-related information, it helps readers understand the trends occurring in the Korean IT industry. Hi-Tech Information formed an alliance with IDG, the worldwide IT information provider, and IDG supplies half of the news in this magazine.

Hi-Tech Information
3rd floor, Keumhong Building 1
137, Wonhyoro 4ga, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, Korea 140-851
Tel: +82-02-2635-8561/8471
Fax: +82-02-2635-3305
Email: jhsim@hitech.co.kr

This is just a sample of what you'll find in the complete Korea guide.