[With Corona, Is Daily Life Recovery Possible?] "Frustrated by the Narrower Job Market"... 2030 Hope to Find Normalcy

Deteriorating Conditions for Job Preparation
Fewer Opportunities to Take Exams
University Students "Hope for Expanded In-Person Classes"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "From the perspective of job seekers, the situation has completely changed since COVID-19. I hope daily life recovers quickly."

Hwang (30), a fourth-year job seeker, has faced many restrictions in preparing for employment since the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest inconvenience was the limitations on using spaces set up by universities for job seekers to study, as well as restricted access to libraries. Additionally, study groups where people with similar study goals gathered were not properly operated due to infection concerns, causing disruptions in job preparation schedules and difficulties in obtaining information. Hwang said, "Due to various restrictions caused by COVID-19, the preparation period has lengthened," adding, "I hope to study as usual and succeed in getting a job."

As the COVID-19 crisis continues into its second year, young people's lives are becoming increasingly difficult. Conditions for job preparation have worsened, and the threshold for employment has risen. People in their 20s and 30s hope for a swift transition to phased daily recovery (With COVID-19) to improve the situation.

When the job portal Catch surveyed 1,041 job seekers in their 20s and 30s about their thoughts on With COVID-19, 56.1% responded that they were "looking forward to it." Furthermore, when asked how With COVID-19 would affect job seekers' job search activities, 67.5% answered that it would "be more helpful," and 56.8% predicted that the job market would become more active. The COVID-19 Daily Recovery Support Committee, officially launched on the 13th, plans to prepare a roadmap for phased daily recovery and implement it from early next month, coinciding with reaching a 70% vaccination completion rate.

Kim Dong-wook (31), a third-year job seeker, also said, "Many companies that posted job openings before COVID-19 have not been heard of actually hiring," adding, "The reduced opportunities to take exams at test centers due to social distancing have been a big blow." He continued, "I hope to hear news that the economy is recovering with With COVID-19 and that companies are hiring new employees on a large scale."

University students also hope for a swift transition to With COVID-19 due to the lowered quality of classes after the pandemic. Son (23), a third-year student at Kyung Hee University, said, "Since COVID-19, it is easy to hear that the quality of lectures has declined due to online classes," adding, "I want to attend face-to-face classes normally again with With COVID-19." He added, "I want to meet university classmates, seniors, and juniors whom I haven't seen for over a year due to social distancing and end the life of only attending online lectures."